Adventurous 4-Day Itinerary for Chicago: Explore The Bean and Kayaking the Chicago River!

  • Day 1: The Bean
    Distance: 0 miles (Walking Distance)

    Get ready for stunning views and great photo opportunities at The Bean, officially known as the Cloud Gate. Standing at 10' and weighing 100 tons, this iconic sculpture reflects the city skyline and is a must-visit attraction in Chicago.

  • Day 2: Kayaking the Chicago River
    Distance: 1.5 miles (10 minutes by car)

    An exciting way to explore the city, you will paddle through the heart of downtown Chicago, and soak in stunning views of the bustling city, and gorgeous architectures from the river. The kayaking tour takes about 2 hours and covers a distance of 3 miles.

  • Day 3: Skydeck Chicago
    Distance: 2.5 miles (15 minutes by car)

    Experience Chicago like never before atop the Willis Tower at Skydeck Chicago. At 1,353 feet in the air, the Ledge's glass boxes extend out 4.3 feet. Here, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the entire city skyline from the highest observation deck in the city.

  • Day 4: Millennium Park
    Distance: 0.5 miles (10 minutes walk)

    Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, Millennium Park is a popular hub of activity for both tourists and locals. This park is a must-visit as it is home to many amazing features, including Crown Fountain, the Lurie Garden, The Jay Pritzker Pavilion, and also the Bean.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • The Bean (1-2 hours, Free Admission)
  • Kayaking the Chicago River (2 hours, $65-75 per person)
  • Skydeck Chicago (1-2 hours, $26-40 per person)
  • Millennium Park (1-2 hours, Free Admission)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $91-117 per person

Transportation

Chicago has a well-connected CTA that covers most of the city. To navigate through the city, visitors can purchase a Ventra Card which can be used for trains and buses. Taxis and ride-sharing services are also readily available. While renting a car is also an option, driving through the city can be stressful and expensive with parking costs being high.

Estimated transportation costs: $10-15 per day per person

Useful Tips

With more time, visitors can also check out other popular attractions such as Navy Pier or the Art Institute of Chicago. For those with less time, Skydeck Chicago and Millennium Park can easily be squeezed into one day.

Airports

Chicago is served by two major airports: O'Hare International Airport (ORD), which is approximately 18 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, and Midway International Airport (MDW), which is approximately 12 miles southwest of downtown Chicago.

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