Chicago's Gold Coast Hidden History: A Self-Guided Audio Walk
Amy Bizzarri, author of 111 Places in Chicago That You Must Not Miss, takes you on a fascinating self-guided audio tour of hidden historical spots in Chicago's gilded Gold Coast. Peep behind the gates of the original Playboy Mansion, walk along a wooden block-paved alley, sip a Faster Pussycat in Chicago's oldest piano bar and more as you enjoy a delightful walk through time in this exclusive Chicago neighborhood.
The starting point is the Chicago History Museum, located at 1601 N. Clark Street. The tour is ready whenever you are and the audio plays automatically at exactly the right time and place using your smartphone's GPS and the VoiceMap mobile app, which also works offline.
Chicago Architecture Center Exhibits Admission
The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) was founded in 1966 as the Chicago Architecture Foundation to save the historic Glessner House. Since then, the CAC has grown to become one of the largest cultural organizations in Chicago. Visit the CAC to view our 4,250-building scale model of Chicago, shop in our award-winning store or participate in a fun family event in our ArcelorMittal Design Studio.
On the Chicago Model, view more than 4,200 buildings in one spectacular room at the cinematic and interactive Chicago City Model Experience.
At the Chicago Gallery learn how Chicago became the "city of architecture," with a look at its fascinating neighborhoods, housing styles and famous architects.
As a certified nonprofit, all CAC ticket purchases directly support our education efforts and community engagement projects.
City Cruises Chicago: River Architectural Lunch Cruise
Fine dining and unrivaled skyline views await from the moment you step aboard our Premier Plus Chicago Lunch Cruise. A selection of delectable plated lunch specials and craft cocktails will delight your palate while captivating panoramas of Chicago’s iconic architecture are marveled at from our glass-enclosed vessel. Breathtaking views of landmarks such as the Willis Tower, Navy Pier, and the Old Chicago Post Office can be enjoyed from the comfortable interior or the open-air spaces. This upscale experience on the Chicago River is complete with light architectural narration, masterful DJ entertainment, and top-notch service. Set sail for an awe-inspiring lunch cruise experience!
Chicago Suburbs Hidden Gems: Small-Group Exploration Tour
Experience a global adventure without leaving Chicagoland! This tour blends rich cultural landmarks, stunning natural beauty, and nostalgic favorites, creating a one-of-a-kind experience.
1. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir– Step into an architectural masterpiece often called the "Taj Mahal of Illinois."
2. Leaning Tower of Niles– A mini replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
3. Bahá’í House of Worship– A spiritual and architectural wonder, one of only eight in the world.
4. Gillson Park Beach– Walk along the white sand shores, a Midwest treasure.
5. Westfield Old Orchard Center– Enjoy one hour of shopping and lunch at one of the most beautiful open-air mall.
6. Chicago Botanic Garden– Marvel at springtime tulips like the Netherlands or unwind in the serene Japanese Garden, an oasis year-round.
7. Home Alone House– Visit the iconic film location, a nostalgic stop for movie lovers in the North Shore's wealthy neighborhood.
8. Scenic Drive Along North Sheridan Road
Chicago 4-Hour Sightseeing Transfer by Luxury SUV
Skip the crowded, shared bus and enjoy the city from your own luxury vehicle and private, uniformed chauffeur. Stop where you want, when you want, stay as long as you like.
Full Tour Customization - Choose your own route, attractions & timeline!
Experience Chicago from your own luxury private vehicle driven by professional chauffeurs. We can accommodate any request, just ask!
- Chicago's Highest Rated Limo And Car Service
- 10 Years in the limousine business
- Proven track of exceptional customer service
- Professional, Safe, Fully Uniformed Chauffeurs
- FBI Background checks for all drivers
- $350,000 Commercially Insured
- GPS tracking devices on all vehicles
- "Driver ON Location" automated text message
- Chicago Based company
Note: This service includes private transportation only. No tour guide or narration is provided
Deep Dish Cooking Class at Pizzeria Uno in Chicago
You will learn how to make (and get to eat) an authentic Deep Dish pizza, all at the Birthplace of Deep Dish pizza - Pizzeria Uno. Be a part of American food history by cooking with Pizzeria Uno. Not only do you get to enjoy your masterpiece, but you can then make Deep Dish pizza at home with the knowledge that you have acquired!
