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Top Things to Do in Illinois

We compared all 135 experiences in Illinois so you can choose in minutes — real prices, verified reviews and our editorial picks.

4.7 135 experiences from US$ 16 Free cancellation on most experiences
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Chicago River Architecture Cruise: 40+ buildings from the water
Chicago River Architecture Cruise: 40+ buildings from the water★★★★★★★★★★ 4.84 (17,014)1h–1h 30mYou board a guided boat on the Chicago River and spend 2–3 hours watching over 40 buildings pass by — Willis Tower, John Hancock Center, Marina City, and others — while an expert guide explains the architecture, history, and stories behind each one. The boat has a bar and restrooms, moves at a pace that lets you actually absorb what you're seeing, and gets you off the streets and onto the water without you having to arrange anything else.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Chicago's architecture without navigating streets or figuring out sightlines — the river gives you the angles, the guide gives you the context, and the boat keeps you comfortable for 2 to 3 hours while the city unfolds in front of you.Free cancellationTravelers' pickMost bookedfromUS$ 39View ›
Chicago River: 90-Minute Architecture Boat Tour
Chicago River: 90-Minute Architecture Boat Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.71 (10,970)1h 30mYou board a narrated boat at the Wrigley Building and spend 90 minutes traveling all three branches of the Chicago River with a trained architectural guide. You see Marina City, the Merchandise Mart, the Magnificent Mile, and a century of design decisions explained as you float past them. Indoor and outdoor seating means you choose your comfort level, and a restroom on board keeps you settled for the full ride.Is it for me?Book this if you want Chicago's architectural history explained by someone who knows it, without having to navigate the city yourself or piece together why each building matters—the boat does the moving, and the guide does the connecting.Free cancellationTravelers' pickLikely to sell outfromUS$ 45View ›
Chicago: Architecture River Cruise & First Lady Boat Tour
Chicago: Architecture River Cruise & First Lady Boat Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.93 (7,138)1h 30mYou board at the Chicago Architecture Center docks and spend 90 minutes on the water with an expert docent explaining the buildings that define the city—Willis Tower, Marina City, the Merchandise Mart, and others—as you pass them. The boat has a restroom and climate-controlled cabin. Seating is first-come, first-served, and there's no elevator to the dock, so plan accordingly.Is it for me?Book this if you want to understand Chicago's architectural history without arranging your own route or timing—the docent-led format and fixed 90-minute schedule handle the storytelling and pacing, leaving you to look and listen.Instant confirmationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 57View ›
Chicago River: 45-Minute Architecture Boat Tour
Chicago River: 45-Minute Architecture Boat Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.65 (3,600)45mYou board at the Magnificent Mile, cruise the main and south branches of the Chicago River, and pass six major landmarks — Marina City, Wrigley Building, Merchandise Mart, and more — with a local guide explaining the architecture and history. The boat includes a restroom and climate-controlled shelter, and the whole thing takes 45 minutes from dock to dock.Is it for me?Right for travelers with limited time in Chicago who want the main architectural landmarks explained without planning a route themselves. The 45 minutes is short enough to fit between other activities, which is exactly what makes it work as an introduction to the river.Free cancellationTravelers' pickLikely to sell outfromUS$ 28View ›
Chicago Crime Mob Bus Tour: Al Capone, Massacre
Chicago Crime Mob Bus Tour: Al Capone, Massacre★★★★★★★★★★ 4.60 (3,558)1h 30m–2hA 1.5- to 2-hour bus tour of Chicago's crime and mob history with a live guide, departing from Water Tower Place in the Near North Side. You ride a climate-controlled coach through Streeterville, River North, Lincoln Park and the Loop, get off at historic sites like the Biograph Theater and the St. Valentine's Day Massacre location, and hear documented stories of Al Capone, John Dillinger, Frank Nitti, Bugs Moran and other Prohibition-era figures. The tour includes a mini mob museum, crime trivia, historic video footage and a souvenir brochure.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to hear Chicago's crime stories from a live guide who knows the neighborhoods and can point out the exact sites where events happened—the bus and walking stops let you see the places instead of just reading about them, and the museum and video footage add depth to what your guide explains.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 49View ›
Chicago Skyline Boat Tour: River & Lake Michigan views
Chicago Skyline Boat Tour: River & Lake Michigan views★★★★★★★★★★ 4.69 (2,443)1h 30mYou board at Michigan Avenue and spend the tour on the water—first on the Chicago River passing the Wrigley Building and Marina City, then through the lock onto Lake Michigan for the full skyline view. A professional guide narrates the architecture and history the whole way. Climate-controlled seating, restrooms, and all fees included. No walking required.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want to understand Chicago's architecture and history without walking or arranging their own route—the boat does the moving, the guide does the explaining, and the two waterways show you the city from an angle you can't get from the street.Free cancellationTravelers' pickLikely to sell outfromUS$ 45View ›
