Architectural River Cruise
Price: $38
The cool mist off the lake, the magnificence of the city skyline and the tranquility of lapping waves set the mood for a wistful afternoon cruising the Chicago River. Visitors and Chicagoans alike say that the best way to really see the city's profile is on architectural cruise along the Chicago River and Lake Michigan.Guests will learn how in the 19th Century, the modern city grew from a trading post to become the world's fastest growing metropolis.
Guests will view an extraordinary array of great structures, including Lake Point Tower, Wrigley Building, IBM Building, NBC Tower, Tribune Tower, Civic Opera House, Sears Tower, Marina City, Board of Trade, and scores more. From the river, the boat will venture out to Lake Michigan where guests will be treated to a rich view of the entire skyline. An architectural docent will provide live narration featuring an overview of architecture and history. Guests will find out little known facts about the history of Chicago's buildings, without the omission of the juicier details-scandal, corruption, conflict: all the material that makes for great entertainment.
Cruises are open to the public.
No motorcoach transportation provided.
A Tour Guide will walk guests over to cruise departure point.
Tour Dates and Times:
Saturday, July 26: 3-5 p.m.
Sunday, July 27: 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Monday, July 28: 9:30 a.m.-noon
Tuesday, July 29: 9:30 a.m.-noon
Wednesday, July 30: 9:30 a.m.-noon
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Highlights of Chicago
Price: $35
Those famous Chicago winds have blown in a massive transformation. Chicago's motto, "City in a Garden," is much more than a catchy slogan. Lines of newly planted trees grace lush parkways and gardens. Planters filled with varieties of vibrant plants and flowers line the streets. The extraordinary and vast Millennium Park stretches from Michigan Avenue to the glorious lakefront. Navy Pier - Chicago's number one tourist attraction - imparts a carnival-like atmosphere to the city year-round. The ever-increasing shopping attractions along the Magnificent Mile, the expanding theatre scene, and a plethora of world-class museums fill the city with effervescence and variety.
It is impossible to visit ALL the wonderful sights in Chicago; but guests can see major new, exciting, and unique additions on an all-encompassing tour covering the city's major features in the downtown area, north and south sides. They will see Chicago's vistas from major parks, including Grant, Lincoln and new and impressive Millennium Park. Chicagoans take great pride in the city's major contribution to world architecture. In the place where it all began in the 1880s, guests will learn how modern styles evolved and produced the ever-increasing panorama of bewildering structures, and experience first-hand why multitudes acclaim Chicago as "an outdoor museum of architecture."
Occupying pride of place on the tour are the varied views of the city's crown jewel: Lake Michigan. The enormity of the over 300-mile long and over 100 mile wide body of fresh water gives new meaning to the term "inland sea." Guests will learn how the early city planners separated the city's commerce and buildings from the beaches, parks and inviting lakeshore and discover why over 30 million visitors each year say, "Chicago is my kind of town."
Tours offered at 5:30 p.m. depart from Convention Center.
Tour Dates and Times:
Saturday, July 26: 2:30-5:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 27: 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Monday, July 28: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. AND 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, July 29: 12:30-3:30 p.m. AND 5:30-8:30 p.m.
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Frank Lloyd Wright in Oak Park
Price: $50
In 1889, 22-year-old Frank Lloyd Wright, lacking both formal training and and academic degree, began a quiet movement in the Oak Park house he designed and built for his growing family. As his fame grew, the movement became a revolution and the residence expanded into an office, then a workshop and studio in which to test the astonishing new style. From this home, his imaginative art and daring designs became world famous. Wright called his movement the "Prairie School." More than a century later, it ranks as America's most influential architectural expression. Each year the American Institute of Architects names Frank Lloyd Wright as "the most original architect the U.S. ever produced - and more important - one of the most creative architectural geniuses of all time." Now you can visit the place where it all began. Specially trained architectural docents will conduct comprehensive, small group inspections of the residence, now fully restored to its original 1889 appearance.
A second visit will be made to nearby Unity Temple. Wright called it "my little jewel box." The world celebrates it as one of his most daring works; a three-dimensional series of complex rectilinear solids cast in reinforced concrete, which remains virtually unchanged to this day.
Tour Dates and Times:
Monday, July 28: 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 30: 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
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Bikes along the Lakefront
Price: $60
On this exciting and energetic tour guests will have the opportunity to capture the splendor of Chicago's glorious lakefront that frames world-famous architecture on an exhilarating bicycle tour past north side beaches, parks, monuments and historic landmarks.
Traveling on protected paths with a qualified tour guide, guests will begin their journey at Navy Pier and end at Millennium Park. Guests will enjoy a ride along the lakefront shores and through major sites; including Lincoln Park - an urban oasis with attractions such as the Lincoln Park Zoo, Conservatory and Nature Museum - Grant Park, and Buckingham Fountain. They will stop at scenic Planetarium Point where, gazing upon the magnificent skyline, the guide will explain the forces that led to the birth of modern architecture in Chicago. The grand finale will astound guests as their guide explains the conception and construction of the various structures and works of art in Millennium Park.
