chicago l tour

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• Travel info
• How-to guides
• Riding the Train

How-to: Riding the train

CTA's train system is known as the 'L' (a now-official name originally short for "elevated"). 

Trains serve over 140 stations located throughout the city and nearby suburbs, on elevated railways, in subways, or on the ground.

• Stand clear of the platform edge. Also, don't run on platforms.
• When the train arrives, allow alighting passengers to exit before entering.
• Move all the way into the car.
• Maps are posted in each railcar to help you plan your trip.
• If you need help, stations are always attended by an employee.
• Visit our Maps section or our System Guide for details about where the 'L' can take you.
• See Accessible Services for a list of accessible 'L' stations.

• Special Offer!

Chicago Architecture of The Loop Experience by Train

Quick Details

• Hour Glass Duration: 2 Hours
• Ticket Tour Type: Walking
• Calendar Day Of Week: Daily
• Clock Start Time: 1:00pm

• See the city aboard the Chicago ‘L’, with an all-day train pass included!
• Hear the history of the L and how it has helped shaped the city
• Enjoy an included local treat along the way!
• Visit landmarks like the hub of Chicago Public Library & historic Quincy Station
• Learn how to navigate Chicago’s rapid transit system like a true local!
• Local English-speaking guide
• All-Day CTA pass
• Small local treat

Not Included

• Additional food and drink
• T ips and gratuities for the guide.

The ‘L’ in Chicago is one of the most widely-recognized landmarks in the American Midwest. Join us for a ride and discover the ins-and-outs of this groundbreaking and beloved elevated train system as well as the subterranean subway lines beneath the central part of the city and the Chicago River! From historic stations to beautiful skyline views across the city, you’ll be sure to discover a few surprises along the way.

You’ll meet your tour guide at the historic Chicago Theater, where you’ll be introduced to the scale of Chicago’s system (the CTA) and the intricacies of the L. With your pass and map in hand, we’ll start our ride with a background on the L’s historic beginnings, its environmentally friendly impact, and cameos in blockbuster films.

Our first tour stop will be a historic station, beautifully preserved and restored to reflect the style and decor of the early 1900s. Here, you’ll see more than just intricate light fixtures and period tilework. This station also features decades-old advertisements, signs, and maps of the original system, from when the train lines were privately owned.

Among the neighborhoods we’ll visit, the Chicago Loop is a lively downtown area where locals shop and dine day and night. Your tour guide will point out the best places to grab a bite of a Chicago staple – deep dish pizza or a loaded hot dog – following your tour. While we’re enjoying the city’s architecture or stretching our legs in the park space along the Chicago River, your tour guide will treat you to a small snack before hopping back on the L. 

Among other tour stops we’ll have time to experience the classic Chicago architecture of the impressive Chicago Public Library!

As your tour comes to an end, your guide will be happy to give you some final tips and recommendations for other Chicago tourist attractions, happy hour bars, shopping, or a great place to grab dinner later that evening.

Explore Our Private Tour!

• Clock 1:00pm
• Ticket Walking

Private Chicago Loop by Train Experience

Join us for a ride and discover the ins-and-outs of this groundbreaking and beloved elevated train system.

