Chicago Lakefront Trail: A Self-Guided Bike Tour
+8 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 1–2 hours
- Price from
- $15 / person
- Location
- Chicago, United States
- Languages
- EN, EN
- Group
- Private
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- VoiceMap Audio Tours
- Meeting point
- Start your tour at the Divvy Bike Hub in Addams Memorial Park, Chicago, across the street from Lake Point Tower Condominium. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.
Description
This self-guided bike tour traces Chicago's reinvention from the ashes of the Great Fire to the skyline that rose in its place, pedaling the Lakefront Trail with Lake Michigan on one side and the city's icons on the other. The route begins near Navy Pier and rolls through Museum Campus, past the Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, and Field Museum. Buckingham Fountain and the towering Willis Tower come next, followed by Millennium Park's Cloud Gate — Chicago's beloved "Bean." A quick pass through the Loop takes in the Chicago Theatre, State Street, and Union Station before crossing the Chicago River. Stories of the Great Fire and the innovators who rebuilt the city play through your headphones the whole way. Perfect for first-time visitors, casual cyclists, and anyone craving a fresh angle on the city. Download the VoiceMap app and enter the ticket code from your confirmation email to start riding.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Next available
- Tue, Oct 13
- Adult (ages 6+)
- $15
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 12.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Navy Pier
Pass by Navy Pier, built in 1916 as a shipping and recreation hub before training WWII sailors. Today it draws millions with its historic Centennial Wheel, shops, gardens, and skyline views. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Field Museum
Cycle past the Field Museum, a natural history museum holding over 24 million artifacts, including Sue, the most complete T. rex skeleton ever found. Built for the 1893 World's Fair. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Adler Planetarium
Bike past the Adler Planetarium, America's first planetarium, opened in 1930. See its historic Zeiss projector, the Atwood Sphere, and nearby immigrant memorial statues. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Millennium Park
Ride past Millennium Park, home to Cloud Gate ("The Bean"), the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, and Wrigley Square. Built atop a former rail yard, it's Chicago's modern cultural showcase. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Pedal past Chicago Union Station, a grand 1925 Beaux-Arts rail hub designed by Daniel Burnham's firm. Its Great Hall has featured in films like The Untouchables. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Cycle past Daley Plaza, home to the untitled 50-foot Cor-Ten steel "Picasso" sculpture, gifted in 1967. The plaza hosts farmers markets and civic events year-round. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Clarence F. Buckingham Fountain
Bike past Buckingham Fountain, a 1927 gift to Chicago modeled after Versailles' Latona Fountain. Its jets soar 150 feet, with light-and-music shows on summer nights. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Ride past Grant Park, "Chicago's Front Yard," built atop rail lines and named for Ulysses S. Grant. It has hosted Lollapalooza, Taste of Chicago, and Obama's 2008 victory speech. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Pedal past the Ogilvie Transportation Center, a commuter rail terminal on the site of the historic 1911 Chicago and North Western Terminal, designed by architects Frost and Granger. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
What's included
Included
Directions to the starting point so that when you're in the right place, the tour will start
Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
The VoiceMap App for Android and iOS
Not included
Smartphone and headphones
Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
Food and drink
Transportation
An in-person guide
How it compares in Chicago
- Starting price $15 is 74% below the typical $57 for tours of similar length in Chicago
Excurgo comparison of 522 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The total tour time includes walking the route and passing by the attractions
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chicago Lakefront Trail: A Self-Guided Bike Tour take?
Chicago Lakefront Trail: A Self-Guided Bike Tour lasts about 1–2 hours. The itinerary has 9 stops.
How much does Chicago Lakefront Trail: A Self-Guided Bike Tour cost?
Prices start at $15 per person for this Chicago experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Chicago Lakefront Trail: A Self-Guided Bike Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day.
Can I cancel Chicago Lakefront Trail: A Self-Guided Bike Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Start your tour at the Divvy Bike Hub in Addams Memorial Park, Chicago, across the street from Lake Point Tower Condominium. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Chicago Lakefront Trail: A Self-Guided Bike Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN, EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 20 travellers can book together.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Compare similar tours in Chicago
- Lowest price: Bucktown and Wicker Park’s 606 Trail: A Walking Tour — $5
- Best rated: Bike Tour of Chicago's Lakefront Neighborhoods — 4.9 (267 reviews)
- Shortest: Bucktown and Wicker Park’s 606 Trail: A Walking Tour — 30 min–1h
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Lakefront Trail: A Self-Guided Bike Tour | 1–2 hours | — | $15 | |
 2 Hour Chicago Landmarks & Lakefront E-Bike Tour | 2 hours | 4.7 (9) | $72 | View |
 Bucktown and Wicker Park’s 606 Trail: A Walking Tour | 30 min–1h | — | $5 | View |
 Chicago Family Food and Bike Tour with Top Attractions | 4 hours | 4.8 (101) | $79 | View |
 Chicago Riverwalk Self-Guided Walking Tour | 1–2 hours | 4.0 (8) | $15 | View |
 Bike Tour of Chicago's Lakefront Neighborhoods | 3 hours | 4.9 (267) | $59 | View |
 Chicago Amazing Lakefront Bike Tour | 2 hours | 3.4 (8) | $47 | View |
from$15
Free cancellation