gray line tours in chicago

Gray Line Tours Chicago

Starting out as a family business more than 100 years, Gray Line Tours has been providing travel experiences to visitors from all over the world, giving insights in the magnificent city of Chicago. Providing fun and educational sightseeing tours led by live tour guides, Gray Line allows guests to enjoy city views through historical bus tours , river boat tours, combined land & river tours—sometimes even adding in a slice of deep dish, Chicago-style pizza!

From the heart of the Loop up the Magnificent Mile , Gray Line’s fully narrated sightseeing bus tours take guests through historic neighborhoods on the north and south sides of Chicago. Comprehensive tours of the city bring guests closer in, to feel the heartbeat of the Windy City.

Types of Gray Line Tours 

Bus Tours are Gray Line’s specialty, allowing for tourists to see the best of Chicago in a short amount of time. Visit sites on the lakefront including museums , churches, sports stadiums, parks , and so much more.

Gray Line’s combined land tour and river boat cruise gives guests the best of both worlds. This extended tour allows guests to spend a couple of hours on the bus that heads to the North Side and South Side business and residential districts. Guests then transfer to the river, aboard a floating tour vessel that runs in partnership with Chicago Line Cruises.

For Chicago-style tours that include pizza, guests should plan to enjoy a personal pizza (deep dish or thin crust) and a beverage from a local pub (such as Exchequer). Pizza, drink, tax and tip are included in the tour price.

What You’ll See on a Gray Line Tour

Depending on the particular tour chosen, Gray Line Tours may visit the North or South side business districts (sometimes both), drive along Lake Michigan for scenic views, stop at the Museum Campus, or enjoy Chicago’s three most famous parks: Lincoln Park , Washington Park and Grant Park .

The combined bus and river boat tour typically takes visitors on a bus tour to see Shedd Aquarium , Soldier Field, and various skyscrapers located in the Loop , then the river cruise gives a unique perspective of Chicago’s famous architecture and skyline.  

Gray Line Tours Services

As part of Aries Charter Transportation, Gray Line Chicago provides transportation and sightseeing tours to Chicago’s top tourist attractions . Visitors can enjoy a bus tour for up to half a day, or make it unique by touring the city on a combined bus tour and river vessel cruise. 

Gray Line (through Aries Charter) not only provides sightseeing tours but also accommodates transportation needs throughout the city, whether shuttling from airports and field trips to moving groups (small or large—from 2-100s) for private events.

Gray Line’s bus fleet is standard and closed-topped. For views from open-topped, double decker buses, check out the hop-on-hop-off tours offered by Big Bus Tours.

Gray Line Tours Timing

From April through September Gray Line tours operate daily except for certain holidays. Special events downtown may affect tour availability and schedule—guests should check the schedule online or call ahead. Private charter buses may be available year-round.

Tours through Gray Line are comprehensive, often lasting from two hours to 5 ½ hours from start to finish. Some of the tours may include lunch.

Gray Line Tours Considerations

Information to help you answer questions about Gray Line Tour prior to booking:

• Money Saving Tip : If you are planning on visiting several  tourist attractions  during your visit to Chicago, you might think about a tourist pass such as the Go Chicago Pass or Chicago Explorer Pass , both include your choice of three Gray Line Tours as well as a lot more.
• Tours are given in English with a live guide.
• Most tours begin and end at Palmer House Hilton , where Gray Line holds an office.
• Check in at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled time of tour departure at the Gray Line desk inside Feelings Gift Shop in the Palmer House Hotel (17 E. Monroe St.)
• Certain vehicles are ADA accessible. Call at last 48 hours in advance to confirm accessibility for specific tours.
• Group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more. Call for information.
• Tours typically run rain-or-shine. If a tour is cancelled due to inclement weather, guests may request an alternative tour date.
• Most tours booked through the Gray Line website are refundable at least 48 hours prior to departure (minus a service fee).
• Gratuities to tour guides are optional, depending on personal experience.
• Snacks and beverages are not provided during the tour, but may be available for purchase during a stop. Many guests like to bring food and beverages with them to enjoy while on the tour.

Book a Gray Line Tour

Tickets for Gray Line Tours should be purchased in advance online. Online bookings show weekly availability including tour times as well as revealing tours that are already sold out. Pay for your tour in advance with a credit card and receive an email with all of the information you need about where and when tours meet as well as what to expect.

