The city of Chicago, Illinois is well-known for its architecture, history and pizza. If you find yourself visiting the Windy City in the winter, deciding among tours can be tough. This guide walks you through a number of tours that are available in Chicago in December.
Chicago's Hop-on, Hop-off Trolley Tour offers a scenic look at all the major downtown landmarks, including Willis Tower and Navy Pier. The tour lasts approximately 90 minutes if you do not get off the trolley at any of the 13 stops. You can board a trolley every 25 to 30 minutes before 6 p.m. from April 7 to Dec. 12.
Chicago features two different tours in December for fans of the blues. The Blues by Night Tour and the Chicago Club Crawl both offer transportation, admission, dinner and entertainment. Featured clubs include Buddy Guy's Legends, Checkerboard Lounge and Kingston Mines. Both tours run a limited number of nights throughout the year. For more information, visit TrustedTours.com
Chicago hotels offer shopping trips to Chicago Premium Outlets in Aurora, Illinois. Transportation can be arranged directly from any Chicago hotel for the 45-minute bus ride. The tour costs $35 and includes a VIP booklet with additional savings and coupons for the 120 brand name and designer retailers.
A Second City Pizza Tours is a comprehensive and cost-effective way to sample what helps makes Chicago famous--its pizza. Tours are offered year-round. Sample pizza from six different restaurants, including Giordano's and Gino's East. The tour costs $36 for adults in 2010 and includes samples from each restaurant.
The Chicago Architecture Foundation offers year-round walking tours and special-event bus tours in December. Walking tours explore Chicago's famous architectural landmarks, including Willis Tower, the Chicago Board of Trade and the Drake Hotel . The foundation also offers bus tours that study the Chicago Columbian Exposition of 1893. The tour deals with the fair's architectural and scientific innovations and includes The Museum of Science and Industry, the only complete building that remains from the exposition.
