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Chicago Architectural Cruise

Starting at Navy Pier, this tour takes you down the main branch of the Chicago River, up to the north branch to the East Bank Club, and then south past Sears Tower to the old Post Office Building. All along you get to sample Chicago’s world famous architecture as knowledgeable guides provide detailed descriptions of more than 40 buildings and regale you with dramatic stories of Chicago’s rise from the Great Fire of 1871 to become a world-class city.

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Overview & visitor information

Chicago Architectural Cruise

Starting at Navy Pier, this tour takes you down the main branch of the Chicago River, up to the north branch to the East Bank Club, and then south past Sears Tower to the old Post Office Building. All along you get to sample Chicago’s world famous architecture as knowledgeable guides provide detailed descriptions of more than 40 buildings and regale you with dramatic stories of Chicago’s rise from the Great Fire of 1871 to become a world-class city.

Duration: One hour Time: May through Sept- Monday through Friday (except holidays) Schedule varies - Check Availability calendar Rate: $25.95 Adults, $11.95 Child (3-12 years), Children under 3 years-Free Phone: (Toll free) 888-881-3284

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Chicago Grand Tour with Hancock Tower

Activity

This tour will take you along the entire length of the scenic Outer Drive and to all the beautiful parks of the city including Lincoln Park, Grant Park, and Washington Park. Visitors can enjoy a visit to the Lincoln Park Conservatory. A stop will also be made at the Adler Planetarium. The tour includes a visit to the John Hancock Center Observatory and the open-air Skydeck, 1000 feet above Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, from where you get stunning views of the city.

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Chicago Greeters

Activity

What better way to tour a city than through the eyes and experience of an ardent resident. Greeters are residents who know and love the city and who take small groups of up to six people to attractions, neighborhoods, and other unusual places of interest. They even take them shopping. Greeters is a free service of the Chicago Office of Tourism. Please note that advance reservations are necessary.

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Chicago Hop On & Hop Off Trolley Tours

Activity

Tour Chicago on an authentic San Francisco-style trolley car with solid oak and brass interiors. A very popular option, this tour gives you the flexibility to spend as much time as you want at a particular tourist attraction. The trolley stops at the following places; Sears Tower, Palmer House Hilton, Art Institute, Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, Navy Pier, Water Tower, John Hancock Tower, Hard Rock Café, Mc Donalds, Wrigley Building and Fort Dearborn. Boarding and leaving the trolley is permitted at designated stops only. The trolley can be used throughout the day; simply hop on and hop off according to your plans and interests.

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Film Tour in Chicago

Activity

If seeing film locations is your idea of fun, then this tour is a must. Seated comfortably in a luxury coach with 2 flat screen TVs showing actual film clips, a bag of popcorn (it is after all a film tour!), and you’re all set to witness filming locations of innumerable blockbuster films and famous television shows. Patrol the Dark Knight’s Gotham City, visit Oprah’s HARPO studio, see Bundy Fountain, visit the famous Billy Goat Tavern from Saturday Night Live, get up close to the Pursuit of Happiness, Drive down Siskel & Ebert Way, find out the inside gossip on Chicago celebrities, and more. The tour includes more than 30 sites where more than 50 movies were filmed.

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Loop Tour Train

Activity

Taking a tour of the loop of Chicago on the City Transit Authority’s ‘El” train gives you a unique perspective of the architecture of this gorgeous city, especially that in the heart of Chicago’s business district. The tour circles the loop three times while a Chicago Architecture Foundation docent explains the architectural details of the buildings with a brief history of each.

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Chicago Architecture Foundation

Museum

Chicago's architecture is unparalleled. As the grand avenues of Paris are exemplary of the nineteenth century, and the canals of Venice of the Renaissance, so do the skyscrapers and neoclassical monuments represent modernity. The Chicago Architecture Foundation works to advance knowledge and public interest in architecture and design.

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Chicago Cultural Center

Building

The Chicago Cultural Center was built between 1893 and 1897 as a public library. It is built in the Neoclassical style, with touches from the Italian Renaissance. When the new Harold Washington Library was built in 1991, it was converted into a cultural center. The Cultural Center is also renowned for its intricate and ornamental details, including white Carrara marble staircases, delicate mosaics, glass, stone, and mother of pearl adornments, and vaulted ceilings. There are two large domes on the third floor, including one made of Tiffany-stained glass.

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Fine Arts Building

Building

The Fine Arts Building, also known as the Studebaker Building, was built in 1885 for the Studebaker company by architect Solon S. Beman. It is a striking example of Romanesque architecture. Studebaker soon vacated the building, and it was renovated into a hub of fine arts. As the name would suggest, it is filled with offices, art galleries, lofts, recording studios, and shops, nearly all related to the world of art.

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Sears (Willis) Tower

Town

Until the completion of the new World Trade Center in New York City, the Sears Tower is the tallest building in the United States, standing 442m (527m to the spire). It was built between 1969 and 1973 as headquarters for the Sears corporation, formerly the largest retailer in the world.

