Lake Michigan 30-Minute Speedboat Ride
Chicago, USA
- 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Zoom along the shoreline of Lake Michigan, zipping past famous landmarks as you go, during this exhilarating speedboat ride in Chicago. Climb aboard your 2,000-horsepower speed boat at Navy Pier, then hang on for the ride of a lifetime, as you zip past famous attractions like the Willis Tower, Grant Park, and Buckingham Fountain, pausing to learn a little about the history and architecture of the Windy City along the way.
- Lake Michigan speedboat ride in Chicago
- Enjoy incomparable views of Chicago's skyline and waterfront
- Pause to learn about interesting lakefront landmarks, architecture, and history
- Race along the lakefront and experience unique views of Willis Tower, Buckingham Fountain, and Grant Park
What's Included
- 30-minute lakefront speedboat ride
- Informative and amusing descriptions of the world famous Chicago skyline
- Unobstructed views of the beautiful Chicago skyline
- All Fees and Taxes
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Boarding: Navy Pier. Parking: City Cruises does not own or operate any parking lots in the area. Local parking is available at 600 E Grand Ave. Chicago, IL 60611 for our Navy Pier Departures. Alternative parking is available at 460 E. Illinois St. and 403 E. Grand Ave. (one block from Navy Pier).
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Take a thrilling speed boat tour of Chicago along the city's beautiful Lake Michigan, enjoying fantastic views of the city skyline and its many tourist landmarks along the way. This fast-paced speedboat ride is sure to get your heart racing, with a little history, humor, and information thrown in food good measure.
Start your ride at Navy Pier, heading out onto scenic Lake Michigan as you listen to a few anecdotes about the Pier and the impressive Lake Michigan. Then pump up the music and listen to the engines roar as your 2,000-horsepower vessel zips along the lake for an adrenaline-pumping tour of the city. Zoom down to Chicago's Museum Campus, where you stop for a few minutes to get a quick history lesson and learn about Windy City's many landmarks.
Then crank up the throttle again as you streak back past Navy Pier towards the Magnificent Mile, catching great views of Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain and the Willis Tower as you cruise. Return to the dock at Navy Pier to finish your action-packed speedboat trip.
Start your ride at Navy Pier, heading out onto scenic Lake Michigan as you listen to a few anecdotes about the Pier and the impressive Lake Michigan. Then pump up the music and listen to the engines roar as your 2,000-horsepower vessel zips along the lake for an adrenaline-pumping tour of the city. Zoom down to Chicago's Museum Campus, where you stop for a few minutes to get a quick history lesson and learn about Windy City's many landmarks.
Then crank up the throttle again as you streak back past Navy Pier towards the Magnificent Mile, catching great views of Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain and the Willis Tower as you cruise. Return to the dock at Navy Pier to finish your action-packed speedboat trip.
1
City Cruises
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
2
Grant Ulysses Park
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Navy Pier
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Clarence F. Buckingham Fountain
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
The Magnificent Mile
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Wheelchair accessible
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Infants must sit on laps
- Coast Guard regulations require a photo ID for each guest to board
- All cruises are weather permitting
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- NOTE: Please arrive at the meeting point 30 minutes prior the start time (7:30 AM).
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 19 travelers
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Frequently Asked Questions (10)
Q:Where is the departure point for the 30 Minute Lake Michigan Speedboat Ride?
A:The 30 Minute Lake Michigan Speedboat Ride departs from Navy Pier: 600 E Grand Ave Chicago, IL 60611.
Apr 2021
The answers provided are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Nicole_N
We loved the tour guide, Skunk! He was very knowledgeable about Chicago history. Everyone that took care of the boat was so friendly. The music was fun too! We had a great time! I would like to come back and bring more friends/ family!
Reviews
4.1
based on 335 reviews
Fadia_A, May 2026
It was amazing with nice music and very nice view.
The drivers were very professional. The weather was cold but I enjoyed the trip.
Kenton_R, Mar 2026
You will get sprayed in the face. Feels great when the sun is out. Don't need to take pictures of the city when the boat is racing, it will slow down to turn around.
Rocio_L, Nov 2025
It was the best experience ever, we all had so much fun on the ride we loved the view, everything looked so beautiful we will for sure come back
anjanita, Oct 2025
It was great experience and all the staffs were very good. The commentary was great. This is a must do activity
Maryann_M, Oct 2025
The staff was very kind and funny! It was a great ride and we learned a lot about Chicago with beautiful views!!
Sharath_T, Oct 2025
You punks stop scamming people and do your job correctly. Useless customer service. I won't recommend your service to anyone.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
We're sorry to hear about your experience and regret that we fell short of your expectations. Your feedback is important, and we take it seriously. If you're open to it, we’d appreciate the chance to learn more and try to make things right—please contact us directly.
