L
Perfect
It was so fun and it was a great atmosphere and cool captain his name was ERIC
Chicago Helicopter Tour: Loop Tour
+16 photos
Description
Take to the skies and experience Chicago from an entirely new perspective on this extended helicopter tour showcasing the city’s most iconic landmarks, neighborhoods, and waterfront views. The flight begins near the Chicago Fire Practice Facility before heading over Chinatown, where colorful architecture and historic streets create a striking aerial view. From there, you’ll pass McCormick Place, the largest convention center in North America, stretching along the lakefront and highlighting the scale of Chicago’s downtown footprint. Continuing north, you’ll fly over Northerly Island and Soldier Field, followed by the heart of the Museum Campus, where the Field Museum and Adler Planetarium sit against the backdrop of Lake Michigan. Grant Park comes into view next, often called Chicago’s front yard, leading to an aerial look at Millennium Park and the unmistakable curves of The Bean.
Tour Options
Itinerary
A historic Chinese-American neighborhood on the South Side known for dim sum, restaurants, and the ornate Chinatown Gate.
The largest convention center in North America, hosting major trade shows and conventions along the lakefront.
A multipurpose arena near McCormick Place on Chicago's South Side, home to DePaul Blue Demons basketball and the Chicago Sky (WNBA), also hosting concerts and events.
A peninsula and nature park south of Soldier Field, home to walking trails, prairie habitat, and an outdoor concert venue.
Historic lakefront stadium and home of the Chicago Bears, known for its iconic colonnades.
A natural history museum famous for its dinosaur fossils, including "Sue" the T. rex, and global cultural exhibits.
Chicago's planetarium and space museum, the first in the Western Hemisphere, with sky shows and astronomy exhibits.
The vast Great Lake forming Chicago's eastern border, central to the city's recreation and skyline views.
Downtown Chicago's lakefront park, home to Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain, and major festivals like Lollapalooza.
Nickname for Cloud Gate, the reflective stainless-steel sculpture in Millennium Park and a top photo spot.
The scenic boulevard runs along Lake Michigan, connecting the city's lakefront neighborhoods and parks.
A luxury high-rise hotel and residence on the Chicago River, one of the tallest buildings in the city.
A historic pier on Lake Michigan with rides, restaurants, shops, and the iconic Centennial Wheel.
One of the oldest and largest art museums in the U.S., located in Grant Park, is renowned for its collection, including Impressionist works, American Gothic, and the iconic lion statues guarding its entrance.
An iconic 100-story skyscraper on North Michigan Avenue, officially renamed 875 North Michigan Avenue, known for its distinctive X-braced facade and the 360 CHICAGO observation deck with panoramic city views.
An observation deck on the 94th floor of the former John Hancock Center (875 N. Michigan Ave.), offering panoramic skyline views and TILT, a thrill attraction that tilts visitors out over Michigan Avenue.
The upscale stretch of Michigan Avenue known for high-end shopping, dining, and architecture.
A popular lakefront beach near Lincoln Park, known for its ship-shaped beach house and volleyball courts.
A large lakefront park on the North Side featuring trails, gardens, a zoo, and beaches.
A free, historic zoo within Lincoln Park, home to a wide variety of animals.
Iconic skyscraper now officially named Willis Tower, long the tallest building in the U.S. and a Chicago landmark.
Highlights
Fuel Surcharges & Fees
Pre-Flight Safety Briefing
Photo Opportunities
Lockers
Helicopter Flight
Live Pilot Commentary
What's included
Included
Fuel Surcharges & Fees
Pre-Flight Safety Briefing
Photo Opportunities
Lockers
Helicopter Flight
Live Pilot Commentary
Not included
Gratuity
Transportation / Hotel Pickups
Personal Bags & Carry-Ons
Parking Fees
Traveller Ratings
4.8
8 reviews
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(8)
L
Excellent experience for this tour
This is an excited experience, very fascinating .
E
Unforgettable
Fantastic, I recommend the tour after 7 PM
D
S.
It was amazing experience for first time in Chicago. You can see mostly of the town.
O
I love that you have your own parking lot
The experience is beautiful, the price is quite affordable, it is worth paying. On this occasion I went with my child with autism. I was scared thinking that he would refuse, and he was the happiest; it was a unique experience, hoping to repeat it again. I arrived early and didn't have to wait for my reservation time; when there was no line, we were next. I loved that; it gave us time to continue enjoying Chicago.
C
Good experience
Excellent experience, I recommend them
V
❤️
All was good great experience
J
Rush Flying Experience
I purchased our tickets through Groupon and scheduled our flight online for Saturday, July 18. The day before our flight, I called to ask how cancellations would be handled due to the hazy, smoky air from the Canadian wildfires. Unfortunately, the representative wasn't able to answer my questions, which left me feeling uneasy before our experience even began. On the day of our flight, the facility was very crowded and appeared to be running behind schedule. Our 7:45 p.m. flight didn't depart until around 8:05 p.m. While I understand delays can happen, communication would have been appreciated. My biggest concern was the seating. We were unexpectedly placed in a helicopter with another family, making a total of six passengers plus the pilot. It felt extremely cramped. I was squeezed into my seat, and my seat belt wouldn't even buckle properly. I immediately requested to be moved to another helicopter because I did not feel safe. The boarding process felt very rushed, and safety should never feel like an afterthought. Overall, the helicopter ride itself was enjoyable, but the lack of communication, delays, overcrowded seating, and the rushed boarding process made the experience much more stressful than it should have been.
Operator response
Thank you for the detailed feedback, and I'm glad the flight itself was enjoyable despite everything leading up to it. A few things I want to address directly. On the phone call, I apologize that we couldn't give you a clear answer about the smoke conditions, our phone lines aren't staffed 24/7, so depending on when you called, you may have reached someone without access to that information. That's still on us to fix, and I'll flag it so callers get a better answer going forward. On the 20 minute delay, I'd compare it to a restaurant reservation, the booked time is a target rather than a guarantee, since weather and prior flights can push things back. That said, you're right that a heads-up in the moment would have gone a long way, and I'll pass that along to the front desk team. On seating, shared versus private is selected at checkout, so if you booked shared, that's what placed you with another family. But I want to separate that from the seatbelt issue, a seatbelt that won't buckle properly isn't a "shared vs. private" question, it's a safety issue regardless of seating configuration, and it should never have made it to boarding. I'd like to look into that specific aircraft and how boarding was handled that day. If you're open to sharing more, please fill out the "Letter to the Owner" form on our website with your flight details and I'll follow up personally.
