Big Bus Chicago: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour by Open-Top Bus

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Discover the iconic attractions of Chicago at your own pace with a Hop-On Hop-Off tour. Explore skyscrapers, museums, and more with 24 or 48-hour tickets.

Duration: 2 hours

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Big Loop (Red Route) (Route)

Operating Schedule: Operates daily: First Bus 10 AM, Last Bus 5 PM. Service every 30 minutes. Red Loop lasts 2 hours.

Download the free Big Bus app for city information and live bus tracking.

1. 98 E Wacker Dr
Stop 1 Chicago Riverwalk

2. 319 W Jackson Blvd
Stop 2: Skydeck Chicago & Willis Tower

3. 200 S Michigan Ave
Stop 3: Millennium Park &The art Institute of Chicago

4. 800 S Michigan Ave
Stop 4: Hilton Chicago &Grant Park

5. 500 E Solidarity Dr
Stop 5: Adler Planetarium

6. 425 E McFetridge Dr
Stop 6: Museum Campus

7. 441 N Columbus Dr
Stop 7: Sheraton Grand Chicago

8. Navy Pier Parking - East Garage
Stop 8: Navy Pier

9. 163 E Pearson St
Stop 9: Water Tower & The Magnificent Mile

10. 150 E Chestnut St
Stop 10: 360 Chicago

11. 614 N Clark St
Stop 11: Hard Rock Cafe

Points of Interest

Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower
The Art Institute of Chicago
The Chicago Theatre
Field Museum
Adler Planetarium
360 Chicago Observation Deck
Grant Park
Navy Pier
Millennium Park
Water Tower Place
Hard Rock Cafe Chicago
BigBus Chicago
Buckingham Fountain
Cloud Gate
Financial District
Maggie Daley Park
The Magnificent Mile
Tribune Tower
Holy Name Cathedral
Chicago River
Chicago Riverwalk
Soldier Field
The Rookery Building
Centennial Wheel
Chicago Cultural Center
Wrigley Building
American Writers Museum
The McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum
Northerly Island
Pritzker Military Museum & Library
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
Lyric Opera of Chicago
Symphony Center - Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Monadnock Building
Money Museum at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
The Field Museum Store

What's Included

Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus
On-board WiFi
Enclosed/Climate Controlled Lower Deck, Top Deck Open
Professional digital commentary in multiple languages
Live Bus Tracking & City Info (Download Free Big Bus App)

What's Not Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Admission to attractions

Additional Information

Discover Chicago’s best on our Big Bus tour. Board our open-top, double-decker bus and see the city’s iconic landmarks, from the Magnificent Mile to Millennium Park. Utilize our convenient stops to explore vibrant neighborhoods and attractions, including Willis Tower, the Chicago Riverwalk, and more.

Spend your day shopping on Magnificent Mile, enjoying Navy Pier’s Ferris Wheel, or tasting authentic Chicago Deep Dish Pizza. Our flexible tour lets you create your own itinerary, with a free app to track bus arrivals.

Listen to digital commentary in multiple languages, offering expert insight into Chicago’s history and culture, while recommending the best places to eat, drink, and shop. Offering comfortable seating and panoramic views, our Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour is an ideal way to explore the city. Hop off as often as you like within your ticket’s validity period, and simply hop on again when ready to continue.

1 Day tickets will be valid for same day use. Tickets claimed after 2 pm will be valid for the next calendar day.
Redeem vouchers at Stop #1 Riverwalk (98 E Wacker), or with the driver at any Big Bus stop along the route
Please advise at time of booking if wheelchair assistance is required

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

3.9

(1863 Ratings)

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Nikkee_p

Jun 15, 2024

Excellent way to spend a day! - We loved being able to get off where we wanted and having the ease to get back on when we were ready! The “Hancock” building was our favorite!

