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Chicago Student Tours
Science, Architecture, and the City of Big Shoulders
“Hog Butcher for the World… City of the Big Shoulders.” — Carl Sandburg
Why Chicago Is a Great Destination for Student Tours
Chicago is a classroom on the shores of Lake Michigan. Students see a T. rex at the Field Museum, walk through a German U-boat at the Museum of Science and Industry, and learn how the city rebuilt itself after the Great Fire of 1871 from the deck of an architecture river cruise. It works for science, history, art, and civics trips.
Museum Campus – The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium sit side by side on the lakefront, so students can cover dinosaurs, sea life, and space in a single day.
Architecture on the River – The skyscraper was born in Chicago. A river cruise tells the story of the city one building at a time.
Museum of Science and Industry – Hands-on science, a working coal mine exhibit, and the U-505 submarine.
Art Institute of Chicago – Works students know from their textbooks, from Seurat to Grant Wood’s American Gothic.
Millennium Park and the Lakefront – Cloud Gate (“The Bean”), Crown Fountain, and Navy Pier.
Band, Choir, and Orchestra Groups – Chicago is one of the country’s great music cities. If your ensemble has a festival, clinic, or performance booked, we’ll build the rest of the trip around it.
Together, these experiences turn a city trip into lessons students carry back to the classroom.
Your Trip
Length
Typical trip length 4 days/3 nights
Destination
Chicago, IL
Add-On Options: Springfield, IL Lincoln Sites, Second City Improv Workshop, Chicago Cubs Game at Wrigley Field (in season), Willis Tower Skydeck
What is Included?
Airfare or Charter Bus from Your School, School to Airport Transport, All Meals, Hotel, Medical Insurance, Charter Bus, Licensed Bus Driver/Tour Guide, All Entrance Fees, Chaperone Allowances at Pre-set Ratios, Night-time Security Guards
Chicago Itinerary
At TripU we will provide your group with the itinerary that best fits U and your trip. Here’s a sample to get your adventure juices flowing
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MORNING
Depart for Chicago and be met at the airport by a TripU representative.
AFTERNOON
LUNCH — Welcome to Chicago with a classic deep-dish pizza lunch. Walking tour of Millennium Park
Cloud Gate (“The Bean”) and Crown Fountain
The Magnificent Mile and the Chicago Riverwalk
How Chicago rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1871
EVENING
DINNER — Evening at Navy Pier on the Lake Michigan shoreline. Hotel Check In — greeted at the hotel by your TripU representative. Night-time security on duty.
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MORNING
BREAKFAST — Then the Field Museum, home of SUE the T. rex and exhibits on ancient Egypt and evolution.
AFTERNOON
LUNCH — Then the Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium, all on the same lakefront campus
Marine life and ecosystems at the Shedd
Space science and sky shows at the Adler
Skyline views from Northerly Island
EVENING
DINNER — Willis Tower Skydeck, 103 floors above the city, then back to the hotel.
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MORNING
BREAKFAST — Architecture river cruise. Students learn how Chicago gave the world the skyscraper.
AFTERNOON
LUNCH — Then the Art Institute of Chicago
Grant Wood’s American Gothic
Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte
Works from ancient art to modern masters
EVENING
DINNER — Optional improv comedy show or a Chicago-style dinner, then back to the hotel.
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MORNING
BREAKFAST — Museum of Science and Industry: the U-505 submarine, the coal mine exhibit, and hands-on science labs.
AFTERNOON
LUNCH — Then transfer to the airport or board the charter bus for the trip home.
Chicago Attractions
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Field Museum
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Shedd Aquarium
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Adler Planetarium
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Museum of Science and Industry
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Architecture River Cruise
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Art Institute of Chicago
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Millennium Park
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Navy Pier
FAQ About Chicago Student Tours
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Yes. Chicago’s museums are built for school groups, and the major sights are close together downtown, so students spend more time learning and less time on the bus.
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Science (Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Museum of Science and Industry), US history and civics (the Great Fire, the Great Migration, and Lincoln sites in Springfield), art, and architecture.
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Most groups travel for 4 days and 3 nights. Groups within driving distance sometimes choose 3 days. We fit the trip to your school calendar and budget.
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Transportation, hotel, all meals, entrance fees, a licensed guide, medical insurance, night-time security, and free chaperone spots at preset ratios. You get one price, locked in up front.
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Yes. Springfield, IL, home of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, is a popular add-on. Just let us know when you request your quote.
DISCOVER your next trip
Contact our team of professionals to start planning a hands-on, educational Chicago experience for your students.