O'Hare Tourist Attractions

Chicago History Museum Admission

Delve into the history of Chicago in a permanent exhibit which explores Chicago’s progress and its impact on American history as a whole. Visitors get to witness historical artifacts, a re-created jazz club, and the actual first locomotive to have been used in Chicago. The “Sensing Chicago” exhibit encourages visitors to use all of their senses to find out all about Chicago’s history and even get to enjoy eating a famous Chicago hot dog. There are also a range of temporary exhibitions on all types of subjects from Chicago art to fashion history. Visitors also get to experience the Great Chicago Fire and look down from an I-beam to view the top of the 1970’s Sears Tower.

360 Chicago Observation Deck

94 stories above Chicago stunning lake views can be witnessed from 1,000 feet. 360 Chicago is situated in the John Hancock Observatory to offer views of Chicago’s skyline and further. A 94 floor 40-second ride in one of North America's quickest elevators will take visitors to the observation deck. Positioned on the Magnificent Mile and near to Navy Pier, this attraction also gives visitors the chance visit Chicago’s shopping and dining areas. 360 Chicago visitors can additionally experience TILT, Chicago’s thrilling attraction. Visitors are literally tilted out over the Magnificent Mile downward facing from the 94th floor observation deck for up to 8 travelers. 360 CHICAGO additionally has an interactive history exhibit on the Ground Floor and has audio tours in 5 languages to further explore the history of Chicago.

Chicago: Hop-on Hop-off Open Top Bus Tour

On a double-decker sightseeing bus, it is possible to enjoy views of Chicago’s
impressive landmarks. The bus tour will have a tour guide giving entertaining commentary about Chicago. Enjoy the freedom of being able to hop-on and hop-off the bus whenever desired to stop off and explore attractions along the way. The bus will travel down the Magnificent Mile, and head over the Michigan Avenue Bridge which connects north and south Chicago. There are 13 stops along the journey where travelers can hop-off to explore attractions. The stops are all suitably positioned to make navigating around the city effortless.

Chicago: Chinatown Food Tour

Embark on a Chinatown tour that calls in at five sit-down eateries in Chicago’s Chinatown. Chinatown offers visitors complex flavours and the immense variety of regional cooking styles in a district filled with amazing heritage and modern charisma. On this tour explore one of the world’s most iconic food destination. The tour will stop off at Lao She Chuan, Triple Crown, Saint Anna Chiu Quon, and Ice Point. As well as sampling Szechuan cuisine, there will be a behind-the-scenes experience of the real Chinatown neighbourhood with special visits to an array of religious, cultural and historic things to see. A tour guide will walk visitors through the experience and share their knowledge of local traditions, customs and take the tour through Chinese specialty retailers.

Chicago River Architecture Cruise: Skip-the-Ticket-Office

A hi-tech cruise vessel can be boarded for a 75-minute cruise which will take passengers all over the Chicago River. The tour is focused on teaching passengers all about the local architecture of the city. Gain an understanding into the importance of the surrounding buildings that led to the creation of the skyscraper. Chicago is the home of modern American architecture. On the cruise an expert guide will be on hand as the vessel travels down the Chicago River to uncover the city’s landmarks, like the John Hancock building and more. Food and drink will also be available on the trip.

Art Institute of Chicago: Fast Pass Ticket

It is possible to skip the queues on a trip to the Art Institute of Chicago. The museum is known throughout the world with thousands of artworks to view from contemporary to modern paintings with a collection of Impressionist paintings which is the largest outside of Paris. The museum also makes available free family art-making activities throughout the year. JourneyMaker is a new interactive digital tool that means visitors can create their own personalized tour of the museum. There are also free guided walking tours held at the museum every day at midday. See several paintings by Claude Monet personally and other iconic pieces by painters such as Matisse, Magritte, James McNeill Whistler, Winslow Homer and Ivan Albright. Other collections are displayed at the museum including the “Asian, African and Medieval Collections perfecting the original 1893 building.

Chicago: Daytime Helicopter Tour

Suitably situated just minutes from the Chicago Loop, a daytime helicopter tour is a way to view the whole city. When checking in for a flight there is also a Chicago history exhibit that visitors can see emphasizing the history that make Chicago so distinctive. After visitors have been given safety checks, they board the helicopter to start the tour at Chicago's South Shore. There will be an unobstructed 180-degree view of Chicago as the helicopter flies along the scenic beaches that line the shore of the river before heading back after a 16-minute flight to see the Magnificent Mile from the sky.

Navy Pier’s Centennial Wheel

This is an iconic feature of Chicago’s skyline and a cherished part of Chicago’s historic Navy Pier. The Centennial Wheel was built in 2016 and it was created to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Navy Pier opening. The wheel features 42 gondolas, each able to hold 8 people so the experience works for groups. Reaching a height of almost 200 feet, the Centennial Wheel gives visitors the opportunity to see an unequaled, 360-degree view of Chicago. Individual gondolas have padded seats, air conditioning, TV screens, and heating, together with panoramic views. The Centennial Wheel is open all year round, when weather is permitting but heated gondolas mean this attraction is usually open daily. Located on Historic Navy Pier, it is suspended over Lake Michigan and offers spectacular views of the famous parks and attractions situated along the shore of Lake Michigan.