“Give Thanks, Give Food” with Chicago Trolley and the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s 2nd Annual Food Drive

“Chicago Trolley aims to fill an entire trolley with non-perishable items in order to give back to the city that we tour each and every day,” said President of Chicago Trolley Co. Jim Schwartz. “On Monday, November 25, it will be our privilege to have Chicago Trolley employees deliver all collected food to the Greater Chicago Food Depository just in time for the Thanksgiving Holiday.”

The Greater Chicago Food Depository, Chicago’s food bank, is a nonprofit food distribution and training center providing food for hungry people while striving to end hunger in the community. The Food Depository distributes donated and purchased food through a network of 650 pantries, soup kitchens and shelters to 678,000 adults and children in Cook County every year. Last year, the Food Depository distributed 66 million pounds of nonperishable food and fresh produce, dairy products and meat, the equivalent of 150,000 meals every day. Innovative training programs and initiatives developed by the Food Depository also work to provide men, women and children with the tools necessary to break their individual cycles of poverty.

The Signature Hop-On, Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour covers 13 miles with 13 stops, giving patrons the option of visiting Chicago’s hottest retail, cultural and family attractions. Among the stops on the Signature Tour are Skydeck Chicago, the famed museum campus (Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium), the historic Chicago Theater, Millennium Park, Water Tower Place, The Art Institute, Navy Pier and the John Hancock Observatory. The full downtown tour is approximately two hours riding time, with all day access to hop on and off. Tours operate daily with vehicles departing the designated stops every 25-30 minutes from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. year round. The last boarding call is 4 p.m. daily during the winter months. There are no tours Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Explore Chicago Tickets are $45 for adults; $40 for seniors (65+) and military personnel and $17 for children 11 and under (children under 3 ride free). Tickets can be purchased from Chicago Trolley & Double Decker red-vested tickets sales agents posted in multiple locations throughout the city or online at www.chicagotrolley.com. Riders will save 10% off of regular rates when purchasing tickets in advance online.

Holiday Lights Tour
Beginning November 29, the “Holiday Lights Tour” is a lightly narrated 2 ½ hour tour showcasing the best of Chicago’s holiday lights and sights. Passengers will ride a festive Trolley, (named after reindeer, friends of the North Pole and even Santa himself), and have time to hop off at both the Zoo Lights at Lincoln Park Zoo and the Christkindlmarket, a traditional German American holiday market with distinctive crafts, artistic glass ornaments, delicious sweets and holiday food and drinks. Passengers will also enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and a brownie provided by Hershey’s Chocolate.

Holiday Lights Tour Schedule and Ticketing Information
The “Holiday Lights Tour” runs Friday – Sunday, November 29 – December 22 (excluding December 23 – 25) and every day December 26 – December 31, with three departure times at 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.  The tour departs from The John Hancock Plaza tree located at Michigan Avenue and Delaware Streets. Tours hold 32 passengers each and tickets must be purchased 24 hours in advance online at www.chicagotrolley.com. A limited number of tickets may be available on the day of the tour at the Delaware St. Chicago Trolley kiosk. Advance purchase online is recommended to guarantee seating. Tickets are $29 for adults and $19 for children (3-11).

The “Holiday Lights Tour” is also available as a private charter (32 person group maximum Trolley capacity).  The Trolley will pick up passengers at any desired location in Chicago or the suburbs. You can customize your tour to go anywhere you want. To book a Holiday Lights Tour as a private charter, please visit www.chicagotrolley.com or call 773-648-5000.

About Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Company
Founded in 1994, this unique transportation company has entertained and informed millions of locals and visitors on their all-day sightseeing tours and private charters such as corporate charters, college event transportation, pub crawls, weddings and more.  The Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Co. offers a unique and professional transportation service to entertain clients or guests that seek insider’s tips on the best of Chicago, or for interesting travel options to transport business and social groups. The affiliated Coach USA companies also provide deluxe motor coach charter service to destinations throughout North America if that is required. The popular tour company has earned two Chicago Visitor’s Choice Awards, including honors for Chicago’s Best Tours/Transportation and for Best Service.