Chicago South Side Open-Top Bus Shuttle 30 min - Image 1
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Chicago South Side Open-Top Bus Shuttle 30 min

TourTruth score 5.3 out of 10

Average

72 reviews · Rated on 2 providers · How we score

  • Chicago
  • 30 min
  • Updated November 2, 2026

Ride an open-top shuttle from downtown Chicago to Jackson Park, the Obama Presidential Center campus, and the Griffin Museum of Science & Industry.

About this tour

Trade downtown streets for Chicago’s South Side on an open-top shuttle that makes getting to the area’s cultural landmarks simple. The Chicago South Side open-top bus shuttle connects downtown with Jackson Park, the Obama Presidential Center campus, and the Griffin Museum of Science & Industry.

Board at 98 E. Wacker Drive and ride south for about 25–30 minutes. The shuttle stops first near the Obama Presidential Center and Jackson Park, where you can explore independently, then continues to the Griffin Museum of Science & Industry. Wander the park, take in the campus, or spend time among the museum’s exhibits; admission to both museums is separate. This is transportation rather than a guided tour, so there’s no onboard audio commentary. Daily service runs every 30–45 minutes from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM, and you can choose a one-way or all-day ticket to suit your plans.

Use the Chicago South Side open-top bus shuttle to make your own day of discovery, then return downtown or continue exploring the neighborhood.

Highlights

  • Ride an open-top shuttle from downtown Chicago to the South Side
  • Explore Jackson Park and the Obama Presidential Center campus at your own pace
  • Visit the Griffin Museum of Science & Industry, with admission purchased separately
  • Choose a one-way ride or an all-day ticket for flexible plans

What's included

Included

  • Open-top bus shuttle transfer between downtown and the South Side
  • Shuttle stops at the Obama Presidential Center and Jackson Park
  • Shuttle stop at the Griffin Museum of Science & Industry
  • Choice of one-way or all-day ticket

Not included

  • Admission to the Obama Presidential Center museum
  • Admission to the Griffin Museum of Science & Industry

Ratings on each provider

The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.

What reviewers mention

Themes that come up most in this tour's reviews.

Important information

  • This is a shuttle service, not a guided tour; there is no onboard audio commentary.
  • Shuttles run daily every 30–45 minutes from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM.
  • The route stops first at the Obama Presidential Center and Jackson Park, then at the Griffin Museum of Science & Industry, before returning downtown.
  • The downtown meeting point is 98 E. Wacker Drive, near the Michigan Avenue Bridge.
  • Wheelchair accessible; infants may ride in a stroller or pram but must sit on an adult’s lap.
  • Service animals are allowed.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the shuttle ride?

The ride from downtown to the South Side takes about 25–30 minutes.

How often does the shuttle run?

Shuttles run daily every 30–45 minutes, from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM.

Are Museum tickets included?

No. Admission to the Obama Presidential Center museum and the Griffin Museum of Science & Industry must be purchased separately.

Is this a guided tour?

No. This is a shuttle service, and there is no onboard audio commentary.

Where is the downtown meeting point?

Meet at 98 E. Wacker Drive, a few steps west of the Michigan Avenue Bridge.

How this score is calculated

This tour scores 4.04 on Viator and 4.37 on GetYourGuide. Ratings on these sites cluster near the top of the 5-star scale, so we compare each one with all other ratings on the same site before combining them.

How the score works and rating distribution in Chicago
  • Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
  • Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
  • Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
  • The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 5.3.

Provider rating distribution in Chicago

How many tours in Chicago have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.

  • GetYourGuide
  • Viator

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