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Adler Planetarium

Building

The Adler Planetarium was built in 1930 by philanthropist Max Adler and is part of Chicago's Museum Campus. It was the first modern planetarium in the western hemisphere. Though it has since become a little dated, there is still a lot to see here.

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Buckingham Fountain

Park

One of the world’s largest fountains, the Buckingham Fountain is located in the middle of Grant Park. It was a gift to the city from Kate Sturges Buckingham, in memory of her brother Clarence Buckingham. The Beaux-Arts-style design, finely wrought bronze sculpture and innovative use of technology make this one of America’s finest fountains. The fountain runs during warm-weather months with a light and water display from 9:00pm to 10:00pm.

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Field Museum

Museum

Chicago's Field Museum of Natural History was founded in 1893 during the Colombian Exhibition. It was moved to its current location in 1921 and is named for Marshall Field, the museum's first benefactor and retail giant Marshall Field. The magnificent Classical Revival building is located along Lakeshore Drive in Chicago's Museum Campus, along with the Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium.

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Grant Park

Park

Located between the Loop and Lake Michigan, Grant Park is known as Chicago's front yard. It covers 319 acres. The park was built after the 1871 Great Chicago Fire on landfill and the 1893 Columbian Exhibition was held here. It is named for former president/Civil War general and Chicago-area native Ulysses S. Grant. The recently completed Millennium Park is at the northwest corner of the park, and acts as a gateway.

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Millennium Park

Park

Millennium Park is one of Chicago's newest attractions. The 24.5 acre park was built between 1997 and 2004 over what had been a rail yard. Today it receives more than 4,000,000 guests annually and is a treasured part of Chicago. Many consider it the most important municipal project since the Colombian Exhibition ended in 1893.

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Everest

This restaurant is one of the finest restaurants in the nation. It is located on the 40th floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange. The moment you enter this restaurant, you get transported back to an era of old-fashioned French aristocracy of the 1920’s. In contrast is the strikingly modern and impressive view of Chicago, courtesy the full-wall windows on the western side of the restaurant. Said to give the finest total dining experience, the restaurant also has a rather impressive wine list.

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Grand Café Lux

When the grandeur and luxury of European cafes blends with the practicalities and spirit of an all-American restaurant, what you get is the ultimate in fine dining experience. Café Grand Lux is an unusual eating place where global cuisine is served in elegant yet relaxed surroundings. Savor flavors from a wide and varied selection ranging from Thai, Malaysian and Caribbean, to classic American and European specialties. A hallmark of the Grand Lux experience is the on-site bakery where your chosen dessert whether it be Molten Chocolate Cake or warm Rustic apple pie, will be baked to order.

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Shanghai Terrace 

This is an award winning restaurant where guests can enjoy a four, eight or fifteen course meal. It includes spas as well as guest rooms. Cuisine: Chinese Address: 108 East Superior Street (at North Michigan Avenue) Chicago, Illinois 60611 -2508, USA Phone: (312) 337 2888 Website: www.chicago.peninsula.com

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Signature Room

Located on the 95th floor of the John Hancock Tower, this restaurant gives guests a breathtaking view of the magnificent mile. It also includes extraordinary food and beverages.

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Alinea

Foodies will not want to miss this unique dining experience. Chef Grant Achatz has used gastronomy to create one of the world's best restaurants. Each meal consists of twenty fixed miniature courses, each with its own fanciful presentation. The Black Truffle Explosion is legendary. If you have the money -- it'll set you back around $200 per diner -- definitely check it out. Alinea pushes the limits of what food can be.

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Atwood Café

Located right in the heart of Chicago’s Central business District, this restaurant offers a cozy intimacy. Enjoy dining in the vibrant dining room with a view of the bustling Chicago streets. Cuisine: American – serves contemporary American “comfort foods.” Address: 1 W. Washington Street, Chicago, Illinois 60602 Phone: (312) 368-1900 Website:www.atwoodcafe.com

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Bon Apetito!

Cuisine: Italian Address: 2600 Navy Blvd Intersection of Patriot and Navy,Glenview, IL 60026 Phone: (847) 724-8400 www.bestitalianusa.com

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Bravo Cucina Italiana

In the heart of Glenview sits Bravo Cucina. A very spacious restaurant with a lot of seating. The high ceilings and well decorated walls give the feel of a Roman ruin. Classic Italian food is served here. Their signature dish, Pasta Bravo, comprises of rigatoni tossed with wood-grilled chicken and mushrooms in a roasted red pepper cream sauce.

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Catch 35

Known as one of Chicago’s premier seafood restaurants it has been given a perfect rating from Chicago’s top food critics and magazines. It has a deep range of seafood selections and an elegant and classy atmosphere. Its location close to the Theatre District is an added advantage.

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Petterino’s

Ideally located in the theatre district, just round the corner from the Ford theatre and adjacent to the Goodman theatre, it is hugely popular with theatre afficiandos looking for a good meal before the show. Dark wood booths create an old world look. With an elegant atmosphere and variety of dishes, what you have is a winner!