gray line chicago grand tour

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.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• 0800 246 1241

Booking enquiry

Have a question? Visit our help centre or call us on 0800 246 1241

Email address

Contact number

Additional information

Inside Chicago Grand Tour by Gray Line Chicago

• Chicago, Excursions,

Tour Information

Duration is 4 Hours. This tour departs at 9:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm June thru September and at 10am and 12pm October thru May. This tour does not operate on Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day.

Introduction

This is a comprehensive tour of everything that Chicago has to offer. You’ll travel through both the North Side and South Side business and residential districts. In this tour, you will visit all of the beautiful parks including Lincoln Park, Washington Park, Grant Park, and see virtually the entire length of the scenic Outer Drive. A stop will be made at the fascinating Lincoln Park Conservatory and a camera stop will be made at the Museum Campus for its breathtaking view.

• Help Centre
• Privacy Notice
• HTML Sitemap

We use cookies to give you the best online experience. By using our website you agree to our use of cookies in accordance with our cookie policy. I accept

Gray Line Sightseeing Tours

Review Highlights

“ The Gray Line Trolley worked out pretty well for us as a mode of transportation around the city of Chicago on a Sunday. ” in 2 reviews

“ The tour covered most of the major attractions in the city and Lester provided colourful, humorous commentary. ” in 2 reviews

“ We ended up running into Josh , who managed the tours from the Palmer House quite a few times. ” in 2 reviews

Location & Hours

Suggest an edit

30 S Michigan Ave

Chicago, IL 60603

Madison St & Monroe St

Serving Chicago Area

Amenities and More

About the business.

Gray Line Sightseeing Bus Tours provide the most comprehensive Scenic and Historic sightseeing tours of Chicago. Our North Side Tour will take you from the heart of the Loop up the Mag Mile, through Lincoln Park to Wrigley Field and back. Our South Side Tour departs the Loop through Historic neighborhoods to Museum of Science and Industry and back. The Grand Tour combines both the North and South tours to get the most comprehensive tour of everything Chicago has to offer. Architecture, Skyscrapers, Parks, the Lakefront, Museums, Sports Stadiums and Historic Neighborhoods. Gray Line Chicago's fully narrated sightseeing bus tours will take you there. …

Ask the Community

Ask a question

Yelp users haven’t asked any questions yet about Gray Line Sightseeing Tours .

People also searched for

Skyline View

Dirt Bike Rental

Free Things To Do

Recommended Reviews

• 1 star rating Not good
• 2 star rating Could’ve been better
• 3 star rating OK
• 4 star rating Good
• 5 star rating Great

Select your rating

Overall rating

This company did not provide the services I paid for due to employees who have no idea what they are doing. if I could give zero I would. Specifically, I ONLY went back to Dubai to go to the Louvre in Abu Dhabi because it was not open on my first trip. I selected the tour that provided this and it was all set up for Sunday. Without asking me someone changed my tour ( I did not consent to this change) to Monday'; the museum is not open on Mondays. i was told this was a mistake but since I only went to see this museum this was a MONUMENTAL MISTAKE. I took off work, paid for their services and flew to Dubai for a specific reason. I did not get to see the museum, not because it was a holiday or it was under maintence but because some employee had no idea what they were doing. When I complained and asked for a partial refund since I did not get what I paid for, I was offered a free trip to Abu Dhabi when I come back to Dubai. This is unacceptable since i have no intention of returning to Dubai any time soon or know if I ever will. This is a very large company and while mistakes happen, the cost for me should not be so high. They screwed up a trip I carefully set up for my purpose due to incompetence and then refuse to accept responsibility. Be very careful in choosing this company for dream vacations because they could get messed up and then they will do nothing about it

Candace is the best driver and tour guide. She made our ride entertaining and fun. She puts her whole heart in her job. She new passenger by name. We had trivia questions and prizes.

