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Chicago Helicopter Tour: City to Shoreline

33 Reviews 4.42 out of 5 stars Based on 33 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards. Chicago, USA
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from $349.99 per person

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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 25 (0) days in advance.
20 to 25 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

Your journey begins with a southeast departure from the Vertiport, offering early views of the city’s iconic skyline. Flying east, you’ll head toward the lakefront and cruise south along the shoreline, passing Soldier Field, the Museum Campus, and continuing down to the historic Museum of Science and Industry in Hyde Park. From there, the route turns north, following Lake Michigan’s edge past Navy Pier, the John Hancock Center, and up to Montrose Harbor; a favorite city escape with marinas and beaches. You’ll then loop south once more, enjoying a sweeping view of Chicago’s lakefront before heading west to return to the Vertiport. It’s a dynamic tour showcasing both downtown and the scenic south shore in one unforgettable flight.

What's Included

  • Helicopter Tour
  • Gratuities
See 1 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point

1339 South Wood Street
Chicago, IL 60608, USA

Show on Google Maps

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free

Chinatown (pass by)

A historic Chinese-American neighborhood on the South Side known for its pagoda-topped gate, dim sum restaurants, and the Chinatown Square shopping plaza along Wentworth Ave.
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McCormick Place (pass by)

North America's largest convention center, hosting major trade shows and conventions on the lakefront just south of downtown.
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Northerly Island (pass by)

A peninsula (once an island) on Lake Michigan, now a nature park and outdoor concert venue (Huntington Bank Pavilion), just south of the Museum Campus.
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Soldier Field (pass by)

Home of the Chicago Bears NFL team, a lakefront stadium known for its distinctive blend of a classical colonnade and a modern glass-and-steel bowl.
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Field Museum (pass by)

One of the world's largest natural history museums, home to Sue, the largest and most complete T. rex fossil ever found.
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Adler Planetarium (pass by)

America's first planetarium, offering space science exhibits and sky shows on the shore of Lake Michigan.
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Lake Michigan (pass by)

One of the five Great Lakes, forming Chicago's eastern border and defining much of the city's identity and skyline views.
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Grant Park (pass by)

Chicago's "front yard" is a sprawling downtown park hosting Lollapalooza, the Taste of Chicago, and other major events.
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Cloud Gate (pass by)

Anish Kapoor's reflective stainless-steel sculpture in Millennium Park is one of the city's most photographed landmarks.
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Lake Shore Drive (pass by)

The scenic roadway running along Lake Michigan's shoreline connects the city's lakefront parks, beaches, and skyline views.
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The St. Regis Chicago (pass by)

A luxury hotel and residential skyscraper on the Chicago River, one of the tallest buildings in the U.S. designed by Jeanne Gang.
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Navy Pier (pass by)

A historic pier turned entertainment destination with a Ferris wheel, restaurants, shops, and lake cruises.
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Magnificent Mile (pass by)

The upscale stretch of North Michigan Avenue is lined with flagship stores, hotels, and skyscrapers.
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North Avenue Beach (pass by)

A lively lakefront beach near Lincoln Park, known for its ship-shaped boathouse and volleyball courts.
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Lincoln Park (pass by)

Chicago's largest park, stretching along the lakefront and home to the zoo, conservatory, and numerous trails.
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Lincoln Park Zoo (pass by)

A free, historic zoo within Lincoln Park, one of the oldest zoos in the country.
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Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower (pass by)

Once the tallest building in the world, this downtown skyscraper still anchors Chicago's skyline and offers the Skydeck observation experience.
Read more

360 Chicago Observation Deck (pass by)

The observation deck near the top of the John Hancock Center (875 N. Michigan Ave.), offering panoramic views of the city and Lake Michigan from the 94th floor, plus TILT, an attraction that tilts visitors out over the edge of the building.
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John Hancock Center (pass by)

A distinctive black steel skyscraper on the Magnificent Mile, instantly recognizable by its X-braced exterior trusses; once the tallest building in Chicago, it offers the 360 CHICAGO observation deck near the top with sweeping views of the lake and city.
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The Art Institute of Chicago (pass by)

One of the oldest and largest art museums in the U.S., located in Grant Park; famous for its Impressionist collection, American Gothic, and the bronze lion statues guarding its main entrance.
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Wintrust Arena (pass by)

A modern arena near McCormick Place on the South Side, home to DePaul University basketball and a venue for concerts and sporting events.
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Clarence F. Buckingham Fountain (pass by)

A grand Beaux-Arts fountain in Grant Park, one of the largest in the world, known for its color-lit evening water shows in summer; modeled after a fountain at Versailles.
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Water Tower Place (pass by)

A landmark vertical shopping mall and mixed-use tower on North Michigan Avenue, named for the historic Chicago Water Tower across the street; one of the first major urban shopping centers in the U.S., with retail, dining, and residences in a single skyscraper.
Read more

Chicago History Museum (pass by)

Located in Lincoln Park, this museum chronicles the city's history from its founding through the Great Chicago Fire, the World's Fairs, and beyond, with artifacts, photographs, and exhibits on Chicago's people and neighborhoods.
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University of Chicago (pass by)

A prestigious private research university in the Hyde Park neighborhood, known for its Gothic-style campus, rigorous academics, and ties to dozens of Nobel laureates; its main quadrangles and Rockefeller Memorial Chapel are landmarks in their own right.
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Obama Presidential Library (pass by)

The presidential library component housed within the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park, chronicling Barack Obama's life and presidency, is part of the broader campus that also includes a Chicago Public Library branch and museum, which opened to the public on June 19, 2026.
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Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (pass by)

Housed in the former Palace of Fine Arts from the 1893 World's Fair, this Hyde Park museum features hands-on science exhibits, a real U-505 German submarine, and an Omnimax theater.
Read more

Montrose Beach (pass by)

A popular lakefront beach on Chicago's North Side, known for its dunes (a rare natural habitat for the endangered piping plover), a harbor, and views back toward the downtown skyline.
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Show 27 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Chicago Helicopter Tour: City to Shoreline?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-328653P8

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.42
33 reviews

Average 4.42 out of 5 stars based on 33 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
26
4 stars
0
3 stars
3
2 stars
3
1 star
1
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 25 (0) days in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Chicago Helicopter Tour: City to Shoreline?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CST).
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Helicopter Tour.
The following is NOT included:
  • Gratuities.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the weather cancellation policy?
A:

This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Chicago Helicopter Tour: City to Shoreline is as follows:

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Chicago Helicopter Tour: City to Shoreline will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024
Q: How long does a refund take to reach my card, and can I get it faster?
A:

Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.

Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.

If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.

Oct 2026

What's Included

Activity name

  • Helicopter Tour
  • Gratuities

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers

Report Product Issue

Activity name