Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Tour
Recommended by 92% of travelers
Chicago, USA
- 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
Katie_M
John from Wendella was our tour guide and he was AMAZING!! My entire family was so entertained by him. He was HILARIOUS and 1000% made the tour so much fun! He has to be a comedian, he was so funny. We just loved him! And the architecture was breathtaking. I would definitely recommend taking this tour. And get John as your tour guide!
Reviews
4.7
based on 9,761 reviews
RachelM_F, Apr 2026
Fantastic tour, great guide (Spiro!) - really learned a lot and enjoyed the ride. This is our second time doing a tour like this in Chicago.
Ahmad_B, Apr 2026
Tour guide, Tess, was very passionate and well informed. The boat itself was also very nice and did not rock much on the water.
Lynette_P, Apr 2026
the tour speaker was great and very knowledgeable. i loved the cruise and would recommend to the rest of my family and friends
Sean_M, Apr 2026
Very informative, best chicago tourist experience John is the best narrator- very passionate about history and architecture!
Alicia_T, Apr 2026
the tour guide was great! super knowledgeable, funny and entertaining. definitely recommend dressing appropriately for the wind and weather.
Jennifer_E, Apr 2026
I think the boat trip is really worth doing. Let’s you see the city from a different perspective. One thing that was a bit disappointing was the sound could have been better on the lower deck. Felt like we were straining to hear and missed quite a bit of the commentary.
Bill_V, Apr 2026
Very interesting and informative cruise along the river, particularly if you’re interested in architecture
Charles_E, Apr 2026
Our Aussie tour guide was very knowledgeable about the Chicago skyline and he is also the most fun and enthusiastic tour guide we've ever had
Marie_D, Apr 2026
This cruise had a real WOW FACTOR! We loved the diverse Chicago architecture and the tour guide ( Scott D ) who was so informative and entertaining.
We highly recommend this Chicago Architecture cruise!
Christine_R, Apr 2026
Great and entertaining tour! The tour guide was very funny, energetic and knowledgeable. We learned alot and had fun. Chicago weather is crazy - we were comfortable at the beginning and freezing by the end. Be prepared if you go in spring.
Scott_G, Apr 2026
Great tour great guide. So knowledgeable about Chicago architecture and history. Boat was comfortable.
Janel_B, Apr 2026
We had a great time. I went with my 2 daughters and we all loved it. Our tour guide was great - very informative. It was raining when we got on and a little windy, but still definitely worth it!
Dinesh_B, Apr 2026
Was scenic! Architectural history is interesting but felt like a bit longer than necessary! Waiting line extends into stairs and street
Cynthia_R, Apr 2026
Well if John is the guide you are in for a Great time !! Others do NOT compare Thank god we got him!
Santosh_T, Apr 2026
The way the guide presented the whole event was wonderful. The beverages onboard were also good enjoyed them.
Lindsay_F, Apr 2026
Perfect tour for an Architect, being able to cover a lot of Ground, with a knowledgeable, funny tour guide.
mistygg, Mar 2026
Informative and interesting your but guests need to be aware that the Chicago River is not pretty in many areas that boats passes through. Historical yes but not always pleasant on there. Gas fumes at back of boat can be a bit much.
Jordan_A, Mar 2026
Excellent time spent. Dave our tour guide was amazing. More information you could ever remember in 90 minutes and all of it pretty interesting.
Sharri_M, Mar 2026
Kenny the tour guide was as spectacular as the architecture! He was a wealth of knowledge. I saw things that I didn't expect.
Faye_S, Mar 2026
Great trip to take on a beautiful Chicago day. Guide was funny and knowledgeable. The boat was full, but still comfortable.
Quan_H, Mar 2026
Kenny was an amazing tour guide. He was so knowledgeable during the tour . He kept my daughter engage with the Fun Facts and Q& A while seeing such beautiful buildings. Learning the rich history of Chicago was such a phenomenal experience. Ask for Kenny !!!
Hannah_H, Mar 2026
Worth every penny. The tour guide was exceptional. The 90 minute tour covered a lot of the river and we were entertained from start to finish.
Gustavo_R, Mar 2026
Be there 15mins early from time up to 30mins due to boat running on time they don’t wait not one minute
Emma_L, Mar 2026
Comprehensive tour, on time, super informative! Thank you Kenny for a splendid time! Second time taking this tour and highly recommend.
Edward_S, Mar 2026
Fun and informative. Great way to see the city. Recommend it for anyone looking to see the city in a short period of time.
Ken_K, Mar 2026
An excellent trip. We did the 90 minute Architectural tour along the river. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and provided an interesting and funny presentation.
Angela_H, Mar 2026
Tour guide Jon was amazing! The details and education and entertainment factor was excellent. Boat was clean. Loved having the option for a beverage. Especially on a cold day.
KACY_P, Mar 2026
Spiro was the BEST tour guide! I highly recommend this to all first time visitors of Chicago! Loved this boat tour of Chicago.
Dr_J, Mar 2026
This was a great tour! We learned a lot about the city and the tour guide was very comical! Highly recommend!!
Shiyi_C, Mar 2026
Thank you for a great tour, especially on a rainy day. The route covered a long stretch of the river. The guide introduced each building clearly, with interesting details and a sense of humor. Even only four of us remained on the deck, the tour stayed engaging and on track.
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