5 Recommended Tours In Chicago

From turn-of-the-century architecture to glistening lake vistas, Chicago is a playground of landmarks with stories. Take some time to get to know the fifth most populated city in the US by booking one of these five recommended tours.

1. Learn about famous landmarks on Chicago Architecture River Cruise

Architectural Landmark

An architecture cruise ship and barge on the Chicago River

If you book only one tourist activity while in Chicago, make sure it’s the Architecture River Cruise. The outing combines the relaxation of a boat ride with the fulfillment of learning about the buildings that border the river. Chicagoans will love the new perspective of floating by structures such as the Apple Michigan Avenue flagship store. Tourists, on the other hand, will be in awe of skyscrapers such as the Willis Tower, all while taking note of which river restaurant to stop by for a bite to eat after the tour.

2. Indulge in a tipple on the 1893 World’s Fair Tour with Bars

Historical Landmark, Market, Park

History buffs will love peering into architectural spaces from the era of the 1893 World’s Fair on this tour, which challenges guests on a visual scavenger hunt. Participants are split into two teams to compete, deciphering clues and looking for the answers inside 125-year-old buildings. The tour is sprinkled with bar stops; therefore, you can get your German-style lager fix inside a century-old pub along the way. Whether you’re familiar with the 1893 World’s Fair and read The Devil in the White City or not, this tour will ripen your understanding of the late 19th century and Chicago history in general.

3. See the best city views at 360 CHICAGO at the John Hancock Building

Architectural Landmark

Observation deck, John Hancock Building, Chicago.

A short walk from the lakefront, the John Hancock Building has something for everyone. There’s a mall, a fine-dining restaurant, a hotel and best of all, a 94th-floor observation deck. Ride the elevator up to the 17,000-square-foot (1,579-square-meter) platform, which boasts 360-degree views of Chicago’s dazzling skyline and turquoise lakefront. Skip the long line at the ticket counter, and head straight to the bar for a drink instead. The bar comes with a thrilling view that will take your breath away – or at the very least provide a solid Instagram backdrop.

5. Travel back in time on the Bizarre Wicker Park Tour

Historical Landmark

Milwaukee and Damen Avenues in the trendy Wicker Park in Chicago

Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood is known for having unique shops and celebrated restaurants. However, before the boutiques and mood-lit bars, the residential streets acted as stomping grounds for out-there artists, radicals and mobsters. This tour tells the stories of the neighborhood’s bizarre past, complete with unsolved murders and lingering fables. The storied history of community activism and secret scandals will amaze you. Walk by iconic churches and taverns, and peer into the remains of Victorian-era warehouse buildings. Also, there will be a chance to visit shops that have repurposed old storefronts. This tour might just leave you with more questions than answers.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.