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Illinois Garden & park tours

Our most recommended Illinois Garden & park tours

Chicago: CityPASS® Save 48% or More on 5 Top Attractions

1. Chicago: CityPASS® Save 48% or More on 5 Top Attractions

Make use of the Chicago CityPASS® on your next trip to Chicago. See amazing animals, incredible views, fascinating science, world-class art, and more with your Chicago CityPASS® tickets. CityPASS® tickets offer convenient instant delivery and are valid for 9 consecutive days, allowing ample time to experience each attraction. Save 48% on prepaid admission to 5 must-see attractions: • Shedd Aquarium – All-access admission • Skydeck Chicago – Expedited entry to Willis Tower’s 103rd Floor with admission to The Ledge Plus your choice of admission to 3 of the following attractions: • Field Museum – All-Access Pass, including admission to all permanent and regularly priced ticketed exhibitions, plus your choice of 1 digital 3D film. Movie selection is subject to availability and specially ticketed exhibitions outside the All-Access Pass may be subject to additional charges • Art Institute of Chicago – Fast Pass Admission to permanent collection and non-ticketed special exhibitions • Museum of Science and Industry– Museum entry to Science Storms, Numbers in Nature: A Mirror Maze, YOU! The Experience, and much more, plus 1 timed-entry experience for a Giant Dome Theater film or Motion Ride • 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck – Express entry admission • Adler Planetarium – All exhibitions and 2 Sky Shows • Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tour

Chicago: 1.5-Hour Romantic Sunset Cruise

2. Chicago: 1.5-Hour Romantic Sunset Cruise

Relax as you glide over the Chicago River and into Lake Michigan on this cruise. Enjoy the glow of the sunset on Chicago's sparkling skyline. Have the option to purchase delectable drinks and snacks at the onboard bar as you sail. Start your sunset cruise on the Chicago River at Michigan Avenue. Make your way along the main branch of the river towards Lake Michigan before entering the Chicago Locks, a modern engineering marvel, that will transfer the vessel onto the great Lake Michigan. The vessel will cruise along Lake Michigan as the sun sets behind the wonderful skyline offering several amazing views. Your local tour guide will give a very brief commentary along the Chicago River and entrance to Lake Michigan, but most of the 1.5-hour cruise is spent without narration, leaving you to watch the sun put on a beautiful display with the City skyline. Admire the many angles of the Chicago skyline from Lake Michigan, one of the largest bodies of fresh water in the world. Capture magical views of Chicago's twin super-skyscrapers, the famous Willis (formerly Sears) Tower and the John Hancock Building. You'll also get to admire the majesty of Grant Park with its famous Buckingham Fountain, and iconic Chicago venues such as Soldier’s Field, Adler Planetarium, and the Shedd Aquarium. During your cruise, treat yourself at the full-service cash bar featuring authentic Chicago products. Try local beer and spirits and Garrett’s Popcorn. Choose between the fresh air of the open-air decks or enjoy the comfort of the climate-controlled interiors during your cruise. Don’t forget to take a selfie at the Grand Staircase at the front of the boat or pose for photos at the picturesque stern or bow of this classic vessel.

Chicago: 1.5-Hour Lake and River Architecture Cruise

3. Chicago: 1.5-Hour Lake and River Architecture Cruise

Experience an architecture cruise along the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, a family tradition since 1935. Admire Chicago’s historic and ever-changing skyline with a local expert guide as you cruise through the city. Choose between the open-air decks or the comfort of the climate-controlled interiors during the cruise. Start the cruise at Michigan Avenue (DuSable) bridge and go up the main branch of the Chicago River to Wolf Point before heading back past the Chicago Riverwalk towards Lake Michigan. Learn about historic skyscrapers like the Wrigley Building and the Tribune Tower, the deco Merchandise Mart, mid-century skyscrapers like the Mies Van der Rohe AMA Building, the circular Marina City Towers, the AON Center, and modernist structures like Aqua, Trump Tower, Nuveen, and the Vista Tower. After passing through the Chicago Lock and cruising past Navy Pier, admire the Chicago skyline from Lake Michigan, one of the largest bodies of fresh water in the world. Here you can also see the twin super-skyscrapers, the famous Willis (formerly Sears) Tower, and the John Hancock Building. See the majesty of Grant Park with its famous Buckingham Fountain, and iconic Chicago venues such as Soldier’s Field, Adler Planetarium, and the Shedd Aquarium. Enjoy several vantage points for memorable pictures throughout, and finally arrive back at Du Sable Bridge on Michigan Avenue.