Enjoy your pizza with a salad and a drink (soda, beer or wine).
Chicago River Sunday Funday Mimosa or Bloody Mary Party Cruise
Sunday Funday Mimosa Cruise – Chicago’s Floating Tiki Bar Adventure!
Sundays are Fun-Days aboard our vibrant floating tiki bar, Island TIme, where the drinks are cold, the vibes are high, and the views are iconic! Cruise down the Chicago River the Island Party way—with a mimosa or Bloody Mary in hand and a front-row seat to some of the world’s most stunning architecture.
This all-day Sunday celebration is perfect for locals and visitors alike. As you drift through the heart of the city, enjoy a relaxing ride surrounded by breathtaking views, lively music, and the laid-back atmosphere of our one-of-a-kind vessel.
Have questions about Chicago’s legendary buildings? Just ask! Our friendly crew is always happy to share a few fun facts along the way.
Mimosas, Bloody Marys, and skyline magic—all aboard for the best Sunday in the city!
Chicago Riverwalk Self-Guided Walking Tour
Welcome to Chicago’s scenic Riverwalk. Spanning from Lake Michigan west to Franklin Street. Called the city second Lakefront', the Riverwalk contains restaurants during the summer months, seating areas to relax, boat rentals, and theater-style seating for various performances. Other attractions along the Riverwalk include the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza, and the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum and if you are lucky enough, see a bridge lift from inside the bridge house.
After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point.
New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.
Chicago Lake Michigan Skyline Sunday Funday Party Cruise
Kick off your Sunday the right way—with mimosas, Bloody Marys , and unbeatable views of Chicago’s stunning skyline aboard Enchantment, our flagship vessel. This ticketed cruise is the perfect blend of relaxation and celebration, set in a stylish Tiki Chic atmosphere.
Enchantment features two climate-controlled decks, two full bars, two bathrooms, a premium sound system, and both indoor and outdoor viewing areas—so you can sip and socialize in total comfort, no matter the weather.
Your adventure begins on the Chicago Riverwalk, where you’ll board the vessel and enjoy your first refreshing drink. Then, you’ll experience the rare and scenic journey through the Chicago Locks, before heading out onto Lake Michigan, where the city’s skyline stretches endlessly before you.
Join us for a Sunday Funday like no other—where great drinks, good vibes, and epic views come standard.
Skydeck - Willis Tower Admission
Gaze upon the city sights from the pinnacle of Chicago, the Skydeck. Located on the 103rd floor of Willis Tower, formerly Sears Tower -- the third-tallest building in the world -- the Skydeck offers spectacular sweeping views and is full of interactive exhibits. To complete your exciting Chicago experience, head to the Ledge, a glass balcony showcasing unbeatable views of Chicago’s top attractions like Wrigley Field and the Navy Pier.
We added a brand new Chicago Experience that you start with by the box office prior taking the elevator trip to the 103rd floor. It is a 45,000 sq ft. museum of today. The New Experience is part Chicago History, part Architecural tour, part Selfie Museum and part Children's Museum. This is fun and interactive for all ages. Ride our "L" Train, see our infinity pizza bed, take pictures ontop of Willis Tower and so much more! This is the best way to see Chicago in one setting.
With mobile tickets, simply scan your phone for direct entry into the SkyDeck
Chicago-Naperville Indoor Skydiving with 2 Flights & Personalized Certificate
Feel the thrill of skydiving without jumping out of an airplane. It's true! Head to iFLY Naperville in Chicago, a premier indoor skydiving facility powered by a state-of-the-art vertical wind tunnel. After a training session, you'll experience free-fall conditions with the help of an instructor. No experience is necessary, and afterward, you can take home a personalized flight certificate.
