Chicago Crime and Mob Bus Tour
Description
Escape into Chicago's underworld on a crime and mob tour with stops on-and-off the luxury, climate-controlled bus. Explore historic crime scenes with great photo opportunities. Hear true crime stories about Chicago Gangster Al Capone, The Untouchables, The Chicago Mob, Prohibition, John Dillinger, Frank “The Enforcer” Nitti, Cap George Streeter, Leopold & Loeb, H.H. Holmes and more. Visit historic landmark buildings like: The Biograph Theater, Holy Name Cathedral, Cook County Criminal Court House, Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse, etc. Tour famous Chicago neighborhoods: Streeterville, River North, Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, Old Town, Loop and Magnificent Mile. Locals and tourists agree that this educational and entertaining thing to do in Chicago is a unique cultural experience.
Tour Options
Itinerary
This world famous tour starts and ends OUTSIDE 163 E. Pearson Street (SE side of Michigan Avenue and Pearson Street). Learn about the history of leading gangster and mobster figures like Al Capone, John Dillinger, Frank Nitti, Dean O'Banion, and Bugs Moran. You'll see famous gangster shootout sites like the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, the handshake murder, and 'The Enforcers'' safe and tunnels. You will be led by a local, informative guide and guests are able to get off the bus and explore these historic crime scenes.
Meet your guide across from the Water Tower Place shopping mall in Chicago’s Near North Side at your selected time. Hop aboard a luxury climate-controlled coach and begin your 1.5-2 hour tour of the history of Chicago crime, from 19th century to today.
Drive by the Museum of Contemporary Art, a world class institution that offers a rich experience during a visit to Chicago. Just steps from the start and end of the tour, a great opportunity to explore modern art.
See the Magnificent Mile.
View the world famous John Hancock Center in the historic Streeterville neighborhood.
Drive through historic and beautiful Lincoln Park and it's surrounding neighborhood on the tour route.
Drive by on tour bus.
Stake out crime scenes including the Biograph Theatre.
Drive by en route to the St. Valentines Day Massacre.
Enjoy breathtaking views of the Chicago River, skyline and historic speakeasy from the State Street Bridge.
The Jewelers Building and historic landmark building.
Go inside to see Nitti's vault, a mob museum, and historic bootlegging tunnels.
Pass by the Holy Name Cathedral, and see the site of the 1929 St Valentine's Day Massacre, one of Chicago's most notorious murder scenes. This Prohibition-era conflict between two powerful Chicago gangs -- the South Side gang led by Al Capone and the North Side gang led by Bugs Moran -- ended in the brutal murder of seven Mob members. In addition to your comfortable, narrated drive through the city, you’ll also hop off the coach to visit some areas by foot for a more immersive experience. Your guide will offer in-depth narration as you follow the path that Chicago gangsters John Dillinger and Hymie Weiss walked right before their deaths. Hop back on the coach and return to the Near North Side to conclude your Chicago crime and gangsters tour.
Conclude the tour across the street from the Historic Water Tower, one of the few surviving structures from the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. This iconic building is often open to the public before or after the tour.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Bus departs on time. Arrive at least 15 minutes early for check-in. If you don't see the bus 10 minutes before the start time, call the number indicated in your ticket for help.
- Guests may not join the tour after the bus departs. General seating is on a first-come first-served basis. Joint seating is not guaranteed.
- No restroom breaks. Please go before checking in at the bus.
- No eating or drinking on the bus.
- There is no onsite office.
- Bus has five (5) steps and some stops off of the bus include stairs. Bus is NOT equipped with an electronic lift. There is limited storage available for a folding wheelchair or stroller.
- Audio and video recording and services are not permitted without the express written consent of Chicago Crime Tours and Experiences.
- Kindly refrain from talking or translating on the bus during the tour.
Reviews(3,390)
Jay was such a great storyteller! Very friendly and accommodating, too. It was a fun tour!
I was actually disappointed with this tour, very few landmarks despite driving round the city for 2 hours, I didn’t think the content was as good as it could have been. Overall underwhelming
I thought this would be a fun, informative way to see Chicago. It was not. We only got off the bus 2 times very briefly. We would stop and be told to look out the window once in a while. The ac on the bus was lacking and the DVD player wasn't working properly. Disappointing. You can learn more from a google search.
Great history, amazing vibes. The tour guide Ethan was energetic and fun. It is a great way to see the city and learn about it as well.
Aryn, Thanks for sharing the great news. We are so glad that you enjoyed the learning, vibes and experience. You made our day!
This was an excellent tour!!! Guide was EXTREMELY engaging and knowledgeable. My only regret was that there was no picture opportunity at the location where the Valentines Day Massacre occurred. That would have boosted the experience to the next level. 10 out of 10 recommend.
Thank you so much for the fantastic review and your 10 out of 10 recommendation! We're thrilled to hear your guide made the experience engaging and informative, and we truly appreciate your thoughtful feedback. Wishing you many more great adventures and learning experiences ahead!
Great tour with lots of information on the beautiful Chicago River. Tess, our tour guide, was great and covered a lot of ground (water?) in a short amount of time. Our boat was full and we had to sit on the side which was not ideal -- get there at least 15-20 minutes before departure time to get a good seat.
Victor, While we love the 5 star review, we believe you intended the review for a boat tour. The Chicago Crime and Mob Bus Tour takes you through many historical neighborhoods, but definitely not into the Chicago River. If you did participate in our tour, we welcome your review and feedback. Thank you so much!
We had a great time on the Chicago Crime Tour! It was entertaining, informative, and just the right amount of theatrical. There were definitely a few cheesy moments, but they added to the fun rather than taking away from the experience. We learned a lot about Chicago's infamous criminals, how they lived, how their stories ended, and the impact they had on the city's history. One of the highlights was visiting the site where John Dillinger was killed, which really brought the history to life. If you're interested in true crime or Chicago history, this tour is a fun way to spend a few hours. We'd definitely recommend it!
Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experience! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the blend of history, storytelling, and a little theatrical fun—it means a lot to hear that stops like the John Dillinger site helped bring Chicago’s fascinating crime history to life. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another adventure!
It was the worst experience I ever had it was a total waste of time and money we basically took a ride around the city we stopped one time and that was ridiculous the tour guide was not very interesting he was terrible he really needs to work on his story telling all he did was point out buildings as the bus was on the move and was pointing out buildings that weren't even there anymore someone who runs the company needs to take a ride on his tour I felt bad for my family it was my idea and I was so embarrassed for putting them through this
Driver and Guide were excellent. Learned some very fun facts.
Thank you for the 5 star rating about the chauffeur and tour guide. We are so glad to read the good news that you had a great time learning about Chicago's infamous past! Wishing you many more great times and adventures ahead!
Jay was amazing!!! All the information, facts and rumors around Chicago’s mob and crimes are told in this incredible ride.
Thank you so much for the awesome review and feedback about Jay and the tour. You made our day! 🙏👏💪👍