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Arts in Transit

• CTA Unveils Renderings for Rehabilitation of the Western Brown Line Station [May 23: CTA press release ]
• CTA releases rendering of reimagined Western Brown Line [May 23: WGN Chicago ]
• CTA unveils ideas for open space under revamped L tracks in Edgewater, Uptown [May 23: Chicago Sun-Times ]
• CTA Pitches Plazas, Dog Parks, Walking Paths Under Rebuilt Far North Side Red Line Tracks [May 23: Block Club Chicago ]
• Chicago City Council votes on future of ShotSpotter, delays decision on CTA president [May 23: ABC Chicago ]
• Chicago Is Tired of Waiting for Trains, and Thinks It Knows Who's to Blame [May 22: New York Times ]
• Resolution calling for Carter's ouster from CTA gets sidetracked [May 22: Crain's Chicago Business ]
• Majority of Chicago City Council now calls for ouster of CTA President Dorval Carter Jr. [May 22: NBC Chicago ]
• Resolution Calling For CTA President's Firing, Resignation Stalls Despite Support From Majority Of Council [May 22: Block Club Chicago ]
• While the resolution to ditch Dorval got banished to the Rules committee, Ald. Vasquez thinks he can rescue it [May 22: Streetsblog Chicago ]
• CTA passenger shot on Red Line train during fight at 47th Street [May 22: Chicago Sun-Times ]
• Man shot on train near 47th Street CTA Red Line station [May 22: CBS Chicago ]
• Man shot on CTA Red Line train near 47th Street station: Chicago police [May 22: ABC Chicago ]
• 15-year-old girl charged with attacking, robbing riders on CTA Red Line train [May 22: NBC Chicago ]
• Commission rejects CTA's proposed billboard [May 21: Forest Park Review ]
• Black aldermen not supporting resolution to oust CTA president Dorval Carter [May 20: Chicago Crusader ]
• 4 teens charged with robbing 15-year-old on CTA platform on Chicago's South Side [May 19: CBS Chicago ]
• 4 teens arrested 30 minutes after robbing CTA passenger on Far South Side: police [May 19: Fox Chicago ]
• Week in Review: Brandon Johnson's First Year; Embattled CTA Chief Facing Calls to Quit [May 17: WTTW Chicago ]
• Group of suspects sought in CTA Red Line robbery at Roosevelt stop [May 17: Fox Chicago ]
• CTA Ridership Continues to Climb as Temperatures Rise [May 16: CTA press release ]
• CTA touts record ridership since pandemic as boss feels the heat [May 16: Chicago Sun-Times ]
• Northbound Red Line trains are running again after person falls on tracks [May 16: Chicago Sun-Times ]
• Person hit, critically injured by CTA Red Line train; Howard-bound service rerouted [May 16: CBS Chicago ]
• Person on CTA Red Line tracks near Clark and Division halts northbound trains through the Loop [May 16: ABC Chicago ]
• Six months after Yellow Line crash injured more than a dozen, investigation continues: 'This never should have happened' [May 16: Chicago Tribune ]
• Silver lining playbook: Could a new transit gig be a graceful way out for apparently doomed CTA chief Dorval Carter Jr.? [May 15: Streetsblog Chicago ]
• Fare question: Why has Mayor Brandon Johnson resisted demands to fire CTA President Dorval Carter Jr.? [May 14: Chicago Sun-Times ]
• Aldermen frustrated with performance, leadership call for CTA president Dorval Carter to resign [May 14: ABC Chicago ]
• Mayor Brandon Johnson Rode The Trains While Campaigning. But Can He Fix The CTA? [May 14: Block Club Chicago ]
• CTA riders, victims recall robberies, attacks: 'I'm very paranoid' [May 14: Chicago Sun-Times ]
• Search on for assailant who attacked man on CTA train on Chicago's Near West Side [May 14: CBS Chicago ]
• Fire CTA President Dorval Carter, a new City Council resolution says [May 13: Chicago Tribune ]
• Get the L out? Pressure mounts for CTA President Dorval Carter Jr. to quit or be fired: 'It's time for a change' [May 13: Chicago Sun-Times ]
• CTA chief's biggest City Council critics push ordinance calling on him to resign [May 13: Crain's Chicago Business ]
• CTA Boss Dorval Carter Should Resign Or Be Fired, Fed-Up Alderpeople Push In New Resolution [May 13: Block Club Chicago ]
• Alders push to oust CTA chief Carter [May 13: Axios Chicago ]
• 20 city council members call on Mayor Brandon Johnson to replace CTA President Dorval Carter [May 13: ABC Chicago ]
• Chicago City Council members call for ouster of CTA President Dorval Carter [May 13: CBS Chicago ]
• Woman, 2 men charged with robbing, battering teenage boy on CTA platform on Chicago's West Side [May 13: CBS Chicago ]
• Chicago police release photos of 6 female suspects in CTA Red Line robberies [May 12: Chicago Sun-Times ]
• Chicago Police seek to identify 6 girls suspected in CTA robberies [May 11: CBS Chicago ]
• Chicago police searching for 6 female suspects wanted in robberies on CTA Red Line [May 11: ABC Chicago ]
• How has Chicago transit ridership recovered from the pandemic? [May 10: WBEZ Chicago ]
• How a CTA, Metra, Pace merger would work [May 10: Axios Chicago ]
• Teen faces aggravated criminal sexual assault charge after woman attacked on CTA Blue Line near Addison St. [May 10: Nadig Newspapers ]

Awards & Press

14 Questions About Chicago’s L Answered

– by tom schaffner.

If you enjoy reading about the most frequently asked questions about the L and want to learn more about the city and its history, then consider signing up for our blog newsletter !

I spend a lot of time on the L.

Our tour company, L Stop Tours , utilizes Chicago’s elevated transit system to visit unique, culturally-diverse neighborhoods throughout the city.  On every tour, we tell our guests as much as we can about the L — how it came to be, the size and reach of the system, how it has evolved over time, and so on — but our guests always seem to have more questions.  Like many people, they are fascinated by the L and want to know more.

Below is a list of the most frequently asked questions we receive about the L:

How big is Chicago’s rapid transit system?

With 1,492 rail cars operating on eight routes, 224 miles of track, and nearly 230 million passengers transported per year (pre-pandemic), Chicago’s rapid transit system is the second-largest and second busiest system in the U.S.   The most heavily-traveled route on the system is the Red Line, which carries 252,000 passengers on an average weekday (pre-pandemic).  Another interesting fact, Chicago is the only major U.S. city to have an elevated system serving its downtown area.

How old is Chicago’s L?

The city’s first elevated rail line, constructed by the privately-owned Chicago and South Side Rapid Transit Railroad, began transporting passengers on June 6, 1892, on a four-mile stretch of track between Congress Avenue just south of downtown and 39th St.  The service, a small steam locomotive that pulled four wooden nuecoaches, was an immediate hit with locals and was extended another four miles the following year to accommodate visitors attending the 1893 World’s Columbian Exhibition in Jackson Park.  Three other privately-owned elevated transit lines were built in the next three years — the Lake Street Elevated Railroad, the Metropolitan West Side Railroad and the Northwestern Elevated Railroad.  

Photo from Chicago Architecture Center

When did the L system go electric?

In 1895, the Metropolitan West Side elevated line was the third L company to begin rapid transit operations in Chicago but the first to use electricity to power its trains.  Two years later, the South Side L introduced multiple-unit control in which the operator can control all motorized cars in a train, not just the lead car.  Shortly thereafter, the remainder of the lines switched to electric service.  Interestingly, electricity and multiple-unit control remain standard features on most of the world’s current rapid transit systems.

How did Chicago’s Loop get its name?

