2-Hour Chicago Segway Tour Review (2025): Is It Worth It?
So you’re thinking about seeing Chicago in a different way, right? Honestly, I was too, and the idea of a Segway tour sort of popped into my head. It’s pretty different from just walking around or hopping on a bus, you know. Actually, the idea is to see a lot of the city’s super famous places without getting completely tired feet. At the end of the day, that’s what this two-hour guided trip promises. We wanted to see if gliding past those big buildings and pretty parks was as cool as it sounds, so we just went ahead and booked it. You kind of wonder if you’ll look goofy, but then you think about the breeze and seeing everything from a fresh angle. Frankly, this whole experience is about trading your walking shoes for a set of wheels for a little bit. In a way, it’s about making a memory that’s a bit out of the ordinary. And really, Chicago is a city that feels like it was made for this sort of thing, with its wide open park areas and long stretches by the water.
First Impressions and Getting Started
Alright, so showing up was pretty easy. The meeting spot, for example, was located right near the entrance to Millennium Park, which is super convenient. First, we had to do some paperwork, which is more or less standard for any activity like this. The people working there were actually really friendly and made everyone feel pretty comfortable right away. Still, there’s that little feeling of “Can I really do this?” when you first see the Segways all lined up. Our guide, a fellow named Mark, was clearly a pro at this. He had a very relaxed way about him that, you know, sort of calmed everyone’s nerves. He basically started by giving us a helmet and showing us our own personal two-wheeled machine for the next couple of hours.
I mean, the training session was surprisingly quick and efficient. Mark, our guide, didn’t waste any time but he was also incredibly patient, which was nice. Basically, he showed us that the Segway just responds to your body’s small movements. You just lean a tiny bit forward to go, and sort of lean back to stop; it’s honestly that simple. He had us practice in a wide-open area, a kind of a staging zone, away from any crowds. We went forward, we stopped, we made some turns, and so on. You might feel a little wobbly for a minute, almost like learning to ride a bike for the first time. Yet after like five minutes, it seriously starts to feel natural. You get a little burst of confidence, like, “Okay, I’ve got this.” As a matter of fact, pretty much everyone in our small group picked it up in no time at all. In short, any feelings of being scared quickly turned into excitement for the actual tour to start.
Gliding Through Millennium Park and The Bean
Okay, so once everyone was comfortable, we were off. Our first destination, for instance, was the famous Millennium Park. Actually, gliding through the pathways instead of walking felt totally different. You’re a bit higher up, so you arguably get a better look at everything around you. The first big stop, of course, was Cloud Gate, which pretty much everyone calls The Bean. Rolling up to that huge, reflective thing was really something else. Your reflection gets all stretched and twisted, and frankly, it’s a lot of fun to see yourself and the city’s tall buildings warped in its shiny surface. Our guide gave us some fun little tidbits about its creation, which were pretty interesting, to be honest.
We didn’t just stop there, of course. After getting our pictures with The Bean, we continued gliding over to the Crown Fountain. That’s the one with the two massive glass towers that show pictures of faces, you know? In the warmer months, water comes spitting out of their mouths, which is kind of funny. Even with the water feature off for the season, the structures are seriously impressive to see up close. We also took a smooth ride through Lurie Garden, which, in that case, felt like a little hidden escape. It was almost a secret garden right in the middle of all the tall city buildings. The guide, by the way, knew a ton about the plants and the garden’s whole design. It was just a really peaceful moment, kind of gliding along the quiet paths and just taking it all in.
Rolling Along the Lakefront and Buckingham Fountain
Next, we left the park’s pathways and headed toward the open area of the Lakefront Trail. Seriously, this part of the tour was absolutely a highlight. You have Lake Michigan on one side, which is so huge it honestly looks like an ocean. Then, on the other side, you get this incredible, picture-perfect view of the Chicago skyline. We were just cruising along, and the feeling was really one of pure freedom. The path is pretty wide and smooth, so it’s basically perfect for a group on Segways. There’s just a light breeze coming off the water, and you can cover a lot of distance without any effort at all. It’s so much better than being stuck in a car, you know?
Then, in the distance, we saw Buckingham Fountain. As we got closer, we could see just how massive it really is. Frankly, it’s one of the largest fountains in the whole world. Our guide told us it was sort of inspired by one of the fountains at the Palace of Versailles. He had us stop at a really great spot to take it all in and snap some photos. He explained that during the evening, the fountain has a whole light and music show, which sounds pretty amazing. Just being there, parked on our Segways and looking at that powerful display of water against the backdrop of the city, was a truly memorable moment. At the end of the day, these are the views you come to Chicago to see, and seeing them on a Segway just made it a little more special.
A Ride Through History at Museum Campus
From the fountain, our trip continued south toward what is called Museum Campus. In that case, it’s this really beautiful green space that is home to three of the city’s most well-known museums. We glided past the impressive front of the Field Museum, which, by the way, has a very classic and imposing look about it. Next, we rolled by the Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium, each with its own cool architectural style. Obviously, a two-hour tour doesn’t give you time to go inside any of these places. That isn’t the point, though. The point, really, is to see the lay of the land and appreciate these amazing buildings from the outside.
The best part of this section, honestly, was the view. The path around the planetarium, for instance, gives you what is arguably the most famous view of the Chicago skyline. From this spot, you can see all the tall buildings lined up perfectly across the water. It’s the view you see on postcards and stuff. Being there, just sitting on a Segway and soaking in that panorama, was kind of a ‘wow’ moment. Our guide knew this, of course, and gave us plenty of time to just look and take pictures. He pointed out the major skyscrapers, like the Willis Tower and the John Hancock Center, and shared some neat facts about them. To be honest, it was a view I won’t forget anytime soon.
Is This Chicago Segway Tour Right For You?
So, at the end of the day, who is this tour really for? Well, if you’re visiting Chicago for the very first time, it’s an absolutely fantastic way to get oriented. You see a bunch of the main attractions in a short amount of time, you know? It’s also pretty great for people who don’t want to do a ton of walking but still want to be outside. If you’ve been to Chicago before, it’s still a really fun and unique way to experience the city’s lakefront and parks. Frankly, just the act of riding a Segway is a good time in itself. The tour group size was also nice and small, so it felt more personal than a big bus tour.
I mean, this tour is kind of a great choice for folks who are a bit adventurous and want to see a lot of sights without getting tired. It’s pretty much a perfect photo opportunity machine.
On the other hand, there are a few things to think about. Obviously, you have to be comfortable standing for a couple of hours. There are age and weight restrictions too, so you’ll want to check those before you book. And if your real goal is to spend hours inside a museum, this tour, of course, just shows you the outside. As for practical tips, just wear comfortable shoes like sneakers. Also, you should probably bring a small bottle of water and, depending on the day, maybe some sunscreen or a light jacket. I think a morning tour could be best to beat the afternoon crowds, especially in the busy summer months. In other words, with just a little planning, it can be a really awesome part of your trip to Chicago.
Read our full review: [2-Hour Guided Segway Tour of Chicago Full Review and Details]
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