Aboard · CHICAGO BOAT TOURS
Good chicago boat tours fill up weeks ahead in season and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Cruise the Chicago River for about 60 to 90 minutes with an architecture guide, passing the Wrigley Building, Willis Tower, John Hancock Center, Marina City, and more. Choose a Navy Pier or Michigan Avenue departure, enjoy onboard drinks and restrooms, and bring your dog along.
“The tour guide was very knowledgeable and the views are amazing. They covered a lot of history and explain the architecture very well.”
You’ll cruise from the DuSable Bridge along Chicago’s main river and north and south branches, seeing Marina City, Willis Tower, Aqua, Aon Center, and more. English-speaking guides such as John, Sarah, Alex, and Scotty D mix sharp architectural facts with humor. Choose open-air or climate-controlled seating, with a cash bar onboard.
“We had a blast. I first did this cruise back in May with my 81 year old dad. Loved it so much that on my return visit to Chicago I brought 11 of my family memebers. So great!”
Cruise the Chicago River aboard Chicago’s First Lady for 90 minutes of architecture, engineering, and city history. A Chicago Architecture Center docent explains landmarks from Marina City to Willis Tower. Choose an open-air seat or climate-controlled lower salon, with a full bar onboard.
“The ticketing office is on the Riverwalk level of Wacker Drive. Be sure to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure time for the boarding process.”
Cruise Chicago’s three river branches for 60 to 75 minutes with a live English or Spanish guide. Expect landmark views of Willis Tower, Marina City, Trump Tower, and the John Hancock Building, plus stories about the city’s architecture. A cash bar is available on most boats.
“Love this cruise! Even if you have done it before, you always learn something new!”
Cruise Chicago’s river from Lake Shore Drive toward Willis Tower and back with a live English-speaking guide. You’ll hear entertaining architecture stories, move between climate-controlled indoor seating and open-air decks, and buy local beer, spirits, snacks, or hot chocolate onboard.
“The tour is great .. we were stuck in traffic and they allow us to join other group later … it was very kind of them to do so”
See Chicago’s finest buildings from the river and Lake Michigan on a 90-minute cruise with an English-speaking guide. Choose open-air or climate-controlled seating, pass through the Chicago Lock, and watch for Marina City, Aqua, Willis Tower, Navy Pier, and the lakefront skyline.
“You may be waiting in line for half an hour. It may be a particularly warm day, with very little shade and no where to sit while waiting. You may be sitting in the hot sun at the dock without a breeze. NONE IF THAT MATTERS! You will have an excellent tour, with a very knowledgeable guide (and if you are lucky he will be very punny, too.). Well worth it.”
Cruise Chicago’s main river branch, pass through the harbor lock, and head onto Lake Michigan for night views of Willis Tower, Buckingham Fountain, Navy Pier, and more. English-speaking guides such as Olivia, Jacob, and Gabby add lively stories. Bring a jacket and snacks.
“Very adventurous and fun. The tour guide was funny and so knowledgeable.”
From Navy Pier, you’ll cruise north and south along Lake Michigan for broad views of Willis Tower, the Field Museum, 360 Chicago, and Chicago’s famous lakefront buildings. A barcoded ticket gets you past the ticket office, while recorded English or Spanish commentary adds context. Bring a jacket, even in summer.
“Great tour that gives a different perspective on the Chicago Skyline. The recorded narration was clear and interesting. Boarding was organized and efficient. I would highly recommend this tour!”
Start near the Wrigley Building, cruise the Chicago River, pass through the Chicago Lock, and watch the sun set behind Chicago’s skyline from Lake Michigan. You get open-air or climate-controlled seating, brief live commentary, a cash bar, Garrett’s Popcorn, and photo spots on a classic vessel.
“We had a great tour guide named Kate, who gave us lots of information of the city history and the architecture,. She is a very nice, heartwarming woman.”
Join City Cruises Chicago at Navy Pier for a 30-minute open-air speedboat ride past Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain, Museum Campus, Willis Tower, and Lake Point Tower. Your English-speaking guide mixes Chicago stories with music and fast turns. Upgrade for high-speed slalom runs, 360-degree spins, and a soaking splash.
“It was fun! The guide was great and the captain was excellent! Had a blast with my family. 🙂🙏”
Cruise from downtown Chicago up the river to Wolf Point, then watch Navy Pier fireworks from the river mouth or Lake Michigan. Choose a 45 to 60-minute family-friendly trip or a 2 to 2.5-hour lake cruise through the Chicago Locks, with live English narration, indoor seating, outdoor decks, and a cash bar.
“Fab views! The bar is heavily air conditioned and very cold- so if you want to hide from the wind - it won’t be a dream shelter.”
Spend 90 minutes cruising Chicago River from Ogden Slip with a live English-speaking guide, complimentary coffee, tea, lemonade, water, or soft drinks. You’ll pass Willis Tower, the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, and other landmarks on a smaller boat that reaches the river’s main, north, and south branches.
“Bery good and informative tour. I can highly recommend this tour to everybody who comes to Chicago.”
Spend 90 minutes aboard Chicago’s First Lady with a Chicago Architecture Center docent such as Russel, Amy, or Patricia. You’ll see all three river branches, more than 50 buildings, and 13 bascule bridges from open-air decks, with covered seating, drinks, and snacks available onboard.
“Claudia has been a fantastic guide, cheerful and clear with lots of interesting infos on the city architectural masterpieces!!”
Cruise Lake Michigan from Navy Pier aboard the Odyssey for a plated three-course lunch or dinner, skyline views, a live DJ, and open-air observation decks. Allow two to three hours, dress smart-casual, and arrive 30 minutes early for boarding.
“Everything was pass wonderful!! The food from the entree to the dessert and my drink...!!! I texted my siblings that we have to do this next year!!”
Join First Lady for a 90-minute narrated cruise from the Chicago River to Lake Michigan. Hear guides such as Lake, Nick, Sarah, and Jordan explain the skyline, pass through the Chicago Harbor Lock, and see Navy Pier, Museum Campus, the lighthouse, and major towers.
“Our loading was delayed 45 minutes due to a problem at the lock. They did a good job keeping is informed and even handed out a snack and water. You have to have patience to do this trip because you will sit at the lock waiting going into Lake MI and leaving”
Pick a river, a coast or a harbour.
