Overview
Discover the rich culture and fascinating history of the Windy City. You and your students will explore the Field Museum—home to the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton in the world—and the Museum of Science and Industry, tour the Art Institute of Chicago, and enjoy a scenic architecture cruise down the Chicago River.
Itinerary
Day 1
Travel to Chicago, IL
Shedd Aquarium visit
Explore one of the world's finest aquariums of its kind. Home to 1,500+ species and award-winning exhibits, the Shedd Aquarium has wowed visitors since 1930—welcoming over 2 million guests each year.
Lunch
Field Museum of Natural History visit
Discover the world-class collections of the Field Museum, home to 21 million specimens. Don’t miss SUE, the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex ever discovered.
Architectural River Cruise
Hop aboard an architecture cruise on the Chicago River. Learn about famed buildings like the Tribune Tower and Marina City, discover hidden gems in the Chicago skyline, and explore the ties between the city and its architecture.
Dinner
Navy Pier visit
Located along Chicago’s Lake Michigan shoreline, Navy Pier is a landmark and one of the world’s most-visited destinations. With year-round attractions and activities, the People’s Pier offers fun for everyone—any time of year!
Day 2
Breakfast
Millennium Park
Explore this exciting 24-acre urban park, home to Cloud Gate, Crown Fountain, Jay Pritzker Pavilion, and Lurie Garden.
Buckingham Fountain
The Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain, one of the largest in the world, features a stunning water display that shoots up to 150 feet into the air.
Lincoln Park Zoo visit
The Lincoln Park Zoo began in 1874 with the gift of a pair of swans and has since grown to include more than 1,250 animals. Today, the zoo is home to polar bears, penguins, monkeys, gorillas, and a wide variety of reptiles. It's also known for the John Deere-sponsored Farm-in-the-Zoo, a working farm exhibit featuring horses, pigs, cows, chickens, and more.
Lunch
Museum of Science and Industry
Housed in one of the original "White City" buildings from the 1893 World's Fair, the Museum of Science and Industry features a diverse array of exhibits—from a working coal mine and a sprawling 3,500-square-foot model railroad with the first diesel-powered stainless steel passenger train, to a real NASA space capsule. Don’t miss Yesterday’s Main Street, a replica of a Chicago street from the early 1900s, or the chance to walk through a giant model of the human heart—two of the museum’s most popular attractions.
Dinner
Broadway show
Immerse yourself in the magic of live theater as you attend a world-class Broadway performance and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Day 3
Breakfast
John Hancock Center's 360 CHICAGO visit
Experience the impressive panoramic views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan from 1,030 feet above the famed Magnificent Mile at the 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck.
Magnificent Mile
Experience the allure of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile—home to top-tier dining, stylish boutiques, and unforgettable attractions.
Lunch
Art Institute of Chicago visit
With over 300,000 pieces of incredible art on display, the Art Institute of Chicago is the second largest art museum in the United States. It holds the largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artwork outside of Europe, along with many other incredible collections from medieval relics to contemporary design exhibits.
Depart for home
Dinner
Already Included
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
WorldStrides Course Leader - a dynamic destination expert who brings learning to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Field Research Guide (Discovery Journal)
Scenes from Chicago
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.