Chicago is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. With its beautiful parks, elegant museums and breathtaking destinations, The Windy City will undoubtedly give you and your friends and family an unforgettable experience.
If you want to experience the best of The Windy City without all the hassle, then Chicago bus tours are your best option.
What is a Chicago City Tour and why is it the best choice?
A city tour is a guided trip of an area where a guide explains the important sights and historical significance of a certain landmark. This is different from a “hop on hop off” tour, another popular city tour option in Chicago where buses travel along mapped routes and travelers have the option to board at several locations throughout the city.
Hop on hop off tours are great if you want to explore the city at your own schedule. However, if you want a detailed tour focusing on group transportation without worrying about getting off at the next stop, then a city tour via bus rental services will give you everything you need.
Best Places to Visit in Chicago
There are so many things to do in Chicago and because of this, it’s easy to get confused about where to go first and how to get there.
Here are the top hotspots of Chicago to jumpstart your tour:
Millennium Park
The Millennium Park is a public park located in the Loop community area of Chicago, Illinois and is one of the city’s most popular attractions. The park was established in 2004 and is one of the biggest free attractions of the city. Admission to the Millennium Park is free and it is open daily from 6AM to 11PM.
Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago houses more than 300,000 artworks from a variety of media including painting, sculpture, textiles, photography and more. The Institute is well-known for housing a collection of impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings by artists like Georges Seurat and Claude Monet.
Navy Pier
The Navy Pier is made up of acres of gardens, attractions, shops, and parks. It is also the home of the Centennial Wheel, a 200-foot Ferris wheel which offers visitors a breathtaking view of Chicago and Lake Michigan. Aside from that, you can also watch a film at the 3D IMAX Theater, watch a play at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater or take a stroll through the Crystal Gardens. You will always have something to do at the Navy Pier!
Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park is Chicago’s biggest park and is the home of the attractions like the Lincoln Park Conservatory and the Lincoln Park Zoo. The zoo was founded in 1868 and is one of the oldest zoos in North America and one of the few free admission zoos in the country. The Lincoln Park Zoo is the home of over a thousand animals from approximately 200 species.
Chicago History Museum
While you’re in Lincoln Park, make sure to visit the Chicago History Museum as well. There, you can take a journey to the city’s (as well as the country’s) proud history through the exhibitions from the museum’s own collection.
Buckingham Fountain
The Buckingham Fountain is located at the heart of Grand Park and is considered to be one of Chicago’s most notable landmarks. It was built in 1927 as a donation from Kate Sturges Buckingham in memory of her brother, Clarence Buckingham. The fountain operates in mid-April through mid-October from 8 AM to 11 PM with water shows occurring every hour lasting 20 minutes.
360 Chicago
360 Chicago is an observation deck or platform located 1000 feet above the Magnificent Mile in the John Hancock Building and offers a 360 view of the whole city. If you are an adventurer then you would definitely love the deck’s “Tilt” which dares visitors to lean over the side of the building and look straight down from the glass enclosure.
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field was built in 1924 and is the second-oldest Major League Baseball Park in the United States. Over the years, it has hosted a number of legendary moments in baseball history. For sports fans, a visit to Wrigley Field is a must.
Shedd Aquarium
The Shedd Aquarium is a public aquarium which opened on May 30, 1930, and is now the home of over 30,000 animals from more than 1,500 species including amphibians, fish, marine mammals, birds, snakes and many more. It is one of the attractions of the Museum Campus Chicago along with the Adler Planetarium and the Field Museum of Natural History.
Field Museum of Natural History
The Field Museum of Natural History is one of the largest natural history museums in the world. Permanent exhibitions include Animal Halls which features animal exhibitions and dioramas such as the Nature Walk which allows visitors a close look at the habitats that animals inhabit; the Evolving Planet which follows the evolution of Earth over 4 billion years and Inside Ancient Egypt which gives us a glimpse into the life of ancient Egyptians.
Adler Planetarium
Are you a fan of astronomy and astrophysics? Then the Adler Planetarium is a great place to check out. It was founded in 1930 by Max Adler and is located at the outermost tip of the Museum Campus. There you can watch shows in the Grainger Sky Theater which uses multiple projectors to screen films on a 70-foot-diameter dome. You can also go experience their exhibits such as their popular “Mission Moon” and the “What is a planet?” exhibitions.
Willis Tower Skydeck
The Willis Tower, or more commonly known as the Sears Tower, is a 1,450-foot skyscraper which offers a breathtaking view of all of Chicago. The Skydeck is open all year round, including the holidays!
Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry has over 2,000 exhibits displayed in 75 major halls and is considered to be the first in the United States to encourage their visitors to interact with their exhibits. It is open every day except for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Chicago Riverwalk
The Riverwalk provides a path along the Chicago River and is lined with restaurants and bars. There are also several options for river tours and cruises there.
Garfield Park Conservatory
The Chicago Garfield Park Conservatory is one of the largest botanical conservatories in the country. Presently, it houses over 600 species of plants most of which are indigenous to the region.
Soldier Field
Located in the South Loop, Soldier Field is a landmark of Chicago with a rich history. It’s a must-visit for sports fans and architecture buffs alike. Home to the NFL Chicago Bears and the MLS Chicago Fire, Soldier Field opened in 1924 but underwent a major renovation and modernization in 2002. In addition to NFL and MLS games, the 1994 FIFA world cup, 1999 Women’s World Cup, and even NHL games have been played at the stadium. Soldier Field has also hosted countless events, massive concerts, and even offers summer tours.
Final Thoughts
Those are just some of the many places that you can enjoy the best of The Windy City. You can call Chicago Motor Coach Inc. and we will be happy to provide you eco-friendly buses, knowledgeable tour guides and experienced drivers who will gladly take you to your chosen sights. For further questions, please contact us at 847-260-9797. Let us know how we can help you.