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Gray Line Chicago

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Gray Line Chicago - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Gray Line Chicago

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Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Gray Line Chicago - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Tours & Attractions , Architectural/Cultural Tours , Bus Tours

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Since 1910, Gray Line has been a trusted provider of traveler experiences and sightseeing tours in the world’s most sought after locations. Helping you discover a new destination – that’s our passion! With hundreds of local offices, our team of on-site experts is there to help you see the sights and do the things that you just can’t miss. Our Chicago tour experts are standing by to help create memories that will last a lifetime!

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Gray Line is the largest provider of sightseeing tours on the planet.It has been offering the local Chicago experience since 1969.

For more than 100 years, Gray Line has been at the center of creating and operating the best traveler experiences in the world’s most sought after sightseeing destinations. With thousands of tours and experiences in more than 700 locations, spanning six continents, Gray Line is also the largest direct supplier of destination services to online travel sellers, wholesalers and travel agents. Founded in 1910, Gray Line has grown into the most well-known consumer brand in sightseeing tours. Its global network of elite providers operates day tours, airport transfers, hop-on hop-off tours, multi-day packages, walking tours and other specialized destination services.

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Gray Line Chicago: Chicago North Side Bus Tour

Gray Line Chicago’s Chicago North Side tour is a guided bus tour of Chicago’s downtown and Near North Side. Lasting a couple hours, this tour takes you to a significant number of must-see Chicago destinations, making it an appealing tour option for first-time visitors to the city. Along the way you’ll encounter such attractions as The Loop, Michigan Avenue, John Hancock Center, Lincoln Park, and much, much more. Throughout the entire trip, your friendly guide will provide an informative and entertaining narration that’ll give you a bit of background and history regarding the city of Chicago and its many wonders.

Money Saving Tip ! This tour is included in the Go Chicago Card as well as the Chicago Explorer Pass . Both Chicago Tourist Passes can save you a lot of money if you are going to multiple Chicago attractions .

Chicago North Side Bus Tour Details

The Chicago North Side bus tour gets you up close and personal with many of the major landmarks found in Chicago’s downtown and Near North Side neighborhoods. The Grayline bus tour usually starts out by taking you down State Street and through Chicago’s one-of-a-kind Loop neighborhood, before swinging by Daley Plaza, where you’ll find an impressive abstract sculpture by the great Pablo Picasso; originally hated upon its first unveiling in 1967, it’s now become a much-recognized symbol of the city. From there you’ll ride along chic Michigan Avenue, passing such highlights as the Chicago River and John Hancock Center. The tour then heads even farther north, providing you the opportunity to see additional attractions like the Newberry Library, Wrigley Field, and Lincoln Park. The Chicago North Side tour lasts approximately two hours. You’ll want to check their website in advance of your visit for more details, but typically the Chicago North Side tour is offered twice a day, at 9:30am and 1:30pm. Tickets cost about $35 for adults, and just under $20 for children between the ages of 5 and 14 years old.

Chicago North Side Major Highlights

Michigan Avenue: Known to many as “The Magnificent Mile,” Chicago’s fabulous Michigan Avenue is one of the preeminent stretches of shopping and dining found anywhere in the world. As you ride along this glamorous strip, you’ll be able to see notable buildings such as Tribune Tower and the Wrigley Building, as well as numerous famous stores and restaurants.

John Hancock Center: Located just north of the ever-popular Water Tower Place, the John Hancock Center is a true Chicago landmark. At nearly 1,200 feet in height (1,500 feet if you include the iconic spires), it’s one of the tallest buildings in the world, and quite beloved for its 94 th -floor observatory, 360 CHICAGO .

Newberry Library: This independent research library has been free and open to the public since its opening in 1887. Situated right on beautiful Washington Square, in a magnificent historic building, the Newberry Library houses millions of books and manuscripts across a wide spectrum of subjects and specialties.

Wrigley Field: Home to Major League Baseball’s Chicago Cubs since 1916, Wrigley Field is one of the most famous sporting venues in the world. This charming ballpark is nestled in the midst of the vibrant Wrigleyville neighborhood, and you’ll definitely want to snap a photograph of its famous marquee as you drive by.

Is the Grayline Chicago North Side Bus Tour for You?

If you find yourself on a tight schedule during your time in Chicago, but yet you still want to see a number of the city’s most famous spots while experiencing a bit of its local flavor, then Gray Line Chicago’s Chicago North Side tour is likely a good choice for you. It gets you to a number of the Windy City’s most famous places in a very short amount of time, which makes it a great option for those visitors trying to pack a lot into a brief trip. If you have more time—or know specifically what parts of town you want to explore the most—then there are other, more comprehensive tours out there, at relatively comparable prices. However, anyway you cut it, the Chicago North Side tour makes for a pleasant two hours out and about in one of the world’s loveliest cities.

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