Bike Tour of Chicago's Lakefront Neighborhoods
5
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*
Bike Tour of Chicago's Lakefront Neighborhoods
By Bobby's Bike Hike Chicago
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About
Explore the lakefront districts of Chicago's North Side on a bike tour along quiet streets and waterside paths in the Windy City. You cover ground quickly as you pedal with your guide from Lake Shore Drive to the Magnificent Mile, passing by places such as Oprah’s penthouse, the Playboy Mansion, and Victorian homes in Old Town. Choose from departures in the morning or afternoon for an easy fit with your sightseeing schedule.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 0-99, max of 15 per group
Duration: 3h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
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Highlights
- Get an overview of Chicago's North Side neighborhoods and landmarks
- Take in views of Lake Michigan while biking along the shore
- Cover more ground in a short timespan on a bike vs. by foot
- Go off the beaten path to parts of Chicago that locals enjoy
- Bicycle
- Helmet
- Local tour guide
What's not included- Food and drinks
- $10 per person suggested guide gratuity. (via Cash, Venmo and PayPal)
- Meet your guide at the designated place on Lake Shore Drive to get outfitted with your bicycle and helmet, and hear a short safety briefing. When ready, set out with your guide on your tour of Chicago’s lakefront neighborhoods. Cruise along the Lake Michigan shore to tree-shaded parks and neighborhoods on the North Side, including Rush Street and the Magnificent Mile. Pass by elegant homes and mansions in the Gold Coast Historic District, and popular destinations such as North Avenue Beach and Lincoln Park Zoo. Hear commentary from your guide about the distinct character of different neighborhoods and highlights such as Oprah Winfrey’s penthouse, Old Town, St Michael's Church, and the Playboy Mansion. Expect to cycle at a leisurely pace for about 9 miles (14.5 kilometers) of mostly flat terrain. Finish the tour back at your meeting point.
- Start:
- 540 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60611, USAThrough the driveway (tunnel) to our entrance
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 3332DAY- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- This tour is appropriate for all ages and fitness levels. Professional guides blend quality information, group interaction, and most of all, fun, to create an unforgettable Chicago experience. Bikes are provided. Child bikes, seats and tagalongs are available.
- Storage for larger bags/items available for free
- Please note: children must be strong, capable riders and be able to bike for 9 miles
- Most travelers can participate
- TripAdvisor rated Bobby’s Bike Hike its highest-level Traveler’s Choice Award each year since 2002.
- Operates rain or shine, please dress appropriately. If extreme weather forces cancellation there will be options to change tours or refund.
- Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough guests to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 3332DAY
From
$54.99
per adult
Select date and travelers
Similar experiences
Itinerary
- 540 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60611, USAThrough the driveway (tunnel) to our entrance
- Pass byMuseum of Contemporary ArtSt Michael Catholic Church in Old TownThe Magnificent Mile
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- GrandTour8263240 contributionsBest way to spend a few hours in Chicago!This was an amazing tour and a great way to spend time in Chicago! The food was incredible— pizza like I’ve never had before— and we also learned a lot about the city. Our tour guide (Greg) was fantastic— very knowledgeable, FUNNY!, and made everyone so comfortable. This was a Christmas gift from our son and my husband and I enjoyed it so much. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! The walking wasn’t difficult, and we had plenty of stops along the way for picture taking and taking in the great city of Chicago!Written January 13, 2025
- ajzwelsh0 contributionsTerrific tastes and tour of downtown Chicago!Greg Scheem is a terrific knowledgeable and fun tour guide and as a bonus, a highly entertaining comedian. The food was delicious, the sights and architecture fantastic- overall a great introduction to Chicago! My 19 year old son and I are so glad we did this tour and had Greg as our tour guide. We are already recommending this to our friends.Written January 12, 2025
- Jim F0 contributionsGreat guide, good food and a fun experienceWonderful experience! Our guide, Greg, was personable, informative and fun. He took us to sample original, Chicago deep dish pizza. This was followed by eating a Chicago hot dog, Italian roast beef and delicious brownie. All the establishments we visited were very friendly. Combine all of this food samwiched between a very entertaining history of the areas we visited led to a wonderful experience. My favorite dish—the pizza. Greg, thanks for such a great tour. Highly recommended!Written January 11, 2025
- H2OMan6240 contributionsEducational, entertaining, and lots of walking, but really fun.We learned so much about the rich history of Chicago, the people who started the restaurants, the history of Chicago’s iconic foods: pizza, hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, this fires that destroyed Chicago and how the Chicago people rebuilt it time and time again. If you like good food, entertaining/educational presentations, this is definitely your kind of day trip! As I said our guide was Jeff who is a gifted storyteller with an endless vault of Chicago history. Ask for Jeff when you book your food adventure. He is an A+ guide.Written January 8, 2025
- rfleinbach0 contributionsAwesomeWe had an amazing time withJeff. He did a great job. The tour was awesome. I highly recommend it. Learned a lot about the history of Chicago and got to sample some Authentic Chicago foodWritten January 6, 2025
