Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Boat Tour
Recommended by 96% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Chicago, USA
- 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Chicago is famous for its architecture, and the best way to see it is on a cruise down the Chicago River. Glide by historic and modern marvels like the Civic Opera House, Wrigley Building, and Willis Tower from the comfort of an open-deck boat. Live narration reveals each building’s fascinating history, so you'll learn more than you would just observing on your own.
- See Chicago's most famous buildings on an architecture cruise
- Learn history and trivia about skyscrapers and civic buildings
- Cruise down all three major branches of the Chicago River
- Boat has a covered deck and open-air options to suit any weather
What's Included
- Restroom on board
- Outside seating available (seating is first come first serve basis)
- Guided architecture cruise of the historic Chicago River
- Fully enclosed interior with air conditioning, seats, & windows
- Full bar & snacks (available for purchase)
- Gratuities
- $12 to $15 discounted parking lot connected to marina
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 900 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
Registration takes place in the parking lot connected to the marina. Please note that parking typically costs between $12.00-$15.00. For more details on directions and parking.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Wrigley Building (Pass By)
Willis Tower (Pass By)
Aqua Tower (Pass By)
Chicago Chinatown (Pass By)
Merchandise Mart (Pass By)
Navy Pier (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Tour times cannot be changed
- Cruises are on rain or shine
- Minimum drinking age is 21 years
- Please arrive 30 min before your cruise time
- Seating is first come first serve. If you have a large group, arrive early
- Each guest needs a ticket including children & infants
- Refunds will not be issued if tour/activity is missed due to late or non-arrival of cruise ship
- Vessel has full bar and restroom
- Please take note that parking is about $12.00 - $15.00.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 150 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Theresa_F
Great tour, our guide Hillary was amazing! Beautiful tour, I would highly recommend, this was the highlight of our trip!!
Reviews
4.8
based on 1,823 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Anne_G, Jul 2026
This was the most amazing tour I have been on. Hillary's extensive knowledge coupled with her passion for the topic made the tour extremely interesting as well as eminently enjoyable. I highly recommend her company's tours.
Pamela_S, Jul 2026
Very educational and enjoyable! Guide was funny and very knowledgeable! I would definitely recommend it but sit up towards front of boat. We were in the last row above the engine in back and it was hard to hear.
Danielle_B, Jul 2026
We learned so much about the history of Chicago and the architecture surrounding the River. I’ve done this tour before and learned different details this time - highly recommend!
Julie_R, Jul 2026
The Chicago weather can be unpredictable and on a day with some of the weirdest weather, our tour went well with a break in the storm. Our guide was informative and charming as he pointed out the historical and significant buildings of Chicago. The whole tour was well worth braving the elements.
Shapwll, Jul 2026
It was really excellent! Boat is docked further out so the tour is longer. Our tour guide made the tour fun!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for the fantastic review! We are so glad you loved Hillary—she truly is amazing!
It's great to hear that you enjoyed the longer experience on the water and had such a fun time learning about Chicago's architecture. We will be sure to pass your sweet shoutout along to Hillary. Thank you for cruising with us, and we hope to welcome you back on board again soon!
Eryn_B, Jul 2026
Great experience! This tour is worth it. We learned a lot about Chicago architecture. You won’t be disappointed.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for the wonderful review! We are so thrilled to hear that you had such a great experience on our 90-minute architecture tour and found it so worthwhile.
Sharing the rich history and unique stories behind Chicago's skyline is what we love most, so hearing "you won't be disappointed" means the world to our team! Thank you for cruising with us, and we hope to welcome you back on board again soon!
ElishaT_F, Jul 2026
This trip was led by an excellent and engaging guide, who provided a great balance of architectural detail and Chicago history!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for the incredible review! Hearing that our 90-minute architecture tour was the highlight of your trip to Chicago means the absolute world to our team.
Striking that perfect balance between rich architectural details and fascinating Chicago history is always our goal, so we are thrilled your guide nailed it for you. Thank you for exploring the river with us, and we hope to welcome you back on board the next time you are in town!
Emily_K, Jul 2026
Hilary was a great guide. She made the tour fun and informative. This is a must do when in Chicago. She also mentioned other activities to do that we don’t know about and we enjoyed those as well.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for the fantastic review! We are so glad to hear Hilary made your 90-minute architecture tour both fun and informative. It's awesome that her extra local tips added even more to your trip! Thank you for recommending us as a Chicago must-do, and we hope to welcome you back on board soon!
