For tourists who want to explore the Midwest's largest city, Chicago offers a wide variety of historical, cultural and educational sites. For visitors who want a general overview of Chicago, double-decker bus tours offer comfortable and convenient ways to see the city and all it offers.
The Chicago Trolley and Double Decker Company Bus Tours offers informative tours of Chicago on its double-decker buses. The Signature Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour includes 15 stops and riders can get on and off at any one of the stops, allowing visitors the opportunity to explore the sites that particularly interest them. In the summer (late May to early September) the tours leave from the central station every 10 to 15 minutes between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., so passengers who descend at a particular stop know that they'll be able to board an upcoming bus without waiting more than a few minutes. In the off-season, tours run less frequently.
The Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Co.
615 W. 41st Street
Chicago, IL 60609
773-648-5000
coachusa.com
The tour starts at Millenium Park near Grant Park in downtown Chicago. It proceeds to Michigan Avenue Bridge and then to the Theatre District. The tour moves on to the Palmer House, the Art Institute, the Hilton Chicago and the Field (Science) Museum. The bus continues to the Sheraton Hotel, Navy Pier, the Magnificant Mile shopping district, the Water Tower, the John Hancock Museum, the Hardrock Cafe (Entertainment District) and Skydeck Chicago and it ends at the Chicago Theatre.
Signature Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour runs year-round, seven days a week except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and days of inclement weather.
Passengers can purchase tickets at most boarding locations or, at stations where no ticket booth exists, from the bus driver. As of 2010, prices for adults on the Signature Tour run at $35.00, though a 10 percent discount for online reservations brings the online price to $31.50. Groups of 15 or more who purchase their tickets through advanced sales receive 20 percent off the regular retail price for each ticket.