- Z9529HEmelissaw0 contributionsFran is amazing!Fran was such an excellent host. She shared great local knowledge about the places we visited and passed along our way. The temps were chilly, but she found ways to keep us warmed up as we moved.Written January 4, 2025
- 734kylerc0 contributionsImmersive Chicago Experience, Food You Won’t Forget!We try to do a food tour in every major city we visit, and Bobby’s walking food tour took the cake! Our guide, Jeff (Chicago Gandalf 😂) was incredibly amiable, knowledgeable, and made the whole experience feel like a group of friends enjoying excellent food while gaining insight into the history and architecture of Chicago. He was a wealth of knowledge, but he was definitely sensitive to the vibe of our group and didn’t barrage us with information that we didn’t show interest in. It was great to have a guide who was flexible and socially aware. There were also a few families on our tour and it inspired us to bring our kids next time - it truly was the highlight of our trip. Thanks, CG!! You made our foodie New Year!Written January 3, 2025
- D9910KHchristines0 contributionsTake this tour!We had so much fun! Jeff was funny, knowledgeable, and kind. We learned a lot, enjoyed the food, and got some fun photos. I’d highly recommend this tour.Written January 2, 2025
- frankwN2169GI0 contributionsAmazing tour with guide JeffThis was the perfect way to start our Chicago vacation! Our tour guide Jeff made sure everything was on point. It was obvious that a lot of thought went into each stop that we made. They made sure that everyone's needs were taken care of and everyone had an enjoyable time. If you're considering a food tour, choose this one it was full of history, fun and of course great food!Written December 31, 2024
- clairesE5606RE0 contributionsGreat tourFood was great, tour guide (Fran) was excellent, she was engaging, knowledgeable and considerate, we ate loads and learned loads. Would recommend to anyone visiting the cityWritten December 31, 2024
- Leslie L0 contributionsTasty, informative, and entertaining!Thank you Jeff for a tasty and informative walking food tour. The food was excellent and represented Chicago well. In between restaurant stops, we covered a lot of ground and learned a great deal about the history of Chicago from Jeff, who was both knowledgeable and entertaining. The pace was perfect- there was enough time between stops that we were ready to eat again. This was the perfect tour for families like ours with teenage/young adult kids. I highly recommend!Written December 29, 2024
- F6696BPchrism0 contributionsCool old mining equipment, dump truck bed, power shovel scoop, giant tire in a park in BagdadSeveral very large pieces of old mining equipment in a small park with picnic tables. Some interpretive signs for the equipment. Good photo opportunities for singles, couples, or groups. Sadly there is nowhere public where you can look into the open pit mine or see mining operations. There used to be such a place long ago when I was a kid, but the tailing piles are now arranged such that you can't see into the mine. This park is right across from Bashas, and from the small 1950s style diner, which was closed when we went, but we heard it will open soon. There's also a Mexican restaurant right across Main Street next to Bashas, and there's the Copper Country Bar and Grill with a restaurant, about a mile up Lindahl Road.Written December 29, 2024
- DianaM66270 contributionsPerfect food tourThis was my second Chinatown Food and Walking Tour with Jeff as our guide. All of our guests raved about the food choices and Jeff provided us with the perfect amount of Chinatown history and guest interaction. I look forward to bringing more guests to this fantastic tour!Written December 29, 2024
- erin1415160 contributionsGreat food tour!Wonderful food tour! Jeff was a great guide - talented storyteller and knew the history of Chinatown well. The food was so good and paced very well. We stopped and sat down at each restaurant so it was very comfortable. The food was not super spicy though chili oil was available to make it spicy!! Would highly recommend!Written December 28, 2024
- VincentA7960 contributionsVacationFran Fink was a wonderful tour guide and would recommend this tour if you visit Chicago, A very nice way to experience Chicago and get to know the history and FOOD of the city.Written December 28, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
158 reviews
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Sig F
1 contribution
Jun 2020
I had the pleasure of going on a tour with Bobbys Bike Hike this past month of June with the reopening since Covid. I can't imagine the tour without my incredible Bike Hike guide Gabriel. He was so charismatic and knew everything there is to know about Chicago. He biked us through Chicago neighborhoods safely, all while sharing information and keeping a keen eye out for any road dangers.
There is something so positive about going on a city tour as seen through the eyes of a guide who truly loves the city. I feel a new love and appreciation for the beautiful City of Chicago because of Gabe.
Thanks for a wonderful time Bobby's Bike Hike. I will definitely be back.
And extra thanks to my wonderful guide. Chicago has a real gem in you.
There is something so positive about going on a city tour as seen through the eyes of a guide who truly loves the city. I feel a new love and appreciation for the beautiful City of Chicago because of Gabe.
Thanks for a wonderful time Bobby's Bike Hike. I will definitely be back.
And extra thanks to my wonderful guide. Chicago has a real gem in you.
Written June 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane M
3 contributions
May 2021
My family and I had so much fun riding bikes around the beautiful neighborhoods of Chicago. Nikki was our guide and she was so sweet and taught us some interesting facts about the city. It was an added bonus that the weather was gorgeous that day.
