Mount Ada and Avalon Scenic Tour

Mount Ada is the hillside above Avalon where William Wrigley Jr. and his wife built their Georgian-style winter home in 1921, and it is still one of the best places on the island to understand how the town fits together. The house is now a small inn, but the guided city and scenic tour uses the hill as its turning point: a bus ride up the winding streets, a stop at the viewpoint above the bay, a pass by the historic neighborhoods and a running commentary on the people who built Avalon. For visitors with only a few hours, it is an efficient way to see the town, the harbor and the surrounding hillsides without climbing a single staircase.

The route usually begins near the pier, climbs through residential streets lined with bright cottages and bougainvillea, and works its way to a viewpoint where the bay opens below. From there you can see the Casino, the Pleasure Pier, the harbor full of boats and, on clear days, the long blue line of the mainland.

Guides point out landmarks such as the Chimes Tower, the golf course and the old stone buildings from the early years, and they tell the story of how a quiet fishing camp became a resort. The commentary leans toward local stories, which makes the ride more engaging than a bare viewpoint stop.

Mount Ada itself has a quiet dignity. The Wrigley family used the house as a winter retreat, hosting guests that included Hollywood stars, and the grounds are notable for the mature gardens and the sweeping view from the front porch. Visitors can see the exterior from the road, and the property operates as a small luxury inn, so interior access is restricted to guests.

Even so, the drive past gives a sense of the scale of Wrigley's investment in the island and how personal his love for it was. Ask the guide about the island's golf cart rules, the water supply and the way residents live, because the answers are fascinating.

This tour suits several types of traveler. First-timers get an orientation, which makes it easier to plan the rest of the day. Families with young children or older relatives appreciate the seated format. Photographers enjoy the high vantage points, particularly in the late afternoon. Book a morning slot if you want cooler air, and bring a light layer because the hills can be breezy.

Combine the tour with the Casino and the museum for a good first half-day, then spend the afternoon on a boat. If you are interested in more active exploring, follow it with the hike up to the Wrigley Memorial, or save your energy for an interior eco tour the next day.

The tour also gives you ideas. You will notice the quiet streets where you might want to wander later, the restaurants tucked above the waterfront, and the trail heads that lead into the hills. Ask the guide for dinner suggestions and for the best spot to watch sunset, because the answers are often better than anything in a brochure.

If you are staying overnight, take the tour on arrival and use the afternoon for a more active choice. If you are visiting for a single day, treat the tour as a smart investment of an hour that makes the rest of the day more efficient.