Tours, sightseeing tours, activities & things to do | Viator.comChicago Grand Tour and Hancock Observatory
based on 7 reviews
Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Product code: 3568GRSEAR
7 reviews of Chicago Grand Tour and Hancock Observatory
Read what other Viator.com travelers think about the Chicago Grand Tour and Hancock Observatory. What they loved, what they liked and what they think could be improved, it's all here to help you make the most of your next trip.
Fabulous trip! Driver really new his information. Did get a little tired on bus for 4 hours, but I wouldn't do it any other way. We had a beautiful clear day and great weather. Learned a lot of fascinating information about the wonderful city of Chicago!
Reviewed by: Nellie F, United States of America, August 2007
The best part of the tour is the lake side in the south city tour. It gives a beautiful view of the skyline Chicago. Hancock Observatory at 94th floor gives amazing view. There could have been a small break in some restaurant or cafe for lunch/snacks since it is around 6 hours for grand tour and Hancock Observatory. Anyway it is worth doing the tour.
Reviewed by: Rajkumarr V, India, May 2008
The tour was excellent and the on board commentary was very good and professional.
Reviewed by: Marian B, Ireland, March 2008
The tour was very interesting but it's probably better to take the north and south tours on separate days. I found that having both of them on the same trip was a long time to be on a tour bus.
Reviewed by: Luca C, United States of America, November 2006
Some problems to iron out!! First, my colleague and I, staying at the same hotel, telephoned separately to confirm pickup arrangements. I was told to go to the Palmer House Hotel; she was told she would be picked up at our hotel. The following 3 calls solicited 3 different responses. We made it to the tour with 10 minutes to spare by going to Palmer House.
Second, the tour is basically 2 tours pushed together, with about 10 minutes between them, and the observatory is seemingly added at the end as an afterthought. This could be improved by creating a true grand tour to allow 30 minutes for lunch halfway through the tour, and by incorporating the observatory as part of the tour proper.
Third, I have no trouble usually with any form of English accent; however our driver's delivery was very poor, and we had a number of foreigners on the bus to whom English was a second language--they had no chance of understanding him at all. I spent some time "translating" what he was saying.
All said I enjoyed the tour, but I think the tour operator needs to make some changes to improve it.
We had expected a two-level open-top bus! Also, we had expected that either the tour guide speak German or headphone translations be provided in German since three of us did not speak very good English, so we did not understand much! The guides and hostesses were not so friendly, and the stops at the zoo and planetarium were a little too short - only 20 minutes, just enough time to take a picture and go to the bathroom!
Reviewed by: Kerstin S, Germany, May 2007
It was terrible. The guide read from paper and did not take any contact with his passengers. The tour was 2-part and many people came on the bus to part 2 and he guide repeated a lot.
Reviewed by: Kristina F, Sweden, July 2009
