Chicago River Spectacular Fireworks Show and Tiki Bar Cruise

Chicago, USA

High interest

Booked 3 times today.

1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket

Explore our promoted experiences

Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Chicago by Zombie Scavengers

Chicago, Illinois

5.0

(2)

Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Chicago by Zombie Scavengers

from $20

Private Vacation Photoshoot with Photographer in Chicago

from $150

Price varies by group size

Likely to Sell Out

Chicago, Illinois

5.0

(10)

Chicago River Cycleboat Cruise

from $65

Viator earns higher commissions on experiences featured here

Overview

Admire up-close views of the Chicago skyline—and a fireworks show over the city—on this tiki bar boat tour. In the evening, make your own way to the departure point at the Chicago Riverwalk, hop aboard, and get comfortable in the air-conditioned seating area or on the deck. Purchase cocktails and food from the on-site tiki bar, watch the city float by, and then sit back and take in the show.

See a new perspective on Chicago on this evening boat tour
Enjoy a view of the fireworks show that most other visitors miss
Purchase tiki drinks and bites to accompany the experience
Enjoy a one-of-a-kind night out in the Windy City

What's Included

River Cruise
Air-conditioned vehicle
Restroom on board

Alcoholic Beverages (available for purchase)

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Island Party Hut
355 Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
Chicago Riverwalk entrance is the corner of Wacker Drive and Columbus Drive. Proceed down the stairs and make a right when you get to the river. If you are driving, there is street parking is available behind Island Party Hut, 355 Sub Lower Wacker, Chicago, IL 60601 (hint, it's near the auto pound.)

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Chicago River

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Stroller accessible

Most travelers can participate
Not wheelchair accessible
Dogs welcome
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

3.9

based on 28 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Beautiful view

Nuri_A, Aug 2025

Amazing experience going with friends and having fun. Drinks are reasonably priced at $12. I recommend staying near the dock where people board the boat and lining up early to secure a chair and table on the second floor; otherwise, you'll have to stand.

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Thank you so much for joining us on our Chicago River Spectacular Fireworks Show and Tiki Bar Cruise! 🌟 We’re thrilled to hear that you and your friends had such an amazing experience and enjoyed the fun atmosphere and reasonably priced drinks. Great tip about arriving early to grab a table upstairs — we’re glad you shared that with future guests! We hope to welcome you back soon for another night of fireworks, music, and beautiful Chicago views. 🎆🚤 — The Island Party Boat Team

Wrong address provided by Viator

Cherie_S, Jul 2025

Apparently, there are two different addresses for the boat company. We were sent the wrong address for our boat cruise and missed it completely. Very disappointing since we were celebrating our nephew's 21st birthday.

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Thank you for your feedback. We’re very sorry to hear about the confusion surrounding your cruise experience. We want to assure you that the correct boarding address is listed clearly on all tickets and confirmation emails sent prior to the cruise. We only have one address for tickets and Viator does not sell the private charters that go out of a different location. We understand that navigating downtown can sometimes be challenging, which is why we strongly encourage guests to double-check their ticket details in advance and allow extra time for parking and locating the dock.

Couples getaway

Anonymous, Jul 2025

Was a Great experience came on a couples trip with my husband & wanted something not to crazy or loud!! But deff a Great time fun music, friendly staff, deff returning with the family in the future

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Thank you so much for the great review! We're thrilled to hear you and your husband had a fun and relaxing time with us. It’s wonderful to know the music, vibe, and staff made the experience just right—not too crazy, but still a great time! We can’t wait to welcome you back with the whole family for more memories on the water! ⚓🎶🌅

Overall it was a good...

