CHICAGO

Sightseeing
 GETTING AROUND CHICAGO
WALKING
Chicago is a walking city with an easy-to-navigate downtown grid that is based in the Loop. Madison Street divides the city north
and south, while State Street divides it east and west. The State/Madison intersection marks the origin of Chicago’s address grid
system. Addresses are relative to the distance from that mark, with eight blocks to every mile. So an address of 3600 North ‘___’
means that it is 36 blocks north of Madison or an address of 300 East ‘___’ is 3 blocks east of State.

TAXIS
Taxis are plentiful and easy to hail downtown, at the airports and throughout many Chicago neighborhoods. You can also
electronically hail (E-Hail) a taxicab through a mobile app. CHICABS offers safe and secure options for a Chicago taxicab ride.
CHICABS approved apps ARRO and CURB also let passengers electronically pay (E-Pay) for the taxicab fare through the app.

Credit cards are accepted in all taxi cabs by city mandate. It is standard to tip the driver about 15-20% of the fare, plus $1-2 per
bag if the driver helps you with luggage. Please note that all fares and taxes are subject to change; visit the City of Chicago website
for additional taxicab passenger information.

Sample taxi fare between downtown and O’Hare Airport is $40-50, and between Midway Airport is $30-35 (tip not included).

Fares
Taxis charge a base rate of $3.25, plus $2.25 for each additional mile and $0.20 for every 36 seconds of time elapsed.
If a gas surcharge is in effect, a sign will be displayed inside the taxicab and a surcharge may apply. Tolls are an extra charge.
Taxis charge $1 for the first additional passenger over age 12 and under age 65; each additional passenger after that is $0.50.

RIDESHARE
Uber and Lyft are the two most common RideShare operations available in Chicago. Rides can be booked from their respective
mobile apps. Please check for major events (sporting, concerts, mass public transit breakdowns) happening around the city that
are near to your destination, as prices will rise significantly during these times.

Uber fares between downtown and O’Hare Airport start at $25 for RideShare Pool.

WATER TAXIS
For fast, affordable and fun connections between Chicago’s top tourist destinations, Chicago Water Taxi by Wendella Boats
and Shoreline Water Taxi are the perfect combination of sightseeing and convenient transportation. During the warm weather
season, travel on these fun water rides to popular visitor sites such as Chinatown, Museum Campus, Willis Tower, Michigan
Avenue, Union Station and more.

Fares

Single ride: $3.00-8.00

Day pass: $11.00-29.00

For exact fares and route maps, visit chicagowatertaxi.com or shorelinesightseeing.com/water-taxi.

 GETTING AROUND CHICAGO
CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
Pay cash for single trip rides or purchase a reloadable Ventra Transit Card or Unlimited Ride Pass for added savings.

For full fare information, transit card retailers and maps, visit the Chicago Transit Authority website at transitchicago.com. Also
look to their site for the latest updates to train schedules and routes that may affect your travel plans.

‘L’ Trains: Not all of Chicago’s eight ‘L’ lines are “eLevated.” They do, however, connect the city via above-ground, street-level
and subway trains and serve 144 rail stations all over town, making the ‘L’ one of the most efficient and affordable methods of
transportation available. Two lines operate 24 hours a day: the Blue Line, which connects the O’Hare airport and downtown, and
the Red Line, with service between the North and South Sides via downtown.

Buses: More than 100 routes lace the city; buses stop every few blocks. Several lines operate 24 hours a day. Exact change is
required for cash fare.

Ticket Options
Full Fare with Cash (bus only)
$2.50. Acceptable on all CTA buses using exact change only in dollar bills or coins; no transfers available.

Single Ride Disposable Ventra Ticket (bus and rail)

$3.00 (a $2.50 value, plus a $0.50 limited-use media fee). Available at most Walgreen Stores.
Ventra Tickets are good only for a limited time and cannot be loaded again once used up. Includes a full fare and up to two
transfers within 2 hours.

1-Day Disposable Ventra Ticket (bus and rail);

$10.00; includes Unlimited rides within 24 hours of activation.
Ventra Tickets are good only for a limited time and cannot be loaded again once the value is used up.

Full Fare with Reloadable Ventra Card (bus and rail)

Reloadable card available for $5 refundable fee (becomes cash value on the card).
Transfers must occur within two hours of the first ride. Available online and at rail station vending machines.

