See Chicago by boat, train, coach, bicycle and antique carriage. Many excursions are slanted toward a special interest, such as architecture. Some are themed, like culinary and gangster tours. Full listings are available from hotel concierges and from the city's website (www.cityofchicago.org or www.choosechicago.com).

Walking Tours
The city is known for its architecture and there is no better way to learn about the city's structural designs than by taking one of the many tours that the Chicago Architectural Foundation offers. Tours, which are on foot, by bus and on the water, include historic and modern skyscrapers as well as Frank Lloyd Wright homes. Except for the water tours, most begin at 224 South Michigan Avenue (tel: (312) 922 3432; www.architecture.org).

Chicago Greeters
Considered a ‘themed visit' rather than a tour, Chicago Greeters will escort small groups (up to six) to attractions, neighbourhoods, explore insider's favourite haunts, visit specific points of interest, or even take them shopping. Greeters are residents who know and love the city. Advance reservations are necessary for this free service of the Chicago Office of Tourism. (tel: 1.877 244 2246; www.chicagogreeter.com).

Millennium Park Greeter Service, a branch of Chicago Greeters, will escort groups of 10 or fewer on a free 45-minute tour to explain the park's architecture, development and environment. Daily tours are available at 1130 and 1300, on a first-come, first-served basis from late May through October. InstaGreeters explores downtown and North Michigan Avenue with groups of six or less. Service is also on a first-come, first-served basis and departs from the InstaGreeter booth at the Visitor Information Center at 77 East Randolph Street.

Chicago Neighborhood Tours
Explore the city's cultural diversity on a Chicago Neighborhood Tour. Tours include ethnic neighbourhoods like Chinatown, Little Italy, Greektown, Bronzeville and Devon Avenue, as well as speciality excursions like 'The Great Chicago Fire' and the Pullman neighbourhood (the first industrial community). Schedules are sporadic and reservations are necessary. Departure is from the Chicago Cultural Center (tel: (312) 742 1190; www.chicagoneighborhoodtours.com).

Loop Tour Train
A unique way to learn about the city's architecture is via the Loop Tour Train. The tour, aboard the CTA ‘L' train, circles the Loop three times, while a Chicago Architecture Foundation docent explains the beauty of the façades and windows that are hidden amid the caverns of the city. These free Saturday tours, which operate from May-Sep, originate at the Chicago Cultural Center on a first-come, first-served basis. Trains leave from the Randolph and Wabash CTA ‘L' station. (tel: 1 877 244 2246/CHICAGO; www.architecture.org). Please note: This tour will be on hiatus for the 2008-2009 season but will resume later.

Water Tours
One of the best ways to appreciate the beauty of the city as well as learn about it is from the water. Such excursions operate May-early Nov, but it is best to check with the individual sightseeing company for schedules and costs. Tours offered by the Chicago Architectural Foundation (tel: (312) 922 3432; www.architecture.org) give a pylon prospective of Chicago's great structures, as does Chicago's First Lady (tel: (847) 358 1330; www.cruisechicago.com). Chicago Line Cruises (tel: (312) 527 1977; www.chicagoline.com) also runs both history and architectural trips. Other water cruises include Wendella boats (tel: (312) 337 1446; www.wendellaboats.com), which depart from below the Wrigley Building and cruise the Chicago River, and Mercury (tel: (312) 332 1353; www.mercuryskylinecruiseline.com), which offers a 90-minute lake and river cruise.

Boats departing from Navy Pier run the gamut from schooners to yachts and those that include meals and cocktails. Enjoy the Odyssey (tel: 1 866 305 2469; www.odysseycruises.com) or Spirit of Chicago (tel:  (312) 836 7899 or 1 866 273 2769; www.spiritcitycruises.com). Windy I or Windy II set sail around Lake Michigan (tel: (312) 595 5555; www.tallshipwindy.com).

Paddle a kayak down the Chicago River with Wateriders (tel: (312) 953 9287; www.wateriders.com) and explore history, architecture or gangster history.

Bus Tours
There are plenty of road-based options for touring the city. Gray Line Tours (tel: (312) 251 3100 or 1 800 966 8125; www.grayline.com) runs a variety of city excursions including ‘North' and ‘South' side city tours, which cover all the major sights in those parts of the city. Buses leave from 55 East Monroe Street. The Chicago Double Decker Co. (tel: (773) 648 5000; www.chicagotrolley.com), based at the Willis Tower, offers double-decker service, using London-style double-decker buses to tour 21km (13 miles) of Chicago's main sights. A hop-on hop-off service (explore a site and catch another bus to resume the tour) stops at a number of points, including Navy Pier, Willis Tower, the Art Institute and Field Museum.

Other Tours
The Untouchables Gangster Tour (tel: (773) 881 1195; www.gangstertour.com) takes a step back to the days of prohibition. It traces the paths of some of the city's most infamous 1920s and 1930s residents, like Al Capone and John Dillinger. Wisecracking guides relate gangster lore on the way to famous hoodlum haunts like Little Italy and the St Valentine's Massacre. All tours depart from 600 North Clark Street, and reservations are necessary.

Chicago Hauntings (tel: 1 888 446 7891; www.chicagohauntings.com) visits paranormal and supernatural locations around the city. A 2-hour 45-minute bus ride explores such haunts as the Biograph Theater, Graceland Cemetery, and the site of the Fort Dearborn massacre. Reservations are necessary.

Roll through Grant Park to the Museum Campus via a narrated, three-hour, motorized, three-wheeled scooter tour. Before the tour gets underway there is a 40-minute training session on how to use the vehicles. It's one of those things that you can say, been there, done that (tel: (312) 819 0816 or  1 877 734 8687; www.citysegwaytours.com/chicago).

Get a real taste of the city while learning about history and architecture. Chicago Food Planet's (tel: 1 800 979 3370; www.chicagofoodplanet.com) seasonal walking tour and tastings include visits to a pizzeria, Jewish deli, tea merchant, chocolate lounge,  fudge speciality shop and bakery. The tours are seasonal and begin in April.