The 4 Best Chicago Bus Tours

1.Chicago Crime and Mob Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,186 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $49Our pick

Ride a climate-controlled coach through Chicago’s mob past with guides such as Jay, Dane, Jamie, Maddie, and Sophia. Hear stories about Al Capone, John Dillinger, Bugs Moran, and Frank Nitti, then step off at the Biograph Theatre and Harry Caray’s mini mob museum.

“My boyfriend and I were visiting Chicago and decided to do the Crime and Mob Boss tour. Our guide, Dane, was a bit goofy and playing the showman, but it was still very educative. The small pamphlets he handed out at the beginning also helped. We got to see in daylight the parking lot that was the site of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. (Yes, there was duplication between the tours, but I don't mind.) You stop at the Biograph Theatre, where John Dillinger was killed, and you can take photos of a mural dedicated to him. One of the Harry Caray Steakhouse locations has a mini mob museum that…”

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2.Big Bus Chicago: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour, 24/48/72hr Pass

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 2,191 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $45Best value

See Chicago from an open-top double-decker bus, with stops at Millennium Park, Navy Pier, the Museum Campus, Willis Tower, and the Magnificent Mile. Use the app to track buses, listen to recorded commentary, and hop off for museums, parks, river walks, and city views.

“Big bus is not Greyline hop on hop off but did provide a great way to get an overview of Chicago downtown, parks, and museums.”

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3.Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,349 reviews · 1 - 3 days · from $45

Use a 24, 48, or 72-hour Big Bus pass to see Chicago from an open-top double-decker. Ride past Willis Tower, Millennium Park, Navy Pier, Museum Campus, and the Magnificent Mile, then hop off to explore. Digital commentary, app tracking, and optional walking tours or an architecture cruise add value.

“Absolutely loved this! So informative and detailed. Lots of buses so weren't waiting long when we got off at stops. Super friendly staff. Such an enjoyable experience”

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4.Mob and Crime Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 859 reviews · 1h 30m · from $49

Ride through Chicago’s crime history on a 90-minute English-language bus tour led by a live guide. See the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre site, walk John Dillinger’s final route, visit a mini mob museum, and view Frank Nitti’s safe and address book.

“It would be perfect if translation app our comments would be provided. We are a french family and only one of us understand english.”

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