Chicago Architecture River Tour & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
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 75-minute 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 75-minute 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.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Digital Walking Tour options include Chicago Architecture, Chicago Riverwalk, Public Art, and Millennium Park Tour
Download the Big Bus app for route and stop information plus live bus tracking
Tickets may be activated via Big Bus app or in person with Big Bus Staff
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
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.
Stop 1 - Chicago Riverwalk
Stop 2 - Skydeck Chicago and Willis Tower
Stop 3 - Millennium Park & The Art Institute of Chicago
Stop 4 - Hilton Chicago and Grant Park
Stop 5 - Adler Planetarium
Stop 6 - Museum Campus
Stop 7 - Sheraton Grand Chicago
Stop 8 - Navy Pier
Stop 9 - Water Tower and Magnificent Mile
Stop 10 - 360 CHICAGO and John Hancock Center
Stop 1 - River North
What‘s Included
48-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Ticket with unlimited access
Open-top double decker bus
Save 20% off retail when you bundle these two experiences!
75-minute Chicago River Architecture Cruise
Professional Digital Commentary on bus tour with souvenir earbuds
Expert architecture guide on Architectural River Tour
Four self-guided digital walking tours to explore more of the city
Options
Chicago: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour & Architecture River Cruise
Chicago River Boat Tour: 75-minute architecture boat tour along the Chicago River
48-hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour: Hop on and off at convenient stops around Chicago and enjoy digital audio commentary while aboard.
Digital Walking Tours: Choose from 4 tour options to explore more of Chicago by foot
Reviews
39 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Best river tour ever!
briansO8812SF,Apr 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing Chicago Architecture River tour! The tour guide was very knowledgeable and entertaining! We learned so much about Chicago and its architecture. First Rate🤩
Adventurous boat tour
Jill L,Oct 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00I loved the boat tour . Our tour guide told us all about the history of Chicago River and all the buildings around it and he was funny. The bus tour was good because it stopped and you could see around the city -just make sure you know you might get commentary from your guide or it might be just a bus ride.
Disappointed
Sidney H,Oct 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
2.00The driver was not friendly and needs some driving lessons. I can overlook the driving issues, but I do not tolerate rude behavior. At the next to final stop, a couple of his friends boarded with a brown bag to share and next thing we knew, he "can't make it to the last stop due to traffic", so he threw us all off the bus. I'm sorry I didn't get his name or the number of the bus.
Boat yes; Bus no
DebMey11,Sep 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00We loved the Architecture Boat Tour. It was outstanding. We learned so much and completely enjoyed our docent. In contrast, the bus tour is no with a live docent and the recording was not fun or entertaining. We listened to music that was piped in more than interesting information about Chicago - and there had to be more to learn! The bus part was disappointing- but the boat was GREAT!
River tour
Julius J,Sep 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Guide was very informative about the history behind each of the buildings and their cultural significance to the city
I had trouble finding the...
Carlton C,Sep 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00I had trouble finding the actual tour location because there was a lack of signage. Nevertheless it was a good day and great architecture River tour
Nice boat tour
Laurent L,Sep 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Nice boat tour going along the river. Nice insights into the history of Chicago. Only slight downside was volume of speakers onboard the boat which was too low and difficult to hear the comments at time.
Hop on Hop off bus+Architectural boat Cruise
annid1313,Sep 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Both the Hop on Hop off bus and the Shoreline River Cruise were great! The bus was very easy. The first day we (6 women) did the entire loop to get our bearings and learn about the city. We bought a 48 hour pass and used a couple times each day we were there. The architectural boat cruise was fantastic. The guide made the tour enjoyable with not only his knowledge but humor. Would highly recommend both.
Wanted to recommend but..
Jane B,Sep 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
2.00On day of experience after several messages, there was no response. Was difficult to find the place to pick up the voucher and the person who printed them had no information about the architecture tour vouchers and where to pick those up. You are better off find the tickets on your own or purchasing at the venue.
You Have To Hop On Hop Off
Sharon E,Sep 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great value for money, and a great way to see the city. We purchased the 48 hour pass with the architectural tour included. We started out on Stop 9 the first day and rode to Stop 1 where we did the Architectural Tour. A fabulous way to appreciate Chicago’s skyline. Afterwards we ride the bus to Millennium Park and enjoyed the Bean while we also picked up our free backpacks. The next day we decided to start over and ride the loop around. The layout of the city was more familiar to us and we could notice the things we missed. We also had a great bus driver, Felicia, who told us about the sights as we passed by. We finished at the Harry Potter store on Michigan Avenue where we enjoyed our free butter beer ice cream. There was a lot packed into a single ticket price and we saw things we wouldn’t have noticed without the tour.
From US$99.00
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Operated by Big Bus Tours - USA