When Chicago’s first elevated lines went into operation, none were allowed to provide service in the downtown area — property owners felt the system was ugly and that it would reduce property values.  A wealthy financier, Charles Tyson Yerkes, thought otherwise and was able to convince property owners that an elevated transit system would bring more people downtown and would be good for business.  Finally, the property owners agreed and Yerkes built what he called the “Union Loop,” a 1.79-mile closed circle that connected all of the city’s privately-owned elevated railroads into a common system.  Over the years, the term “Loop” has come to refer to Chicago’s original downtown area, or more precisely, any property that is located inside the Loop elevated structure (an area bounded by Lake Street on the north, Wabash Avenue on the east, Van Buren Street on the south and Wells Street on the west).

Why did Chicago decide to elevate its transit system while other cities used subways?

Chicago’s resolve to rebuild itself after the Great Chicago Fire resulted in an unprecedented period of growth and expansion for the city — between 1872 and 1900, Chicago was one of the fastest growing cities in the world.  As a result, pedestrians, horse-drawn carriages and streetcars converged to create gridlock on downtown streets — city fathers knew that a new transit system was badly needed.  Although subways were the choice in other growing cities like New York and London, Chicago selected elevated railways because they were cheaper to construct and did not require much digging (there were concerns at the time that the city’s swampy soil might not tolerate a subway system).

When and why did the Chicago Transit Authority come into existence?

In 1924, all of Chicago’s original L companies were combined into a new private entity, the Chicago Rapid Transit Company, in order to facilitate better cooperation among the lines.  Following World War II, Chicago and Illinois officials decided that all bus, streetcar and rapid transit lines should become publicly-owned.  In 1947, the newly established Chicago Transit Authority assumed control of all transportation systems within the City of Chicago.

Chicago built two subways, not elevated lines, many years after the elevated system was well established.  Why? 

The State Street subway, a 5-mile segment in the middle of today’s Red Line, went into operation in 1943 and the Dearborn Street subway, serving the Blue Line downtown, was completed in 1951 Both of these service expansions were built as subways in order to minimize train traffic on the Loop tracks and to speed passenger travel through the downtown area.  To this day, trains on the Red and Blue lines descend from elevated tracks just outside the Loop into the subways in the downtown area (35 feet below ground), make several stops, and ascend to elevated tracks after emerging from the downtown subway.

Why are there no public restrooms at CTA stations? 

The CTA used to have public restrooms at most stations but closed them in the 1970s.  (These restrooms are now locked and available only to CTA employees and/or passengers with an emergency  medical condition.)  The reason?  According to the CTA , public restrooms require significant resources to maintain and keep secure — and the CTA does not have the resources to maintain these facilities or keep them secure at a high enough level for the general public.

Does the CTA ever use old rail cars for regular service? 

Not for daily or regular service, however, the CTA maintains a small fleet of vintage rail cars, the Heritage Fleet, that is used for charters or special events in which the public is invited.  Additionally, Chicago L car number one — the very first car used on the L tracks (1892) — is on permanent display at the Chicago History Museum. Visitors to the museum are invited to step aboard the car and look around.

Is it the “L” or “el?” 

Both the CTA and the four original privately-owned transit companies always referred to their trains as the “L,” meaning that the nickname (short for elevated railway) dates back nearly 130 years.  It is thought that rapid transit operators in Chicago preferred “L” because it was different from elevated service in New York City. which went by the nickname “the el.”

Why are Chicago’s rapid transit cars shorter than those in other cities?

Chicago’s transit vehicles are shorter in order to better navigate the sharp turns in the Loop, such as Adams and Wabash and Wells and Van Buren.  And while Chicago’s rapid transit system is the second busiest in the United States, its shorter cars (48 feet versus New York’s 51 feet) comfortably handle its ridership loads on a daily basis.  In short, there is not a need for longer cars.

How much is a single ride on the L?

A single-ride train ticket — three rides within two hours of purchase — costs $3 (or $5 if purchased at O’Hare Airport).  Riders can also utilize the CTA’s electronic fare program, Ventra, which offers a number of different fare and pass options that can be loaded onto the reusable card, as well as a cash balance or electronic payment options.

Are there any express trains on the CTA system?

T he only scheduled express train service on today’s CTA system is the Purple Line, which skips a few stops on its way to and from Howard Street and the Merchandise Mart, cutting about 15 minutes off the normal 45-minute all-stop service one would encounter by taking Red and Brown Lines to either of these destinations.  Years ago, the CTA utilized a skip-stop service on all of its routes (“A” and “B” trains that stopped at alternate “A” and “B” stops in order to speed transit times), but that service was eliminated in 1995.

Any expansion of the system planned for the future? 

The Chicago Transit Authority is proposing to extend the Red Line from the existing terminal at 95th/Dan Ryan to 130th Street, subject to the availability of funding. The proposed 5.6-mile extension would include four new stations near 103rd Street, 111th Street, Michigan Avenue, and 130th Street.

Holder of two journalism degrees, including a masters from Northwestern University, Tom Schaffner is a native of the Chicago area and has spent nearly 50 years as a writer, editor, publisher and professional communications consultant. He was also the founder, editor, and publisher of the Chicago File, a newsletter for former Chicagoans. Tom is also the co-owner of  L Stop Tours .

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The Chicago L

Gallery 5 items.

Official Name

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)

Completion Date

Neighborhood.