Blanca_V, Sept 2025
My email confirmation said Lake Michigan 30 minutes speedboat ride. Please include the name seadog. We walked around the other side of the pier looking for a speed boat because google maps gave us walking directions for the other side which was wrong.
We loved the boat experience! It was great.
Response from Host, Sept 2025
Thanks for the great feedback! We're thrilled you loved the boat experience. We appreciate your note about the directions and the mention of Seadog—we’ll work on making that clearer in the confirmation email to help future guests find us more easily.
Natalie_D, Sept 2025
Amazing! We went at 8pm the lights of the city were breathtaking. Super fun to do with kids highly recommend.
Don_W, Sept 2025
A fun and exciting way to see the Chicago skyline. Pick a day when you don’t mind getting a little wet. The seats toward the front stay drier than the rear seats. The boat gets up to 45 mph and provides an exhilarating ride.
Andrea_S, Aug 2025
Could of been faster but overall very fun. The music was great and the narration was informative. The guide was knowledgeable.
Karl_N, Aug 2025
It’s fake and doesn’t exist - ignore this service as it’s crap service in getting there and no signs as it’s fake
Julie_B, Aug 2025
We took the sunset cruise at 8pm. Excellent experience. Fun and informative! We will do this again!
Only drawback was the guy standing in front of the view. Wish he would speak in from the back of the boat.
Don_S, Aug 2025
It was fun. I just wish it would have been a full hour long instead of a half hour. It was entertaining.
Garry_J, Aug 2025
Super fun and informative. My kids loved it. Water was very choppy so we got a little wet but so much fun!!
Donna_S, Aug 2025
Kind of eventless. I expected a little more action with the boat. Expensive 30 minutes of driving straight out and straight back
Asif_A, Aug 2025
Boat ride was slow and limited to driving to planetarium and back to pier. No thrill rides as promised in the ticket. Very disappointed
Amalia_H, Jun 2025
Most definitely recommend something fun to do as a big group in family and with kids, boat ride was amazing with amazing views.
Michael_S, Jun 2025
I came to Chicago for my 43rd birthday and I was solo, when I say this was by far one of the best things I did while visiting. Also not to mention this was my first time in Chicago. I freaking loved it!!!!!!
Randa_S, Jun 2025
Fun ride! May need a little jacket when out on the lake! The ride is not educational; just a fast ride
Brandon_S, May 2025
A little history, a lot of awesomeness. Fast to the south, saw the museums, fast to the north, more talk, fast back. Cram in a lot in 30 minutes.
vzw8grmdv7, May 2025
So much fun! Andy and crew were amazing! Funny and informative! Would do again and recommend to others!
Lazaro_V, May 2025
Great tour wish it was longer next time i will get a longer tour and the guide was excellent can't wait to come back
Arlene_D, Apr 2025
It’s fun and nice for families to enjoy an afternoon out on the lake with funny jokes from the crew!
Mary_S, Apr 2025
Andy made the experience FUN! It was freezing on this ride, but informative non-the-less. Andy was very entertaining! We appreciate Randy and Jamie as well for keeping us safe.
Sheili_V, Nov 2024
Great experience, the guides were very informative and it’s a must when on the navy pier. We also saved so much money compared to the booth prices.
Felicia_M, Nov 2024
It was my first time doing a speedboat tour. I would definitely recommend 👌 do it if you havent🤸♀️💥‼️‼️
Kamaldeep_s, Oct 2024
Not good captain was rude when we asked u guys charge us for 75 mins drive and it's say it's gona ride fast everything was opposite
Response from Host, Oct 2024
We’re so sorry to hear your experience did not meet expectations. Please know we greatly appreciate the feedback you have provided us, and we will pass this along to the respective team. Thank you for your time.
Tasha_S, Sept 2024
It was my first speedboat ride. The experience was thrilling and peaceful at the same time. A great way to celebrate my 50th birthday month. I'm considering trying the "extreme" speedboat ride next!
Izabela_K, Sept 2024
Speedboat ride for the win! Awesome 7pm tour! Amazing views! It was fast, fast, fast and fun, fun, fun. We stopped two times and admired the views. Our tour guide was really pleasant and friendly. Great experience. Thanks!!
Kesha_W, Sept 2024
This tour was fun. Interacting with other people made it more fun. However, I wish we could have gone faster. I found out Seadog has another boat (Red Boat) which is called the Extreme. I would have purchased that one if it was an option. Someone actually shouted, "Faster!" But, we didn't get that. Overall it was fun. If you want a fast thrill, purchase the Extreme Seadog boat ride activity
From $35.70
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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