Chicago's Lake Michigan Downtown Kayak Rental at Ohio Street Beach

Recommended by 95% of travelers

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Chicago, USA

1 to 2 hours (approx.)
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Overview

Escape the bustle of the city during this one or two-hour kayak rental along Lake Michigan in downtown Chicago. Experience the serene waters of the iconic lake as you paddle at your own pace in a single or tandem kayak, enjoying views of Chicago’s famous skyline. Take breaks along nearby urban beachfronts, with the option to extend your rental time. Stand-up paddleboards are also available for rental.

A 1 or 2-hour single or tandem kayak rental in Chicago’s Lake Michigan
Extend your rental time during an optional visit to nearby beachfronts
Beginning kayakers can partner with more experienced riders in a tandem device
Kayaks are suitable for older children ages 13+ with adult guardians

What's Included

Kayak and Life Jacket

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

550 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Located on Ohio Street Beach, Downtown Chicago (1/2 block from Navy Pier)

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation

No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
Price listed is per person. Select 2 passengers when booking 1 double kayak.

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

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)

Featured review

Amanda_F

Perfect way to spend time in Chicago. Friendly people and it’s made very easy to get your kayak out and in the water.

Reviews

4.8

based on 22 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Kayak with kids

Kimm_H, Aug 2025

So fun to kayak around Navy Pier. Watching people on the boats and jet skies was lots of fun. Weather was beautiful

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you for sharing your experience! ☀️🚣‍♀️ We couldn’t agree more — kayaking around Navy Pier is such a fun and lively experience. Watching the boats and jet skis cruise by while you paddle along makes for an unforgettable day on Lake Michigan — especially when the weather cooperates! Our Chicago Kayak Rental location at Ohio Street Beach gives you those perfect skyline views while staying in calm, protected waters. It’s one of the reasons so many guests love choosing us for Kayak Rentals in Chicago. Whether you call it Chicago Kayak Hire or just the best way to spend a beautiful afternoon downtown, we’re so happy you had such a great time. At Bobby's Bike Hike & Kayaks, we’re passionate about our four core tenets of travel, community, health and service — and hearing that you had so much fun out on the water truly means the world to us. We hope to see you back out on Lake Michigan again soon! 🌊✨

Perfection 👌

Amanda_F, Sep 2024

Perfect way to spend time in Chicago. Friendly people and it’s made very easy to get your kayak out and in the water.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you so much for the kind words! 🌊🚣‍♂️ We love hearing that your Chicago Kayak Rental experience was the perfect way to spend time in the city. Our team works hard to make Kayak Rentals in Chicago as smooth and simple as possible — from check-in to getting your kayak in and out of the water — so it’s wonderful to know you found everything easy and welcoming. Paddling on Lake Michigan from Ohio Street Beach truly gives you a one-of-a-kind perspective of the Chicago skyline while enjoying calm, protected waters. Bobby's Kayak on Lake Michigan is located on the calm waters inside the breakwall at Ohio Street Beach, which was voted the most photo-worthy beach on Lake Michigan, and it’s conveniently located downtown with an easy walk to most hotels — making your Chicago Kayak Hire experience both scenic and stress-free. We’d love to have you back out on the water again soon! 🌞

Great service, thanks Ethan!

vkmadane1, Sep 2024

Ethan is a great guy, very helpful. Location is a bit hidden at first. Its off the beach in a trailer to get the registration & waiver done. Once you have the kayak, the lake is pretty much yours explore. Surreal & mesmerizing.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you for the thoughtful review! 🌊🚣‍♂️ We’re so happy to hear you had a surreal and mesmerizing time out on Lake Michigan — once you’re on the water, it really does feel like the lake is yours to explore. We appreciate the note about the location as well. Since our Chicago Kayak Rental check-in is based out of our beachside trailer just off Ohio Street Beach, it can feel a little tucked away at first — but that’s part of what keeps our launch area calm and organized for Kayak Rentals in Chicago. Once you’re checked in and set up, it’s smooth sailing (or paddling!) from there. We’ll definitely pass along your kind words to Ethan — he truly enjoys helping guests feel comfortable and ready for their adventure. Experiences like yours are exactly why so many people choose Chicago Kayak Hire as a must-do activity when visiting downtown. Next time consider joining us for a Bike rental and explore the world-famous 20 mile Lakefront Bike Trail. It’s another incredible way to take in the beauty of Chicago! We hope to welcome you back to the water again soon. 🌅

Kayaking lake Michigan

Roger_R, Sep 2024

No hassle, Evan was great helping us get started. He was very accommodating and felxible. Great experience.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you for the fantastic review! 🙌🚣‍♀️ We’re so glad to hear your Chicago Kayak Rental experience was hassle-free and that Evan took great care of you. Being accommodating and flexible is exactly what we aim for, so it’s wonderful to know he helped get you off to a smooth start. There’s nothing better than launching from Ohio Street Beach and heading out onto the beautiful waters of Lake Michigan. Our goal with all of our Kayak Rentals in Chicago is to make the process easy so you can focus on enjoying the skyline views and the peaceful paddle. Whether guests call it Chicago Kayak Hire or just the highlight of their trip, we’re thrilled you had such a great experience. Bobby's Bike Hike & Kayaks is passionate about our four core tenets of travel, community, health and service, and reviews like yours truly mean a lot to our team. We’d love to see you back out on the water again soon! 🌊☀️

Bucket List: Kayaking in Lake Michigan: Check

Natalee_F, Jun 2024

Evan was waiting for us! He was prepared and very friendly! He really helped us and got us off on the right foot (or should I say paddle?)! We came to Evan very stressed out and left with a wonderful memory! We loved paddling around the point to see Navy Pier and then when we were returning the city scape view was stunning! We loved Kayaking in Lake Michigan! Bucket list: kayaking in Lake Michigan: check!!