First ride: $2.25 (bus)

First ride: $2.50 (rail)
First transfer: $0.25
Second transfer: FREE

Unlimited Ride Passes (bus and rail)

Activated on first use, passes allow unlimited rides for the specified time, offering the best travel value. Passes are for the full
time; if you first activate a card at 8:00am, it will expire at 7:59am one (1) or three (3) days later.

1-Day CTA Fun Pass: $10.00

3-Day CTA Pass: $20.00

Reloadable cards available from most CTA Rail Stations (cash only) or Ventra Customer Service Center at 165 N. Jefferson St.
$5 fee is refunded upon registering your card at Ventra.com

CHICAGO BY BIKE

Divvy
Divvy gives Chicagoans and visitors the option of renting a bike for point-to-point trips and provides a simple transit option
that’s available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Users simply pick up a bike from a self-service docking station, which will be
located near public transit, employment centers, shopping districts, schools and other highly trafficked areas, and return it to a
station near their destination.

Users can purchase $3.00 single 30 min rides or $15 unlimited 3 hour rides for 24hrs

Get a map of all the current bike locations, rate details and more at divvybikes.com.
 GENERAL ATTRACTIONS
GRANT PARK
319 acres of urban parkland along the Lake Front, includes the following areas and attractions
Grant Park
Buckingham Fountain
South Rose Garden
Seated Lincoln
Millenium Park
Cloud Gate (The Bean)
Crown Fountain
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
Lurie Garden
The Art Institute
Maggie Daley Park
Skating Ribbon (Ice Skating; November through March or RollerBlades/Scooters; March through October)
Rock Wall
Tennis Courts
Mini Golf
Museum Campus
Shedd Aquarium
Field Museum
Adler Planetarium

CHICAGO RIVERWALK
Most of the outdoor Riverwalk businesses open just before Memorial Day, however there are a number of cafes, statues and
other attractions open to the public;
First Lady Cruises (SouthEast side of Michigan Avenue Bridge)
Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise
Wendella Sightseeing (Northwest side of Michigan Avenue Bridge)
Architecture River and Lake Tour
McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum (South West side of Michigan Avenue Bridge)

NAVY PIER
Navy Pier is a 3,300-foot-long pier on the Chicago shoreline of Lake Michigan. It is located on the lake between E Grand and
E Illinois Avenue. The Navy Pier currently encompasses more than fifty acres of parks, gardens, shops, restaurants, family
attractions and exhibition facilities and is the top leisure destination in the Midwestern United States drawing nearly nine
million visitors annually. It is one of the most visited attractions in the entire Midwest and is Chicago’s number one tourist
attraction.

Navy Pier is open to public, but is undergoing renovations for the upcoming Summer.

WRIGLEY FIELD
For a picture of the main sign, stand on either the Northwest or Southwest corner of the N Clark/W Addison intersection. If
you are not attending a game, it is recommended to visit on a non-game day as foot and transport traffic can impact your plans.

ROUTE 66
The start of the historic highway is located on E Adams Street in the Loop. There are a couple of signs to locate.
The first is in front of the Panda Express (located next to the Starbucks on the cnr or Michigan and Adams) - it is up on
a sign aimed for drivers, so is easy to walk past.
The second is located on the South East corner of E Adams and S Wabash; just before you cross under the EL Train
platforms. this is a larger sign and is printed on both sides.
 SKYLINE VIEWS
SIGNATURE LOUNGE
96th Floor of John Hancock Building
Entry on the North side of the building.
Bar and Lounge
Free entry, but you are required to buy a drink.
Reservations not required but wait time is usually around 30 minutes for a window table.
If you don’t want to wait for a window table... the best view is from the Women’s bathroom. Sorry guys!

SIGNATURE ROOM
95th Floor of John Hancock Building;
Entry on the North side of the building.
Restaurant
Reservations Required. Can be made online or over phone (312-787-9596). Same day reservations cannot be taken online.

360 CHICAGO OBSERVATORY

94th Floor of John Hancock Building
Entry through the Lower Level of John Hancock Building (next to Starbucks and The Cheesecake Factory).
$21.00 (Save 10% if you buy online; $18.90) for entry to the Observatory. T!LT Attraction is an additional $7.00 ($6.30 when
bought online)

SKYDECK
108th Floor of Willis Tower
$24.00 (General Ticket)

Best time is first-thing in the morning (10am) or later at night (around 7pm).

Generally there will always be a line, and they will inform you of the time to reach the top. This time is usually the time to reach
the LEDGE. If you have no interest in standing on the Ledge (W views) and just want to look out the standard windows (N, E
and S views), this wait time will be less.