Downtown Chicago TV and Movie Sites Guided Walking Tour
Explore downtown Chicago through the lens of film and television on this guided walking tour featuring iconic filming locations from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Untouchables, The Dark Knight, The Bear, Blues Brothers, and more.
Led by a local actor guide, you’ll visit famous Chicago sites seen on screen. From Bruce Wayne’s penthouse and Harvey Dent’s office to the parade route from Ferris Bueller and locations featured in Public Enemies and Ocean’s Eleven. Along the way, your guide shares behind-the-scenes stories, trivia, and fun facts you won’t get from walking the city on your own.
With a manageable group size, clear meeting point, and a well-paced two-hour route, this tour is an easy, no-planning-required way to experience Chicago. Popular with first-time visitors and locals alike.
This popular tour frequently books up on weekends — advance reservations recommended.
Chicago Helicopter Tour: City to Shoreline
Your journey begins with a southeast departure from the Vertiport, offering early views of the city’s iconic skyline. Flying east, you’ll head toward the lakefront and cruise south along the shoreline, passing Soldier Field, the Museum Campus, and continuing down to the historic Museum of Science and Industry in Hyde Park. From there, the route turns north, following Lake Michigan’s edge past Navy Pier, the John Hancock Center, and up to Montrose Harbor; a favorite city escape with marinas and beaches. You’ll then loop south once more, enjoying a sweeping view of Chicago’s lakefront before heading west to return to the Vertiport. It’s a dynamic tour showcasing both downtown and the scenic south shore in one unforgettable flight.
Lake Michigan Fireworks Cruise in Chicago
No city embraces summer quite like Chicago. Join in the celebration with friends and family on this epic fireworks cruise. Get up-close and personal every Wednesday and Saturday night with an unobstructed 360-degree view of this exciting and thunderous spectacle.
Wind and Souls an Adults Only Ghost Tour in Chicago
Leave the little ones at home and step into the shadows for a spine-chilling evening designed exclusively for adults.
Not all spirits in Chicago are content to rest in peace—and not all hauntings are friendly. On our Wind & Souls: Adults-Only Ghost Tour, we’ll peel back the veil of the city’s darker past to reveal the sinister specters that still lurk in its alleyways, abandoned buildings, and forgotten corners. These are the tormented souls of murderers, madmen, and those who met their end in the most tragic of ways.
This tour isn’t for the faint of heart. You’ll hear about the cursed, the vengeful, and the downright malevolent spirits whose presence still chills the air and unsettles the soul.
Wind & Souls is a mature, adults-only experience, featuring explicit historical details, strong language, and unsettling true stories pulled from the shadowy depths of Chicago’s haunted past.
Verse Immersive Holographic Theater in Chicago
HIGHLIGHTS
- The World's First Holographic Theater
- Wield real magic, stroll through the cosmos, or train and battle life-sized dinosaurs – Verse has it all
- Great for Families, Date Nights, and Solo Adventures
Step into a living, breathing holographic world where YOU are the hero of the story. At Verse Immersive, you'll use cutting-edge augmented reality glasses to cast spells, explore galaxies, and interact with holographic animals—all while staying connected to your friends and surroundings. No motion sickness, no disorientation, just pure wonder. Whether you're visiting Chicago with family, friends, or a significant other, this one-of-a-kind, choose-your-own-adventure experience is unlike anything you've ever tried.
Chicago's Navy Pier Centennial Wheel Ticket
No visit to Navy Pier is complete without a ride on the Centennial Wheel, Navy Pier's iconic, 200-foot-tall Ferris wheel, promising unparalleled views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. Each gondola seats up to 8 guests and is fully enclosed for year-round comfort.
Chicago Architecture River Tour & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour
Save 20% when you bundle these two iconic Chicago experiences!
Discover Chicago by road and river with a 48-hour Hop-on Hop-off Ticket and Shoreline Architecture Cruise combo! This ticket includes a 48-hour pass for our hop-on, hop-off Chicago sightseeing bus tour, and a pass for admission to Shoreline Sightseeing's must-do 75-minute Architecture River Cruise! You'll see the city's world-famous architecture from iconic streets like Magnificent Mile, Lake Shore Drive, State Street, Clark Street and Grand Ave, and from all three branches of the Chicago River.
