A neat small place to learn about Chicago architecture and it's development, with short…read more timelines on the walls and miniature model of the city and another ofWrigley Field. I bought a perfect, sturdy canvas bag labeled Chicago Architecture Center.

Entry to the museum is only five dollars if you show them your ticket from the First Lady boat…read moretour. The ground floor has a short eight minute clip with information about the city. There is also a great display of the city as well as a Wrigley ballpark exhibit. Unfortunately, the upstairs is currently being renovated, so there was not a lot to see this trip. They have a great gift shop.

Wow, what a great experience. We stumbled on this unique tour while looking for things to do in…read moreChicago. I've been to the Art Institute many times, but this was a completely different experience and well worth the price. Museum Hack offers unique tours of museums with the goal of making the experience both entertaining and informative. Our guide, Colin, took us around and showcased several pieces of art by telling us the stories behind the works. This really brought the art to life for us. His tour was informative and fun. It was also interactive. We were joined by a drag artist about halfway through the tour and that was a really interesting experience. They took us to several of their favorite pieces and talked about how the art they chose fit in to their experience as a drag performer. It was fascinating. We were lucky because we were the only 2 slots booked for our tour. The maximum group size is 10 and the minimum is 2. This meant we got a really personal experience with our guide. A tour like this will really help you see the museum in a new way. It's pricey, but worth it. Museum admission is included in the package and at least on our tour we did not meet at the main entrance. We entered by the modern art wing. I really have nothing but good things to say about the tour and our guide. He kept us informed leading up to the tour and kept us entertained during the tour.

Had a great time with Museum Hack and their team. Colin was a great rep and show our management…read moreteam an exciting and educational time. Was a great experience and would recommend to anyone.

What a fabulous place for various artists and artwork! It was great to see all the different pieces…read moreand styles in this collection. The art institute is huge and covers a wide variety of different styles. It's a big place so expect to spend some time here. Map shows different levels and different stairs and elevators leading to different places. They even have a cafe in the 3rd floor. Really cool place to check out in Chicago while you're here. They do have free lockers for large backpacks and items near the front.

My husband and I visited the Art Institute of Chicago on 6/6…read more During our visit, we got to see the Korean National Treasures: 2000 Years of Art exhibit. We spent a lot of time in the Modern Art wing. There is so much to see and experience there. We were there for a few hours, but I'd say you really need a whole day if you want to attempt to see everything.

Our guide Victor was impressively knowledgeable and made this so enjoyable! We went at sunset and…read moreit was beautiful.

Our friend recommended going on one of the River Boat Architecture Tours during our weeklong stay…read morein Chicago. My husband booked us two tickets with the First Lady River Cruise. Highly recommended! Our guide Bill was great. He is also a docent at the Architecture Museum. With your boat tour ticket, you also get a discount to the museum. We sat on the upper level of the boat. You can take great pictures from the upper level of the boat. Warning - If you do this in the summer, make sure to put on sunscreen and/or hat. The sun is no joke.

I LOVE taking the subway. Easy to use. Helps with getting around town. You can take subway into…read moretown if you wish. Was a great time!

My boyfriend's company gets a lot of fancy fringe benefits and one of those is special tickets to…read moreshows, tours, and other fun things. On Friday we got to experience this fun tour with Margaret as our guide. The tour was about 90 minutes long as we weaved throughout the pedway system of Chicago covering about 1.5 miles. Everyone on our tour was local, some of us knew of the pedway, some had never been on it before others were quite familiar but wanted to know more, while still others had no idea about it! I was happy to venture down into the undergrounds of the city with some a well educated tour guide. I am a Chicago history mini-buff and she definitely knew her stuff about a lot of the famous architects of our town which pleased me. Our tour guide Margaret was full of energy and very enthusiastic in telling us all about the pedway. Once she told us she was a theater major, ah yes, it all clicked into place! She was a very thorough and clear guide though giving me a bit of information I haven't had prior. Once the tour is done, you'll know a bit about the paths under the city that connect some important government buildings to fancy department stores (and more!) and feel totally comfortable walking & navigating them yourself. There is virtually no crime on the Chicago pedway!!! Yay Chi Town! You will also come away loving the pedway for what it is! Nothing more, nothing less than an interesting walkway than can be beautiful at times - smelly at others - but like Margaret says, is it's own little Chicago neighborhood!

Statue Stories is a unique opportunity to learn more about the various public art on display in…read moreChicago via your cellular telephone. It was initiated in 2015 throughout the City of Chicago to engage the public in learning about all of the "public art" displayed throughout the city. Look for the sign(s) associated with the piece of public art then use your cellular telephone to scan the QR code which is a square box shaped black code...then answer your telephone when it rings and you can listen to the history and interesting and fun facts about the piece of public art on display....in this case statues! See the web site for the map and all of the public art with this audio tour... http://www.statuestorieschicago.com/statues.php FYI-other cities such as Philadelphia utilize this tool for the public as well.