Maria_H, Jul 2026
Tour was good and so was the guide but 90 minutes felt somewhat long. Overall it was good just 30 minutes too long for my taste. Meeting point also felt a bit off the beaten path.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your feedback and for joining us on the river! We are glad to hear you enjoyed the tour and had a great experience with our guide.
We appreciate your honest notes on the tour length and dock location. While many guests love the full 90 minutes to take in as much history and skyline views as possible, we know that pacing can be a matter of personal preference! Regarding our dock, being slightly tucked away helps us offer a smooth, safe boarding process away from the heaviest street traffic, but we are always looking for ways to make directions even clearer for our guests.
We constantly strive to deliver a 5-star experience, and we hope to welcome you back on board again in the future!
renee_w, Jul 2026
Very knowledgeable director with a touch of humor . The guide was engaging by including the tourist in the conversations
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for the fantastic review! We are delighted to hear that you had such an enjoyable 90-minute architecture tour. It's wonderful that your guide kept things engaging by bringing everyone into the conversation, all while blending deep architecture knowledge with a great touch of humor. Thank you for cruising with us, and we hope to welcome you back on board the river soon!
Heather_D, Jul 2026
Hands down the best boat tour in Chicago. Our docent was full of information of everything Chicago. This is a new boat tour company and would highly recommend it.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for the incredible review! Hearing that we are hands down the best boat tour in Chicago means the absolute world to our entire team—especially as a newer company.
We are so glad our docent made the experience so rich with deep Chicago history and information. Thank you for the high recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back on board for another fantastic tour soon!
martin_y, Jul 2026
Parking is very close but there is no food in the immediate area. So pay minimal parking time as you need to drive to eat after.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your review! We are glad you enjoyed visiting us from nearby Waukegan for our 90-minute architecture tour.
We really appreciate you sharing that helpful tip about local parking and dining for fellow visitors! Providing a great experience on the Chicago River is our top priority, and practical tips like yours help make trip planning smoother for everyone. Thank you for touring with us, and we hope to welcome you back on board again soon!
Donna_R, Jul 2026
I had 8 cousins in town from Houston many visiting Chicago for the first time. The Archectural River Cruise was definitely one of the highlights of their visit.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for the fantastic review! We are so honored that our 90-minute architecture tour was a highlight for your group's visit to Chicago.
Hosting family from out of town—especially first-time visitors—is such a special responsibility, and we are thrilled we could help create great memories for you and your cousins from Houston! We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you all back on board for another tour soon!
Amanda_T, Jul 2026
Heath was knowledgeable and funny! He really gave a lot of interesting information in an entertaining way.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for the fantastic review! We are so glad to hear that Heath made your 90-minute architecture tour such a blast.
Combining deep architectural knowledge with great humor is what makes a tour truly memorable, and we will be sure to pass your kind words along to Heath. Thank you for cruising with us, and we hope to welcome you back on board for another great tour soon!
Sandra_S, Jul 2026
It was my first time in Chicago, and the tour was fantastic; I was impressed by all the information and the guide's enthusiasm. The 90 minutes were spectacular, and the architecture was stunning. The boat was very clean, and the staff were incredibly friendly—right from the moment I arrived, the gentleman scanning tickets in line was super nice. I highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for this beautiful review! We are absolutely honored that you chose us for your very first visit to Chicago, and we're thrilled that it left such a spectacular impression. I am especially proud to hear your compliments about our staff—from the gentleman scanning tickets in line to our enthusiastic guide and onboard crew, we strive to provide a welcoming experience from the moment you arrive. Thank you for the high recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back on board for your next trip to the city!
Mark_A, Jul 2026
It is a wonderful excursion awesome views that you normally would never see. I most definitely would do it again someday.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for the beautiful review! We are absolutely thrilled that you had such a wonderful excursion with us. The Chicago River really does offer a completely unique perspective of the city's skyline that you just can't get from the streets, and we're so glad you enjoyed those awesome views. We appreciate you cruising with us and look forward to welcoming you back on board someday!
Michelle_T, Jul 2026
It started raining 15 or 20 minutes into the tour instead of canceling they continued for the wholev90 minute tour we couldn't hear the tour guy and we had to go to the lower deck where we could not see anything I was soaked it was a waste of money
Belinda_C, Jul 2026
This tour was too long and too expensive I would do the 45-minute tour that's sufficient time. The Chicago waterways are dirty with trash thrown so 45mins is enough.