Jasmine_N, Jul 2025

Overall it was a good experience. They made a roundabout through the river then stopped the boat to see the fireworks show. Only suggestion is that the boat was parked behind the bridge so we couldn’t see the fireworks that were happening below, just the big ones. Whereas other boats were able to go past the bridge. Also have more chairs on deck rather than tables so people can sit instead of having to go down the ground level

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Thank you for your honest and helpful feedback. We’re glad to hear you had a good overall experience and appreciated the river cruise and fireworks show. Safety is always our top priority, especially during high-traffic events like fireworks nights when the waterways can become very congested. In this case, our crew made the decision to stop in a location that allowed for a clear and safe view of the main fireworks display while keeping everyone on board secure. We also truly appreciate your suggestion regarding seating. We’re always looking for ways to improve guest comfort, and we’ll definitely take your comments into consideration as we plan future cruise layouts. Thank you again for cruising with Island Party Boat—we hope to welcome you back aboard soon! 🎆🛥️

Did not attend.

Jaqueline_B, May 2025

No instructions on where to park. We were not able to make the boat. Never been to Chicago, not sure if I will return.

Response from Host, May 2025

Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear that parking was an issue during your visit. Our website does provide detailed information on nearby parking garages to help guests plan ahead. Unfortunately, it looks like your booking was made through a third-party provider, so some of that helpful information may not have been as clearly communicated. When visiting a new city, we always recommend reviewing travel details in advance or reaching out to our customer service team—we’re happy to assist with directions, parking tips, and any other questions to help make your experience smooth from start to finish.

Need better info

Kara_M, May 2025

The address given to get to the Riverwalk is right but there is no parking anywhere near there so if you are driving and out of towners you dont know where to go. We left our hotel with plenty of time but with a concert and traffic we finally made it downtown and missed the boat because we couldnt find parking.

Response from Host, May 2025

Average Fireworks Cruise

Gurvinderpal_S, Aug 2023

Average Cruise for Fireworks. Drinks are not good quality, Fireworks we saw were from distance. For the Price this should be better, not recommended.

Summer nights

Merial_G, Aug 2023

Everything u can do this cruise 🛳 💯 times and some how it seems like the first time. Great experience 👍🏿

Fireworks were great. The...

Michael_H, Aug 2023

Fireworks were great. The crew provided an awesome experience. Got a nice trip of the Chicago river.

Awesome boat ride

Shonta_D, Aug 2023

Very nice Birthday experience for me. Merchandise mart art show on building and fireworks were spectacular!

Great views!

Laura_U, Jul 2023

Great views of Chicago skyline. Perfect locaton on the river to watch the fireworks Highly recommend

July Cruise

Eric_H, Jul 2023

The experience, the view, the fireworks… everything was great! We had a really good time. The boat could’ve been a bit newer, but it was still a good time.

Far from stress-free

Sarah_P, Jul 2023

Booked a trip for Wednesday evening fireworks was made to wait in rain till 8 when was finally told that they would reschedule. I then got a notice that my trip was moved to Saturday at 8 pm to arrive early as seats are first come first serve. So we arrived at 4 pm to be able to enjoy tiki Island which was amazing but was not included in cruise which we knew. We then lined up at 715 to be told there was no 8pm cruise and we had no reservation. So then we where informed we where suppose to be on 9 pm fireworks cruise which they could still not find our reservation and was told it wasn't for there cruise. I tried to contact the operator at time never got a response and the girl doing boarding could not confirm. It was a hassle and just allot to be able to enjoy a evening of stress-free relaxation which we didn't have.and after already spending over 125.00 on 4 drinks where told ohhh well since can't find your reservation we can give u 15% off drinks ummm no thank you how about you find my information and get me on my cruise

It was advertised as...

Angela_M, Jun 2023

It was advertised as having food to purchase but there was NO FOOD. I didn’t eat dinner before the ride because I thought there would be food!

Overall good experience

Gilbert_T, Jun 2023

It was overall a good experience. Not crowded but outside seating was limited. Weather was perfect. Skyline view and fireworks were great. Drinks available at a cost. No snacks. Smoking on the boat was an unpleasant surprise.