Infrastructure

The Chicago L is now 125 years old. This network of elevated trains and subways is how Chicagoans get around. But it’s also an iconic symbol of the city.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many American cities used elevated trains to transport their residents. In most cities, those elevated systems were eventually replaced by subways. While Chicago has two subway lines, the majority of our trains are either elevated or at grade (at ground level). Today, Chicago is the only city in the U.S. that still has elevated trains in its downtown area.

History of the L

Beginning in the 1870s, as Chicago grew at an incredibly rapid pace, private companies laid rail tracks downtown and began introducing streetcars pulled by horses. In the 1880s, these horse-drawn trolleys were replaced by cable car services. But this form of transportation couldn’t handle a high volume of passengers and it added to street congestion.

On June 6, 1892, the first elevated—or “L”—train ran from 39th (now Pershing Road) and State streets to Congress Parkway and Wabash Avenue. By 1893, the Chicago and South Side Rapid Transit Railroad extended this line to Jackson Park, the site of the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 . Today, this section of track is still part of the Green Line.

Multiple privately-operated train lines transported Chicagoans in the 1890s. However, these trains deposited people just outside the central business district—an area referred to as “the Loop” due to the cable cars that once created a loop around several blocks. A wealthy and controversial financier named Charles Tyson Yerkes soon changed all of this. Despite his sometimes illegal business practices, he had a lasting impact on Chicago by building elevated tracks above downtown streets to connect train lines together. Yerkes essentially created the Loop L we know today.

The first full circuit of the Loop was completed in 1897. Its steel structure was designed by bridge designer John Alexander Low Waddell. The iconic riveted steel-plate form resembles that of the Eiffel Tower (1889) and the original Ferris Wheel (1893).

All of Chicago’s trains were either elevated or at street grade until the 1940s. With funding from the Federal Works Agency—part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal—the State Street Subway, now part of the Red Line, opened in 1943. The Dearborn Street Subway, now part of the Blue Line, opened in 1951, following a construction delay during World War II.

CTA and the automobile era

While Chicago’s subways were under construction, another change was brewing for the L. The private companies that operated the train lines were unprofitable. This led the local government to buy the private companies and unify the trains under one entity. On October 1, 1947, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) assumed operations of all L trains and streetcars.

During the last half of the 20th century, the CTA worked to improve services while also facing a decline in ridership. The suburbanization of the U.S. meant that many Chicagoans moved to the suburbs. A dramatic increase in the use of automobiles and the loss of some government subsidies meant that as ridership fell, so did budgets. This caused the CTA to cut services and raise fares in order to stay afloat.

Despite these setbacks, the CTA introduced some new services. In 1984, L service to O’Hare Airport began. Then in 1993, the CTA started rail service to Midway Airport. Also in 1993, the CTA renamed the rail lines to the colors we know today. This made the system easier to navigate for visitors. At the turn of the 21st century, the CTA introduced modern fare cards.

The future of the L

Since 2005, the L has consistently served more and more people each year, including several all-time ridership records. The CTA has invested in new stations and projects to improve L service. The Pink Line opened between the Loop and suburban Cicero in 2006. In 2012 and 2015, the CTA opened two new stations on the Green Line to serve the West Loop neighborhood and the McCormick Place convention center, respectively. In fall 2017, a new Loop station opened at Washington and Wabash.

In the coming years, the CTA plans to continue revitalizing stations and tracks. They also plan to extend the Red Line further south. These projects and the CTA’s overall operations depend on many factors, such as government subsidies and population changes. With luck, funding will continue to be available for system improvements and we’ll see more trains running each day. As any Chicagoan can tell you, the sound of an L train passing overhead (deafening as it may be) is a symbol of home and of a city that works.

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Foodies, architecture buffs and historians alike will appreciate these tours of the Windy City.

The 16 Best Chicago Tours for 2024

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One of the best ways to sightsee your way through a new city is with the help of a local. With this in mind, U.S. News rounded up some of Chicago 's best guided tours. Whether you're sailing past Willis Tower on a river cruise or sampling some of Chicago's best deep-dish pizza on a foodie excursion, you'll gain a cultural and historical understanding of the Windy City during these tours.

Editor’s Pick: Wendella Boats – Chicago River Architecture Tour

Price: Adults from $44; kids from $20 Duration: 1.5 hours

U.S. News independently paid to send Cortney Fries , an award-winning writer based in Chicago, on this tour to provide readers with an unbiased, first-hand perspective of what to expect. The Wendella Boats Chicago River Architecture Tour was selected by our team as an Editor’s Pick thanks to its popularity and favorable user reviews.

Cruise three branches of the Chicago River taking in views of famous Chicago landmarks while a knowledgeable guide provides an overview of the architecture and interesting lessons in Chicago history on this popular boat tour. For instance, did you know that the Lyric Opera House was built in the shape of a giant throne? Learn how the Chicago River is the only natural river reversed by humankind. View iconic buildings, such as the Merchandise Mart and Willis Tower. Hear about what the four stars on the Chicago flag represent, the legend of the O’Leary cow starting the Great Chicago Fire, the statue atop the Chicago Board of Trade and Chicago’s famous drawbridges.

Refreshments and snacks are sold on board. Sit on the top deck to listen to the live tour with unobstructed views, but bring a jacket or sun hat if it’s cool or sunny. Climate-controlled seating is offered below, as are restrooms. Tours are generally available daily beginning at 9:30 a.m., with multiple departures throughout the day and evening. Short on time, or have kids in tow? Try the 45-minute version of this architecture tour.

