The only way to literally see the entire city of Chicago is by helicopter. You can get a good idea of what the city looks like from above, and it’s a super fun, once-in-a-lifetime kind of adventure. I went with Chicago Helicopter Experience, and I would do it again in a heartbeat! I swear, I had the best possible view of the city of Chicago. Here’s what you can expect when you take the tour.
Getting Tickets
You can book your tickets online, or buy them in the city. I got mine in Millennium Park for $115. I took the Twilight Tour, which is $178 online, so I definitely recommend searching for good deals. Look around before you buy.
There are five tours available. The least expensive is the daylight tour. The twilight tour is the one I took, and I wouldn’t have changed it if I could. It was amazing to see the city at sunset. The night tour is another option, so you can see Chicago all lit up. If you want to get really fancy, take a private tour. There is also a fireworks tour available at certain times of the year.
If you have the budget, this could also be a really cool way to get back to the airport. You could skip the taxi ride in traffic and get your tour and transportation all in one.
When You Arrive
The Chicago Helicopter Experience heliport is located at 2420 S. Halsted Road in downtown Chicago. It’s a couple miles from The Loop and you can park right in front of heliport, if you’re driving yourself.
You must arrive at least 30 minutes before your flight; this is strictly required. Once you get all checked it, you can explore the little museum in the building. It’s a pretty cool way to pass the few minutes before your flight. Right before you take off, you’ll get a group photo in front of the plane, which you can buy afterwards. You’ll also get some pre-flight briefing before you take off.
Airborne!
I can hardly describe what it’s like to be flying high above the Chicago skyline. It was absolutely amazing, especially with the sunset. The flight is about 15 minutes, which was plenty of time to see everything. The pilot was so friendly to us, and he gave us a really interesting commentary on the city and all the places we were flying over. He knew so much about the city, and now I know more than I ever thought I would! Chicago is a beautiful city, and it has a great skyline. There really isn’t a better way to see it, either. It didn’t hurt that I got to wear a sweet headset, too, and feel like a real pilot or something. The whole thing is pretty legit.
I highly recommend taking this tour. It might be a little more pricy than a lot of things you can do in Chicago, but then those things don’t involve flying in a helicopter! It’s a hundred percent worth it.
Facebook| Tripadvisor| Instagram
Â
This sounds like a wonderful tour. I have never been in a helicopter. I will keep this in mind if I am ever in Chicago.
I would love to do that! I’ve been to Chicago a few times, but I’ve never had the opportunity to see it like that before!
That sounds like so much fun! I love to take aerial tours of any city whenever I can. You just can’t experience something so unique.
I’d be pretty nervous but I’d definitely want to try it! The view would be amazing!
OK, let me preface this by saying I am terrified of heights. However, my family are not and would love this! Your photos are fantastic!
That does look fun. I’ve never been in a helicopter. I would love to skip the traffic and take it to the airport!
That looks like such an amazing experience. Chicago is such a beautiful city.
I have always wanted to go on a helicopter tour like this. Chicago is such a cool city.
This sounds fantastic! I would love to do something like this, never been in a helicopter myself and think this would be a neat experience!
We have yet to visit Chicago, but it is on my bucket list for numerous reasons. I would be willing to bet that a helicopter tour like this is a great way to explore any city.
Oh this is the coolest! I love the view you’re able to get in the helicopter. I need to try this some day!
I am in Chicago several times a year, but have never done the helicopter tour. I think I will be looking into doing this next summer. It looks so fun!
Wow, my dream experience. You are just too blessed to have experienced this. I’m sure the feeling up there is really far different from what I can imagine right now. Those pointed buildings though are truly beautiful!
LaiAriel
What an amazing experience!! I’ve actually had a couple of friends recommending Chicago as a must see place. Will definitely have to visit soon 😀 Hopefully I’ll have enough money saved for the Helicopter ride!
WOW what an experience! I have been to the top of the Willis tower and seen the city that way but never from a helicopter. #Bucketlist
Sounds like a cool tour. I want to experience this someday. Thanks for sharing this fun trip
Travel goal! Chicago is one my dream destinations in US. I look forward to visit it. The service is kinda pricey for me. haha. But it’s worth trying seeing the entire Chicago!
Oh!! That’s so cool! What an awesome experience! Thank you for sharing!
I can’t imagine a better way to see the sights and sounds of Chicago from atop it all looking down. What a cool perspective and vantage point of the city- definitely want to try it the next time I’m there!
This looks like so much fun! I have always wanted to take a helicopter ride.
You should, I always wanted to try one too and I did and I loved it.
