Chicago Architecture River Tour & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour
Overview
Save 20% when you bundle these two iconic Chicago experiences!
Discover Chicago by road and river with a 48-hour Hop-on Hop-off Ticket and Shoreline Architecture Cruise combo! This ticket includes a 48-hour pass for our hop-on, hop-off Chicago sightseeing bus tour, and a pass for admission to Shoreline Sightseeing's must-do Architecture River Cruise! You'll see the city's world-famous architecture from iconic streets like Magnificent Mile, Lake Shore Drive, State Street, Clark Street and Grand Ave, and from all three branches of the Chicago River.
Create your own itinerary and explore at your own pace with unlimited bus exit and entry. Over 40 Chicago landmarks await you on the Shoreline Architecture Cruise, from hidden architectural treasures to the city’s most famous landmarks. Expert live guides explain how Chicago’s buildings, architecture and engineering made the city famous.
What's Included
- 48-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Ticket with unlimited access
- Open-top double decker bus
- Big Bus Tours app (ticket storage, live tracking and ticket activation)
- Chicago River Architecture Cruise
- Save 20% off retail when you bundle these two experiences!
- Professional Digital Commentary on bus tour with souvenir earbuds
- Four self-guided digital walking tours to explore more of the city
- Expert architecture guide on Architectural River Tour
- Food & Drinks
- Pick-up & Drop-off
What To Expect
11 Stops | 12 Points of Interest
Duration: 2 hours
Operating Schedule: Red Route is a 2-hour loop. Guests may enter or exit at any stop to explore the city. Ticket is valid for 2 days. First bus 10AM and last bus 4PM.
98 E Wacker Dr
319 W Jackson Blvd
South Michigan Avenue & East Adams Street
800 S Michigan Ave
500 E Solidarity Dr
425 E McFetridge Dr
441 N Columbus Dr
Navy Pier
163 E Pearson St
150 E Chestnut St
614 N Clark St
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Digital Walking Tour options include Chicago Architecture, Chicago Riverwalk, Public Art, and Millennium Park Tour
- Download the Big Bus Tours app to access and activate your ticket, track buses in real time, and board easily using your mobile ticket.
Frequently Asked Questions (8)
Q: Will I get seasick on Chicago Architecture River Tour & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
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Activity code: C-5096P59
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.50 out of 5 stars based on 46 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (8)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Balloon Tours customers.
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If you have any doubts about becoming seasick on the water, we recommend taking a Dramamine® Motion Sickness Relief tablet the night before your trip. Some people recommend taking it the night before your cruise and then again that morning so you will not feel so drowsy.
Feb 2023- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CST).
- 48-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Ticket with unlimited access.
- Open-top double decker bus.
- Big Bus Tours app (ticket storage, live tracking and ticket activation).
- Chicago River Architecture Cruise.
- Save 20% off retail when you bundle these two experiences!.
- Professional Digital Commentary on bus tour with souvenir earbuds.
- Four self-guided digital walking tours to explore more of the city.
- Expert architecture guide on Architectural River Tour.
- Food & Drinks.
- Pick-up & Drop-off.
The minimum age to participate is 3. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Chicago Architecture River Tour & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour is as follows:
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Chicago Architecture River Tour & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour will be included in your confirmation email from City Balloon Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- 48-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Ticket with unlimited access
- Open-top double decker bus
- Big Bus Tours app (ticket storage, live tracking and ticket activation)
- Chicago River Architecture Cruise
- Save 20% off retail when you bundle these two experiences!
- Professional Digital Commentary on bus tour with souvenir earbuds
- Four self-guided digital walking tours to explore more of the city
- Expert architecture guide on Architectural River Tour
- Food & Drinks
- Pick-up & Drop-off
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Digital Walking Tour options include Chicago Architecture, Chicago Riverwalk, Public Art, and Millennium Park Tour
- Download the Big Bus Tours app to access and activate your ticket, track buses in real time, and board easily using your mobile ticket.