The Gray Line Trolley worked out pretty well for us as a mode of transportation around the city of Chicago on a Sunday. Since they don't list the map or schedule on the internet anywhere (at least I couldn't find it), here's the route: Sears Tower Palmer House Hilton Art Institute Hilton Hotel (8th & Michigan) Adler Planetarium Shedd Aquarium Field Museum Sheraton Hotel (Columbus & North Water) Navy Pier Water Tower Place Hancock Tower Hard Rock Cafe Wrigley Building Fort Dearborn. Features: * You can hop on/hop off at any of these locations, as they circle in a loop. * One full rotation takes about 1-1/2 to 2 hours * They alternate "Upper Deckers" (double decker buses) with trolleys * The longest you will wait (if you just miss one) is about 20 minutes * They start around 9:30 am * The last pick up times range from 4:45pm at Sear Tower to 6:25 pm at Wrigley Building. * The tour ends at 6:30pm for the evening at Fort Dearborn. * The guides who narrated the tour were very friendly.

View from an Upper Decker Bus

Not friendly or fun, bus was (at least) half an hour late, we asked for our money back.

OMG stop the Trolley (no, Don't) i was just happy to Sit for an hour & 45 minutes!! from the Holiday Hustle & Bustle, then we met our Guide Matt & our Driver Mr. DeFourneaux, they were the Best Team EVER, literally it took us All over Chicago you can get off & on if you want to, i wasn't leaving these guys, it was the Best Value, the Most Fun, we Learned & Laughed Matt was great, he got us out of the trolley to actually point out different buildings & sites that connected us with history that we've heard of but never had the places to connect it to so Interesting i wore a Chicago hot dog home!!!! (no ketchup)

I wrote a letter six weeks ago to Gray Line Tours regarding a problem we had in July 2016 and since I have not had the courtesy of a return letter or even a phone call I am compelled to post this review. On July 2, 2016 we took a Gray Line tour - Historic Chicago South Shore, at 3:30pm.  A bus picked us up at 2:45 PM at the Talbott Hotel where we were staying.  This driver (female) was informative and friendly and we were able to converse with her.  She brought us to the Palmer House location by 3:05 PM where we had to wait for a different bus for the tour at 3:30 PM, per our tickets.   We waited almost fifteen minutes and a bus showed up; the driver went into the building.  We waited for the driver to come outside and when he didn't we decided to board so that we could get a good seat.  After another ten minutes a female employee came on board and told us we were on the wrong bus.  At this point a male driver came from the rear of this bus where he had been sleeping!  We were directed to another bus that was parked nearby.   The 3:30 bus tour started at almost 4 PM - website information and our tickets indicate 3:30.  The driver started speaking on a mic.  His diction was not understandable by most of the passengers; everyone had the same reaction as us. His name may have been Leon; not sure as it was very hard to understand him.   Leon was the worst tour guide I have ever met.  His speaking voice was horrible, annoying, and with an uneven pitch.  He had very little real information to give us as we passed different sites.  Example:  as we passed a retail store his retort was "on our left is The Gap" or similar statements. We can read - this was not information pertinent to our Historic South Shore tour.  When we were at the Adler Planetarium he parked the bus and told (us) the passengers to get out of the bus and enjoy the view.  I guess he needed a 15 minute nap. I expected a return letter from Gray Line but I've received nothing to date. This tour was a big waste of our time and money. I believe that years ago this was a "go to" tour company but they have gone so far downhill; I don't believe anyone was happy with that tour that day. Save your money - don't give it to Gray Line.

BAD, just a waste of money. Luckily this was included with our Go Chicago Card. if you want a great tour, find othe other red double decker bus. Started off with the trolley tour. NO GUIDE. The driver told us the guides were allocated to the bigger buses. So we switched over to the double decker bus. There was a guide... but she wasn't any better. She described the buildings as "really old." She didn't offer much history. Just naming the different restaurants and stores. DUH, I can read the signs. Tell me some history and information about the city! I had been on the other double decker bus and it was SO MUCH better. They give you info and history and the drama and stories behind the buildings, streets and people. I felt bad for my family, they had never been to the city before, but we didn't have time to do a different tour. This was NOT a tour. This was a bus that took you to different stops.