Chicago: Food Walking Tour with Deep Dish Pizza & Hot Dog
Chicago: Food Walking Tour with Deep Dish Pizza & Hot Dog★★★★★★★★★★ 4.85 (2,314)3hYou’ll walk through downtown Chicago tasting deep-dish pizza, classic hot dogs “dragged through the garden,” Italian beef sandwiches, and even sample the original brownie at Palmer House Hilton. Your local guide shares stories behind each bite as you pass icons like Millennium Park and Cloud Gate—plus you’ll get a bonus bike or kayak rental to keep exploring if you want.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 85View ›
Chicago River: 90-Minute Architecture Cruise & Three Branches
Chicago River: 90-Minute Architecture Cruise & Three Branches★★★★★★★★★★ 4.84 (1,899)1h 30mYou board a fully enclosed boat and spend ninety minutes on the water while a professional guide narrates the architecture of all three branches of the Chicago River — main to Navy Pier, north to Goose Island, south to Chinatown. You'll see the Wrigley Building, Willis Tower, Merchandise Mart, and Aqua Tower up close, with historical context and current development details. The boat has a bar, restroom, and windows all around. Arrive thirty minutes early, especially if you're in a group, since seating is first come first serve.Is it for me?This works best if you want to see Chicago's major architecture without arranging your own transportation or timing multiple stops — the boat covers all three river branches in one sitting, and the fixed schedule means you're not deciding where to go next.Free cancellationLikely to sell outfromUS$ 37View ›
Chicago Loop: Architecture Interiors Tour & Art Deco
Chicago Loop: Architecture Interiors Tour & Art Deco★★★★★★★★★★ 4.96 (1,809)2hYou'll walk through the Loop with a local guide who knows which doors to open, starting with the Art Deco Board of Trade Building and moving through several hidden interior spaces before finishing at the Chicago Cultural Center. The tour takes around two hours, includes access to all the buildings, and works in any weather as long as you dress for it.Is it for me?Book this if you already know Chicago's skyline and want to see what's actually inside those buildings — the guide does the research and the door-opening, so you just show up and look around.Free cancellationfromUS$ 35View ›
Chicago: Lake Michigan Sunset Cruise from Downtown
Chicago: Lake Michigan Sunset Cruise from Downtown★★★★★★★★★★ 4.51 (1,694)1h 30mYou board near downtown's Michigan Avenue Bridge, cruise the Chicago River through the lock, and emerge onto Lake Michigan to watch the sun set behind the city skyline. The climate-controlled lounge keeps you comfortable, a local guide provides context, and the whole experience runs about ninety minutes without rushing. Arrive thirty minutes early and choose your seating spot on deck if sunset views matter most.Is it for me?Right for anyone with an evening free in Chicago who wants the skyline from a different angle without arranging transport or timing multiple stops—the boat does the moving, and you watch the light change. Plan to arrive thirty minutes early and dress for a temperature drop once you're on the water.Free cancellationTravelers' pickLikely to sell outfromUS$ 45View ›
Chicago Donut Tour: 8 Tastings in 2 Hours
Chicago Donut Tour: 8 Tastings in 2 Hours★★★★★★★★★★ 4.94 (1,515)2hThe Underground Donut Tour is a two-hour guided walking tour in downtown Chicago where you taste donuts at four shops—Doughnut Vault, an artisan bakery, a California-style spot, and Do-Rite Donuts—while crossing the Chicago River and passing iconic architecture on Michigan Avenue. All tastings are included, and the tour is led by a local guide in English; children from age 4 are welcome.Is it for me?Choose this if you want a guide leading you through multiple donut shops while learning Chicago's architecture and skyline stories—all covered on foot in one outing.Free cancellationfromUS$ 70View ›
Chicago: Food, History & Architecture Walking Tour
Chicago: Food, History & Architecture Walking Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.93 (1,383)4h 30mYou’ll start beneath the famous Chicago Theatre lights and follow local guides through hidden tunnels and lively streets, tasting deep-dish pizza along the way. Expect real stories about Prohibition days and architecture quirks as you wander from Michigan Avenue to Millennium Park. You’ll leave full — both from food and little moments you didn’t see coming.Free cancellationfromUS$ 101View ›
Chicago: Medieval Torture Museum Ticket & Ghost Hunting App
Chicago: Medieval Torture Museum Ticket & Ghost Hunting App★★★★★★★★★★ 4.85 (1,076)1h 30mYou enter with an audio guide that explains the hundreds of torture and execution devices across the 6,000-square-foot exhibition, including wax scenes showing how they were used. The ghost hunting app is available to download and use simultaneously if you want that layer. All entry fees and taxes are included, and the museum is fully wheelchair accessible. Plan for at least two to three hours to move through the exhibition at a pace that lets the audio guide land.Is it for me?Right for anyone curious about how punishment and execution were carried out across history, who wants context rather than just images—the audio guide does that work. The exhibition is intense and detailed, so plan for a slower pace and at least two hours; that's what lets you actually absorb what you're seeing instead of rushing through.Free cancellationfromUS$ 36View ›