Cortney Fries

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• Learn about the dense variety of architectural styles along the Chicago River without having to navigate crowded streets.
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Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise

Price: From $54 Duration: 1.5 hours

The Chicago Architecture Foundation's River Cruise ferries passengers along the Chicago River as docents from the Chicago Architecture Center regale them with the stories behind more than 50 notable buildings. The volunteer docents repeatedly win high praise from reviewers for their in-depth knowledge of the city's history and its structures. Many reviewers called this the best thing to do in Chicago. The cruising vessels, part of the Chicago's First Lady Cruises fleet, can carry up to 250 people and boast full-service bars and open-air upper decks.

For a different perspective of the city's iconic architecture, consider the twilight sailing, which costs a few dollars extra. For an additional $5, you can also gain admittance to the Chicago Architecture Center (which usually costs $14 on its own).

Chicago Food & City Tours – Gateway to the West Loop Food Tour

Price: Adults from $85; kids from $50 Duration: 3 hours

This foodie tour centers on the West Loop neighborhood's incredible dining scene, and provides insider insights to the area's evolution from a meat-packing and warehouse district to the Restaurant Row of today. Foods you may sample include doughnuts, hamburgers, pizza and cupcakes. Guides regularly earn five stars from travelers for their insight and enthusiasm. Reviewers find the tour worth the price for the generous amounts of food provided. What's more, group sizes are restricted to 16 people and tours do not involve extensive walking (a little more than half a mile).

Tours are offered Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday at 1 p.m. Hungry for more? The company also offers a tour inspired by the TV show "The Bear," which is set in Chicago, as well as a tour all about the city's most iconic foods.

Absolutely Chicago Segway Tours – Chicago Lakefront Museum Campus Tour

Price: From $65 Duration: 2 hours

The Chicago Lakefront/Museum Campus tour offered by Absolutely Chicago Segway Tours showcases many of the city's most popular attractions along its 5- to 6-mile route, including Millennium Park (the starting point), Grant Park , Monroe Harbor, the Field Museum , Shedd Aquarium , Soldier Field and the Adler Planetarium. Participants applaud tour guides for their expertise and professionalism and say this is a safe, fun way to see the city's top sights in a short amount of time.

Note that riders must be at least 12 years old to participate. Tours are available multiple times a day from spring through autumn. The company offers several other Segway tours, some centered around other parts of the city or with specific themes like architecture, crime and ghosts.

Inside Chicago Walking Tours – Dazzling Interiors of the Loop

Price: Adults from $30; kids from $25 Duration: 2 hours

Many travelers are familiar with Chicago's distinct architecture, but its equally captivating indoor spaces are not as well known. This tour reveals interior architectural details that visitors might otherwise miss. Guides take participants inside some of Chicago's most stunning buildings to admire elements like a gilded 80-foot-high ceiling, art deco lobbies, early Frank Lloyd Wright designs and rooms with stained-glass mosaics. Reviewers describe this tour, which involves about 1 1/2 miles of walking, as an informative and entertaining way to learn about the history of Chicago and its diverse, distinctive buildings. Others said this tour is great for first-time visitors and locals alike.

Tours operate Thursday through Monday at 11 a.m. Once you've toured all of the buildings at the street level, consider the company's Chicago Pedway tour, which tours the downtown underground tunnels that residents use to stay warm and dry during bad weather.

Courtesy of Bobby's Bike Hike Chicago

Bobby's Bike Hike Chicago – Bikes, Bites & Brews Chicago’s Signature Dishes Bike Tour

Price: From $85 Duration: 4 hours

This triple threat tour combines bicycling, food and beer. The 13-mile ride traverses the Gold Coast, Lakeview, Wrigleyville and Lincoln Park neighborhoods with stops for pizza, beer, cupcakes and hot dogs. Reviewers say the pace of the tour is easy and applaud the guides for their fun and engaging commentary. Others said they learned a lot about Chicago, calling the ride entertaining and educational.

Tours are generally offered daily at 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. (except during the winter). Note that the evening tour mostly bikes around downtown Chicago. If you're interested in venturing beyond downtown, book the morning tour. Tickets cover the cost of the bike rental as well as food and drinks. Participants must be at least 21 years old. If you're traveling with kids, try the company's Family & Food Bike Tour of Top Attractions.

Chicago Pizza Tours – Original Chicago Pizza Tour

Price: Adults from $75; kids from $45 Duration: 3.5 hours

Enjoy a crash course in what makes Chicago pizza so iconic on this delicious tour. You'll visit four independently run neighborhood pizzerias and sample six or more slices of pizza in a variety of styles (deep dish, tavern, artisanal and Neapolitan, to name a few). You'll meet downtown for your first slice before boarding a bus to neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, Lakeview and Bucktown. Reviewers compliment the informative and entertaining tour guides and insist that the tour is about more than just pizza, highlighting the various aspects of Chicago history, architecture and culture that's spotlighted during the nearly half-day excursion.

Tours run Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. The company also offers pizza crawls of downtown and Bucktown.

Chicago Gangsters and Ghosts Tour

Price: Adults from $35; kids from $17 Duration: 2 hours

If you're interested in the darker side of Chicago history, specifically its gangsters and ghosts, consider this walking tour. With a historian leading the way, you'll stroll for about 1.5 miles around the Loop – once known as the "Vice" district in the 1920s and '30s for its rampant partying, speakeasy saloons and underground tunnels used by bootleggers. Participants rave about the guides for their storytelling abilities and say the length of the tour is perfect for when you need a break from the city's more touristy activities.

