Welcome to Chicago, the Windy City. Home to baseball, deep-dish pizza, and a downtown area sprawled across breathtaking riverfront views, this metropolis is a must-see destination for tourists from around the world.

a view of the chicago skyline with water in the background

Whether you’re into exciting nightlife, fine dining, historic attractions, or you’re planning a special event, Chicago won’t let you down. And while you can find every inch of urban life within the city, you can still escape the hustle and bustle in one of the many parks.

Chicago has devoted much of its space to parks for residents and tourists, adding another reason to keep the motto “city in the garden”. So, when you’re in Chicago, there are plenty of parks for every kind of person. Make sure to add some of the parks below to your itinerary for the full experience.

 

Plan Group Transportation in Chicago

Getting around Chicago is easy enough if it’s just you and a couple of people. It’s a very walkable city, and with options like rideshare apps, taxis, and reliable public transportation with CTA, planning your next steps won’t be a difficult feat.

However, group transportation can get tricky to navigate when you need to keep groups together, organized, and on time. From shuttling wedding guests to exploring the city on a field trip, it’s not as easy as hopping in a taxi with a group. Even if you’re on a personal trip, renting a charter bus is the most stress-free way to get your group to each destination.

Ensure everyone has a comfortable seat with a bus rental fit for your group; from smaller minibuses to full-sized charter buses, each group member will be accounted for. Your rental will come with an experienced, local driver to handle all the navigation, and your bus can come equipped with amenities like WiFi, a temperature-controlled cabin, an on-board restroom, and more. Everyone can ride in comfort while enjoying the city to its full extent without the hassle of planning transportation on their own.

 

Visit Chicago Parks with a Group

With your group transportation handled, you can focus on planning an amazing itinerary with a few parks listed below. Just make sure to plan for bus parking for the most seamless trip, as it can be hard to find parking in Chicago.

 

Grant Park

a large, ornate fountain in chicago's grant park at dusk

Exploring “The Loop” community with your group and need a break from the busy city?  Grant Park merges beautiful city skyline views with gardens, history, recreational activities, and is the home to the popular music festival Lollapalooza and The Taste of Chicago. Other favorite attractions include:

  • Lakefront Trail: Run, walk, or cycle on this 18-mile trail along Lake Michigan. Perfect for exploring the beautiful views and lakefront neighborhoods like Edgewater, Uptown, and Lincoln Park, the trail continues to be a top favorite for groups.
  • Buckingham Fountain: When the fountain is on, your group will be in for a real treat. The light displays and magical music shows make it unforgettable (and the perfect spot for your next Instagram picture).
  • Museum Campus: After spending time outdoors, head over here for some educational exploration at the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium, perfect for kids and adults.

Since Grant Park is located in the downtown area, it’s easily walkable, but parking is available at the Grant Park North and South garages with daily and multi–day rates; however, these options are best for personal vehicles. Instead, your bus rental can drop off and pick up your group right in front of the park entrance. You can reserve a space online at Adler Lot for your motorcoach to park while it waits for your group to finish.

 

Douglas Park

If you’re adventuring on the West Side near the North Lawndale Community, Douglas Park is a central spot full of culture and community activities like mini golf, swimming, and sports, and it’s where the Riot Fest takes place. With the park’s mission to work with the community to add cultural programs, you can experience dance, theater, and art events while you’re here. Don’t forget to also visit:

  • Homan Square Park: With an Olympic size swimming pool, basketball courts, and lots of open, green space, let your group enjoy exercise and fresh air (they might even forget they’re in a city).
  • Crazy Bird Chicken: You can’t visit Chicago without enjoying the local cuisine. This local spot serves mouth-watering fried chicken and sides, sure to hit the spot after getting that workout in.
  • Lagunitas Brewing Company: After a delicious meal and plenty of exercise, finish the day off at the largest craft brewery in the city, originally founded in a group of warehouses. Who doesn’t love an ice-cold beer with a rich history?

Parking around Douglas Park can get expensive, especially with events, so it’s best to have your motorcoach drop your group off near the park and reserve bus parking online or utilize the free motorcoach on-street parking. These spots are only available for the day-of and are on a first come first serve basis, so plan accordingly.

 

Millennium Park

cloud gate in millennium park, reflecting everything in front of it

Located in the Loop near Grant Park, Millennium Park is one of the main tourist attractions in Chicago. You’ve seen it in TV shows, movies, and your friends’ social media; now it’s time to experience the magic yourself. Plus, it’s completely free to see the intricate designs and greenspace with your group. Make sure to put these locations on your itinerary:

  • Cloud Gate: Also known as “The Bean”, this magnificent structure is the centerpiece of the AT&T Plaza. Made from pure steel, it’s amazing how it never rusts and remains so shiny you can see crystal-clear reflections of the skyscrapers from above.
  • Jay Pritzker Pavilion: Home of the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, the Grant Park Music Festival, and more, this is the perfect spot to enjoy the great outdoors while relaxing and enjoying your favorite tunes.
  • Lurie Garden: Featuring 2.5 acres of lush greenspace, you can find a wide selection of plants and enjoy a guided walking tour, highlighting how the city and nature can live in perfect harmony.

Since Millenium Park is right next to Grant Park, you can reserve a parking spot online at the Adler Park deck for your charter bus rental. Your driver can drop off and pick up your group at the recommended location on Upper Randolph Street at Stetson, right by the Bike Station.

 

Explore Chicago with a Group

Ready to finally see the amazing parks Chicago has to offer? We’re ready to help your group with easy, efficient, and cost-effective charter bus rentals. Chicago Charter Bus Company will focus on finding the best motorcoach for your group and take care of all the navigation, giving you the freedom to focus on the fun details of your trip. Call us today at 312-667-0906 to get started.