It's a terrible tour. All the bus driver did was ramble on and on and on and on about pretty much nothing. We hopped off the tour early because it was so boring. Do not waste your time.

My wife and I had the GO! card for Chicago on a 3 day weekend in Chicago from Minneapolis. We hopped on the Grayline trolley double decker near Navy Pier and rode it for about an hour and a half. Our tour guide was a little gruff, but funny too. We got lots of good information about the city and sitting on top of the double decker bud was really refreshing on a beautiful Chicago afternoon. My wife and I marveled at the wonderful Chicago architecture and all the Labor Day sightseeing. We got off around the Buckingham Fountain and walked back to the hotel so we could hit another attraction. Overall, the bus was awesome, being a double decker, the speaker was pretty cool, and it made for a fun hour and a half and all included on the Chicago GO! card.

I went on the Holiday Lights Tour a few days ago. I would not recommend it. We spent so much of our time sitting in traffic and the windows fogged so that you could not see well out of the windows. I could not hear/understand the driver when he did speak. It was very disorganized! There was confusion about where to board the bus. Our family was not able to sit together even though we arrived early. This was the worst experience of our 6 days in Chicago.

8 other reviews that are not currently recommended

People Also Viewed

Big Bus Tours Chicago

Chicago Trolley & Double Decker

American Walks

Chicago Crime Tours and Experiences

Absolutely Chicago Segway Tours

Chicago River Boat Architecture Tours

Shoreline Sightseeing

Chicago Line Cruises

Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise - First Lady

Chicago Hauntings Ghost Tour

Best of Chicago

Things to do in Chicago

People found Gray Line Sightseeing Tours by searching for…

1 Star in Chicago, Illinois

Double Decker Bus Tour in Chicago, Illinois

Fun Tours in Chicago, Illinois

Pub Crawl in Chicago, Illinois

Browse Nearby

Arts & Entertainment

Dinner Cruise

Other Places Nearby

Find more Architectural Tours near Gray Line Sightseeing Tours

Find more Bus Tours near Gray Line Sightseeing Tours

Find more Historical Tours near Gray Line Sightseeing Tours

Related Cost Guides

Town Car Service

Gray Line Sightseeing Tours is a Yelp advertiser.

Gray Line of Chicago

Gray Line Chicago

• Intermission Bar + Kitchen at Cambria Chicago Loop
• Beatrix Loop
• Cambria Hotel Chicago
• The Spa at JW Chicago 
• Music & Theatre
• Bars & Breweries
• Happy Hours
• Vegetarian & Healthy
• Historic Chicago Hotels
• Boutique Hotels
• Electronics
• Health & Beauty
• Kids' Clothing in the Loop
• Men's Clothing
• Sundays on State
• Loop Events
• Annual Gala
• In the Loop News and local tips
• Why invest?
• Loop Advisories
• Elevate State
• Research & Resources
• Want to stay in the Loop?

Stay Connected, Be Informed, Expand Your Reach

Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA) is a member-based business organization that represents Chicago's most dynamic mixed-use district - the Loop - and advocates for the rapidly growing central business district. Learn more about our membership benefits and hear directly from CLA members about their experience.

CLA Join Brochure

• Member Events
• Members & Partners
• Search Submit Search

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.

[email protected] +1 312-251-3100

4525 W. Grenshaw St. Chicago, IL 60624

TEMPORARILY CLOSED

• Gray Line Chicago on Facebook
• Gray Line Chicago on Twitter
• Gray Line Chicago on Instagram

Things to do

• University Club of Chicago
• Chicago Athletic Association
• Lost in Now
• Luxe Barber & Shave Lounge
• Spa at Palmer House
• Mon Ami Jewelry

Eat & Drink

• " data-website="" data-mapicon="/_resources/vendor/timezoneone/tourismoperators/client/images/map-icons/default.png?m=1619494909">I|O Godfrey Roofscape
• Goddess and the Baker
• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers

CTA Stations

• Adams/Wabash (Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple Lines)
• Washington/Wabash (Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple Lines)
• Monroe (Red Line)

STAY IN THE LOOP

Get local tips and exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Stay In The Loop

Exclusive Loop deals, recommendations, and news direct from Chicago Loop Alliance.