Tour Dates and Times:
Tuesday, July 29: 8:30 a.m.-noon
Wednesday, July 30: 8:30 a.m.-noon
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Guided Tour of the Art Institute
Price: $45
Visit the world-famous Art Institute of Chicago where acclaimed masterpieces await discovery. Since its opening 100 years ago, the Art Institute has acquired outstanding collections both through the distinguished tastes of its curators and the generosity of its benefactors. Justly renowned for its medieval masterpieces and French Impressionists, the Museum boasts treasures in every room. Housed here are such treasures as Seurat's Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, El Greco's Assumption of the Virgin, Grant Wood's American Gothic,and a stunning collection of renowned French Impressionist works.
Enjoy an escorted tour of this great institution that includes these highlights as well as Adler and Sullivan's exquisite Trading Room a reconstruction of the glorious late 19th century structure using fragments from the building that were preserved after its demolition in 1972; the magnificent America stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall; and the spectacular galleries of the new Ada Rice Wing. The guide will take requests from the group and include works of art of particular interest to the group.
Modern painters such as Picasso, Matisse and Dubuffet are well represented as well as an impressive array of works by such artists as Caillebotte, Rembrandt, El Greco, Renoir, Monet, Cezanne and Georgia O'Keefe - a former Art Institute student. In addition to galleries housing paintings, there are marvelous exhibits of photography, furnishings, prints and drawings,weaponry, ceramics and Chinese art.
Tour Dates and Times:
Monday, July 28: 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
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Segway Tour
Price: $92
Science has finally introduced a device to benefit the common tourist: The Segway. No longer must the average tourist burden his or her legs to traverse from sight to sight. The Segway takes tourists on an unforgettable, pain-free ride, hitting all the major sites.
The tour starts with a short instructional training session on Segway use, followed by two hours of sightseeing around the city. While on the tour, guests will visit Millennium Park, the Daley Bicentennial Plaza and Park, Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park, the Lakefront Bike Path, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, and the Field Museum. Because of the advantages of the Segway Tour, there will be plenty of time to stop for photo-ops, and guests will return feeling rested, with enough energy to enjoy Chicago's vibrant nightlife.
Tour Dates and Times:
Tuesday, July 29: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Wednesday, July 30: 1:30-4:30 p.m.
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100 years of Architecture Coach and Walking Tour
Price: $30
From the 19th Century birth of skyscraper to the shimmering steel and glass towers of today, the buildings of Chicago stand as monuments to the thoughts and aspirations of each succeeding generation. History's first metal skeleton invention here changed the skylines of cities everywhere.
A guide will point out landmarks showcasing one hundred years of architectural genius - from William LeBaron Jenney and Louis Sullivan to Harry Weese and Helmut Jahn. Guests will see the historic Monadnock, Reliance and Manhattan buildings; Frank Lloyd Wright's spectacular Rookery Lobby and the magnificent Federal Building. They will see the exuberant new State of Illinois Building designed by Helmut Jahn as an abstract version of the Capitol Building.
Tour Dates and Times:
Wednesday, July 30: 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
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Jersey Boys
Price: $48
The 2006 Tony Award winning best musical about Rock and Roll Hall of Famers the Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy Devito and Nick Massi is now in Chicago! The Jersey Boys is the story of how four blue-collar kids became one of the greatest successes in pop music history. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide, all before they were thirty! Jersey Boys is an amazing spectacle with great harmony, and a few well-dressed boys! Jersey Boys features their hit songs "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Rag Doll," Oh, What a Night," and "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You.
Subject to availability.
No transportation provided. No Refunds.
Tour Dates and Times:
Tuesday, July 29: 7:30 p.m.Curtain
Wednesday, July 30: 2 p.m. Curtain
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Second City and Deep Dish
Price: $78
Enjoy the combination of two of Chicago's most famous institutions -- deep-dish pizza and Second City Theatre. You'll discover there's no pizza like "Chicago-Style" as you dig into this thick, gooey, and delicious favorite. Following dinner at one of our favorite pizzerias, head over to Second City - the famous comedy club where many Saturday Night Live regulars got their start. John Belushi, Chris Farley, Bill Murray and Martin Short are just a few of them. The accent here is on humor, though sometimes irreverent, with no subject too sacred for the Second City players to tackle. The riotous sketches dealing with politics, current events, and everyday life leave audiences here laughing nightly.
Price includes tickets to show, deep-dish pizza dinner, transportation, taxes and gratuity.
Children under the age of 11 are not admitted to the show. Show may not be appropriate for children under 14.
Tour Dates and Times:
Tuesday, July 29: 6-10:30 p.m.
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