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

Free cancellation

1/12

Duration2h

Audio guideEN · ES

Mobile ticketAccepted

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.

Step-by-step itinerary

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.

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.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Big Bus Tours - USA

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.