Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Tour
Recommended by 93% of travelers
Chicago, USA
+6
- 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Discover the architectural gems of the Windy City from an ideal vantage point—and learn insider facts and stories about the city's top attractions—on this Chicago River cruise. Travel in comfort aboard a boat equipped with both indoor and outdoor seating areas. Covering more than 130 years of architectural history, this tour is the perfect opportunity to see a huge area of the city without the hassle of taxis and public transit.
- Enjoy unobstructed views of the city’s top attractions
- Gain an in-depth understanding of local Chicago architecture
- See Marina City, the Wrigley Building, and other historical highlights
- Maximize your time: Admire top city sights, all in one boat tour
What's Included
- Indoor and outdoor seating available (indoor is climate controlled)
- Narrated tour on board by professionally trained tour guide.
- Restroom on board
- Expert Local Guide
- Alcoholic BeveragesDrinks and snacks available for purchase on-board the vessel.
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 400 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Arrive at 400 N Michigan Avenue 30 minutes before your departure and you will be directed to your boarding dock. Please allow yourself plenty of time to arrive if driving. We do not have parking. It is recommend that you book parking in advance.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Make your own way to the boarding dock, located on Michigan Avenue, 15 minutes before your chosen departure time. Then, climb aboard your vessel and choose between indoor and outdoor seating options to ensure your comfort.
Set sail, and float past Chicago's architectural wonders. Cruise along all three branches of the Chicago River while your architectural guide narrates the evolution of Chicago's skyline and the significance of each landmark.
As you go, admire iconic structures like the Willis Tower, Merchandise Mart, and Wrigley Building. Take in the sights of the Chicago Riverwalk, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the unique Marina City apartment buildings.
The tour concludes back at the starting point.
Set sail, and float past Chicago's architectural wonders. Cruise along all three branches of the Chicago River while your architectural guide narrates the evolution of Chicago's skyline and the significance of each landmark.
As you go, admire iconic structures like the Willis Tower, Merchandise Mart, and Wrigley Building. Take in the sights of the Chicago Riverwalk, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the unique Marina City apartment buildings.
The tour concludes back at the starting point.
1
Wendella
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Centennial Fountain And Water Arc (Pass By)
Merchandise Mart (Pass By)
Michigan Avenue Bridge (Pass By)
Wrigley Building (Pass By)
Chicago Riverwalk (Pass By)
Lyric Opera of Chicago (Pass By)
Marina City (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Weapons prohibited by US Coast Guard
- Outside alcohol is prohibited
- All bags subject to search
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Arrive 30 Minutes prior to your departure time.
- Contact tour operator for wheelchair & ADA access
- Indoor and outdoor seating is available on a first come, first served basis
- Maps are available with highlights in simplified Chinese. They can picked up per request at the ticket window.
- Special requests entered at checkout cannot be guaranteed
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 300 travelers
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Frequently Asked Questions (10)
Q:Where do we meet for the 90-min Chicago River Architecture Tour?
A:We are located at 400 N Michigan Avenue at the historic Wrigley Building. Wendella has four dock locations that extend west from the Michigan Avenue (DuSable) Bridge to Wabash Avenue.
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
We had an absolutely incredible experience on the Wendella Architectural Boat Tour in Chicago. The views alone are stunning, but what made the tour truly unforgettable was our guide, Jack Pickard. He’s more than just a guide, he’s a local legend. Jack combines deep knowledge of Chicago’s history and architecture with a gift for storytelling that keeps everyone completely engaged from start to finish.
He doesn’t just rattle off facts, he paints a picture of the city, weaving in anecdotes, history, and humor in a way that makes the skyline come alive. You can tell he loves Chicago and has spent years mastering his craft. By the end of the tour, we felt like we knew the city on a whole new level.
The boat itself was comfortable, the staff were professional, and the whole operation ran smoothly. But if you get the chance to tour with Jack, you’re in for something special. It’s not just an architectural tour, it’s an experience.
Highly recommend Wendella, and especially Jack Pickard, if you want the very best way to see and understand Chicago.
Reviews
4.7
based on 11,167 reviews
Sort by: Most recent
Great boat, great guide, beautiful city with a very interesting and colorful history. Boat was very clean and and had good refreshment options.
Kay was excellent, good way to see the city and learn about it. Little chilly so be prepared for that
Excellent tour. Spearo, our tour guide, was excellent, knowledgeable, and funny! Highly recommend this company.
Amazing 90 mins - Gaby was a fabulous tour guide and knew so much about the buildings & was full of energy. Highly recommend!