Chicago: City Minibus Tour with Optional Architecture Cruise

4. Chicago: City Minibus Tour with Optional Architecture Cruise

Start with a pickup from your downtown Chicago hotel. Board your climate-controlled minibus and embark on your guided sightseeing tour. Begin in the heart of downtown Chicago, at The Loop. Here you'll see incredible architecture, including the world's first skyscrapers. You'll even go inside one that features a beautiful lobby designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.  The stop also includes views of The Chicago Board of Trade and the Willis (Sears) Tower. After The Loop, head through Grant Park, which is known as the city's front yard. The centerpiece of the park is the Buckingham Fountain. Museum Campus is up next, with three museums, Soldier Field, and the most spectacular skyline views in the city. After a 10-minute photo stop, travel around Millennium Park, featuring The Bean, before heading up north along Wacker Drive, which parallels the Chicago River. Arrive in the fancy Gold Coast nightlife area and residential neighborhood - one particularly interesting sight here is the original Playboy Mansion.  Then, take a trip through part of Lincoln Park, and end the tour by zipping along Lake Shore Drive, past beaches, and old mansions, before being dropped off at your hotel. For those wanting the ultimate Chicago experience, add on the option of the world-famous architecture cruise of Chicago. After your minibus tour and a short break, climb aboard a state-of-the-art cruise vessel for a 75-minute cruise of all three branches of the Chicago River. Marvel at the architecture that has made the city so legendary. Gain insights into the buildings and engineering of a city that gave birth to the skyscraper and is the spiritual home of modern American architecture. An expert guide will lead you down the Chicago River to uncover hidden gems, as well as the city’s most renowned landmarks, such as the John Hancock building and more.

Chicago Lakefront: Seadog Speedboat Ride

5. Chicago Lakefront: Seadog Speedboat Ride

This half-hour Seadog Speedboat ride along Chicago’s lakefront is one of the best ways to view the city’s skyline while learning about the city. Combine an exciting speedboat ride with informative and amusing stories about the world-famous Windy City. As you depart Chicago's Navy Pier, your captain will tell you interesting facts about the pier and the lakefront as he cranks up the music and races to key lakefront landmarks. Stop near the picturesque lakefront park of the Chicago Museum campus, where you’ll learn about the architecture and history of Chicago. Admire views of the Magnificent Mile neighborhood, including the Buckingham Fountain, Sears Tower, Grant Park, and Chicago's largest shopping district. Listen to the thrilling sound of the turbo engines as you race around the Lake Michigan waterfront and back to the Navy Pier. Upgrade to the Extreme Thrill Ride Option and experience exhilarating speeds and full 360° spins. This jet-propelled ride blasts off to start and splashes down to stop. Experience full-throttle slalom runs, sharp twists and turns, and the raw power of Seadog Extreme's 1400 HP engines.

Amazing Lakefront Segway Tour of Chicago

6. Amazing Lakefront Segway Tour of Chicago

Glide around the streets and parks of Chicago on a leisurely guided Segway tour. Perfect for Chicago newbies and veterans alike, the tour uncovers quirky facts about one of America’s most energetic destinations. Begin with a training session to become familiar with the unique self-balancing Segways, before exploring the Windy City in a fun and futuristic fashion. Start your Segway experience at Millennium Park and continue to Grant Park to stop and admire the famous Buckingham Fountain Ride to Museum Campus to soak up spectacular views of the Chicago skyline and beautiful lakefront. Capture pictures to share of the expansive views of the sea-like Lake Michigan. Return to your meeting point at the end of your tour.

