Full Day Tours

Join us on this unique tour of the sights, aromas, and tastes of Chicago. Your experienced CTS guide will take you throughout the “Windy City” as you sample some of its greatest cuisine. We start in Chinatown with a delicious appetizer of egg drop soup and egg rolls.  From there, it’s off to one of Chicago’s great Mexican restaurants for very enjoyable quesadillas and Margaritas.

After some sightseeing and time to digest your appetizers, we go onto a Chicago icon, Portillo’s Hot Dogs.  Here you can enjoy a hot dog or Italian beef, Chicago style. Hear stories of Chicago’s history with fascinating tales of the individuals who made Chicago what it is today. We saved the best for last of course, Eli’s Cheesecake for dessert, another home town favorite.

This tour is approximately 7 hours in length.  Most of the tour is aboard the motorcoach, but some walking is involved.

Experience the magnificent city of Chicago from many different angles. You will see where it all began on the shore of the Chicago River and visit one of the best lakefront views of the city at Solidarity Point. Hear about the Chicago Fire and its impact on our city’s great architecture. You will view many breathtaking sculptures by artists such as Picasso, DeBuffet, Calder, and more.

Our guide will take you for a close-up look at the Chicago Tribune building and the historical artifacts which make their unique home in the building’s architecture. Listen, as our guide brings the pages of Chicago’s history to life with fascinating tales of the great individuals who made Chicago what it is today.

Majority of this tour is aboard the motorcoach but the tour participants should anticipate some walking at individual tour stops

Explore historic Milwaukee which was first settled by Native American Tribes. Despite this rich heritage, the name Milwaukee is often synonymous with beer. This tour will take you to both the Pabst Brewery and through the Pabst Mansion – one of the city’s greatest architectural landmarks. Enjoy a sampling of Pabst beer in the Best Place Tavern. Top off the day with some traditional German faire at Mader’s Restaurant or venture into the Safe House…if you know the password!

Some walking is required on this tour though most of it takes place aboard the motorcoach.

Travel just north of Chicago to the beautiful city of Kenosha, Wisconsin. Start by riding a real electric street car which takes you through the streets of downtown Kenosha to the Civil War Museum. After exploring the museum, see Kenosha by the harbor and climb the famous Southport Lighthouse. Stop by the Boathouse Restaurant for lunch overlooking the lake. Follow it up with dessert at Scoop’s Ice Cream for some vintage candy or delicious ice cream. While at Scoop’s, oblige the kid in you and venture next door to Heim’s old fashioned toy store. See Simmons Library which was designed by Daniel J. Burnham, leader of design for the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. Finally, tour the beautiful Durkee Mansion and explore the historic Kemper Center. Stop by Sandy’s Popper for a snack for the ride home or choose to stay for dinner at one of Kenosha’s best Italian, Irish or German restaurants.

Optional addition of dinner at Gerhard’s German Restaurant; Ashling on the Lough, Irish Pub; or Mangia Trattoria, Italian Restaurant.

Experience Chicago’s Northwest suburbs and their treasures. You start by exploring the home of Samuel Insull. Then it is a short trip down Milwaukee Avenue to have lunch on your own in charming downtown Libertyville. From there we drive into the quaint shopping center of Long Grove Village; home to a mix of craft, antique, and intimate ethnic shops. Spend a few hours relaxing and shopping before heading back.

Most of this tour is aboard the motorcoach but a significant amount of walking is also required.

Indulge yourself with this tour focused around decadent chocolate and savory wine. Start by visiting Cooper’s Hawk for flavorful wine and Anna Shea for some delicate chocolate truffles. From there, venture to Geneva to see chocolate being handmade and pick your favorite flavor fresh off the conveyer belt. Walk just down the street of beautiful downtown Geneva to taste some wine at the Galena Cellars’ tasting room. Next, travel to historic Naperville for some wine from Lynfred Winery which pairs perfectly with something sweet from LeChocolat du Bouchard. Finally, it’s time for dinner at Season’s 52 where you’ll discover sensational, seasonally-inspired fresh flavors. Wrap up this delicious day with rich chocolate fondue for dessert at The Melting Pot.

Must be at least 21 years old.

Our journey along the magnificent Fox River begins in the historic city of St. Charles.  Here we enjoy a paddleboat sightseeing cruise that leaves from the heart of downtown St. Charles at Pottawatomie Park.

After the river cruise, we then venture down the shores of the Fox by motorcoach along scenic Route 31 through several of these riverfront communities.

Sit back and enjoy as our guide shares tales of the Fox River Valley’s original settlers and explains how the area has developed into the bustling western Chicago suburbs they are today.  We then stop for lunch on our own near Elgin before exploring this river town.  The city is rich in history and its historic district holds many beautiful homes. After touring the city it’s on to a brief stop at the Elgin History Museum, the oldest museum building in the area.

Most of this tour is aboard a coach or boat, but some walking is involved. Options: Upgraded lunch or lunch on riverboat cruise available. Gambling stop at the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin optional. Alternate museums available as well.

Discover the history surrounding the Illinois & Michigan canal including a blacksmith’s shop, a true trading post, a tepee and a one-room school house. Start with a short hike to beautiful French Canyon and stop by the Starved Rock Visitor Center to see birds and fish native to the area. Take a trolley tour around historic Starved Rock State Park and learn about the incredible St. Peter Sandstone cliffs. Stop for lunch in the Great Hall dining room of Starved Rock Lodge before heading out for another hike, this time to sandy St. Louis Canyon. Tour downtown Utica and don’t forget to stop by Mix’s Trading post on your way out. This tour involves a significant amount of walking.