Chicago Tourist Traps

  • This is me in line after 45 minutes of waiting
      This is me in line after 45 minutes of...
    by apuleuis
  • Bob Newhart
      Bob Newhart
    by rmjiv
  • Untouchables bus
      Untouchables bus
    by Dabs

Most Viewed Tourist Traps in Chicago

  • Sears Tower or John Hancock Building, Chicago

    1. Sears Tower or John Hancock Building

    Getting up there is not all too cheap. And before you get on the elevator, they force you to pose for a picture with a fake background. On your way out, they try to sell you that picture for nearly...   more
  • Navy Pier, Chicago

    2. Navy Pier

    The Navy Pier is a long concrete pier that extends into Lake Michigan. Along the pier are a number of restaurants and embarkation points for some of the lake cruises. There are also some carnival...   more
  • Restaurants, Chicago

    3. Restaurants

    I cannot take credit for the name - I read it in a recent article about the new McDonalds. Boy is it accurate though. I hate this strip of Ohio/LaSalle/Clark. It is NOT at all representative of...   more
  • Taste of Chicago, Chicago

    4. Taste of Chicago

    2012 update, since 2010 the fireworks are no longer held on July 3rd in conjunction with the Taste, 2012 will be the 1st year that the festival didn't end on the July 4th weekend The Taste of Chicago...   more
  • Shedd Aquarium, Chicago

    5. Shedd Aquarium

    Parking cost more than our two entrance tickets! Plus 30 minutes of trying to find the parking lot. It is not easy to find, and GPS didn't help. Their website has information on public transportation....   more
  • Transportation, Chicago

    6. Transportation

    Ok...we've all done it... bought into the tour bus deal. If you just want to see the City whizzing by this is the way to go. However, if you like taking pictures and have a point & shoot camera forget...   more
  • Water Tower, Chicago

    7. Water Tower

    Poor horsies. They've got to be frightened by all the car traffic. I've read somewhere that there is a city agency that works to make sure that they are fairly treated, but I've never heard anything...   more
  • Boat Cruises, Chicago

    8. Boat Cruises

    I only went on this because l got a free ticket. Its pure trash... the guide was a total disaster, all you do is sit on the boat whilst he gets excited and starts singing. I found him boring and...   more
  • Chinatown, Chicago

    9. Chinatown

    If you are looking for gift items, or food from a oriental store, avoid China Town. The prices are marked up substantaly. Take the Red Line to Argile. This is another oriental area, with pharmacys,...   more
  • Street portrait 'artists', Chicago

    10. Street portrait 'artists'

    These local "artists" are all along Michigan Avenue and State Street preying on unsuspecting tourists to create a charicature with a famous Chicago landmark in the background. For $10, you'll be...   more
  • Blue Chicago Jazz bar, Chicago

    11. Blue Chicago Jazz bar

    When we entered the Blue Chicago, it was instantly apparent that we'd fallen into a tourist trap. The place was full of obvious toursts. The music was good and the beer reasonably priced, but as far...   more
  • Untouchables Tour, Chicago

    12. Untouchables Tour

    As a local I am obliged to put this tour in the tourist trap section. Ask (almost) anyone who lives in Chicago about taking a gangster tour and they will likely...   more
  • Tony & Tina's Wedding, Chicago

    13. Tony & Tina's Wedding

    Tony & Tina are having a "trial separation" lasting from July 18, 2009 until November, 2009For all the years I've lived in Chicago, I've avoided seeing this...   more
  • Annual tree lighting ceremony, Chicago

    14. Annual tree lighting ceremony

    This was the first year I went to downtown Chicago on "Black Friday", the day after Thanksgiving which is the busiest shopping day of the year in the US. I used...   more
  • Avoid the "ghost" tours, Chicago

    15. Avoid the "ghost" tours

    Chicago is a city with a lot of character, which includes plenty of ghost tales. There are several "ghost" tours offered in the city, some which claim to have...   more
  • Chicago Cubs Baseball-The Biggest Sham on Earth, Chicago

    16. Chicago Cubs Baseball-The Biggest Sham on Earth

    "IS THIS HEAVEN?" IF IT IS, HEAVEN REALLY BLOWSYes, Wrigley Field is the only reason the Cubs have fans. Why else would people subject themselves to such...   more
  • If you want to AVOID tourist traps, try this!, Chicago

    17. If you want to AVOID tourist traps, try this!

    "Let Real Chicagoans Show You Their Kind of Town"Chicago Greeter is a free service from the Chicago Office of Tourism that offers visitors a personalized view...   more
  • Once you go to historical..., Chicago

    18. Once you go to historical...

    Once you go to historical sites you don't need to go again. The John Hancock building is cool to go to but if you are afraid of heights don't go. After you go...   more
  • In my opinion, places like the..., Chicago

    19. In my opinion, places like the...

    In my opinion, places like the ESPN Zone and DisneyQuest are blights on downtown. They're housed in big concrete buildings that are ugly to look at, and they...   more
  • Guns, Chicago

    20. Guns

    Be careful, guns are not accepted everywhere :)) If you have to keep your gun, get read of the bullets So many other tools ...And also the smile :))   more

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