PHOTO: A view of the Chicago skyline from the lakefront. (Photo courtesy of Chicago Architecture Foundatio)
Chicago is a city that's best explored on foot, riding the el and taking in the architecture up close. But for seven months out of the year, the city is so cold and covered with snow that venturing out on foot is enjoyable only if you're an Eskimo. For those times, a bus tour is the next best thing. These are my picks for the best Chicago bus tours:
Chicago Architecture Foundation Architectural Highlights Tour
Chicago is noted for its historic architecture and the Chicago Architecture Foundation is equally noted for its in depth sightseeing tours. The foundation is most famous for its architectural river cruise but there's no cruising to be had on frozen water so a bus tour is the next best thing.
This in-depth tour covers 30 miles in three and a half ours and traces the start of Chicago architecture to its current innovations. What makes this tour so exceptional is that you don't only view the expected loop skyscrapers. You'll also see Hyde Park and the South Side, the Gold Coast and Chicago lakefront and Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House. This tour also features stops for photo opps.
Untouchable Tours
This highly engaging and entertaining tour remains one of my all time favorite Chicago bus tours. You don't have to be interested in the city's notorious gangster history to enjoy this two-hour guided tour because it includes so much political and social history as well. Untouchable Tours features a host of guides who take on colorful characters like Southside Da Brewmaster and Johnny Three Knifes as they guide you through the streets of Chicago in a black school bus. This is an interactive tour that informs guests about the city's history of the prohibition crime scene, shady politicians and naughty red light districts.
Chicago's Finest Tours
This is the bus tour to take if you want to go beyond the surface Chicago history tidbits. Chicago's Finest Tours delivers substantial details about Chicago history and focuses on Chicago neighborhoods, which is where most of the real history was created. These three hour tours go deep into Chi-town's character and include points that many locals don't even know. Choose from "South Side Essentials," "North Side Essentials," "Devil in The White City Plus," "West Side Essentials" and Pullman Monument Tour."
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