Chicago: 360 Observation Deck & 48-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Bus

Two Days, Eleven Stops, One View That Stays With You

You get 48 hours of unlimited bus access across Chicago's main attractions, admission to the 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck on the 94th floor with panoramic views, audio commentary in multiple languages, four digital walking tours, and real-time bus tracking through the Big Bus app. The observation deck time is scheduled at booking; the bus runs anytime during 10am–4pm, so you control the pace.

Is this one for you?Best for first-time visitors and families who want to see Chicago's main landmarks without renting a car or planning transfers — the fixed observation deck time and flexible bus schedule mean you control both the structure and the pace.

What’s included

Your pass includes 48-hour unlimited hop-on hop-off bus access across eleven stops, general admission to the 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center, professional audio commentary in multiple languages, four exclusive digital walking tours of Chicago neighborhoods, and the Big Bus Tours app for ticket storage, live bus tracking, and mobile ticket activation. Wheelchair-accessible transportation is available, and service animals are welcome.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Chicago with bus and observation deck

• Start hop-on hop-off bus tour
• Visit Chicago Riverwalk
• Stop at Skydeck Chicago & Willis Tower
• Explore Millennium Park and Art Institute
• See Hilton Chicago and Grant Park
• Visit Adler Planetarium
• Explore Field Museum and Museum Campus
• Stop at Chicago Architecture Center and Sheraton Grand
• Visit Navy Pier
• See Water Tower and Magnificent Mile
• Visit John Hancock Center
• Enjoy 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck views
• Continue hop-on hop-off bus tour

The Experience

So you're standing on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center, and Lake Michigan just spreads out in front of you like someone pulled back a curtain. That's 360 CHICAGO, and it comes with your ticket — but the real work starts when you get back down to street level and realize you've got 48 hours to move through the city however you want. The hop-on hop-off bus runs from 10am to 4pm, and you can jump off at any of the eleven stops: Chicago Riverwalk, Millennium Park, Navy Pier, Grant Park, the Field Museum, Water Tower and the Magnificent Mile. No schedule to chase. You just show up, board an open-top bus, and the audio commentary tells you what you're actually looking at — the history, the architecture, why a building matters. It's not rushed.

The Red Route hits the neighborhoods that matter if you're new to Chicago. You'll pass Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower, the Art Institute, the Adler Planetarium, and the Chicago Architecture Center. The app lets you track the bus in real time, so you're not standing on a corner wondering if you missed it. And because you've got two full days, you can spend three hours at Millennium Park watching people touch Cloud Gate, then hop back on the bus and head south toward the museums without feeling like you're racing. The commentary runs in multiple languages, so if you're traveling with someone who doesn't speak English, they're not left out of the story.

One thing that matters: the observation deck time is locked in when you book — you pick your slot — but the bus tour itself runs anytime during those operating hours. So if you book the deck for 2pm, you can ride the bus in the morning, hit your deck time in the afternoon, and keep going after. The app stores your ticket, so you're not juggling paper. Download it before you arrive, and you can activate everything from your phone and board at Stop 1 on the Riverwalk. You also get access to four digital walking tours if you want to explore on foot — neighborhoods, architecture, that kind of thing. It's built for people who want to see the city without renting a car or figuring out the L.

Top questions

What's included in the 48-hour pass?

Unlimited hop-on hop-off bus access across eleven stops, admission to 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck, audio commentary, four digital walking tours, and the Big Bus app for tracking and mobile tickets.

When does the hop-on hop-off bus run?

10am to 4pm daily. Your observation deck time is fixed at booking, but you can ride the bus anytime during operating hours.

How many stops are there?

Eleven stops on the Red Route, including Chicago Riverwalk, Millennium Park, Navy Pier, Grant Park, Field Museum, Water Tower, and the John Hancock Center.

Do I need to download the app?

No, but it's recommended. The app lets you activate your ticket, track buses in real time, and board using your phone. You can also redeem tickets in person at Stop 1 on the Riverwalk.

Is the observation deck accessible?

Yes. The 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck is wheelchair accessible. Transportation options are also wheelchair accessible.

Can I bring children?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a stroller or pram. Infants must sit on an adult's lap during the bus ride.

What if I want to upgrade at the observation deck?

TILT (a tilting glass floor experience) can be purchased onsite at 360 CHICAGO. Check their website for operation hours.

Is there audio commentary in other languages?

Yes. The bus commentary is available in multiple languages.