Covering 13 miles of the downtown Chicago area, the Hop-On, Hop-Off Trolley Tour is one of the best ways to see and learn about all the best sights of the city at your own pace. Featuring a fully-narrated tour on both trolleys and double-decker buses, this is highly popular and great way to get the best of Chicago.
About the Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour
The immensely-popular and always-highly-rated Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour of Chicago is presented by the Gray Line Chicago, and has served millions of Chicago natives and visitors alike. The fleet of vehicles is mixed between San Francisco-style trolley cars, double decker buses. Offering both daily tours to the general public as well as personalized transportation for businesses and events, this company is a fixture in downtown Chicago.
Highlights of the Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour
Taking an average of time of 2 hours and traveling over 13 miles of downtown Chicago, the Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour covers most major sights in the city as well as provides riders with a full narrative account of those sights. The tour offers 14 stops in total, with wait times that generally sit around 20-30 minutes during peak tourist seasons. The stops are in order, as follows:
- Millennium Park
- Michigan Ave. Bridge
- Garrett Popcorn/ Theatre District
- Art Institute
- Hilton Chicago
- Field Museum
- Sheraton Hotel
- Navy Pier
- Magnificent Mile
- Water Tower
- John Hancock Observatory
- Hard Rock/ River North
- Skydeck Chicago
- Chicago Theatre/ Macy’s on State Street
All tours start at Millennium Park, which is where tickets are purchased. The tour office is located in the Park Shop which is right below the Cloud Gate sculpture. Once tickets have been purchased, riders can board at any of the tour’s stops at any time.
Busses begin rolling at 9 am and the last full tour departs at 4 pm (5 pm on weekends). Tickets are good for three consecutive days, allowing riders the freedom to take the tour all at once or use it as a means of transportation around the city throughout their stay. Tickets are priced in three tiers, adult (ages 13+), Children (3-12), and Senior 65+/ Military. Tour tickets also include special discounts, freebies, and other insider deals that will help make one’s stay in Chicago extra special.
Additional tour options are available during peak tourist seasons, generally from late spring (May) through the holidays. This includes neighborhood tours which feature the West, North, and South ends of Chicago. These tours all originate at Millennium Park. The City Lights Night Tour is another option which runs until 10 pm and only includes popular evening destinations such as the Magnificent Mile and Navy Pier. The Holiday Lights Tour, available starting each November, is another great seasonal addition.
Why the Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour is a Must-Do
For an easy way to move around the Windy City, the Chicago Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour cannot be beat. This tour offers visitors a standard 3-day pass which will take them to all major Chicago downtown attractions as well as teach them a thing or two along the way. This is a great, inexpensive way to get around Chicago and really get the most out of your stay.
Where to Buy Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour Tickets
There are a number of ways you can enjoy admission to this attraction.
Pay Full Price and purchase a ticket from Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour either online or in person.
Purchase a Tourist pass. The Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour is available on the Go Chicago Card.