Take in the view from the sky-high heights of the Willis Tower, the second-tallest building in the United States. From the 103rd floor, look out over 4 states and the Windy City's urban sprawl, and then test your vertigo on a glass balcony to peer down at the streets and skyscrapers of Chicago beneath your feet.

Step into an elevator and be whisked to new heights in just 60 seconds, waiting for the ear-popping sensation as you ascend to the Skydeck at the Willis Tower. Standing 1,353 feet (412 m) above the Midwest metropolis, the Willis Tower’s steel-framed structure was specifically designed to withstand the city's infamous wind—you may even feel a slight sway if visiting during a blustery spell.

From this elevated vantage point, marvel at a panorama that stretches to include 4 neighboring states and the sparkling waters of Lake Michigan. Scan Chicago's iconic skyline, and venture out onto The Ledge—a glass balcony extending from the tower's façade. From this vantage point, it's the skyscrapers that are looking up at you.

Once you've taken in the cloud-level vistas, snag a seat for a showing of Reaching for the Sky, a short movie that traces the Chicago's rise to the top of the architectural world. After the flick, spend some time engaging with the digital floor displays and fascinating trivia games before heading back to ground level.

Explore the streets of the Windy City with an experienced local guide as you pop between gigantic lakefront parks and gleaming skyscrapers in a comfortable, climate controlled minibus. Snap photos of historic architecture, uncover public artwork by masters like Picasso, and take a gentle cruise down the Chicago River.

Your guide and in-the-know local picks you up at your Chicago hotel before you head out to gaze at the record-breaking Willis Tower, the second-tallest skyscraper in North America, and the Cubist sculpture created and donated by Pablo Picasso. Make photo stops at The Buckingham Fountain and Museum Campus. Ponder the reflective curves of the Cloud Gate sculpture (more commonly known as The Bean) in the incredible Millennium Park.

Learn about the city's most famous architects with rides through The Loop and The Magnificent Mile. You can even go inside one of the world's first skyscrapers! Cruise down Wacker Drive to reach the ritzy streets and mansions of the Gold Coast neighborhood, including the original Playboy Mansion. Listen for the lions in the Lincoln Park Zoo, then enjoy views of Lake Michigan as you wind along Lake Shore Drive, and head back into the city's center. There you will hop aboard a riverboat and explore the city from a new perspective. Hear engaging commentary that dives further into this industrial hub's most famous architecture before ending your all-encompassing excursion in the heart of downtown.
This tour ends at the boat dock at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive.

Equal parts boat and buildings, this river cruise gives you a from-the-water perspective of Chicago skyline and up-close views of its most iconic structures. Board an open-roofed vessel and float with the current as an architecture expert shares the fascinating history behind the Windy City's most renowned buildings.

Hop onto your vessel at Navy Pier, steer toward the Chicago River—a 156-mile (251-km) system of streams and canals—and cut directly through the heart of the city. Once vital to the early shipping success of Chicago, this winding body of water now offers the perfect platform for admiring its surrounding architectural marvels.

Your cruise takes you past more than 40 points of interest, including the Tribune Tower—a neo-Gothic building constructed in 1925—and the Willis Tower, the second-tallest building in the United States. Crane your neck up at the John Hancock Tower, a skyscraper equipped with an impressive observation deck perched 1,000 feet (304 m) high.

As you glide through the city, a knowledgeable guide and architecture buff shares stories about the distinctive designs, striking construction, and steel-and-cement feats created by world-famous architects like Mies van der Rohe, Helmut Jahn, and Louis Skidmore. From the IBM and USG buildings to the Fulton House and Citicorp Center, this tour is the perfect snapshot of Chicago's architectural gems.

What sprung from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition now stands as Chicago's Field Museum. Its neo-Classical buildings are stocked with more than 25 million artifacts—some up to 4.6 billion years old. This vast collection of fascinating relics exhilarates history buffs and curious novices alike.

The museum's main attraction is Sue, the world's largest, best-preserved, and most complete T. rex ever discovered. Purchased for more than 8 million dollars in 1997, the remarkable fossil stands 13 feet (4 m) tall and 42 feet (13 m) long. Enjoy a photo opportunity under her stunted arms and marvel at the mural depicting her as she lived.

As you take in the massive dinosaurs, ancient gems, and stunning taxidermy, stroll toward Ancient Egypt for floor-to-ceiling hieroglyphs, mummified cats, and an authentic Pharaonic tomb. Then discover the Evolving Planet exhibit, a journey through the past 4 billion years of life on Earth, from single-celled organisms to modern city dwellers.

Other highlights include the Hall of Jades, which explores China's prehistoric past and its enduring empire with more than 400 objects on display; the Grainger Hall of Gems, a breathtaking collection of hard-to-find stones and expertly crafted jewelry; and Restoring Earth, an investigation by leading scientists into wilderness conservation.