Fast Passes are available but are generally not worth the extra money it as it only gets you past the entrance queue and not the
LEDGE queue.

STREET LEVEL
Take the Red Line, Bus 146 or a Taxi to the Roosevelt Red Line Station.
Start walking East on Roosevelt;
Near the crosswalk for S Indiana Avenue, you can get a clear view of the Willis Tower.
If you continue walking east there is a small alcove on the bridge where you can see most of the South view of the city.
If you continue walking you will eventually reach Museum Campus; to the north of the Shedd Aquarium entrance is
another viewing platform.
 QUICK RIDE GUIDE
When reading bus stop names, the first listed is the street the stop is on. The next is the closest intersection street.

See “Getting Around Chicago” for CTA fare information

Google Maps is a great way to plan travel on any of the CTA services.

Willis Tower / Sky Deck

Bus 121 from Grand & St Clair; 2 blocks south of Hotel. 4 Stops to S Wacker & Adams
Bus 151 from Michigan & Ohio. 11 Stops to Adams and S Wacker
* both buses will drop you near the NW corner of the tower. You will need to walk around to the East side of the building.

John Hancock
Bus 146/147/148/151 from Michigan & Huron; 3 stops to Michigan & Chestnut (in front of Water Tower Place)
Walk 10 minutes via Michigan Avenue

Museum Campus (Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium)

Bus 146 from the west side of N Michigan Avenue. (Closest stop to Hotels is at N Michigan & Ohio; in front of Under Armor)
Red Line (closest station is at Grand and State), ride to Roosevelt. 15-25 minute walk (depending on building choice)

Navy Pier
Bus 2 from Ohio & St Clair; 5 stops to Navy Pier Terminal.
Free Navy Pier Trolley runs on Saturday and Sunday from 10am -10pm; closest pickup is at Grand & Fairbanks
Walk approx 15 minutes via East Ohio Pedestrian Underpass.

Wrigley Field
Take the Red Line to Addison, Wrigley Field is located to the west of the station.
 WALKING TOURS
BOBBY’S BIKE HIKE
(www.bobbysbikehike.com)

Chicago’s Favorites Walking and Food Tour

11:30am Saturday and Sunday
Adults: $50.75, Students/Military/Seniors: $45.75
Bookings required through website

Taste your way through Chicago’s most famous recipes on this relaxing and fun walking food tour. In an exciting two and a half
hours, you’ll feast on Chicago culinary legends such as deep dish pizza, locally crafted beer, a Chicago-style hot dog, and the
world’s premiere brownie! Our food walking tour of Chicago is a an active, VIP adventure through town; the perfect way to see
and taste the city in a single afternoon!

What To Expect
Deep-dish pizza is one of Chicago’s most famous recipes, and lures pizza enthusiasts from all over the world. Learn the history
of this epic pie and taste some of the best for yourself!

The Chicago-style hot dog is unlike any sausage creation you’ve had before—all beef frank, mustard, tomato, pickle, relish,
onion, sport pepper, celery salt… But never ketchup! Have one and change the way you eat this ballpark favorite.

Chicago is making a name for itself as an American craft beer capital. We’re home to some of America’s favorite breweries,
with new microbreweries appearing every year. Taste some of the most refined and refreshing pours as you learn about Chicago’s
rich brewing history.

Fun fact: Chicago is home to the world’s first brownie! Served as a portable dessert during the 1893 World’s Fair, the
brownie has been pleasing Chicagoans and visitors alike for generations. Taste the original recipe—with walnuts and an apricot
glaze—at the Palmer House Hilton today!

Cloud Gate, known affectionately as “The Bean” debuted in Millennium Park in 2006. Designed by famed Indian artist, Anish
Kapoor, this giant, stainless steel masterpiece has become one of the most famous symbols of Chicago arts and culture.

The Crown Fountain was designed by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa and features two fifty-foot tall statues of glass brick that
showcase the LED faces of over 1000 Chicagoans laughing, smiling, and spitting.

The Art Institute of Chicago was named #1 Museum in World by TripAdvisor and is home to 260,000 works of art spanning
5,000 years.

The Loop is Chicago’s bustling business district, named for its location within the rectangular convergence of multiple “El”
train tracks.

Designed by world-famous architect, Frank Gehry, The Pritzker Pavilion is a stunning and unique band shell located in
Grant Park. The lattice tower of speaker systems ensures full volume for all spectators at countless summer concerts and movie
screenings.