Johnny D was a great tour guide, supper friendly and engaging!! He was very knowledgeable. It was awesome to look at all the beautiful buildings. I would definitely recommend and would go again!
Gabby was professional and knowledgeable. It was a very enjoyable and educational Ride. She interacted well with all passengers, young and old.
It is a great way to see Chicago and learn about the city. I really enjoyed the river tour and had a wonderful time on it. Also, the tour guide did an excellent job!
We were informed part of our river tour was inaccessible and we would also go on the lake. Maybe it was (unexpectedly) even better? Amazing guide Alex (informative and amusing) and captain. Great buildings, great history/ facts. Memorable.
We met at the meeting place at 6pm, as indicated on our reservation. The line was long and we figured they were running behind. By 6:20, I went up to the desk and asked the status. I was told the boat scheduled for 6pm had left. We did not have time to reschedule. This is extremely disappointing. If the boat leaves at 6, then the meeting time should be scheduled earlier.
our tour guide was so funny and knowledgeable. i found myself literally laughing out loud and was engaged the whole tour. i really loved doing this!
Very easy to book. Very accommodating with the details. Did exactly what they said they would do at booking as far as billing and communication
Such a fun experience! Our guide was amazing. 6pm was perfect because we got to see the sunset. Definitely recommend if you’re visiting Chicago.
This was a waste of time and money. I couldn't see a thing the insanely obnoxious and factually inaccurate guide was talking about because I got stuck on the wrong side lower level. Why even have a lower level? There shouldn't be a wrong side! I saw the rusty underbellies of bridges, parking garages and other boats docking. The complete lack of communication led me to almost missing boarding and there was no option for any kind of refund. There are plenty of options for the river cruise that didn't have obstructed views at all. Skip Wendella. You'll be glad.
The guide on the boat was excellent, she was funny and I learned a lot. Time flew by, and it was perfect weather which really helped me enjoy the entire experience. Highly recommend recommended!
This is a must-do when visiting Chicago. Wonderful background of the development of the city and the people involved.
This is one of the best tours I’ve ever experienced. Dave the guide was amazing, like a stand up comic. Great knowledge of the city with some humour at the exact right times. Perfect way to end our weekend in the amazing city of Chicago. 100% the tour to do, book it!
It's well worth it! It was a beautiful day which made it even better. If you sit in front of the captain, the speaker isn't very good
The loudspeaker is awful. Only heard 50% of what the guide was saying which changed the whole experience
The tour was exceptional. The guide was very informative of the local architecture and was funny without if feeling performative. I 100% would recommend for the views of all the surrounding buildings, everything else was a bonus.
It was very confusing as to where to meet the tour. We went to the address but did not see where to check in. WHen we finally figured it out, they were closing the gate as we approached. The tour worker would not stop closing it to let us on. So, we missed it.
Response from Host, Oct 2026
We’re sorry to hear that you missed your tour. Unfortunately, once we begin our departure from the dock, we’re unable to return to pick up late-arriving guests.
That said, we’d be happy to reschedule your tour. Please contact us directly, and we’ll be glad to assist you.
The Wendella architectural River tour is fantastic. Our guide, Alex, was so great…. Knowledgeable, witty and kept everyone’s attention. It was our third time on the tour and each time we learn and see something new. Highly recommend this tour!!
Friendly staff, nice trip out in the afternoon for a change of pace. Would recommend to anyone wanting a relaxing 90minutes and a brief history of Chicago with the occasional funny quip.
The boat ride was nice. I learned some of Chicago history. The guide was very interesting and up beat.
Very interesting tour. You learn a lot about Chicago architectural history. Tour guide was very knowledgeable.
The narrator/tour guide was so charming and funny. She made the tour even more fun, interesting, and informative.
It’s a beautiful tour with amazing sites of Chicago. My main complaint is it was a little difficult to hear our tour guide and sometimes not clear which building or landmark she was talking about.
That said, decent value and we enjoyed it.
Fascinating tour with an outstanding tour guide (Gaby). The history and the architecture insights were excellent.
The narrator was extremely knowledgeable and personable. My entire family enjoyed it. Excellent tour.
Spirit was a fantastic guide. I’ve done this tour before and would do it again because you always learn a few new tidbits about Chicago!
This 90 minute tour was excellent! It was full of information on the architecture and also interesting facts about the city. Our tour guide, Justine, was superb. She was clear she was funny. She was intelligent. We highly recommend her.
Member Pricing
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$42.75
per personWas $45.00(-5%)
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Tour
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