CHICAGO · ILLINOIS
The best of Chicago.
The 15 best chicago river architecture cruises in Chicago, with honest prices, run times and who you book through. Which ones are worth your time downtown, and what each one actually gets you.
Chicago Architecture River Cruise with live expert commentary, skyline views, mobile tickets, pet-friendly boats, and about 1 hour on the water.
Most Popular“The host of the tour was great! He was very informative and knowledgeable about the city's history. Also, we had great views of the buildings and were able appreciate the beauty of the architecture.”
A 90-minute Chicago River cruise with architecture narration, indoor climate control, and major-sight views of Wrigley Building, Marina City, and more.
“So cold in winterX dont suggested and please make it in summer time, i cant enjoy it at all because my fingers and toes felt nothing and i went to the indoor lower deck after one hour on the upper outdoor upper deck”
Chicago River 1.5-hour architecture cruise covers main stem plus north and south branches. Expert guides, indoor comfort, deck views.
“The host was outstanding, very knowledgeable but also humouress”
Chicago Architecture Center cruise aboard First Lady. 90 minutes of docent-led river views of Willis, Marina City, Navy Pier, and more.
“Well worth the money on a beautiful sunny day. We did not venture inside so I can’t speak to that. Guide was very knowledgeable and added her personality to make her presentation lively.”
Skip the ticket line for Chicago’s architecture river cruise with a live docent, 40 landmarks, and a cash bar on 3 river branches.
“The tour guide!! He was fabulous. Informative, funny and knowledgeable.”
Take a 45-minute Chicago River architecture cruise from the Magnificent Mile with live narration, top-deck views, and major landmarks.
“It was a well-organized tour where I had the opportunity to learn, observe, and fully enjoy the experience. Everything was explained clearly, the schedule was well managed, and the overall atmosphere was pleasant and professional.”
One-and-a-half-hour Chicago architecture boat tour with live narration, River and Lake Michigan views, skyline photos, and climate-controlled seating.
“Visiting Chicago from Ireland for first time with friends and this was an excellent way to kick off the holiday. Gives you good view of Chicago, learn a bit of history from your guide, indoors available if it’s cold. Overall perfect and price was perfect too very happy with it. Drinks were available on board…”
A 45-minute Chicago River family architecture cruise with live English guide, indoor and outdoor decks, and skip-the-line entry for $28.
“Alyssa was a great and funny guide. I would definitely do it again when I’m back in Chicago.”
Chicago’s River and Lake Michigan architecture cruise. 90 minutes, expert narration, Chicago Lock, skyline photos, and indoor or deck seating.
“The views of the city from the Chicago River and Lake Michigan were amazing. The tour guide Sarah was incredible, she spoke about so many buildings during the tour. Getting to go through the lake lock was a unique and fascinating experience too. It was a great tour”
A 90-minute Chicago River architecture cruise with live narration, covered seating, and big skyline moments from Wrigley Building to Navy Pier.
“We had an excellent boat ride with David! Funny jokes, quick informative tour, and all around a good time.”
1.5-hour Chicago River architecture boat tour with a local guide, stops near Navy Pier and Cloud Gate, plus drinks and snacks.
“Nice way to see the buildings of Chicago. Speaker talks very fast! Bit difficult to decipher. Supposedly small boat tour. But, not that small. Punctual.”
90-minute Chicago River architecture cruise with live narration, free coffee and lemonade, and views from Lake Point Tower to Navy Pier.
“It was a very nice boat ride. We enjoyed it, but….. it was not what we expected. We got to the boat 15 minutes before start time and the top deck was full, so we had to sit below under the top deck. We could not see the buildings on the sides or see the…”
Small-group Chicago architecture tour by minibus, with optional open-top river cruise. Hit the Loop, skyline views, and top icons fast.
“Avery was great! He knew a lot of interesting information. He was extremely informative. Avery was helpful with everything!!!”
Chicago Architecture Boat Tour with drinks: 90-minute river cruise past the Willis Tower and Wrigley Building, with live guide and soft drinks.
“Extremely knowledgeable guide. Interesting and entertaining.”
Chicago First Lady architecture cruise narrated by Chicago Architecture Center docents. 90 minutes, 360° river views, and optional CAC entry.
“A volunteer from the Chicago Architecture Center was the docent of the cruise, who introduced the history and buildings well to the participants. With a good weather, we enjoyed the sights of magnificent buildings in Chicago. We visited the Chicago Architecture Center, which is just the same location where we boarded the boat, after the…”
From the river and the skyline to the gangster trails, the lakefront and the deep-dish counters, every way to spend a day in the city.