Chicago Food Tour: 6 Dishes with Deep Dish Pizza & Beef Sandwich
Chicago Food Tour: 6 Dishes with Deep Dish Pizza & Beef Sandwich★★★★★★★★★★ 4.90 (1,017)3hA food tour through Chicago's Loop District where you taste six dishes rooted in the city's culinary heritage, including deep dish pizza and an Italian beef sandwich, while passing the Rookery Building, Palmer House Hilton, Willis Tower and other architectural landmarks. The tour involves a fair amount of walking; a live English-speaking guide leads the group and reveals a secret dish on the day itself. Choose between a private tour or a small group option at checkout.Is it for me?Book the private option if you want the route and timing to yourself; the small group tour works well if you're comfortable sharing the experience and want to meet other food travelers in Chicago.Free cancellationLikely to sell outInfants freefromUS$ 85View ›
Chicago Skyline Boat Tour: 30–45 minute Lake Michigan cruise
Chicago Skyline Boat Tour: 30–45 minute Lake Michigan cruise★★★★★★★★★★ 4.44 (951)30m–45mYou board a Lake Michigan sightseeing cruise and listen to pre-recorded commentary about Chicago's skyline, major skyscrapers, and lakefront landmarks as the boat moves along the water. The cruise lasts 45 minutes in warmer months and 30 minutes from November through April. An onboard bar serves drinks, you can bring your own food, and the boat is dog-friendly with restrooms available.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Chicago's skyline from the water without arranging separate transportation or timing — the boat handles the route, the narration covers the history, and you just show up and look.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −61%fromUS$ 34View ›
Chicago River: Architecture Cruise with Live Guide & Drinks
Chicago River: Architecture Cruise with Live Guide & Drinks★★★★★★★★★★ 4.65 (861)1h 30mYou’ll float through Chicago’s heart on this architecture river cruise, hearing real stories from your local guide while skyscrapers tower above you. See historic bridges rise, sip complimentary drinks, and catch small moments—the city reflected in water or laughter drifting by—that stay with you long after you step off the boat.Free cancellationTravelers' pickInfants freefromUS$ 50View ›
Chicago Chinatown Food Tour: 5 tastings with local guide
Chicago Chinatown Food Tour: 5 tastings with local guide★★★★★★★★★★ 4.93 (800)3hChicago's Chinatown Food Tour is a 3-hour guided walk through the neighborhood's most storied restaurants, where you taste five dishes—steamed dumplings, hand-pulled noodles, cumin lamb flatbread, Sichuan chicken, and Portuguese egg tarts—while learning the history of how these cuisines arrived in the city. An English-speaking local guide leads groups through Chinatown Square, the Pui Tak Center, and the Nine Dragon Wall, sharing the stories behind the architecture and the food. The tour includes five tastings that add up to a full meal, insider tips on what to do next in the neighborhood, and VIP access to the restaurants you visit; a beverage upgrade with three drink pairings is available at checkout for ages 21+.Is it for me?Three hours leaves your afternoon free, so you can book this tour and still have time to explore other neighborhoods or rest before dinner. The guide leads a small group, which means you get reserved seating at each restaurant and the places know you're coming—no waiting at the door or competing for a table.Free cancellationfromUS$ 80View ›
Chicago: Signature Dishes Bike Tour with Pizza & Craft Beer
Chicago: Signature Dishes Bike Tour with Pizza & Craft Beer★★★★★★★★★★ 4.94 (767)4h 30mYou’ll ride through Chicago’s neighborhoods on a guided bike tour, sampling deep dish pizza, brownies, hot dogs, and craft beer along the way. Expect stories from locals, laughter outside Wrigley Field, city views along Lake Michigan, and those small moments—like biting into real Chicago pizza—that stick with you long after.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 89View ›
Chicago: Murder Mystery Walking Tour & True Crime Game
Chicago: Murder Mystery Walking Tour & True Crime Game★★★★★★★★★★ 4.98 (755)2hYou’ll dive into Chicago’s true crime legends as you play detective on foot, solve clues with your group, interrogate “suspects,” and wander historic neighborhoods from Water Tower Place to Gold Coast. Expect laughter, surprises, and real stories that stick with you long after your mugshot photo goes home with you.Free cancellationTop ratedfromUS$ 35View ›
Chicago City Cruise Tour: Minibus, river boat & skyline stops
Chicago City Cruise Tour: Minibus, river boat & skyline stops★★★★★★★★★★ 4.76 (736)2h–4hYou ride in a small minibus with an expert guide through Chicago's main sights: the Magnificent Mile, Lincoln Park, Museum Campus (with the best skyline view), Buckingham Fountain, and Millennium Park. Three photo stops let you get out and shoot. If you upgrade, you add a 75-minute river cruise on the Chicago River with a bar on board, ending at Navy Pier where you're free to explore further. The whole experience keeps groups under fifteen people so you can actually hear the guide and move around the bus.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to see Chicago's main sights and architecture in one morning or afternoon without renting a car or figuring out public transit — the small-group minibus and expert guide handle the route and the stops. The river cruise upgrade is worth adding if you want to see the buildings from the water and don't mind ending your day at Navy Pier instead of returning to your hotel.Free cancellationfromUS$ 50View ›
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