Chicago Architecture River Tour & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour
Description
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.
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Digital Walking Tour options include Chicago Architecture, Chicago Riverwalk, Public Art, and Millennium Park Tour
- Download the Big Bus Tours app to access and activate your ticket, track buses in real time, and board easily using your mobile ticket.
Reviews(49)
Our big bus tour experience in Chicago was incredibly frustrating due to poor communication and unreliable operations. On August 15 (our first day), we boarded at the first stop around noon. Everything seemed fine until we reached stop #4, where the driver suddenly announced that stops #5 and #6 were being skipped. We were given zero prior notice when we got on at stop #1, and absolutely no explanation. To make matters worse, there was nothing on their website about these skipped stops. Because we specifically wanted to visit the Adler Planetarium at stop #5 (which is why we bought the Go City Pass), we made sure to ask the driver before getting on the bus on August 16 if they would be stopping at #5 and #6. The driver assured us they would, and we were also told buses run every 20-30 minutes. Unfortunately, that wasn't the reality. On August 16 at 4:10 PM, we waited at stop #5 for more than an hour. Using their tracking app while waiting, I watched as two buses stopped at stop #4 and then completely skipped stops #5 and #6, heading straight to #7. If you are going to skip stops or run them on an entirely different schedule than advertised, you need to be honest with your customers so we aren't left stranded waiting for hours. Cannot recommend based on this lack of transparency and reliability.
100% the BEST way to see the city and learn about it's history! The docent Jeremy was engaging and fun and made the experience feel like a VIP tour! I loved that there was a little "intermission" so we could enjoy the bar and not miss anything! 20 out of 10 experience!
Thank you for your fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear that you had such an outstanding experience. Jeremy will be delighted to know that his engaging and fun commentary made the tour feel like a VIP experience. We're also glad you enjoyed the intermission and had the opportunity to relax and enjoy the bar without missing any of the tour. Thank you for your kind words, and we hope to welcome you back again soon for another unforgettable experience! 😊🚌 Alex@BigBusTours
No communication or information on river cruise. Finally found the company and found out we had been booked on a 10am cruise (at 12pm). That company was amazing and rescheduled and provided directions on where to go, best times etc. 5 stars Big Bus tour… first driver was good, provided commentary and interesting facts/info.. Then busses stopped coming, waited over an hour at a stop. The bus that finally showed up and that driver had no interest in providing a tour. Driving aggressively, getting honked at, etc. Went thru several “stops” without even stopping so finally had to demand to get off at a stoplight several blocks past the stop we wanted to visit. Took Ubers after that. 1 star, not worth the money.
Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed feedback. We're pleased to hear that you had a positive experience with the river cruise company and that they were able to accommodate you despite the booking confusion. Regarding the bus tour, we're disappointed to hear that the experience was inconsistent. Waiting over an hour for a bus, encountering missed stops, and receiving a significantly different level of service from one driver to another is certainly not the experience we aim to provide. Reliable service, clear communication, and a consistent onboard experience are all important parts of the tour. To allow us to investigate the issues you encountered, please contact our Customer Service team with your booking details and a summary of your experience. We would like the opportunity to review the matter and provide an appropriate resolution. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Alex@BigBusTours
The boat tour was wonderful. Our guide was very knowledgeable and willing to answer questions. The architecture of Chicago is very impressive!
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the boat tour and found it both informative and engaging. Chicago's architecture is truly remarkable, and we're glad you had the opportunity to experience it from the water. It's especially great to know that your guide's knowledge and willingness to answer questions helped make the experience even more enjoyable. Our team is passionate about sharing the city's history and architectural highlights, so your kind words mean a great deal. Thank you again for sharing your experience. We hope to welcome you on board again for another memorable tour in the future! Flavius@BigBusTours
The trip was canceled due to high water levels. How do I get a refund for this?
Our guide was the best guide I’ve ever had and gave us awesome information along the Chicago River. It was very hot, but there was some shade that we were able to get and some breeze when we were moving.
Hi, Kayla! Thank you for your lovely feedback. We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your tour and that your guide made your experience memorable with their excellent information about the Chicago River. We appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you on board again soon. Alexandra@BigBusTours
Architecture tour was amazing. Our guide was energetic and kept it upbeat. Other than trying to figure out where the pick up dock actually was (not clearly mentioned in booking) the rest of the experience was great.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the architecture tour and that your guide helped make it such an engaging part of your day. Your note about the pick up dock is very helpful and we will work on making those directions clearer for future guests. Alexandra@BigBusTours
If you're new to Chicago, this activity is a must-do. My family of 4 (2 kids under 12) had a blast riding around town. We did the entire tour and also jumped off at a few places. It was fun actually being "touristy." Shout out to Candace for a great narration of the city! We actually got on the bus a 2nd day just to ride because the weather was great. The architecture cruise was also great. Such a different, beautiful view. Claire was a great docent! Well worth the money and we'd actually do it again next time we're in town!
Thank you for your amazing review! We're thrilled to hear that you and your family had a blast exploring Chicago with us. Our team takes pride in providing a fun and informative experience, and we're glad Candis made it even more special for you. We can't wait to have you back for another adventure next time you're in town! #ChicagoExplorers #TouristsForADay
We chose the 48 hour tour and easily took our time and was able to see all the stops and more. Memorial weekend, busy streets, stop #2 was close on 1st day, public parking available 3 blocks from meet up. We were able to see stop #2 the second day, more shopping, and sightseeing. The bus is just so convenient to get from one place to the other. For the river cruise, I walked towards the counter and was greeted right away by staff. Through my Big Bus app she reserved and claimed the ticket I didn't do in the morning. We walked up at 2:35 and got on for 2:45 cruise. The cruise was the highlight for us, we love chicago architecture and the stories behind them.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us! We are thrilled to hear that you had such a fantastic time on our 48-hour tour. Our goal is to make sure our customers have a seamless and enjoyable experience, and we are happy to hear that we were able to accommodate your needs. The river cruise is definitely a must-do for anyone in Chicago, and we are glad it was the highlight of your trip. We can't wait to have you back on board for more unforgettable adventures!
The hop on hop off bus tour was excellent. The driver Felisha did a great job. However I was not sure which river tour operator to approach with this booking.
Thank you for your great feedback! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the hop on hop off tour and that Felisha made such a positive impression with her driving and service. We appreciate your comment regarding the river tour operator, and we understand how important clear guidance is for connecting experiences. Your feedback has been shared with our team to help improve communication for future guests. Ciprian @ Big Bus Tours