Create your own itinerary and explore at your own pace with unlimited bus exit and entry. Over 40 Chicago landmarks await you on the 75-minute Shoreline Architecture Cruise, from hidden architectural treasures to the city’s most famous landmarks. Expert live guides explain how Chicago’s buildings, architecture and engineering made the city famous.
Chicago Skyline Snap Tour Helicopter Flight Over Chicago
Witness Chicago’s stunning skyline from above on this exhilarating helicopter tour. Departing from the Vertiport, the flight offers breathtaking views of the city’s iconic architecture, including Soldier Field and the Shedd Aquarium, as well as the picturesque Lake Michigan shoreline. This unforgettable experience showcases 8 key points of interest along a scenic 10-mile route, perfect for photography enthusiasts and those seeking a unique perspective of the Windy City.
- 10-mile scenic helicopter flight over Chicago's skyline
- Fly past famous landmarks like Soilder Field and Chinatown
- Minimum of 2 passengers required, maximum of 3 per flight
- Free parking available at the Vertiport Chicago
Frank Lloyd Wright Robie House Admission
The Frederick C. Robie House on the University of Chicago campus is considered one of the most important buildings in the history of American architecture. This Prairie style masterpiece is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the 20th Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright List. Discover the residence Wright described as “a cornerstone of modern architecture” on guided tours that take in both the exterior and interior of the building. Inspired by the expansive landscape of the Midwest prairie, Wright’s Robie House is the most famous of the architect’s groundbreaking Prairie houses.
Public tours are available Thursday - Monday. The museum is closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Save when you book directly at
Visit to learn more.
Chicago 3D Fireworks Cruise
Experience a getaway without leaving the city on this 3D Fireworks Cruise, departing Wednesdays and Saturdays from the Chicago Riverwalk every week during the summer months. Enjoy lively narration to the Chicago Harbor Lock and capture stunning photos of Chicago’s skyline. Then put on your complimentary “3D” glasses and enjoy a musical soundtrack as you take in an unbeatable view of a Chicago’s fireworks display from Lake Michigan!
Please arrive 30 minutes in advance. The boat departs promptly at the scheduled departure time.
2-Hour Chicago Wine and Cheese Cruise
This Wine & Cheese Cruise is a world class Chicago experience for locals and visitors. Board our famous tour boats at Michigan Avenue, and enjoy the Chicago River and Lake Michigan while tasting wine and cheese pairings. There is also a full service bar and climate controlled cabin on the vessel's lower deck. This activity does not have a narrated tour but features light music during the cruise.
Chicago Sunset Tour by Open-Top Bus with Live Guide
Experience the magic of Chicago at dusk on a live-guided panoramic adventure that captures the city in its most captivating light. Watch the entire skyline come to life, from Magnificent Mile to Museum Campus and beyond. From the top deck of an open-top double decker, you’ll have a perfect vantage point to see the best of Chicago.
Witness the vibrant nightlife of River North brim with energy, trendy bars, and eclectic dining options. Your knowledgeable guide will provide fascinating insights and stories into the history and hidden stories of Chicago.
Next, the journey takes you along the legendary Michigan Avenue. From the upscale shopping and historic architecture of The Magnificent Mile to the cultural treasures of State Street Theater District, you’ll experience the diverse facets of Chicago’s most famous avenues. See renowned attractions like the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, and the Art Institute of Chicago, all beautifully illuminated against the evening sky.
Lake Michigan 30-Minute Speedboat Ride
Enjoy Chicago’s iconic skyline with an exciting speedboat Tour on Lake Michigan. Departing from Navy Pier, the Lakefront Speedboat Tour is the best way to view Chicago from the water. Seadog offers fun for the whole family (and the dog, too!) combining an exciting speedboat ride along the shoreline with informative and amusing descriptions of the world-famous Chicago skyline!