Chicago: Beautiful Lakefront and Museum Campus Segway Tour

7. Chicago: Beautiful Lakefront and Museum Campus Segway Tour

Segways are amazingly fun and there is no better way to tour a world-class city like Chicago than on your own personal set of wheels--a Segway! Our eight-mile Lakefront Chicago Segway tour lets you learn about and view and many Chicago's attractions in a highly unique way. As you glide effortlessly and enjoy the lakefront, you can learn the history of our city from your friendly and professional tour guide. Immerse yourself in the area's countless attractions, gorgeous parks and gardens, and stunning photo opportunities. See sights like Grant Park, the BP Bridge, the Bean, and the Buckingham Fountain, as well as generous views of Lake Michigan and the majestic skyline. Segways are safe to use, easy to learn, and fun to ride. We offer a thorough training session from our certified guides before we begin the tour.

Chicago: Offbeat Guided Street Art Tour

8. Chicago: Offbeat Guided Street Art Tour

Join your tour guide and discover the living canvass decorating Chicago. Visit different neighborhoods, learn about the interesting pieces adorning the city walls, and hear about the artists that created them. Chicago is home to some of the best artists in the world, many of them creating art right before your eyes. This guided tour is designed to highlight these street artists, celebrating the spectacular works right under your nose, hidden behind buildings, or just around the corner. Experience art in a dynamic environment as you wander the streets of Wicker Park, Bucktown, and Logan Square. Listen as your guide transforms the city into a living gallery, highlighting the often-overlooked art scene here.

Chicago : The Field Museum Skip the Line 2H Guided Tour

9. Chicago : The Field Museum Skip the Line 2H Guided Tour

Meet your tourguide for a breathtaking 2-hour tour of the Field Museum, one of the most important museums in the world, part of the complex known as the Museum Campus in Chicago. A visit alone without a guide can be tiring because the museum's collection includes more than thirty million specimens. Some of the exhibits in the Field Museum include a large collection of dinosaur skeletons (including Sue, the largest and most complete skeleton of Tyrannosaurus rex currently known), a comprehensive exhibit on the evolution of the planet (spanning four billion years), extensive anthropological exhibits on the humanities and cultural sciences (including artifacts from ancient Egypt and pre-Columbian civilization, but also from the Pacific Northwest, the Pacific Islands, and Tibet), a large and diverse taxidermy collection (including large mammals such as two African elephants and several felines including Tsavo Lions from the 1996 film Shadow and Prey), and an exhibition on the ancient Americas with a large collection of Native American and Aztec artifacts.

Chicago: Westside Food Tasting Bike Tour with Guide

10. Chicago: Westside Food Tasting Bike Tour with Guide

Go around the world without leaving Chicago! Sample the best of Chicago’s West side neighborhoods decadent food options. Learn the stories of the immigrants from all over the world who helped make Chicago the city it is today, while tasting their delicious foods. Gaze at the historic homes, warehouses, and skyscrapers of Chicago's most historic neighborhoods. Ride along the new elevated 606 trail and the beautiful Lakefront Trail. Begin your tour in Chicago's bustling River North. Cross the iconic Chicago river, then ride through historic meatpacking district Fulton Market, now Chicago's restaurant and tech ground zero. Sample a delicious Mexican torta and a beer at a celebrity chef's new brewpub. Then ride past Google's new headquarters and some beautiful murals before arriving in Ukrainian Village, where you will taste the world's best Polish pierogis. From there, pass gorgeous 19th-century mansions before having another delicious ethnic snack in hipster hot spot Wicker Park. Bike along the new 606 trail, a bike path on a formal elevated rail line, and then sample some delicious ice cream and toffee in Lincoln Park. From there, head to quaint Old Town for a chocolate tasting, and finish off the tour with a beautiful ride down Chicago's world-famous Lakefront Trail.

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What people are saying about Illinois

Overall rating

5.0 / 5

based on 1 reviews

It was one of the best tours I have been on. Dave is an excellent city guide, very kind, personable and considerate of his group. He took us places I never knew existed in Chicago and he inspired us about Chicago and how very unique and fun the city is. I will take another tour with him the next time I’m back.

Great experience. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. The food was great too with many stories about it and the city. Highly recommend it.

Our docent was extremely knowledgeable and the tour was well worth it.

it was fun and learned tons of stuff about the city!

Our guide Brian was fantastic. Very knowledgeable.