Tours Beyond

Chicago

In 1876, after a tornado blew through, a newspaper coined the term, “Windy City,” and enjoyed the double meaning with reference to locals who were “full of wind.” Today, Chicago is the third largest in the U.S. and is known for its architecture, music, and cuisine. With this tour, see this vibrant city from several vantage points, starting with your introductory views from 1000 feet above the city, to an engaging guided tour, and then view the city from the water during a sightseeing cruise.  With your free time, be sure to experience some of the amazing restaurants and live music, jazz and blues, for which Chicago is famous.

https://secretchicago.com/restaurants-live-music-chicago/ 

https://www.jazzshowcase.com/home 

https://loopchicago.com/explore/things-to-do/ 

360 Chicago

From the 94th floor of the former John Hancock Center, 1000 feet above the famous “Magnificent Mile”, enjoy the best views of Chicago. 

Macy’s on State Street, Walnut Room

The world-famous Walnut Room was the first and longest running  restaurant ever opened in a department store. With imported Russian wood paneling and Austrian chandeliers, this dining room is both elegant and comfortable.  Of note, this Macy’s is not just another department story, the flagship store is a National Historic Landmark.

Featured Optional Attractions

We know that Chicago has a lot to offer, and what is truly appealing to some, is just not of interest to others. So, enjoy a free evening and a free day to explore the attractions in the city that are of interest to you.  We will provide transportation to the following famous attractions:

The Field Museum: Chicago’s Natural History Museum “connects all of us to the natural world and the human story.” Fuel your passion for discovery with dinosaurs, ancient objects, cultural insights, and groundbreaking science.  https://www.fieldmuseum.org/ 

The Shedd Aquarium: Discover the wonder of the aquatic animal world at the third largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere!  https://www.sheddaquarium.org/ 

Alder Planetarium:  “Escape to the stars!”  https://www.adlerplanetarium.org/ 

The Art Institute of Chicago is home to a collection of art that spans centuries and the globe, and it is one of Tripadvisor’s “Best of the Best” US attractions.  https://www.artic.edu/ 

Navy Pier: This “Peoples’ Pier” has enjoyed a remarkable evolution from a shipping pier to a premiere entertainment destination with a diverse and eclectic variety of experiences.  https://navypier.org/ 

A Great Introduction to a World-Class City

Chicago has an interesting, storied past, and fabulous sights to see, and has received the Condé Nast Traveler, Readers’ Choice Award for the Best Big City in the U.S. for seven years in a row! Survey incredible views from 360 Chicago, hear some of those stories during a guided tour, and enjoy the perspective of the city from the water during a sightseeing cruise. 

Enjoy a Stress-Free, Fun Getaway!

Right from the start, allow the stress to melt away while relaxing en route to Michigan, and enjoy a fun “kick back party” on first night.  In the morning, your first views of Chicago will be stunning, and after your introduction to the city, explore and sample the smorgasbord of diverse museums, galleries, architecture, music and dining experiences.

• Our unique Connections Program
• Private coach transportation
• 3 nights of accommodation
• 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
• Local professional guides and all entry fees and show tickets for included highlights
• Services of  a Professional Tour Director

Prices are in Canadian dollars, are per person, and include all applicable taxes.

Included Highlights:

• “Kick Back Party” at the Drury Hotel in Grand Rapids
• 360 Chicago (formerly the John Hancock Center) 
• Guided tour of Chicago
• Chicago River Cruise
• Lunch at Macy’s Walnut Room
• Transportation to optional attractions:Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Alder Planetarium, The Art Institute, Navy Pier

Day 1:  Travel to Grand Rapids, MI

Enjoy the drive through the wonderful farm country of Southwestern Ontario as fellow guests are picked up along the route. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery as you travel Grand Rapids, Michigan. After checking into the hotel, get to know your fellow guests with a fun “Kick Back Party,” a signature feature of your Drury Inn hotel.

Stay: Drury Inn & Suites, Grand Rapids, MI 

Nights: 1

Day 2: Chicago, Hancock Tower, Guided City Tour 

After an early breakfast, board the coach for the short final leg of the journey, and then “Welcome to Chicago!” Your first views will be 1000 ft above the Magnificent Mile, on the 94th floor of the building formerly known as The John Hancock Center, with amazing 360 degrees of views of the city. After lunch, receive a proper introduction with a guided city tour that will touch on landmarks and attractions, including stops at The Bean and Buckingham Fountain. The evening will be free for you to explore and experience the some of the fantastic cuisine for which Chicago is famous.

Stay: Embassy Suites by Hilton, Downtown River North, Chicago, IL

Nights: 2

Meals: B, L

Day 3: Chicago River Cruise, Free Time to Explore Chicago

After breakfast, we’ll head for the dock and embark on a sightseeing cruise, seeing Chicago from the vantage point of the water. For lunch, visit a national landmark: the Walnut Room in Macy’s on State Street is first restaurant ever opened in a department store. Then, the afternoon is free time for you to explore Chicago. It’s great if you already have specific attractions in mind. To help, we will provide transportation to Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Alder Planetarium, The Art Institute, and the Navy Pier. Be sure to return to the hotel in time to freshen up before we go out for a special farewell group dinner. 

Meals: B, L, D

Day 4:  Journey Home

Following breakfast, we head home.  There’ll be the classic traveller’s lunch at a Cracker Barrel restaurant along the way, a chance to stretch and browse at the duty-free shop, and a break for dinner. Between the stops and comradery with fellow travellers, the time will pass quickly.  Before you know it, you’ll be saying good-bye to new friends, arriving home in time to sleep on your own cozy pillow with beautiful memories of the sights in Chicago.

Meals: B, L

Drury Inn & Suites, Grand Rapids, MI (1 night)

https://www.druryhotels.com/locations/grand-rapids-mi/drury-inn-and-suites-grand-rapids 

Embassy Suites by Hilton, Downtown River North, Chicago, IL (2 nights)

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/chidwes-embassy-suites-chicago-downtown-river-north/ 

This 4-day day tour follows pickup Route A, and includes our unique Connections Program.  The pickup locations are:

• Lindsay
• Peterborough
• Bowmanville
• Whitby
• Markham
• Brampton
• Milton
• Cambridge
• Woodstock
• London
• Sarnia

Along with comfortable walking shoes, a sweater or light jacket and a portable umbrella are always a good idea.

This itinerary includes a boat cruise. Although for most people medication is not required, there may be some who may want to bring along a remedy for motion sickness. You don’t want to let a little thing like that spoil these amazing experiences.