This themed Chicago bus tour invites you to dive into the city’s scandalous past as you visit infamous crime scenes and hear evocative mob tales.
(Photo: Chicago Crime Tours and Experiences LLC)
Like a true crime podcast, but live and on wheels, the tour offers an engaging exploration of the city’s former underworld, delving into Prohibition-era corruption, mob rivalries, and the lives of its most ill-famed criminals. For real-life crime enthusiasts and history buffs, it provides a unique way to learn about Chicago’s history through its most scandalous stories. So what’s our verdict on Chicago’s Crime and Mob Tour? Read our review below.
About the tour
The tour kicks off at 163 E. Pearson Street, right near Michigan Avenue and across from the iconic Water Tower Mall. It’s a super convenient spot to find, even if you’re not familiar with the city. To make sure everything runs smoothly, plan to arrive 10–15 minutes early for check-in. Just keep an eye out for the bright red and yellow bus – it’ll be waiting for you at the designated pick-up point.
After you and your fellow guests (up to 38 participants) step aboard your climate-controlled bus, you’ll notice that the interior has been custom-designed to enhance the tour experience, with large windows for sightseeing and multimedia features including screens showing historical footage.
Once settled into your seats, your guide will introduce themselves before you move off to begin your tour. Over the next couple of hours, you’ll be introduced to notorious criminals like Al Capone, John Dillinger, and Frank “The Enforcer” Nitti, learning about the malign influence they once had on the city of Chicago as your guide brings this dark past to life with humor, drama, and descriptive anecdotes.
Notable on-the-road highlights include stops at key historic locations such as the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre site, where Al Capone’s gang executed a gruesome mob hit, the Holy Name Cathedral, tied to the murder of mob boss Hymie Weiss, and Biograph Theater, where John Dillinger was famously gunned down. You’ll also visit several former Prohibition-era speakeasies and neighborhoods that once served as gang territories.
Throughout the tour, guests can watch video footage shown on board, which complements the live storytelling for a richer experience. There’ll also be guest interaction through a crime quiz and Q&A sessions, plus opportunities to get off the bus for photo ops and closer looks at notable landmarks and places of interest.
The tour wraps up back at the meeting point, with all guests receiving a pamphlet with photos and additional information about the sites. Guests may want to continue on independently and explore nearby attractions such as the Water Tower Mall or Magnificent Mile.
Evaluation
The Chicago Crime and Mob Bus Tour receives positive feedback from previous guests who describe it as a fun and educational way to explore the city’s criminal past. With up to 38 participants, the tour feels intimate enough to engage with the guide while retaining a lively group dynamic. The group quiz and chance to ask questions also make the tour feel interactive and personal, despite the larger group size. The bus is also praised for its multimedia elements like historic videos, which enhance the experience.
Guides tend to do a great job of weaving together stories of mobsters like Al Capone and John Dillinger with the city’s Prohibition-era history. Their energy and knowledge make the experience entertaining, even for those who may not be true crime fanatics. The on-and-off stops and the chance to take photos at each one is also a big plus point.
More negative comments point to what some history buffs might consider surface-Level coverage, with the content a touch oversimplified and leaning more on dramatic flair than detailed historical analysis. As with all guided tours, there will also inevitably be some guide quality variance, with a great guide having the ability to elevate the tour, and a less engaging one risking it feeling a bit flat. Finally, as mentioned above, while the group size does generally strike a good balance, moments on the bus may feel slightly impersonal.
Overall, we’d certainly recommend this tour to visitors seeking to blend entertainment with history, offering as it does an immersive introduction to Chicago’s criminal lore that will leave you looking at the city in an entirely new light.
Practical info
The tour typically lasts 1.5 to 2 hours and runs multiple times daily, with evening tours available for a different perspective under the city lights. Tours depart from outside 163 E. Pearson Street, near Michigan Avenue, so plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early for check-in. Tickets start at $42 for daytime tours and $47 for evening tours. Guests will travel in a temperature-controlled bus and there will be opportunities to get off the bus for photo stops at key locations.
Food and drink are not included, and they are not permitted on the bus, so consider eating beforehand. Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing is recommended since you’ll be walking at some stops. While most of the tour is on the bus, expect light walking to explore crime sites and take pictures. The tour is family-friendly and accessible, with accommodations for folding strollers and wheelchairs.
You can book Chicago’s Crime and Mob Tour at GetYourGuide