John_G, Jul 2026
Pouring rain with thunder and lightning not very enjoyable . Probably good during nice weather overall
Florence_G, Jul 2026
So informative and professional. Location is less then desired, we arrived and a few of us questioned if we were in fact in the right location.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for the review! We are thrilled to hear that you found the tour super fun, informative, and professional. We completely understand that our boarding location can be a bit surprising at first glance since it is tucked away from the main hustle and bustle, but we love that it offers a seamless entry to the water once you find us. Thank you for choosing us for your 90-minute architecture cruise, and we hope to welcome you back on board soon!
Greta_T, Jul 2026
Heath was a great tour guide learned a lot about the history of Chicago and its architecture and the crew was great
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We are absolutely thrilled to hear that you had such a fun experience on the river with us. Heath is a fantastic guide, and we are so glad you enjoyed learning about Chicago's history and architecture through his storytelling. A big thank you from Heath and our great crew—we hope to welcome you back on board soon!
Lesley_S, Jun 2026
Hillary was an excellent tour guide. Knowledgable, funny and entertaining. She had great insight into the city, its history and stories.
Shantha_H, Jun 2026
David was our guide and I highly recommend this tour with him. Every building and its architecture was explained so well. Great story teller
Sara_W, Jun 2026
Book this company! We had the best time. David was funny and so informative. PRO tip: sit at the bow of the boat. Cushion seats and we had the place to ourselves until everyone else peeped game.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for the fantastic 5-star review! We love that you called out the Summer of George—she’s a beauty! David is a brilliant guide, and we’re thrilled you enjoyed his blend of humor and history. Shhh... don't give away the bow secret too loudly, but we're so glad you 'peeped game' early and got those comfy cushion seats to yourselves! We hope to welcome you back aboard soon.
Aniah_M, Jun 2026
super easy to park and check in! the experience was well worth it. shoutout to Joe & Dave, they’re literally sweethearts!!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We know that logistics can sometimes be a hassle, so hearing that parking and check-in were super easy for you is fantastic. We will absolutely pass along your sweet shoutout to Joe and Dave—they truly are rockstars and love making our guests feel right at home. We're so glad the experience was well worth it, and we hope to see you on the river again soon!
Mikolaj_K, Jun 2026
Best way to see Chicago and its stunning architecture! Good duration (better than competition), cool and well-equipped ship, but most of all… AMAZING AND PASSIONATE NARRATION!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for the fantastic review! We are absolutely thrilled to be called the 'best way to see Chicago.' We intentionally designed our 90-minute duration to give guests the most complete, unhurried look at our stunning architecture, so hearing that you found it better than the competition means a lot to us. We’ll be sure to pass your praise along to our narrator—their amazing passion is truly what sets us apart. We hope to welcome you back aboard our ship soon!
John_R, Jun 2026
If it looks like rain in the forecast, cancel 24 hours before. This goes rain or shine and if it's raining your stuck below deck and you can't see a GD thing out of the windows. You might as well be in a submarine in a mud puddle.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi John! Thank you for sharing your feedback. I completely understand how frustrating it is when bad weather impacts a sight-seeing trip—we certainly wish we could control the Chicago weather!
Because weather forecasts can change so quickly, our tours do run rain or shine. If you ever have concerns about forecasted weather before your trip, it’s always best to reach out directly to our customer support department so we can help you review your options. That said, we hear you loud and clear regarding lower-deck visibility during heavy rain, and we strive to make it better by looking into ways to manage window fogging and interior comfort on rainy days.
If you'd like to discuss your experience further, please feel free to contact our support team.
Ronald_R, Jun 2026
Don't go on a rainy day and plan to stay inside. All the windows on rainy days are obscured and you won't be able to see anything.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Ronald! Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. I completely understand how disappointing it is when bad weather impacts your sightseeing, especially when windows fog up and obscure the views.
While we unfortunately can't control the Chicago weather, we strive to make it better with every tour, and your comments help us look into better ways to manage interior visibility and window fogging on rainy days.
Since our tours do operate rain or shine, if you ever have concerns about forecasted weather prior to your trip, it is always best to reach out directly to our customer support department so we can help you review your options ahead of time.
Holly_O, Jun 2026
This is a great way to learn about Chicago’s history through its architecture. This was an enjoyable way to tour the heart of Chicago!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for the wonderful review! We are so glad to hear that our cruise was an enjoyable way for you to tour the heart of Chicago and connect with the city's history. We hope to welcome you back on the river soon!
Aaron_H, Jun 2026
David was our tour guide. Very knowledgeable and engaging.
Highly recommended! Would definitely book again.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for the fantastic recommendation! We are thrilled to hear that David was very knowledgeable, engaging, and made your cruise so memorable. Knowing that you would definitely book with us again is the best compliment we could ask for. We hope to welcome you back on the river soon!
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