The State Street historic district has been the center of Chicago retail since the mid-1800s. The strip is home to countless
upscale department stores and hotels, including the original Marshall Field’s.
 WALKING TOURS
CHICAGO DETOURS
(www.chicagodetours.com)

Loop Interior Architecture Walking Tour with Pedway

10:30am
$26 regular, $18 children under 18, FREE for children under 5.
Bookings required through website

On this tour, you’ll step into magnificent interior spaces and the underground Pedway. We’ve planned a creative route that
weaves through buildings and secret short-cuts. You’ll get a solid overview of Chicago history, and a new perspective on looking
at our famous architecture – both inside and out! 95% of the tour takes place inside, which makes it great for any kind of weather.

Your tour guide shares stories about Chicago’s history while guests share iPads loaded with archival maps, historic photos, and
documentary video clips. Highlights include a church in a skyscraper, a contemporary development, and a historic department
store with sparkling Tiffany mosaics.

The Loop Interior Architecture Walking Tour is one of the top-rated tours in Chicago. It’s received hundreds of five-star
ratings on Yelp and TripAdvisor. Our tour guides are highly-trained professionals with degrees in history, the humanities, and
architecture. They know how to connect with a group and spark imaginations.

Outdoor tours, like boat outings, just involve looking at the outside of buildings. That can be a great first step, but you have to
go inside to fully experience Chicago architecture. Going beyond the facade means you can truly experience the psychological
dynamics of architectural space.

This is much more than a Pedway-only tour. We venture into beautiful lobbies and corridors of both Chicago landmarks and
lesser-known historic sites. To be honest, parts of the Pedway just feel like a basement. It’s not very visually enticing. A portion
of this tour takes you into the Pedway, but you’ll get a color-printed map of the Pedway as a gift. That way you can explore the
whole system yourself!

This tour provides an awesome introduction to Chicago for visitors, while locals get an entirely fresh perspective on looking at
architecture and details they never noticed in downtown Chicago.

Interior Walking Tour Highlights

•Church in a skyscraper with stained glass windows
•The “Chicago Picasso” sculpture
•Chicago’s underground Pedway system
•The contemporary Block 37 development
•Marshall Field’s department store
•Sparkling Tiffany mosaics
•Chicago Cultural Center
 CITY TOURS
Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise
(www.cruisechicago.com)

Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady Cruises
Multiple times per day; see below
$44.48
Bookings required through website.

Tour Chicago aboard Chicago’s First Lady Cruises and see why we are the #1 tour in the city based on TripAdvisor user reviews!
Chicago is legendary for its architecture and, as the only cruise partnered with the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF), we
provide the best architecture tour experience. Highly trained and passionate volunteer docents provide a detailed narrative of
Chicago’s various architectural styles and the stories of the people who designed and built our city.

The relaxing 90-minute daily Chicago river tour features indoor and outdoor seating, a full service bar aboard each vessel and is
consistently recognized by locals and visitors alike as the best way to see Chicago. A portion of each ticket supports architecture
education provided by CAF.

Location
All Chicago architecture boat tours depart from Riverside Gardens on Chicago’s Riverwalk at Michigan Avenue and Wacker
Drive (southeast corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge). Look for our blue awning. Please arrive 30 minutes prior to departure
time. Tickets may not be refunded or exchanged if you miss your boat!

Departure Schedule
Friday through Sunday
9:30am, 10:00am, 11:00am, 11:30am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm, 1:30pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm, 3:30pm, 4:00pm, 5:00pm

Monday through Thursday

10:00am, 11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm, 4:00pm, (5:00pm Thurs)
 CityPASS Admission Includes
Shedd Aquarium All Access Pass / Priority Entry $44.90 / 34.90
Skydeck Chicago Fast Pass $49.00 / $49.00
The Field Museum VIP Entry $38.00 / $27.00
Museum of Science and Industry OR -- $33.95 / $21.95
360 CHICAGO Observation Deck Express Entry $18.90 / $12.60
Adler Planetarium OR VIP Access $34.95 / $29.95
Art Institute of Chicago Fast Pass $35.00 / $29.00 / Free
(17+) (14-17) under 13

Adults $106
Children (3-11) $89
(prices correct as of March 1, 2018)

360 Chicago

SkyDeck Art Institute

Adler Planetarium
Shedd Aquarium
Field Museum

If you have a couple of days to spare and you want to see more than
3 places on this list. The City Pass is a great purchase. You have to
use the passes within 7 days, and the booklet features other coupons
to use at the locations and around the city.

Museum of Science and Industry