One of the most eco-friendly, wallet-friendly, and healthy ways to see the city of Chicago is by taking a bike tour. These tours are typically less expensive than their counterpart bus or boat tours, and while they do require a decent amount of physical exertion, they’re often easier on the body than a walking tour. Bike tours also strike a happy medium between highly regimented (you only see a few limited sites) or completely open (you’re entirely on your own in deciding what to see). Of course, if you prefer the freedom of an open itinerary, most bike tour companies offer multi-hour rentals, too, so you can control your own destiny when it comes to sightseeing on two wheels.
Chicago is a very bike-friendly city, and has worked to become even more accessible to cyclists in recent years. If you’re looking to enjoy the sights and sounds of the heart of Chicago – Millennium Park – then a bike tour is an ideal option. Pedal around the park, over into Maggie Daley Park, and down into Grant Park to enjoy views of the Art Institute of Chicago, Priztker Pavilion, Cloud Gate (aka The Bean), the Crown Fountain, Buckingham Fountain, and even Museum Campus. In the warmer months, these are very popular haunts for cyclists and you’ll find half the city out to join you!
Another popular option for cycling is the 18-mile Lakefront Trail that hugs Lake Michigan from Ardmore Street to 71st Street. If you ride the entire route, you’ll pass some of the city’s best attractions like Lincoln Park and the Lincoln Park Zoo, Soldier Field, Museum of Science & Industry, Navy Pier, Jackson Park, and more. This path is actively used by locals cycling, running, walking dogs, or strolling with kids.
If you’re in the market for something a little more structured, companies like Bike n’ Roll offer multiple bike tours. You can choose from options like a Lincoln Park Bike Adventure, a Bike at Night Tour, a Friendly Neighborhoods Bike Tour, or a Bike and Brewery Tour. With the exception of the Brewery Tour (which is 21+), these are all family-friendly bike tours. Bike n’ Roll also offer Segway tours like the Amazing Lakefront Tour, Sunset Segway, Navy Pier Skyline, Sunset Tour, and Fireworks Tour. Segway tours require that all participants be at least 12 years of age. These tours all come in at multiple price points, so there’s a tour to suit all budgets and interests.
Other companies in the market offer different types of tours, too. Bobby’s Bike Hike, for example, is another popular bike tour company that also features rentals as well as themed tours. Some of their more popular tour options that differ from their competitors include the Old Chicago Gangster Bike Tour, the Halloween “Fright Hike” Tour, a kid-specific tour, and two different Bikes, Bites, and Brews Tours. For those interested in additional Segway tours, City Segway offers multiple tours with culinary themes, traditional sightseeing tours, and tours that also include admission to a popular attraction like Skydeck Chicago.
As you can see, there’s no shortage of bike and Segway tour options in Chicago. To help get your planning started, here’s a list of a few of the top companies that offer bike tours in the Windy City.
Bike and Roll Chicago
Bike and Roll Chicago offers a variety of guided bike and Segway tours that take visitors to a number of Chicago’s most iconic attractions. They also offer bike rentals by the hour or day.
Chicago Architecture Center
This non-profit organization runs an extensive variety of acclaimed tours highlighting Chicago’s many remarkable buildings. Favorite tours include the Chicago River Cruise tour, the Art Deco Skyscrapers tour, and the Chicago Architectural Highlights tour.