Chicago: Full Day Bike Rental with Map & Helmet Included

Summary

Cycle past Navy Pier, Lincoln Park Zoo, and Museum Campus

You’ll set off from downtown Chicago with your own bike, helmet, lock and map—free to explore places like Navy Pier or Millennium Park at your own speed. Pause for photos at Cloud Gate or wander through Lincoln Park Zoo without worrying about schedules. It’s about moving through Chicago’s neighborhoods on your terms—and maybe getting a little lost along the way.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed when I picked up my bike in Chicago was the faint smell of chain oil and that slightly nervous feeling you get before setting off somewhere new. The guy at the shop handed me a map and pointed out a few spots—he said if I got lost near Lake Michigan, just follow the breeze (and honestly, he wasn’t wrong). I clipped on my helmet, stuffed the lock in my bag, and wobbled off toward Navy Pier. There were families everywhere—kids with sticky fingers from ice cream, someone’s dog barking at seagulls. The lake was this weird blue-green color that looked almost fake in the morning light.

I didn’t really have a plan for my full day bike rental except to see as much as I could before they wanted the bike back by 5pm. Millennium Park was busier than I expected; people were lining up to take photos with Cloud Gate (the Bean), so I just watched for a while instead. Some guy tried to do a handstand in front of it and fell over laughing—his friends cheered. After that, I headed north along the lakeshore path toward Lincoln Park. The ride felt easy enough even though I’m not exactly Tour de France material. Stopped at the zoo because it’s free (which still surprises me), leaned my bike against a fence, and wandered around for half an hour. There was this weirdly sweet smell near the giraffes—hay mixed with something else? Hard to describe.

Later on, I got kind of lost near Grant Park but ended up finding Buckingham Fountain by accident—the water shot up so high it caught the sun and made little rainbows on the pavement. A couple of locals were arguing about baseball teams nearby (Cubs vs Sox never dies), which made me smile. My legs started to feel heavy after Museum Campus—I’d tried to pronounce “Shedd Aquarium” like my guide had earlier (“it’s just ‘shed’, not ‘sheed’,” she’d laughed), but honestly, by then all I wanted was something cold to drink. Wrigley Field was too far for me this time but maybe next round.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Chicago by bike at your pace

• Pick up bike, helmet, and map
• Cycle along Lake Michigan shore
• Visit Navy Pier attractions
• Stop at Millennium Park and see The Bean
• Bike north to Lincoln Park Zoo
• Explore Grant Park and Buckingham Fountain
• Visit Museum Campus attractions
• See Wrigley Field baseball stadium
• Return bike to rental shop by 5pm

Top questions

Is pickup included with the Chicago full day bike rental?

No, hotel pickup is not included; you collect your bike from the rental shop.

What attractions can I visit during my Chicago bike rental?

You can visit Navy Pier, Millennium Park, Lincoln Park Zoo, Grant Park, Museum Campus, and Wrigley Field.

Is a helmet provided with the full day bike rental?

Yes, each rental includes a helmet for safety.

When do I need to return my rented bike?

You need to return your bike to the shop by 5pm on the same day.

Are maps included with the Chicago bike rental?

Yes, you’ll receive a detailed city map to help navigate Chicago’s attractions.

Can children use this service?

Yes; specialized infant seats are available but must be rented with an adult bike.

Do I need to be very fit for this activity?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended for cycling around Chicago.

What’s included

Your day includes use of a bicycle fitted for you plus a helmet and sturdy lock; you’ll also get a detailed city map so you can chart your own route through Chicago’s neighborhoods before returning everything by 5pm.