Chicago River Architecture Tour and Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Tour

Overview

Available languages

English

Spanish

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

Self-guided tour options include Chicago Architecture, Chicago Riverwalk, Public Art, and Millennium Park Tour

Redeem vouchers at Big Bus Stop #1 - Chicago Riverwalk 98 E. Wacker Drive (across the bridge from Trump Tower)

Download the Big Bus app for route and stop information plus live bus tracking

Two ways to activate tickets: 1. Download and open the Big Bus app. Tap "Add Booking" and enter your booking reference. On the day of travel, open your ticket and press "Activate" then show your activated ticket to the driver at any stop along the route. Plus, use the app for route information and live bus tracking. 2. Redeem voucher and activate with Big Bus staff at Stop #1 - Chicago Riverwalk - 98 E. Wacker Drive (on the corner of Michigan and Wacker), or with any driver at any stop along the route.

Cancellation Policy

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

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

What To Expect

Red Route: Hop-on Hop-off

Duration:2 hours

Operating Schedule:Single loop journey on the red loop is 2 hours. Guests may enter or exit at any stop to explore the city. Pass is valid for 2 days.

98 E. Wacker Drive (across the bridge from Trump Tower)

Skydeck Chicago - 319 W. Jackson Blvd (opposite Willis Tower/Skydeck entrance)

200 S. Michigan Ave (in front of Potbelly's)

800 S. Michigan Ave

500 E. Solidarity Drive (bus loading zone near entrance)

425 E. McFetridge Drive (next to Field Museum car park)

441 N. Columbus Drive (across the street from NBC Towers)

600 E. Grand Ave

163 E. Pearson St (near the corner of Michigan Ave)

150 E. Chestnut St (near the corner with Chestnut St)

614 N. Clark Street (in front of McDonald's)

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

4.13

38 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Adventurous boat tour
Jill L,
Oct 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
I 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
2.00
The 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
3.00
We 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
5.00
Guide 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
4.00
I 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
4.00
Nice 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
5.00
Both 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
2.00
On 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
5.00
Great 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.
Unclear instructions to redeem tickets
Edith M,
Sep 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00
It’s better to buy tickets with the venues directly! We used Viator for a combo experience Big bus + boat ride. We spent 45 minutes trying to find the place to redeem tickets. There were other Viator customers trying to find the venue as well. The instructions Viator provided were confusing and not clear. Boat ride was ok, big bus was great.