We purchased a 12 hour parking pass for $12.99, but when we exited the parking lot, and put the pre-paid ticket into the machine, it asked us to pay $16.00. Naturally, we were disappointed...But the very next day, I called the office and was immediately refunded the $16.00 back to my credit card. I was relieved that the matter was resolved so swiftly and professionally. I highly recommend this tour!
We purchased a 12 hour parking pass for $12.99, but when we exited the parking lot, and put the pre-paid ticket into the machine, it asked us to pay $16.00. Naturally, we were disappointed...But the very next day, I called the office and was immediately refunded the $16.00 back to my credit card. I was relieved that the matter was resolved so swiftly and professionally. I highly recommend this tour!
Written May 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lance E
Austin, TX4 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
My family did the Lakefront Neighborhoods tour. Nikki was our guide and she was incredible. Nikki is the rare person who can be laid-back yet upbeat and energetic at the same time. She radiated positive vibes the entire tour. She kept the trip at a nice pace sharing entertaining Chicago history with us but never to the point where it got boring. The bikes were in great shape and the shop got us going in almost no time. I would definitely recommend this bike tour to anyone.
Written July 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M. Smiley
3 contributions
Jul 2021
Nikki was knowledgeable and energetic. Biking through Lincoln Park, spending a few minutes to walk around the Zoo, looking at all the cool row homes on the Gold Coast, and riding along the lake front was a really neat experience. Nikki made sure everyone was safe riding on the streets and through intersections. This is a great way to see a part of Chicago you can't get any other way. You gotta do this tour!!
Written July 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tony H
Basildon, UK66 contributions
Thanks to Nick we had an excellent bike tour of the neighbourhoods around the city, up through Lincoln park to the zoo, lots of interesting facts and figures from Nick along the way. Lots of opportunities for pics too.
Then cycled along the lake back to the shop ., really great afternoon out , and saw so much more than on foot. Thanks NIck
Then cycled along the lake back to the shop ., really great afternoon out , and saw so much more than on foot. Thanks NIck
Written April 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill C
Charlotte, NC7 contributions
Lou did the perfect job of “balancing” safety and fun with great stories of the town’s history and the history of specific locations. We absolutely loved the route! The architectural part of the tour was beautiful and the short walking stop and ride through the zoo were a pleasant, unexpected addition! We even caught the whole lion family out playing with the “Chicago cub!” The ride around part of Lake Michigan made a gorgeous and breezy grand finale to the trip. Best tour of this kind we have ever been on! Don’t think about doing this tour one second longer- Just do it!!
Written June 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Craig V
Caledonia, MI23 contributions
May 2022
This is our second time doing Bobby's Bike Tour. This time we did the Lakefront Neighborhoods tour. We had a great time with our guide YORK. It was such a fun tour. Riding bikes in the streets of Chicago may sound frightening, but we had a blast. We stopped several times get info from our guide York. Learned so much about Chicago. We had a longer stop mid-way through at the Lincoln Park zoo area where we were able to purchase snacks, ice cream, beverages. I would do it again.
Written May 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Megan A
4 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
We had a wonderful experience! Easy and enjoyable ride through a range of Chicago environments: cityscape, quiet, quaint historic neighborhoods, Lincoln Park, the zoo and lakefront trail. We learned a lot of history from our guide, Vas, and enjoyed meeting other travelers in our group. The tour company was well organized, friendly and professional. Highly recommended!
Written July 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stacy
Darlington, IN7 contributions
We were looking for a family activity that explored Chicago beyond Mag Mile and the Lakefront Neighborhood bike tour was perfect. We had great fall weather and Lou was a friendly and informative guide. So many fun stops along the way.
Written October 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
paulacarballido
North Chicago, Illinois37 contributions
May 2024 • Friends
We had an absolutely fantastic experience with Bobby's Bike Hike, and it was all thanks to our incredible tour guide, Jay!
Jay went above and beyond to ensure we had a great time. Whether we were cruising through scenic routes or stopping at iconic landmarks, Jay's storytelling and insights added a whole new dimension to the experience.
This bike tour exceeded all our expectations, and we couldn't have asked for a better way to spend the day with our friends. If you're looking for an engaging, educational, and downright fun bike tour, we highly recommend Bobby's Bike Hike.
Thank you, Jay, for making our trip so memorable! We'll definitely be back for more adventures.
Jay went above and beyond to ensure we had a great time. Whether we were cruising through scenic routes or stopping at iconic landmarks, Jay's storytelling and insights added a whole new dimension to the experience.
This bike tour exceeded all our expectations, and we couldn't have asked for a better way to spend the day with our friends. If you're looking for an engaging, educational, and downright fun bike tour, we highly recommend Bobby's Bike Hike.
Thank you, Jay, for making our trip so memorable! We'll definitely be back for more adventures.
Written May 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Do you have to contend with car traffic on busy streets?
Written June 13, 2019
No, most of the tour is on bike paths and sidewalks. Anytime you are riding on the street is in a wide group and you don't have to really deal with cars at all.
Written July 2, 2019
Better to call the bike rental place. We did morning
Written October 5, 2018
Bobby’s Bike Hike meeting at:
Lake Shore Dr. & Ohio St.
540 N. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60611
312-245-9300
Written July 12, 2018
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.