Aboard · CHICAGO BOAT TOURS
Good chicago boat tours fill up weeks ahead in season and the great ones go first. Below: the 5 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”
Pick a river, a coast or a harbour.