From the owner: Using drama, humor and location technology, Statue Stories Chicago breathes new life into the…read morecity's marvelous public art collection. Swipe your smartphone on a nearby tag and get a 'call back' from the likes of Abe Lincoln, Paul Laurence Dunbar or a regal bronze lion.

Wow! What an amazing place! And who knew something as cool (and big) as this could be located…read moresmack dab in the middle of the city? Located basically at Ashland and Roosevelt, this gorgeous facility has a lovely lounge area, complete with bathrooms, vending machines and comfortable chairs while you wait for the real treat, which are the helicopters! I was there to do a 30 minute tour of the city, but you can also rent a helicopter to take you and your crew to a golf outing up in Lake Geneva, travel around to check out real estate or do anything within their flying range. They offer both tour packages as well as shared ride services. Gee! Too bad I can't take this from the burbs to the city during Friday night rush hour. But I digress. Back to the tour. I ordered a 30 minute tour of the city (please note: price at the time of booking this last year was about $200 a ticket. Today $150 ticket price covers a 15 minute tour). Our choice of times were during the day, twilight or night sky. My friend who is an avid flyer suggested daytime for the first time but now I know I want to go back and see our city at night. Our pilot Russ was great, explaining what was going to happen, getting us situated with headsets and then off we went! If you are a Cubs fan, and want to see Wrigley from the air- know that during game days, there is a "no fly" zone up that way so you wont be able to see that landmark. We went to the south instead, flying over Hyde Park, the Museum of Science and Industry, Soldier Field and then up through Grant Park, through downtown and out to the United Center before circling back. It was stunning. If you are looking for the perfect gift for someone who loves Chicago, or just want to see our city from a different perspective, call Vertiport. It's a unique experience!

Awesome experience! I took a flight with my aunts for their birthday. The helicopter fit 7 people…read more This included our party of 3, another party of 3 and the pilot. Our flight was less then 10 minutes long for the one we chose but they do have longer flights (they go off of mileage). The views were stunning and I would definitely recommend. We did end up having to wait quite a bit until our flight even though we arrived on time so that was a bit disappointing.

I had the great pleasure of joining Larry Axelrod for Opera Adventures in both Santa Fe, New Mexico…read moreand Munchen, Germany. I'll be honest - he had his work cut out for him with me; although I am a product of true opera nuts (My parents, who had been cult followers of Larry's from back in the Ghost Ranch days, followed him to his solo venture, and now my 91 year old Dad - in his solo venture - continues to join Larry's great group of enthusiasts when and where he is able), I was concerned I was adopted because I would not at all describe myself as an opera fan! However, such are Mr. Axelrod's personal charms and skills that he is able to entertain and make cohesive a very diverse group of people. He keeps his groups small enough that one doesn't feel overwhelmed but large enough to feel freedom. He is able to relate in his trademark intelligent, low key, and genuine way to each person as an individual. Example: In Santa Fe, i elected not to attend his very informative opera seminars (which my sister and father LOVE) and Larry knew I liked to hike, so he loaned my partner and I a book on local hikes. Who does that. That is exactly the kind of unassuming and thoughtful person he is. He is also an incredibly talented musician and composer and can interact with the most avid opera aficionado as well as a "lay person" like me (though I am an instrumentalist and also know something about music but...not in his league). Larry's presence is soothing - never overbearing or ostentatious, and it's such a pleasure to be around him that frankly I've left both trips feeling as if I spent it with a friend. The varied group he attracts is another part of his "opera adventures" charm - attendees I've had the pleasure to spend time with are all unique, substantive, and have great senses of humor, and many come back for repeat and new trips. Some of these are long time followers like my parents and celebrate a kind of reunion when they meet, and they also welcome newcomers like me with ease. I am so thankful for the experiences I've had on Larry's opera adventures, and even though (cover your ears Larry) I did a giant eye roll in my brain when my dad initially invited me on my first trip to Santa Fe, it changed my life and I am so glad Larry was our leader. Larry is a star in a world full of wannabes. I'm so glad I've shared music and broken bread with such a good soul.

Some opera tours make the most expensive arrangements and charge accordingly. By contrast, Opera…read moreAdventures costs less but delivers solid value - you get the operas and Larry's informed commentary. Larry also pulls in someone of added knowledge, once even the composer of a scheduled opera, and as a bonus attracts a likable group of opera fans. My wife and I are repeat customers.