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Chicago School Trips

Three days, five museums

  • 3 days
  • By plane or bus
  • Science and art

A Chicago school trip usually takes three days, by plane or bus, and covers five major museums along with the lakefront and the city’s landmark architecture. Below is our itinerary, what it costs and the best time to go.

Choose your itinerary

  • A ClassTrip.com group at the Chicago TheatreReal ClassTrip group

    3 days

    Chicago

    Millennium Park, the Shedd Aquarium, the Adler Planetarium, the Museum of Science and Industry, Navy Pier, the Willis Tower, the Art Institute and the Field Museum, with a deep-dish pizza dinner.

    See the full itinerary

  • A ClassTrip.com group on the Chicago lakefrontReal ClassTrip group

    Custom

    Your own Chicago trip

    Add a day, swap museums or build the trip around a subject such as science, art or architecture. Tell us your grade level and your dates.

    Ask about this trip

Every itinerary can be changed for your grade level, your dates and your budget.

What your students will see

  • Millennium Park
  • Cloud Gate
  • Buckingham Fountain
  • Shedd Aquarium
  • Adler Planetarium
  • Field Museum
  • Museum of Science and Industry
  • Art Institute of Chicago
  • Willis Tower Skydeck
  • Navy Pier
  • Magnificent Mile
  • Water Tower
  • Lincoln Park Zoo

A deep-dish pizza dinner is part of the trip.

Cloud Gate in Millennium Park
Cloud Gate
The glass ledge at the Willis Tower Skydeck
Willis Tower Skydeck
The Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton at the Field Museum
Field Museum

What it costs

Prices are per student and depend on the number of days, your group size, room type (quad, triple or double) and whether you fly or travel by bus.

Per studentone price per student, quoted with your itinerary
Free placesfor teachers and chaperones, 1 adult for every 10 students recommended

Ask us for a quote for your class.

When to go

  • Spring tulips on the Magnificent Mile
    SpringMarch to MayThe busiest season for school trips, with tulips along the Magnificent Mile. Book early.
  • Navy Pier and the Chicago skyline
    SummerJune to AugustThe lakefront and Navy Pier at their best. Open for summer programs and graduating classes, but busy.
  • The Chicago skyline from Lake Michigan
    FallSeptember to NovemberComfortable weather, quieter sites and more hotel choice.
  • The Chicago skyline above a frozen Lake Michigan in winter
    WinterDecember to FebruaryCold and windy, but most of the trip is inside the museums, and hotel rates are often lower. Pack warm coats.

Plan 6 to 9 months ahead so families have time to register and pay in installments.

What’s included

  • Roundtrip airfare (optional) or motorcoach travel
  • Hotel accommodations
  • Private motorcoach while touring
  • A ClassTrip.com tour director with your group
  • Meals as listed in your itinerary
  • Overnight security at hotels
  • Entrance fees
  • Tips for guides, drivers and restaurant servers
  • Reservation support 9 AM to 5 PM Eastern
  • 24/7 travel emergency support

Teacher perks

  • Over 40 years of group travelThe ClassTrip.com team has more than 40 years of experience planning and running group trips.
  • Free placesFor teachers and chaperones: you choose how many when we plan the trip together.
  • Registration and payments, handledFamilies sign up and pay on their own page, by card, phone or check.
  • Ready-made materialsFlyers and a parent letter, ready to hand out.
  • Built for your gradeAn itinerary built for your grade level.
  • A tour directorWith your group from start to finish.

Questions teachers ask

How much does a Chicago school trip cost?

The price is per student and depends on the number of days, your group size, room type and whether you fly or travel by bus. Tell us about your class and we will send an itinerary and a price per student.

How many days do we need in Chicago?

Three days covers Millennium Park, the Shedd Aquarium, the Adler Planetarium, the Field Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry, the Art Institute, Navy Pier and the Willis Tower.

Is Chicago a good science trip?

Yes. The Museum of Science and Industry, the Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum are all on the itinerary.

Can we travel by bus instead of flying?

Yes. Groups within driving distance travel by private motorcoach, and everyone else flies. Either way, a private motorcoach takes your group around Chicago.

How far ahead should we book?

6 to 9 months before you travel. Spring dates fill first.

How many chaperones do we need?

We recommend 1 adult chaperone for every 10 students. Free places for teachers and chaperones are included.

Who is with our group during the trip?

A ClassTrip.com tour director travels with your group throughout, with overnight security at the hotels and 24/7 travel emergency support.

How do families pay?

Your trip gets its own registration page where families sign up and pay by card. They can also pay by phone or by check, in installments.

Ready to plan your Chicago trip?

Tell us about your class and we will send an itinerary and a price per student.

Plan your class tripRequest a catalog