Tours run four times daily beginning at 11 a.m. The company also runs a Gangster Food Tour that highlights some of the city's most iconic foods like deep-dish pizza and hot dogs, as well as the restaurants that once served as some of Al Capone's old hideouts.

Courtesy of Big Bus Chicago

Big Bus Chicago – The Big Loop - Red Route

Price: Adults from $49.50; kids from $35.10 Duration: 2 hours

Big Bus Chicago's hop-on, hop-off tours invite tourists to tailor their sightseeing excursions to their preferences by allowing them to spend as much time as they want at any of the 11 stops on the company's red route. Tour-takers can "hop off" a bus and explore any of the top attractions featured along the way, such as Skydeck Chicago , Navy Pier or Millennium Park, and then "hop on" a later bus. If you don't get off the bus, the entire route takes about two hours. Your ticket is valid for 24 hours, so you can hop on and off as much you please.

Buses run every 30 minutes starting at 10 a.m. daily and include prerecorded commentary in both English and Spanish. Reviews from recent travelers were mixed: Some riders loved the convenience of the bus, saying it puts you within easy walking distance of the city's best attractions, but others were disappointed with the quality of the prerecorded commentary and said you should try to seek out the few busses that feature a live guide. If you want to ensure you'll have a live guide on your bus, consider booking the nonstop, 90-minute Sunset Live Tour, which is offered from May to October.

Secret Food Tours: Chicago 

Price: Adults from $79; kids from $69 Duration: 3.5 hours   Follow a local foodie around the Loop district for what the company calls a "moving feast." You'll make six stops to sample some of the city's most notable dishes, including deep-dish pizza, gourmet popcorn, a Chicago-style hot dog, an Italian beef sandwich and a brownie (which was purportedly invented in Chicago). What's more, there's a secret dish revealed the day of the tour. Plus, tours are capped at 12 participants to ensure an intimate experience. Reviewers say guides do an excellent job of highlighting not only Chicago's distinct food scene, but also its history and architecture. They also advise that you'll want to come hungry as the portions are generous.

Tours operate daily at multiple times; the earliest tour departs at 11:30 a.m. The company can also arrange private tours.

Underground Donut Tour – Chicago: Downtown Tour

Price: Adults from $55; kids from $50 Duration: 2 hours   Come hungry for this food tour, which visits four of the best doughnut shops in the city, including Doughnut Vault and Do-Rite Donuts. As you nosh on the sweet treats, your guide will share the history of each shop and the history of doughnuts in Chicago. Travelers recommend this tour for the knowledgeable, engaging guides and the delicious selection of doughnuts. They also say you'll learn about much more than doughnuts, as guides share historical tidbits about Chicago and recommendations for how to make the most of your trip.

Tours operate daily at 10 a.m.; additional 9 a.m. and noon tours are offered Wednesday through Sunday.

Graham Chapman | Choose Chicago

Urban Kayak Chicago Riverwalk – Historic Chicago Tour

Price: From $55 Duration: 2 hours

For a "duck's-eye," up-close view of the city, take Urban Kayak's Historic Chicago Tour. Starting at the Riverwalk , tour-takers paddle their kayaks on the main branch of the Chicago River with periodic stops at points of historical interest, where guides provide information regarding the city's famed architecture. Reviewers say this is a great experience, even for beginners, and recommend the tour for travelers looking for a unique alternative to the popular architecture river cruises. Meanwhile, others note that the experienced guides are skillful at navigating boat traffic.

Tours are offered multiple times a day spring through early fall. Urban Kayak also offers kayak rentals and paddleboarding classes.

Check prices & view availability on:

Shoreline Sightseeing – Skyline Lake Cruise

Price: Adults from $35; kids from $17 Duration: 45 minutes

If you've already taken an architecture cruise on the Chicago River and can't get enough of the views, consider this boat tour. Shoreline Sightseeing Skyline Lake Tours offer unrivaled views of Chicago's skyline, and many photo opportunities, via cruises along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The 6-mile trip provides views of notable landmarks, such as the John Hancock Center, the Willis Tower (aka the Sears Tower), Adler Planetarium and the Field Museum, as well as an informative prerecorded commentary. According to reviewers, these iconic buildings are much more visible from the water than they are on the street, though a few warned that it's difficult to hear the recorded commentary from certain areas of the boat (sit in the middle of the boat if you want to ensure you can hear the narration).

Travelers can purchase drinks at the onboard cash bar. Tours are offered daily spring through autumn (weather permitting) and depart from Navy Pier. Shoreline Sightseeing also offers architecture cruises along the Chicago River.

Ken Flisek | Courtesy of Tall Ship Windy

Tall Ship Windy – Chicago Skyline Sail

Price: Adults from $49; kids from $39 Duration: 75 minutes

Tall Ship Windy's Chicago Skyline Sail features views of the city from the deck of a 148-foot, four-masted schooner. Reviewers tout the remarkable views of the city's impressive buildings and, weather-permitting, the special experience of being able to actually sail and not rely on the boat's motor. What's more, tour participants commend the crew members for their professionalism, humor and knowledge of Chicago.

From spring through fall, there are generally four sails daily starting at 1 p.m.; the 1 p.m. sailing focuses on piracy in the Great Lakes and the Caribbean. Tall Ship Windy has a full bar on board (drinks are not included in the ticket price). In addition to daily sails, Tall Ship Windy offers evening cruises timed to the fireworks display at Navy Pier, which occurs on select dates in the summer.

