Chicago: Festive Lights & Holiday Nights

DAY 1: WELCOME TO CHICAGO!

Board Amtrak's Lincoln Service train from St. Louis to Chicago, arriving in time for a welcome dinner in the Windy City and time to settle in this evening. D

DAY 2: CHICAGO CITY TOUR, CHRISTKINDLMARKT

This morning, explore the Windy City with a local step-on guide. Continue to Chicago’s Christkindlmarkt, filled with unique gifts, tasty treats, and cheerful holiday décor. Tonight, enjoy dinner with your fellow travelers before an evening show. B, D

DAY 3: MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY, DEEP DISH PIZZA, A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Begin your day with a visit to the fascinating Museum of Science and Industry, where the annual Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light exhibit features over 50 beautifully decorated holiday trees. This afternoon, enjoy time on your own to stroll along the Magnificent Mile and explore landmarks such as “The Bean” and the scenic Chicago River. Cap off your evening with a performance of A Christmas Carol at the Goodman Theatre, a holiday tradition beloved by locals and visitors alike. B, L

DAY 4: GARFIELD PARK

Visit the Garfield Park Conservatory, one of the nation’s most stunning indoor gardens, where the winter flower show offers a beautiful escape from the chilly weather. Continue on to Evanston, where the Halim Time and Glass Museum offers a fascinating look at one man’s private collection of stained glass and timepieces. As night falls, visit the Chicago Botanic Garden for the spectacular Lightscape display. This magical journey through illuminated installations will transport you to a winter wonderland. B, D

DAY 5: RETURN HOME

Depart Chicago by train and return home with cherished memories and the glow of Chicago’s holiday magic. B

ACCOMMODATIONS:
Nights 1-4: Hyatt Centric Magnificent Mile, Chicago, IL (or similar)

Departure Cities:

• St. Louis

Depart: December 7, 2026
Return: December 11, 2026

Price per person:

• DB $1,999
• SG $2,349

Price per person includes roundtrip Amtrak train tickets out of St. Louis.

Mobility Note
Guests should be comfortable walking at a steady pace for up to one mile at a time, totaling approximately three to four miles per day, and managing motorcoach steps several times each day. Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden is especially walking-intensive, with an outdoor illuminated trail of approximately 1.3 miles. Guests should also be prepared for prolonged standing at the Christkindlmarket, museums and theater.

Because the Lightscape route is outdoors after dark, winter conditions may include wet pavement, snow, ice and cold temperatures. Shoes with good traction are strongly recommended.

Average Temps
Daytime: 37°F
Overnight: 25°F

Packing Tips
Pack a warm winter coat, hat, gloves, scarf and comfortable waterproof shoes or boots with good traction. Removable layers are useful because much of the sightseeing alternates between heated indoor attractions and outdoor winter activities. Hand warmers may be especially helpful during Christkindlmarket and the evening Lightscape experience.

Hotel Note
The Hyatt Centric Chicago Magnificent Mile is located just steps from Michigan Avenue, giving guests easy access to shops, restaurants and downtown sights during free time. The hotel also offers an indoor pool, fitness center and on-site restaurant.

Notes on Highlights
Lightscape is not simply a display of traditional Christmas lights. The approximately 1.3-mile route combines large-scale illuminated artwork, music and installations from artists around the world, with portions of the display redesigned each year.

Christmas Around the World at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry features more than 50 trees and displays representing holiday traditions from countries and cultures around the world, centered around a four-story Grand Tree. The tradition dates back more than 80 years.

The Museum's holiday exhibit extends beyond Christmas traditions, with displays representing celebrations such as Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Diwali, making it a broader look at winter holidays and traditions around the world.

Garfield Park Conservatory provides a dramatic contrast to Chicago's December weather. Guests step from the winter cold into one of the country's largest conservatories, where tropical plants and the seasonal flower show create a warm indoor garden experience.

Other General Information
Tour Communications: You will receive three key communications leading up to your tour:

• Get Ready: Your email confirmation and initial tour information, sent after you register.
• Get Set: An email with additional tour details, sent approximately two months before departure.
• Go: Your final trip documents, mailed via USPS approximately three to four weeks before departure. This packet will include your daily itinerary, luggage tags, and final departure information.

Travel Protection: Travel Protection is optional but highly recommended and may be purchased until the day before departure. Sunrise Tours offers plans through battleface. Additional information will be included with your Get Ready email and can also be found HERE.

Inclusions: Unless otherwise noted, your Sunrise Tour includes:

• A professional Sunrise Tour Director
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Local step-on guides, including gratuities
• International tour guide gratuities when specified for the individual tour
• Deluxe motorcoach transportation with an onboard restroom
• Admission to activities and events as indicated
• Airfare from designated airports
• Transportation to and from designated airports from our convenient local pickup points*
• Luggage handling at hotels when available

Gratuities: We believe tipping is a personal and discretionary interaction between our guests and staff. A typical gratuity for your Sunrise Tour Director and motorcoach driver is $6 to $10 per person, per day of the tour. Sunrise Shuttle drivers also appreciate gratuities for excellent service, with a suggested amount of $5 per person. Our staff will not solicit gratuities or distribute gratuity envelopes.

Refreshments: We are happy to provide refreshments on most motorcoach travel days. We also recommend bringing a refillable water bottle to help you stay hydrated throughout your tour.

Pickup Points: If fewer than four travelers request a particular pickup point, we may ask those guests to select another available pickup location. Travelers are also welcome to join a tour from a city that is not listed as a departure point. Please contact our friendly reservations team to discuss available arrangements. For departure cities not listed, airfare is typically $100 more than the published fare for domestic tours and $200 more for international tours.

TSA PreCheck and Airline Rewards Numbers: TSA PreCheck, Known Traveler Numbers, and airline rewards numbers must be provided to our reservations team at least 60 days before departure. Numbers received after this deadline may not be applied to your reservation.

Airline Seating: Preferred seating may not be available with group airfare. In some cases, seats are not assigned until travelers arrive at the airport. Your tour fare includes an economy-class seat but does not include advance seat selection. Seat upgrades may be available for an additional cost.

Motorcoach Capacity and Seating: To provide one of the most comfortable motorcoach experiences in the industry, Sunrise Tours generally limits motorcoaches to 80% capacity. This allows for a maximum of 44 passengers on a motorcoach designed to accommodate 55. Sunrise Tours reserves the right to amend this practice. Your Tour Director will rotate motorcoach seating each day of the tour. Payment of a single-occupancy fare does not guarantee two motorcoach seats, and you may be seated beside another friendly Sunrise Tours guest.

Terms and Conditions
Please refer to our policies HERE for more information on our terms and conditions.