Review provided by Viator

Seaside23193401481

May 12, 2024

A Fantastic Bus Tour Experience in Chicago - Taking the bus tour in Chicago was an absolute delight! The location of the first stop was perfectly chosen, making it easy to start the tour. The views of various city sights were truly astonishing, giving me a broad and beautiful perspective of the city. The duration of the tour felt just right—not too long, yet comprehensive enough to enjoy and appreciate what Chicago has to offer. I had a great time, got to know the city quickly, and loved all the different places we were able to see. Highly recommend it to anyone wanting a quick and thorough introduction to this vibrant city. Thank you!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Tourist126447

Mar 25, 2024

Audio Recording?! - This is a mixed review. Our first bus ride was with Candice. She was the best bus driver! She gave a personal experience and engaged with the riders. Candice set the bar high for sure! The second bus driver didn't say anything to the riders other than notifying of us our stops. The audo recording we are forced to listen to is just awful. The recording is difficult to understand and the music played in between the narrative is truly painful. I've taken this tour countless times in the past, not sure when it changed to audio recordings. Thank goodness for Candice! The company needs to go back to the more personal experience.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Kelly_j

Jun 23, 2024

Good for an overview of the city - The first guide was a man who was wonderful. The next time we hopped on the lady gave us no information and barely said the stops. We asked about a site and she gave us the wrong stop. Do not stay on the bus for all stops to decide where you want to go. That was our mistake.

Review provided by Viator

Nancy_j

May 26, 2024

Mixed experience - The drive through the city was great. The narration was recorded and full of advertisements so not so great.

Review provided by Viator

Maxene_s

May 6, 2024

A mixed bag - We bought the 2 day pass. The 1st day we were very disappointed. We riden the Big Bus in many cities across the US, perhaps some cities are better suited for this style tour. Chicago is a grid with a smallish center loop; the Big Bus tour weaved mostly in and around this loop. We'd hope it would take us into the ethnic areas as it does in NYC, LA or to the historic high spots as it does in San Antonio and St. Augustine. Also, while the new app is helpful letting you know how soon the next Bus is arriving, we spent a considerable amount of time standing on street corners waiting for the next bus. In other cities the routes are better defined; it's easier to walk between stops, do a bit more Sightseeing, while waiting for the next bus. It was also rather annoying to listen to the same narrators in Chicago we heard in NYC a couple months before. Stupid banter in squeaky juvenile voices with inane adolescent jokes. We almost skipped our second day on the Big Bus. Glad we didn't. This time, our driver Anton, let us know as we boarded the bus, not to bother with the headphones, he would be narrating. He was as enthusiastic as he was informative. Anton truly loves and knows Chicago. Anton is the reason we'll take the Big Bus in the next city we explore - hoping for that city's Anton.

Review provided by Viator

Annie51gap

Apr 29, 2024

DISRESPECTFUL TOUR GUIDE CANDANCE - The tour route was very interesting! However, the tour guide had a political agenda which she wanted all passengers to know. I believe that whoever is elected to government offices, regardless of your beliefs, should be respected. It was clear that CANDANCE was a huge O’bama fan and spoke of him over and over again throughout the tour. It was also clear that CANDANCE, hated Trump. She would not even say his name when pointing out his building on the tour. The tour would have been much more enjoyable without her political commentary.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Therealfozzybear

Jun 30, 2024

Waste of money - The weather was rainy and the downstairs space is so small that I had to sit upstairs in the rain. There was no warning from Big Bus that umbrellas are not allowed and to bring a poncho. The bus was driven too fast to properly take in the sights. The tour is recorded - LAME. I didn't realize this until too late. The recording is very cheesy and treats you like a child. The recording is opinionated and sometimes also provides general information about Chicago, not specific to where you are on the tour. It's filled with MUSIC which provides no useful information at all. Very disappointed for the price.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Karina_m

May 26, 2024

Very disappointed - We’ve done this type of activity in multiple cities over the years and always loved it, but unfortunately, the experience was not good. The windows on the inside part of the bus are tinted, which should be fine except that they were like a mesh and you couldn’t see out well or take pictures. We were also asked to switch buses at the first stop, which proves to be messy and not efficient with crowds.

Review provided by Viator

Supati140

Apr 28, 2024

Not Worth It. - I would not recommend this tour. The recording that described the places on the tour was not synced with the bus we were on. A couple of blocks after we had seen a building, the recording would tell us that we were approaching that building. Additionally, the recording talked about places we should see that were not on the tour and we were not told where they were located. The “actors” on the recording were awful, their voices full of fake enthusiasm, pretending they were learning something for the first time, etc. Lastly, if you have to say something in French, a name or a place, pronounce it properly.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

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