There’s nothing better than seeing the Chicago skyline by riding a helicopter! This is amazing and it’s even more worth it because Chicago has the best architecture! The buildings won’t disappoint, regardless of what form of transportation you’re using.
I would love to do this! I love seeing skylines from above, there is nothing like it!
I have only ever been in a helicopter once and it was freaking awesome! I have been to the US many times but never made it to Chicago. It will be a while before we are back stateside but it is high on my list when we do. I will definitely be giving this tour a look when we do get there.
Wow! This is thrilling! Ive never tried riding in a helicopter. Makes me want to try it even once! The views from the top was amazing! Looks like you really had so much fun there! 🙂
Chicago is one of my favorite places to visit because of their architecture (and good food)! Glad you got the chance to see it up in the sky! It’s an awesome experience!
Oh my goodness what an amazing experience! These pictures are amazing too – I need to try it! I’ve never been to Chicago, but it looks gorgeous!
Oh wow! How cool! I would love to do this! Looks like such a fun experience.
How cool is this?! What a view!
Wow, I have never done anything like that! So great to try!
Oh, it would be so lovely to see Chicago using a helicopter! Nice ride, so cool!
thats looks amazing! I am going to Dubai soon and I was thinking about taking helicopter tour there. But I am not sure I think I would be a bit too scared flying in helicopter 😀
This sounds amazing, though I’m a bit afraid of helicopters and that Chicago wind. I have done the architecture boat tour and always recommend it to people. Maybe one day I’ll be brave enough to get inside a helicopter and explore the city from above.
That looks like an amazing experience. This is something that I would love to do. I hope someday I can!
Sounds like a great trip for me even if I’m afraid for heights lol. Btw I love going to chicago
oh my goodness, what a lovely experience I would so love to do that one day
I want to go in Chicago, and Looks like you had amazing trip.
My daughter recently took a helicopter ride over Kauai, and she still talks about how amazing it was. I have yet to fly anywhere in a helicopter. I think it would be a wonderful way to experience nearly any place you visit. To get a birds-eye view is a great way to get the lay of the land, and also get some unique photos!
I love exploring by helicopter- never thought to do it in Chicago! Looks like you picked the right tour, timing it for sunset 🙂
I’ve never been in a helicopter, they make me nervous but I think a view like this would be worth it. Also agree that the extra cost for the sunset flight would be worth it.
I literally loved everything about the sunset flight. You should definitely give it a try .
My husband is from Chicago and next time we’re there visiting, I’m insisting we do a helicopter tour of the city!
What a cool experience!! I would love to go on a helicopter ride one day and during the sunset! I’d be willing to add a few more dollars for a sunset ride.
Heli rides are always exciting. Nice to see that you had a great experience. Nothing can beat the birds eye view of a city.
Wow – I’m really surprised by the value of this…much better than I expected actually! I guess I assumed that helicopter = thousands, but thanks for setting me straight!
I love the idea of a helicopter tour over any city! I’m surprised they allow choppers to fly over the city’s airspace. In Paris it’s forbidden.
What a fun post to read. Chicago was my hometown though I’ve never took a helicopter ride there. Your pictures of the aerial views are great. Will have to consider a helicopter ride the next time I’m back. Beautiful!
Wow, $115 isn’t bad at all! I’ve always wanted to take a helicopter tour and Chicago looks like a great city to see from the sky. Great post, thanks for sharing!
Wow. It definitely seems like the perfect skyline to see from above. I’m a little jealous. I haven’t had a chopper ride yet.
Karla that looks like such a fun adventure! I would love to see Chicago from a helicopter. I can’t imagine the different perspective you’d get. So fun.
What a fun thing to do! The view looks amazing and I would picked the twilight tour also, it’s so much more romantic and beautiful!
I’ve never been to Chicago or in a helicopter… this is right up my alley!
That is a fantastic thing to put in your list of things to do! I can’t believe these gorgeous views. I never thought they had helicopter tours there. The prices is amazing as well, such a good value for what you get. Great, that the pilot was also telling you some interesting things, I bet that made the trip even better!
Even the discounted fare seems high but then it is justified for the experience one gets!
I would have loved to see some more pictures from that height. Great experience for you!
It’s totally worth it plus I feel like the price is competitive and comparative to most people offering the same kind of activity. Flying a chopper definitely costs a lot but its worth it.
I think this is such a cool experience!! I definitely think it’s a bit of a splurge, but you only live once right? Those views look amazing and it’s so nice that you get to learn from the pilot as well!
Looks awesome. I’m watching flights as we speak for Chicago. Was planning on bringing my drone but now I can push it further with helicopter ride. Great post.
Would love to do this. Truly a great way to get your ‘bearings’ in new metropolis. The more I see and discover about Chicago the more I love it.