STUDENT TRAVEL IN CHICAGO
Planning Student Group Trips to Chicago
Chicago
“ THE THIRD-MOST-POPULOUS CITY IN THE UNITED STATES, CHICAGO IS HOME TO MYRIAD CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL WONDERS. “
Whether you are looking for a downtown hotel right in the center of the action or something more affordable in the outlying areas of the city, we are here to help.
We also provide additional resources, such as pricing for popular attractions, travel guide services, and transportation. To start planning your group trip, give us a call!
Chicago is also home to a number of historical and cultural attractions, including the Lincoln Park Zoo and the River North Gallery District, which houses the country’s largest concentration of contemporary art galleries outside of NYC. The downtown area of Chicago is accessible by both foot and public transportation, and it is brimming with shopping and dining options you are sure to enjoy.
What truly makes the city of Chicago unique, however, is its marvelous architecture. Famed American architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed many of Chicago’s downtown buildings, and the Oak Park neighborhood is where he developed his prairie style of architecture.
When you are ready to start planning your trip to Chicago, we encourage you to include some of the following activities in your itinerary.
CITY HIGHLIGHTS
ATTRACTIONS
360 Chicago (formerly John Hancock)
Adler Planetarium
Brookfield Zoo
Buckingham Fountain
Botanic Garden
Federal Reserve BankField Museum
Frank Lloyd Wright Home
LEGOLAND Discovery Center
Lincoln Park Zoo
Millenium Park
Navy Pier & Imax
Shedd Aquarium Sightseeing Cruise
Skydeck (Willis Tower)
Six Flags Great America
WhirlyBall
Wrigley Field Tours
UNIVERSITIES
University of Chicago
DePaul University
Northwestern University
Robert Morris University
Roosevelt University
Art Institute
Vandercook College
PERFORMING ARTS
Lyric Opera
Chicago Symphony
Joffrey Ballet
Blue Man Group
Broadway in Chicago
Shakespeare Theater
SPORTS
Bears Football
Blackhawks Hockey
Bulls basketball
Cubs Baseball
White Sox Baseball
Fire Soccer
RESTAURANTS
Ed Debevics
Gino’s East Pizza
Medieval Times
Hard Rock Café
House of Blues
Bubba Gumps
Rainforest Café
Spirit Cruises
Pizzeria Uno
Tommy Guns Dinner Theater
SHOPPING
Magnificent Mile
State Street
Fashion Outlets
Premium Outlets
Water Tower Place
TRANSPORTATION
O’Hare Airport(ORD)
Midway Airport(MDW)
Amtrak
Chicago Transit Authority
Educational Student Tours for Groups in Chicago
The Windy City. That “toddlin’ town”. City of the big shoulders. Chicago is an almost mythical place and the 2nd most populous city in the USA.
Known for its inspiring architecture, Chicago offers much, much more to students. Educational student tours for groups in Chicago can take on many shapes, depending on what you’re taking your students there to learn.
Let’s look at some of what Chicago has to offer the curious minds of visiting students.
Chicago Architecture Foundation
On August 31, the new Chicago Architecture Center opens to the public. Located for 25 years at the Railway Exchange Building on Michigan Avenue, the Center will now be situated in the heart of the city, occupying a massive 20,000 square foot facility.
This location is directly over the dock from which students may board the Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise. This is one of the USA’s top 10 tours and one of Chicago’s most loved. Accompanied by skilled docents, students will learn about 50 of Chicago’s most acclaimed architectural landmarks on this 90-minute cruise.
Art Institute of Chicago
It’s well worth the effort involved to book a student tour to get the most from this incredible storehouse of artistic treasures.
Fall and Spring tours are available for students of all ages, with Fall tours running between September 26 and January 28 and Spring tours available between January 30 and May 26. Student tours are booked on a first come first served basis, so educators should visit the tour scheduler to book.
A docent-led tour gives students a professional perspective on what they’re seeing, with expertise walking with them through this iconic educational resource.
Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Museum
The home and studio of one of the USA’s most acclaimed architects can be toured or select a visit to some of his local gems, including the only home designed by Wright to be wheelchair accessible.
At his home and studio, find out more about Wright, his design philosophy and how he lived, with the assistance of trained interpreters or experience the Accessible Usonian – the Laurent House in Rockford.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural genius can be experienced in and around Chicago at numerous sites, giving your students a firsthand look into the mind and contributions of an American genius.
Museum of Science and Industry
Sprawled over 14 acres, Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry is the largest facility of its kind in the USA. With over 400,000 square feet of interactive exhibits, students will get in touch with their sense of wonder, experiencing the mysteries of nature, space exploration and technology.
The Science Storms exhibit takes you and your students into the 40-foot vortex of a tornado. That’ll give ‘em something to talk about when they get home!
Peak Performance Tours
For over 20 years, Peak has been creating unique educational adventures for students. We tailor our experiences to educator vision, while making them unforgettable for students and supportive vehicles for teaching.
Ready to go? Contact us to request information on your dream itinerary and go, with Peak!
TESTIMONIALS
“ This has been the absolute best experience I have ever had on a trip with a tour company. From the beginning, everything was well organized. There was a lot of cooperation, flexibility, good details and excellent staff relations in the entire process. ”
Christopher Kastner, Band Director
North Arlington High School
North Arlington, NJ