No thanks. I don't want to be in the Loop

Gray Line Chicago: Historic Chicago South Shore Bus Tour

The Gray Line Chicago Historic Chicago South Shore tour is a terrific way to see a significant number of Chicago’s most famous attractions in a fairly short amount of time. Your tour guide will narrate the sights and sounds you encounter as you ride past some of the Windy City’s more iconic spots in the comfort of one of Gray Line Chicago’s coach buses. Along the way you’ll experience the best of Chicago’s Loop neighborhood and near South Side. The Historic Chicago South Shore tour will get you to such Chicago landmarks as the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum Campus, Jackson Park, and much, much more—all in the course of a couple hours.

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 .

Historic Chicago South Shore  Tour Details

Gray Line Chicago’s Historic Chicago South Shore tour focuses on Chicago’s bustling downtown and the historic area found just south of there. This means your tour will take you to many of Chicago’s most prominent cultural attractions. You’ll see the crowds mingling near “The Bean” at Millennium Park, and catch a glimpse of the green expanses of Grant Park. From there you’ll view the magnificent Art Institute of Chicago, as well as the remarkable collection of facilities that comprise the Museum Campus: Adler Planetarium, Field Museum, and Shedd Aquarium. When the tour continues south, you’ll visit Jackson Park, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Hyde Park neighborhood. Throughout the entire tour Chicago’s stunning skyline and shoreline will serve as a breathtaking backdrop. The Historic Chicago South Shore tour usually clocks in at around two hours. It is most often only run once a day—departing each morning at 11:30am—but do make sure and check their website in advance of your trip to access their most up-to-date schedule. Tickets cost about $35 for adults, and just under $20 for children between the ages of 5 and 14 years old.

Historic Chicago South Shore Major Highlights

Art Institute of Chicago : Routinely considered one of the finest art museums anywhere in the world, the Art Institute of Chicago is a can’t-miss attraction for any visitor to the Windy City. Its famous lion-guarded main entrance faces vibrant Michigan Avenue, while the Renzo Piano-designed Modern Wing looks north toward Millennium Park.

Museum Campus: Prominently situated between the southern edge of Grant Park and Lake Michigan, the Museum Campus is one of Chicago’s most beloved areas. There you’ll find such acclaimed attractions as the Field Museum , Shedd Aquarium , and Adler Planetarium . Soldier Field, home of the National Football League’s Chicago’ Bears, is nearby, too.

Jackson Park: This beautiful lakeside park was the site of the legendary 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition—better known to many as the 1893 Chicago’s World Fair. Located adjacent to the Hyde Park neighborhood and the campus of the University of Chicago, it remains to this day a very spot for Chicagoans to go to unwind and enjoy the great outdoors.

Museum of Science and Industry : Situated at the northern end of Jackson Park, the Museum of Science and Industry is one of the only structures used during the 1893 Chicago’s World Fair still in existence. Today it’s a well-regarded museum featuring permanent exhibits like a replica coal mine, a German submarine captured during World War II, and a passenger train.

Is the Grayline Historic Chicago South Shore Tour for You?

The Gray Line Chicago Historic Chicago South Shore tour is a convenient way to see a nice cross-section of some of Chicago’s most famous attractions in a short amount of time—all as part of the same guided outing. You could spend an entire day and more exploring many of the attractions highlighted during this tour, so if you hold a particular interest in learning more about a specific landmark—like, say, the Field Museum or the Art Institute of Chicago—you might consider making the time to visit that attraction individually. However, if you’re new to Chicago and seeking a pleasant introductory overview of the city’s downtown business district, Museum Campus, and the Jackson Park area, the Historic Chicago South Shore tour will likely prove to be a very satisfying experience.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.