From Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park Best Nearby Tours and Excursions (Attractions & Activities) (10 Overall Closest) Metro: Chicago, IL Chicago Neighborhood Tours (Attractions & Activities - Tours and Excursions) 77 E Randolph Street Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago  IL  60601 • 312-742-1190 Distance: ~0.29 mi         Description: THE LOOP. What's it like to live in Chicago? Go on a Chicago Neighborhood Tour and find out. Area residents lead four-hour excursions into some of the city's most intriguing neighborhoods. You'll get a firsthand look at the museums, cultural centers, and "secret" dives that add to Chicago's ethnic makeup. Lunch is provided, and buses depart promptly on time. Chicago Theatre (Attractions & Activities - Tours and Excursions) 175 N State St, Chicago  IL  60601 • 312-902-1500 • 312-462-6300 Distance: ~0.38 mi         Description: THE LOOP. Chicago Theatre has had a lot of famous foot traffic over the years, thanks to performers like John Phillip Sousa and Duke Ellington. The theater, built around 1921, initially cost $4 million to construct. Its French Baroque exterior even includes a mini replica of the Arc de Triomphe. In addition, the lobby features a moving staircase similar to the one in the Paris Opera House, and the 29-rank Wurlitzer pipe organ is an original feature. Tours of the theater allow visitors to see autographs of folks who've played there, along with an exhibit on city theaters over the centuries. Chicago from the Lake (Attractions & Activities - Tours and Excursions) 465 N. McClurg Ct North Pier Docks, Chicago  IL  60611-5319 • 312-527-1977 • 312-527-2002 Distance: ~0.39 mi         Description: STREETERVILLE. Chicago from the Lake offers a variety of tours along the majestic Chicago coastline, including immensely popular historical cruises and architectural cruises, which explore the Windy City's interior via the Chicago River. Make sure you bring your camera since views of the city from the river are simply unrivaled. The price of the tour includes Starbucks coffee, lemonade, muffins, and cookies. Tours depart seven days a week, and reservations may be made at the concierge desk at all downtown hotels. Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise (Attractions & Activities - Tours and Excursions) 224 S Michigan Ave, Chicago  IL  60604 • 312-922-3432 • 312-902-1500 Distance: ~0.48 mi User Rating: 7.875 / 10         Description: DOWNTOWN. Seeing Chicago's architectural beauty from the decks of a river cruiser is a must. One of the city's most unique tours, the river cruise, hosted by the Chicago Architectural Foundation, takes you along the north and south shores of the lake. Tours are available late April through mid-November and run about an hour and a half in length. Purchase tickets at 224 South Michigan Avenue, and board at the southwest corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge. American Sightseeing Chicago (Attractions & Activities - Tours and Excursions) 17 E Monroe St, Chicago  IL  60603 • 312-251-3100 Distance: ~0.50 mi         Description: THE LOOP. If touring Chicago by luxury motor coach sounds like a lovely way to spend the day, this is the ideal outlet for you. Knowledgeable guides take guests on one of four comprehensive tours: North Side, South Shore, the Grand Tour (a combination of North and South), or the Grand Tour plus an extended stop at the Sears Tower. Periodic stops, such as at the Botanical Gardens on the North Side and Prairie and Woodland Avenues on the South Shore, are scheduled for clients to briefly explore on their own. Chicago Architecture Foundation (Attractions & Activities - Tours and Excursions) 224 S Michigan Ave, Chicago  IL  60604 • 312-922-3432 Distance: ~0.50 mi         Description: DOWNTOWN. This organization puts a spotlight on the architectural evolution that has made the Chicago skyline famous. Come learn about different architectural styles and view a scale model of downtown Chicago. Permanent and rotating exhibits feature information about buildings and architects in the Chicago area. Sign up for a tour of the city by boat, bus, bicycle, or your own two feet. Seadog Cruises – Lake Tours (Attractions & Activities - Tours and Excursions) 600 E Grand Ave Navy Pier's East Dock, Chicago  IL  60611 • 888-636-7737 Distance: ~0.69 mi         Description: STREETERVILLE. Appropriate for both adults and young ones, the "Seadog" speedboat offers a more thrilling ride than the average boat tour – think more than 2000 horsepower, and you've got the idea. Cruise at higher speeds for a 30-minute lake tour, or opt for a slower, 75-minute architecture tour. All options include fast-paced music as you jet around Lake Michigan, along with a hosted summary of Chicago fun-facts. Odyssey Cruises (Attractions & Activities - Tours and Excursions) 600 E Grand Ave Navy Pier, Chicago  IL  60611 • 866-305-2469 Distance: ~0.70 mi         Description: STREETERVILLE. Up the ante on sightseeing with Odyssey's dinner cruise packages. The company offers yacht tours along the shores of Lake Michigan, and incredible views of the city are standard, especially at night. Lunch and brunch packages are also available on the vessel, which features three enclosed decks and an upper, open-air one. Live music adds to the appeal, especially during special-event cruises. Outings typically last two to three hours and should be booked well in advance. Chicago Hauntings (Attractions & Activities - Tours and Excursions) 610 N Clark St, Chicago  IL  60610 • 888-446-7891 Distance: ~0.72 mi         Description: RIVER NORTH. Voted one of America's ten creepiest tours, Chicago Hauntings covers the city's most famed ghost stories with extensive details and stops at the "haunted" areas. Paranormal experts who have appeared on TLC, The History Channel, and The Discovery Channel lead the way, bringing guests in-depth information along with lots of folklore. Several tour options are available for all age groups. Merchandise Mart Tour (Attractions & Activities - Tours and Excursions) 222 Merchandise Mart Plz, Chicago  IL  60654 • 312-527-7762 Distance: ~0.79 mi         Description: RIVER NORTH. Built in 1931, the Merchandise Mart is the world's largest commercial building with four million square feet of showrooms (six million including the Chicago Apparel Center). Its Art Deco styling, endless supply of marble, gold chandeliers, and vintage furniture make the building itself a stunning design example. Tours include access to designer/architect-only showrooms, give a history of the building, and offer an optional luncheon lecture or afternoon tea. Private and group tours are held at anytime during the week by appointment only, but typically on Friday and Saturday starting at 1:00pm. They last approximately 60 to 90 minutes. Group rates are available and tours can be custom tailored.  Copyright ©2001 10Best Inc. All rights reserved.