See Chicago By Segway!

The Segway tour is one of the hottest tickets in town and summer in Chicago is the absolute best time of the year to go on one of these tours. Surely you’ve heard of a Segway – those weird looking 2-wheeled devices. Invented by Dean Kamen, it was hoped that these thingies would revolutionize how humans got themselves from Point A to Point B. Well, that hasn’t happened. There’s not a Segway in every garage and they certainly aren’t competing with pedestrians for the sidewalks. Nevertheless, they are proving to be a perfect and unique way to go sightseeing in downtown Chicago.

Segway tours started with only two companies in the summer of 2004. The very first was actually a Segway dealership that did tours on the side. The other was a full-time, Segway tours only company and the only one in Chicago. Now 6 years later, there are more than 5 Segway tour companies operating in the downtown area alone! Tours are offered morning, noon, and night. Average cost is about $70 per person and well worth it.

The beauty of taking one of these specialty tours is at least two-fold: a close-up view of the city that covers more ground in less time. Imagine going from the Museum Campus with its panoramic view of the city and lakefront to the spectacular Buckingham Fountain in the heart of Grant Park in less than 10 minutes! All while riding one of the coolest forms of human transport on this planet (short of a Jetson’s jet-pack)! The celebrity status you’ll garner from mere pedestrians and the fabulous photos you’ll be able to take during your adventure are priceless!

As a former Segway Tour guide, I can honestly say that Segway tour of Chicago is “one of the most fun things you can do with your clothes on!!" And certainly one of the most unique ways to take a tour.

Happily, sightseeing tours by Segway are now offered by many companies throughout the United States and in many European countries. Glide ON!