Chicago Crime Tours and Experiences – Chicago Crime and Mob Bus Tour

Price: From $42 Duration: 2 hours

If you're a fan of true crime, you'll be intrigued by this bus tour, which explores the city's most famous gangsters and crime scenes. As you drive in a variety of Chicago neighborhoods, including the Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, the Loop, the Magnificent Mile , Old Town and River North, your guide will share stories and you'll watch historic video footage. The bus tour includes stops at the spots where gangsters like Hymie Weiss were killed as well as the site of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. It also visits locales associated with Al Capone, Frank "the Enforcer" Nitti and Leopold and Loeb, among others. Reviewers laud the tours for providing a unique angle on Chicago's colorful history and describe guides as entertaining.

Tours are offered multiple times a day. For a longer tour with even more stops, consider the company's Night Crimes Tour.

Check prices & availability:

City Experiences – Chicago Seadog Lakefront Speedboat Tour

Price: Adults from $35; kids from $25 Duration: 30 minutes

Zip across Lake Michigan during this high-speed, narrated half-hour tour. During the ride, you'll see striking views of the Chicago skyline and hear some descriptions of the sights. Visitors praise the crew's knowledge and charisma. They also enjoy whipping along the waves. Keep in mind: The boat is open-air, which means you might get wet. The company also discourages pregnant women and travelers with back or neck sensitivities from participating.

Speedboat rides are offered daily spring through fall. City Cruises also operates a narrated architecture cruise, in addition to brunch and dinner cruises.

You may also be interested in:

• The Best Chicago Walking Tours
• The Best Chicago Segway Tours
• The Best Chicago Boat Tours
• The Best Hotels in Chicago
• The Top Romantic Getaways in Illinois

Tags: Chicago , Travel , food and drink , Vacations , Tours , Illinois Vacations , Midwest Vacations , US Vacations

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

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Daily Southtown | New Kids on the Block brings 1990 back with a…

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Daily southtown | new kids on the block brings 1990 back with a magic summer tour 2024 concert.

The quintet reimagines the Magic Summer Tour, which supported the 1990 album “Step By Step,” via the Magic Summer Tour 2024 with Paula Abdul & DJ Jazzy Jeff, which includes a June 15 stop at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park.

“We like to bring people back to their childhood. Our hard-core fans and our fans in general, that’s the era they grew up in when Paula Abdul was huge and Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince were huge,” said Jordan Knight, a frequent lead vocalist for New Kids on the Block.

“Jazzy Jeff is perfect to get the party started. Paula Abdul warms it up and lets everybody get in the mood and hear all her huge hits. Then we go out and do our thing. It just fits in that era of music when we first came out and we were huge. They’re both icons from that era and they’re both great people.”

Boston-area natives Jordan Knight; his brother Jonathan Knight; Joey McIntyre; Donnie Wahlberg, who lives in St. Charles; and Danny Wood perform New Kids on the Block’s greatest hits, fan favorites and material from “Still Kids,” which dropped on May 17, Jordan Knight’s birthday.

“The set is gonna be like our Magic Summer Tour from 1990. A lot of the songs we did on that tour will be played on this tour,” said Jordan Knight, who lives right outside Boston.

“I always like to do the new songs but I love ‘I’ll Be Loving You (Forever),” which was a huge ballad in 1989. I love Joey singing ‘Please Don’t Go Girl.’ ‘Hangin’ Tough’ is always fun, always gets the crowd pumped and going. ‘Magic’ will be fun. That’s on the album ‘Still Kids.’”

New Kids on the Block’s first full-length studio album since 2013’s “10” features 14 tracks including “Kids,” “A Love Like This,” “Get Down” featuring DJ Jazzy Jeff, and “Old School Love” featuring Taylor Dayne.

“It’s an album that will make you feel nostalgic but also has a very contemporary sound,” Jordan Knight said.

“It has that ’80s vibe but it’s not the old ’80s; it’s the new ’80s. It has that classic sound but with new sounds in it, with new melodies.”

Magic Summer Tour 2024 marks New Kids on the Block’s first mostly outdoor venue tour in 15 years.

“We wanted to be outside when the sun was just setting and go into the night partying, singing fun songs and having fun with the crowd,” Jordan Knight said.

“The production is very immersive and big. There’s huge LED screens. You’ll feel up close and personal with us even if you’re in the back. We have the lights, pyro, confetti. We like to take people on a journey when they come to our shows and make sure they get away from everyday life.

“We still feel like we make magic together when we get in the same room and we get on the same stage because it’s real. It’s not fabricated; it’s authentic.”

Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.

New Kids on the Block

When: 7 p.m. June 15

Where: Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park

Tickets: $34 to $198-plus

Information: 708-614-1616; livenation.com

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Charli XCX Plots 2024 International ‘BRAT' Tour Dates

Charli XCX announced the international dates for her 2024 Brat tour on Monday (March 25), which will be a mix of live concerts and what she's dubbed "partygirl" events. The run will kick off with a set at Primavera Sound Barcelona on June 1, followed by shows in London, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Mexico City before winding down on June 22 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Just hours after announcing the dates, the singer noted on Instagram that all the shows were already sold out .

At press time Charli had not yet announced the release date for BRAT , her sixth full-length album, though she did recently reveal that it is out this summer, contains 15 songs and is 41:23 long. The follow-up to her 2022 album Crash has been advanced by the uptempo first single, "Von Dutch."

