Top Chicago Dinner Cruises

You can’t go wrong with any of the Chicago dinner cruises, but looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best cruises available right now:

• Premier Chicago River Dinner Cruise
• Chicago Fireworks Dinner Cruise with Buffet
• Chicago Buffet Dinner Cruise on Lake Michigan
• New Year’s Eve Plated Dinner Cruise on Lake Michigan
• Chicago New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner Cruise on Lake Michigan

Dinner cruises in Chicago range from roughly US$115 to US$350 per person. Expect to pay more for a multiple-course plated dinner than you would for a buffet. And if your Chicago dinner cruise ticket includes alcoholic beverages, a private table, or a fireworks display, it will also be pricier.

Most Chicago dinner cruises last 2–3 hours, but some last up to four hours. Some of the longer cruises offer extra time to lounge on a rooftop deck or order from the full-service bar, or they provide leisurely 3-course meals followed by dancing or a fireworks display.

Whether your cruise hugs the shores of Lake Michigan or takes you down the Chicago River, there’s much to see. Lake cruises may pass by Navy Pier, the Willis Tower, Buckingham Fountain, and Soldier Field. River cruises bring you through the city's heart, past Tribune Tower, the Wrigley Building, the Lyric Opera, and more.

While most dinner cruises in Chicago have no age restrictions, some require passengers to be 21 or older. Often, those include alcoholic beverages, so the age requirement makes sense. On the other hand, some cruises offer a discounted rate for kids ages 3–11, while children under 3 sail for free.

There are tons of fun tours and excursions in Chicago aside from dinner cruises. According to previous travelers, these are the best activities to book for your next trip:

• Bus Tours

• Architecture Tours

• Sunset Cruises

• Night Cruises

• Hop-On Hop-Off Buses

Chicago dinner cruise prices vary depending on duration and inclusions. If you’re looking for high-quality experiences on the lower end of the price range, these are the best tours to book now: 

• Mother's Day Signature Dinner Cruise on Lake Michigan

• Chicago Fireworks Dinner Cruise With Buffet

• Chicago Gourmet Dinner Cruise on Lake Michigan

A dinner cruise is a good option to combine sightseeing in Chicago with a great meal. To help you narrow down the booking choices, consider whether you’d prefer a buffet dinner or table service—most cruises offer one or the other. If you’re traveling with a group or for a special occasion, check whether the cruise guarantees that groups can be seated together.

Tips for enjoying your Chicago dinner cruise include considering the weather when booking—the best views can be from the outdoor decks, so you’ll want to sit outside for some of the trip. Pack a light layer for when it gets colder after dark and familiarize yourself with the night photography function on your phone or camera, as you’ll have the chance to take photos of the city lit up at night.

While most Chicago dinner cruises don’t have a strict dress code, it is usually expected that you will dress in at least smart–casual attire: a collared shirt (with or without a tie), long pants, or a skirt or dress are ideal, with formal shoes (no flip-flops or sneakers). Take a warm jacket if you’re cruising in the colder months.