Chicago

As with many cities in the northern United States, the best time of year to visit Chicago is May through October. The downtown area is divided into several neighborhoods consisting of "The Loop," South Loop, West Loop, River North and Old Town. Although walk-able in some respects, "The Loop" is about 1.5 square miles and that is just a small portion of the downtown area. If this is your first time visiting the "Windy City," we suggest purchasing tickets for a variety of Chicago tours that will help to navigate all the different neighborhoods and tourist attractions.

CityPass

By far the most cost effective way to visit a variety of Chicago attractions is the CityPass. Many of the larger cities in the United States offer their unique version of a Go Card or CityPass, which often include discount admissions and FastPass entries. Chicago is no different. Visit some of the world's best museums and skyscrapers while saving time and money on your ticket purchases.

Recommended Chicago Tours

Land & River Tours

To experience the best of Chicago, it's essential to see the city from both perspectives. Boasting a half-day itinerary that covers all major points of interest in downtown Chicago, the land and river tour offers a comprehensive overview of the history, architecture and popular attractions that make the city a great vacation destination. While the land portion of the tour is informative and fun, most people like cruising the Chicago River and Lake Michigan even more. Make sure to get pictures during the river tour as you cruise by Trump Tower, The Civic Opera House and Wrigley Building. Take notice as you pass under several steel drawbridges, like the DuSable Bridge, which are so close you can almost touch them. All these impressively engineered structures make great backdrops for selfies and group photos.

Segway Tours

Chicago is home to several companies that operate all types of Segway tours that wind through Millennium Park, The Loop and Museum Campus. Although expensive for a large group or family compared to other options, Segway tours offer the speed of a bicycle without having to exercise! Chicago temperatures can climb into the 90s during the summer months, so if you're looking for a tour that will allow you to breeze through without a sweat, choose a Segway. Most itineraries last for about 90 minutes and offer insightful facts about the historic architecture and fun things to do while vacationing in the city.

Bike Tours

Chicago is one of the most bike-friendly cities in America. The most impressive attraction for cycle enthusiasts is the 22 mile Lake Shore Bike Trail. It spans from Edgewater Beach in the North to the Museum of Science and Industry on the Southside. Throughout the summer, thousands of people flock to the trail for exercise and tour opportunities. You can rent bicycles all over the city or catch up with an organized bike tour group.

Ghost Tours

One of the lesser-known tour opportunities in Chicago happens after nightfall. Some significant events in the history of Chicago have made it one of the most haunted places to visit in the Midwest. The Great Chicago Fire, The Eastland Disaster and The Iroquois Theatre fire have all contributed to making Chicago a hotbed for paranormal activity. There are several reputable ghost tour companies operating from downtown Chicago and many of them offer convenient pickup locations near popular hotels and intersections.

Top Rated Chicago Attractions

Skyscrapers

If you're afraid of heights, Chicago is probably not the best place to visit. The best Chicago attractions are located 1,000 feet above ground. The Hancock Building and Willis Tower both offer interactive experiences that will make you think twice about stepping close to the edge. Trump Tower offers a restaurant and bar on the 16^th floor with great views of the Chicago River and Wrigley building. Looking to dine a little higher up? Check out the Signature Room on the 95^th floor of the Hancock building. It boasts magnificent views of Lake Michigan and the city.

Museums

Second only to New York City, Chicago boasts some of the best museums in the United States. If you're an art lover, check out the Art Institute or Museum of Contemporary Art. The Art Institute is world-renowned for its incredible collections of classic masterpieces as well as unique artifacts. If it's natural history you crave, then a visit to the Field Museum is definitely in order. Several floors of ancient artifacts and collections center around a massive T-Rex named Sue. She�s an archeological masterpiece and a "must see" for any history buff.

Zoos

When is the last time you visited a zoo for free? When you vacation in Chicago, check out the Lincoln Park Zoo. It's FREE! Supported by taxpayers and private donations, the Lincoln Park Zoo has hundreds of rare animals that rival some of the best collections in the world. Although many of the animals live inside during the winter, it's still open for Zoo Lights, a magnificent display of Christmas lights that twinkle in the night sky for several weeks in December. Looking for something even bigger? Check out Brookfield Zoo located about 45 minutes from downtown. It has everything you could ask for in a world-class zoo, including a Christmas light spectacle that is sure to get you in the holiday spirit. There is an admission fee, but it's well worth it.