Speaking to Billboard at this year's 2024 Women in Music event, Charli said that BRAT is a club record meant to evoke the illegal London rave scene of the early 2000s where she started performing as a 14 and 15-year-old, produced from a tight collection of sounds to create "this unique minimalism that is very loud and bold."

She also said that the album is "very direct" eschewing "metaphor and flowery lyricism" for language that is closer to the way she talks to her friends in text messages. "This record is all the things I would talk about with my friends, said exactly how I would say them. It's in ways very aggressive and confrontational, but also very conversational and personal," she said. "And not in that boring way where artists are like, ‘This is my most personal record.' To me, it feels like listening to a conversation with a friend.

See the Brat tour announcement and dates below.

BRAT tour dates :

June 1 - Barcelona, Spain @ Primavera Sound Barcelona

June 7 - London, England @ Here at Outernet

June 11 - Queens, NY @ Knockdown Center

June 12 - Chicago, IL @ Radius

June 15 - Los Angeles, CA @ Shrine Expo Hall

June 19 - Mexico City, Mexico @ LooLoo Studio

June 22 - São Paulo, Brazil @ Zig Club

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Matt rife taking two weeks off tour after medical emergency, matt rife two-week hiatus on comedy tour ... nearly fainted pre-concert.

Matt Rife 's taking some much-needed time off from his comedy tour -- putting a pause on a string of shows after nearly passing out from exhaustion ... TMZ has learned.

According to a message received by upcoming date ticketholders -- viewed by TMZ -- Rife was on his way to his show at the University of Indiana to perform two shows Wednesday when he experienced symptoms of extreme exhaustion and nearly passed out.

Rife's medical team advised him to immediately take a break ... and, that's exactly what he's doing -- scheduled to pick up the tour again on June 12 in Memphis. So, 2 weeks off.

Matt's cancelled his upcoming shows at The Chicago Theatre and Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. He's rescheduling the Chicago shows for the end of December. The Nashville show is currently cancelled with a new date TBD. If ticketholders are unable to attend future dates, they will be refunded.

The comedian was scheduled to perform 8 consecutive sold-out shows starting tonight at the Chicago Theatre... which would have broken the theatre record.

As we reported ... Rife canceled his shows yesterday at the eleventh hour -- citing a medical emergency and pissing off a ton of fans who looked forward to seeing the big-time star take the stage.

Matt apologized on his social media, writing this is the first time anything like this has happened to him, as he has been doing 40+ shows a month for a year and a half ... and, showing his love for the fans.

With this new message, it seems he's putting his health first ... which is all you can ask for from someone.

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US Olympic Swim Trials: How to watch, schedule, tickets

The 2024 us olympic team trials will determine who will be headed to the paris olympics., by julia elbaba • published june 7, 2024.

The pressure is on for swimmers hoping to secure a spot on Team USA’s 2024 Paris Olympics roster.

The U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials will determine which 52 athletes will get to represent their country on the international stage, with over 700 men and women battling it out in the pool. 

Watch NBC 5 Chicago news stream free, 24/7, wherever you are

Fans can look forward to seeing stars such as Katie Ledecky, Kate Douglass, Regan Smith, Lilly King and many others as they try to lock in spots in Paris.

On the men’s side, Caeleb Dressel, Ryan Murphy and Bobby Finke are among the favorites hoping to land a spot on the coveted team.

As athletes head to Indiana, here's how fans can tune in to the action:

When is the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials?

The trials are taking place from Saturday, June 15, to Sunday, June 23.

Where are the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials?

The trials are going to be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The stadium is home to the NFL's Indianapolis Colts.

Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter here.

How to watch the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials

The U.S. Olympic Swim Trials will air live on NBC.

The event will also stream on Peacock , NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.

2024 Paris Olympics: See dates, sports, how to watch and more

How the Paris Olympics is going green to help protect the environment

What is the schedule for the u.s. olympic swim trials.

The 2024 event schedule is as follows:

Saturday, June 15

• Women's 100 Butterfly
• Women's 400 Freestyle
• Men's 100 Breaststroke
• Men's 400 Freestyle

Sunday, June 16

• Men's 200 Freestyle
• Men's 400 IM
• Women's 100 Breaststroke
• Men's 100 Backstroke
• Women's 200 Freestyle

Monday, June 17

• Women's 400 IM
• Women's 100 Backstroke
• Men's 800 Freestyle

Tuesday, June 18

• Men's 200 Butterfly
• Men's 100 Freestyle
• Women's 1500 Freestyle
• Women's 100 Freestyle
• Men's 200 Breaststroke

Wednesday, June 19

• Women's 200 Breaststroke
• Men's 200 Backstroke
• Women's 200 Butterfly

Thursday, June 20

• Women's 200 Backstroke
• Men's 50 Freestyle
• Men's 200 IM

Friday, June 21

• Men's 100 Butterfly
• Women's 200 IM
• Women's 800 Freestyle

Saturday, June 22

• Women's 50 Freestyle
• Men's 1500 Freestyle

How to get tickets for the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials

On usaswimming.org, fans will have the option to purchase tickets for a single session, single-day, or all-session throughout the trials. 

The site notes that each day has a preliminary session from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with races to determine who will advance to the semifinals and finals.

The semifinals and finals sessions take place from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. with an Olympian named to Team USA every night.

Preliminary sessions start at $15 while finals start at $35.

Tickets are also available on  Ticketmaster ,  StubHub and SeatGeek .

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