Chicago · CHICAGO BUS TOURS
The neighbourhoods worth seeing are a long way apart, which is what a bus is for. These 13 compare the hop-on routes, the fixed-loop tours and the crime and mob runs on price, duration and how many stops you actually get off at.
Ride a climate-controlled coach through Chicago’s mob past with an entertaining local guide. You’ll see Capone and Dillinger sites, stop at the Biograph Theatre and Harry Caray’s mini museum, and hear crime stories from River North to Lincoln Park.
“We had so much fun and learned a lot! Our tour guide Mike was informative and hilarious! Would do this again!”
See Chicago from an open-top double-decker bus on a 24-, 48-, or 72-hour pass. Ride past Millennium Park, Navy Pier, Grant Park, and the Magnificent Mile, using the app to track buses and plan stops. Digital commentary, WiFi, and four self-guided walks are available with selected tickets.
“We had an excellent few hours riding around Chicago and learning about the various spots. Our driver was very knowledgeable and the journey was really comfortable. Headphones were awful but plenty of stops and chances to grab a few pictures.”
Ride Chicago’s open-top Big Bus for 24, 48, or 72 hours, passing Willis Tower, Millennium Park, Navy Pier, Museum Campus, and the Magnificent Mile. Use live bus tracking, digital commentary in English or Spanish, and optional walking tours or an architecture cruise to shape your own day.
“It was fun because it was very informative and interactive at the same time! I liked the music that they were playing between stations.”
Ride an enclosed, climate-controlled bus through Chicago’s crime past, from H. H. Holmes and Leopold and Loeb to Al Capone and John Dillinger. You’ll stop for photos, visit a mini mob museum, see Frank Nitti’s safe, and hear live English commentary from guides such as Jay, Katie, and Jamie.
“Guide-Dane-was great, really enthusiastic. Loved seeing Nittis secret room.”
Ride through Chicago with a live guide such as Avery, Rick, or Alan, stopping at the Rookery, Buckingham Fountain or Lincoln Park, Museum Campus, and the skyline. The air-conditioned minibus seats a small group, while narration adds stories about architecture, movies, neighborhoods, and Chicago culture.
“Very fun and informative. Out of the elements most of the time. Guide was great. Had fun with the others in the small group.”
Spend about two hours tracing Chicago’s gangster past by comfortable bus. A live guide covers Al Capone, John Dillinger, Dean O’Banion, Frank Nitti, and Hymie Weiss, with stops at crime scenes, the Biograph Theater, Nitti’s Vault, and historic downtown sites.
“The tour was educational and entertaining! We would recommend to anyone who is interested in the history of the city.”
Join guides such as Ted or David for a 3-hour-45-minute Chicago brewery tour aboard a climate-controlled bus shaped like a barrel. Visit up to three breweries, sample 45 to 55 ounces of craft beer, hear Prohibition-era stories, and return to River North.
“It was a great experience🍻 i loved meeting new people new places finding what chicago has, if u want to explored, this is a good thing to do, i took my sister 👩❤️👩and we both enjoyed the experience. im waiting for them to have the wine tour I will definitely go 😊😁🍷”
Choose a downtown walking tour or neighborhood bus tour through Chicago’s Prohibition past. Guide Jonathan Knotek leads you to three or four historic bars, sharing gangster stories, high-society scandals, and drink recommendations. Drinks and food cost extra, and all tours are for adults 21 and over.
“Jonathan provided a wealth of information and delivered it in a manner that kept you intrigued. All of the establishments were very welcoming. Will definitely recommend to friends and colleagues!”
Ride an open-top double-decker bus through Chicago at sunset, passing Navy Pier, the Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park, the Wrigley Building, and the Museum Campus. A live English or Spanish guide provides the stories, with guides such as Matty and Bernie praised for humor and city knowledge.
“Bug bus broke before we left We had to cancel. Big bus should have another bus to replace it and have the excursion, not cancel it.”
Spend about three hours touring Chicago’s haunted places by comfortable bus with guides such as Tony, Larry, Joann, or Jen. Hear grim city history, visit the old cemetery and Death Alley, and try EMF readers or dowsing tools at selected stops. The tour begins and ends at the Congress Plaza Hotel.
“Experience went smoothly. Met in the lounge/lobby of Congress hotel, bus was comfortable, and made 5 stops. Tony was a great guide and storyteller. He was full of knowledge and easy to understand. Definitely a must!”
Ride with a local English-speaking guide through Chicago’s Loop, Grant Park, Museum Campus, Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, and Lake Shore Drive. You’ll make three photo stops, including a skyline view, and can add a 75-minute river cruise from mid-April through October.
“Informative as well as humorous - good driver - good way to see downtown highlights as well as the nice area near Lincoln Park. Highly recommend.”
This 1-hour-45-minute Chicago mob tour travels by climate-controlled minibus from 600 N Clark Street to about 10 gangster-era sites. Costumed guides such as Marie and Winnie mix Prohibition history, city facts, humor, and North, South, and West Side stories for a small group of up to 10.
“A very informative tour about pre and prohibition times in Chicago. Winnie our guide she presented nice, dinamic and very entertaining. She was knowledgeable and left us with very pleasant memories about this tour.”
Spend four hours with an English-speaking guide such as Ted or David, riding a custom barrel bus between three Chicago breweries. Taste 45 to 55 ounces of beer, play party games, and take a behind-the-scenes tour at a nano-brewery. Bring ID and closed-toe shoes.
“Loved it, this is a gem. Great variety of places, the barrel bus was amazing, and our guide was knowledgeable and fun to chat with. Highly recommend, so much fun!”
Pick a river, a sidewalk or a plate.
