CHICAGO · ILLINOIS
The best of Chicago.
The 15 best cruises & boat tours 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“Guide was knowledgeable about the city history and architecture. Very informative and fun for anyone of any age.”
Chicago River 1.5-hour architecture cruise covers main stem plus north and south branches. Expert guides, indoor comfort, deck views.
“Alex was wonderful! He shared his knowledge with details and humor. Next time I'm in Chicago I'll take tbe cruise again. I highly recommend it!”
Chicago Architecture Center cruise aboard First Lady. 90 minutes of docent-led river views of Willis, Marina City, Navy Pier, and more.
“Dress for elements. Cynthia was an excellent tour guide. She was very knowledgeable and her presentation was engaging.”
Skip the ticket line for Chicago’s architecture river cruise with a live docent, 40 landmarks, and a cash bar on 3 river branches.
“this tour was really nice, enjoyed very much, tour guide was great 😁”
A 45-minute Chicago River family architecture cruise with live English guide, indoor and outdoor decks, and skip-the-line entry for $28.
“Sarah was a great guide with a lot of interesting facts about the Chicago architecture. The 45 minute tour was just enough time to get a feel for the history of the city. The boat was comfortable and there were lots of seats for the guests. Highly recommend this tour.”
Chicago’s River and Lake Michigan architecture cruise. 90 minutes, expert narration, Chicago Lock, skyline photos, and indoor or deck seating.
“Interesting. Good views of many significant buildings. Guide friendly and informative.”
A 90-minute Chicago River architecture cruise with live narration, covered seating, and big skyline moments from Wrigley Building to Navy Pier.
“As out of state visitors, learning about Chicago’s history, and particularly the architecture that has evolved since the Great Fire, was a great introduction to Chicago. The boat tour was a great way to see the city and its history. David was a fantastic docent, extremely knowledgeable, engaging, informative and humorous. Already recommended this to…”
A 90-minute sunset cruise from the Chicago River to Lake Michigan. See skyline lights turn on, with a warm lounge and onboard bar.
“This cruise was fun and informative. We loved that there is a bar and snacks. Although it was a sunset cruise and the sun was not out, the city lights view was nice.”
A short, dog-friendly Lake Michigan cruise from Navy Pier with skyline views, English audio commentary, and a restroom onboard. Great value.
“It was cold and raining. We sat in the bottom deck. I wish the weather had been nice. I also would have enjoyed a live guide, but I guess I booked the wrong tour for that.”
1.5-hour Chicago River architecture boat tour with a local guide, stops near Navy Pier and Cloud Gate, plus drinks and snacks.
“Perfect sized boat to enjoy the afternoon architecture tour. Our guide was informative and the business operator was extremely helpful. Highly recommmed!”
90-minute Chicago River architecture cruise with live narration, free coffee and lemonade, and views from Lake Point Tower to Navy Pier.
“Arrive at least 15-20 mins before tour begins. Brian was a wealth of information sharing history of Chicago and the beautiful architecture. Learned about so many architectural greats and their influence on the city. Will do this tour again. Well worth the time and great value for the dollars.”
A 90-minute Chicago sunset cruise from the river to Lake Michigan via the Chicago Locks, with skyline views and an onboard cash bar.
“Great views from Lake Michigan. Professional crew and staff. Overalla GREAT experience.!”
Cruise Lake Michigan from Navy Pier for big skyline photos, quick boarding, and clear recorded narration of Chicago’s skyline landmarks in 45 minutes.
“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!”
Small-group Chicago architecture tour by minibus, with optional open-top river cruise. Hit the Loop, skyline views, and top icons fast.
“Best tour ever!!! Avery was FANTASTIC!!! I could have ridden around with him for hours hearing about the city. Hate that it only lasted 2 hours! He really knows his history and was able to answer every question I threw at him! Trevor give this man a raise! He was awesome and I would book…”
A 1.5-hour night cruise that shows the Chicago skyline from the river and Lake Michigan, including a pass through the Harbor Lock.
“Very informative and the whole experience was amazing can’t wait to do it again!”
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.
