Chicago Lakefront Trail: A Self-Guided Bike Tour

1 to 2 hours (approximately)
Offered in: English and 1 more

This self-guided bike tour traces Chicago's reinvention from the ashes of the Great Fire to the skyline that rose in its place, pedaling the Lakefront Trail with Lake Michigan on one side and the city's icons on the other.

The route begins near Navy Pier and rolls through Museum Campus, past the Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, and Field Museum. Buckingham Fountain and the towering Willis Tower come next, followed by Millennium Park's Cloud Gate — Chicago's beloved "Bean." A quick pass through the Loop takes in the Chicago Theatre, State Street, and Union Station before crossing the Chicago River. Stories of the Great Fire and the innovators who rebuilt the city play through your headphones the whole way.

Perfect for first-time visitors, casual cyclists, and anyone craving a fresh angle on the city. Download the VoiceMap app and enter the ticket code from your confirmation email to start riding.

What's Included

Directions to the starting point so that when you're in the right place, the tour will start
Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
The VoiceMap App for Android and iOS
Smartphone and headphones
Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
Food and drink
Transportation
An in-person guide

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Start your tour at the Divvy Bike Hub in Addams Memorial Park, Chicago, across the street from Lake Point Tower Condominium. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 1 to 2 hours (approximately)
  • Navy Pier (Pass by)

    Pass by Navy Pier, built in 1916 as a shipping and recreation hub before training WWII sailors. Today it draws millions with its historic Centennial Wheel, shops, gardens, and skyline views. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

    Admission ticket free
  • Field Museum (Pass by)

    Cycle past the Field Museum, a natural history museum holding over 24 million artifacts, including Sue, the most complete T. rex skeleton ever found. Built for the 1893 World's Fair. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

    Admission ticket free
  • Adler Planetarium (Pass by)

    Bike past the Adler Planetarium, America's first planetarium, opened in 1930. See its historic Zeiss projector, the Atwood Sphere, and nearby immigrant memorial statues. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

    Admission ticket free
  • Millennium Park (Pass by)

    Ride past Millennium Park, home to Cloud Gate ("The Bean"), the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, and Wrigley Square. Built atop a former rail yard, it's Chicago's modern cultural showcase. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Pedal past Chicago Union Station, a grand 1925 Beaux-Arts rail hub designed by Daniel Burnham's firm. Its Great Hall has featured in films like The Untouchables. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

    Admission ticket free
  • Daley Plaza (Pass by)

    Cycle past Daley Plaza, home to the untitled 50-foot Cor-Ten steel "Picasso" sculpture, gifted in 1967. The plaza hosts farmers markets and civic events year-round. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

    Admission ticket free
  • Clarence F. Buckingham Fountain (Pass by)

    Bike past Buckingham Fountain, a 1927 gift to Chicago modeled after Versailles' Latona Fountain. Its jets soar 150 feet, with light-and-music shows on summer nights. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Ride past Grant Park, "Chicago's Front Yard," built atop rail lines and named for Ulysses S. Grant. It has hosted Lollapalooza, Taste of Chicago, and Obama's 2008 victory speech. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Pedal past the Ogilvie Transportation Center, a commuter rail terminal on the site of the historic 1911 Chicago and North Western Terminal, designed by architects Frost and Granger. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

    Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • The total tour time includes walking the route and passing by the attractions
Supplied by VoiceMap Audio Tours

Tags

Mountain Bike Tours
Private and Luxury
Private Sightseeing Tours
Audio Guides
Architecture Tours
Historical Tours
Bike Tours
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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