Response from Host, Feb 2026

What an incredible review — thank you for sharing this! 🌊🚣‍♂️ We absolutely love hearing that you arrived stressed and left with a bucket-list memory checked off. That’s exactly what a great Chicago Kayak Rental experience should do! Evan will be so happy to hear your kind words. Getting you “off on the right paddle” 😉 is what we strive for with all of our Kayak Rentals in Chicago — smooth, welcoming, and stress-free from the moment you arrive at Ohio Street Beach. Paddling around the point to see Navy Pier and then turning back to that jaw-dropping skyline view across Lake Michigan really is magical. That return view of the cityscape is something special — and we’re thrilled you got to experience it during your Chicago Kayak Hire adventure. Bobby's Kayak on Lake Michigan is located on the calm waters inside the breakwall at Ohio Street Beach, which was voted the most photo-worthy beach on Lake Michigan, and it’s conveniently located downtown with an easy walk to most hotels — making it easy to turn a regular day into a bucket-list moment. We’re honored to have been part of your Lake Michigan kayaking “check!” ✔️ Come paddle with us again anytime! 🌅✨

Chicago adventure

Angel_P, Jul 2023

Awesome experience! Beautiful views of the city and atmosphere. Manger mau was extremely kind and helpful during our experience. Would recommend to friends

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you for the wonderful review! 🌊☀️ We’re so happy you had an awesome experience and enjoyed the beautiful city views and atmosphere out on Lake Michigan. Launching from Ohio Street Beach truly gives you one of the best vantage points of the Chicago skyline — it’s what makes a Chicago Kayak Rental such a memorable activity. We’re especially glad to hear that Manager Mau was kind and helpful throughout your visit. We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words — our team works hard to make every Kayak Rentals in Chicago experience smooth, welcoming, and fun. Whether you’re recommending us to friends for their first paddle or their next Chicago Kayak Hire, we’re honored to be part of your Chicago memories. Bobby's Kayak on Lake Michigan is located on the calm waters inside the breakwall at Ohio Street Beach, which was voted the most photo-worthy beach on Lake Michigan, and it’s conveniently located downtown with an easy walk to most hotels — making it the perfect spot for both locals and visitors. We hope to see you and your friends back out on the water soon! 🚣‍♂️✨

Awesome last event for our trip to Chicago!

Jane_B, Aug 2022

I sat on the rock ledge while my 17 year old grandson kayaked from Ohio Street Beach. It was awesome to see him out with the yachts on Lake Michigan, and was a great event to end our five days in Chicago!

Response from Host, Feb 2026

What a special way to wrap up five days in Chicago — thank you for sharing that with us! 🌊✨ We love that you were able to relax on the rock ledge at Ohio Street Beach while your grandson paddled out onto Lake Michigan. Watching the kayaks alongside the yachts with the Chicago skyline in the background really is something unforgettable. It’s moments like that which make a Chicago Kayak Rental such a meaningful experience for families. Our location inside the calm, protected waters makes Kayak Rentals in Chicago both exciting and comfortable for paddlers of all ages — and just as enjoyable for spectators taking it all in from shore. Whether it’s a first-time adventure or a return visit, Chicago Kayak Hire is such a unique way to experience the city from a whole new perspective. Bobby's Kayak on Lake Michigan is located on the calm waters inside the breakwall at Ohio Street Beach, which was voted the most photo-worthy beach on Lake Michigan, and it’s conveniently located downtown with an easy walk to most hotels — making it the perfect grand finale to a Chicago trip. We’re honored to have been part of your family’s memories and hope you’ll visit us again on your next trip to the city! 🚣‍♂️🌅

Malisimo

Cristian_G, Sep 2023

La verdad llego muy tarde solo nos dio el cayac y nos dejó ala deriva aun no nos dijo más nada la verdad fue pésimo y no lo volvería a agarrar

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re truly sorry to hear that your Chicago Kayak Rental experience did not meet expectations. That is never the kind of experience we want anyone to have at Ohio Street Beach. Safety and clear instruction are extremely important to us, especially when kayaking on Lake Michigan. During all of our Kayak Rentals in Chicago, our team is expected to provide proper orientation, safety guidance, and make sure guests feel confident before heading out on the water. If that did not happen in your case, we sincerely apologize. Bobby's Bike Hike & Kayaks is passionate about our four core tenets of travel, community, health and service, and your feedback is very important to us so we can improve. We would truly appreciate the opportunity to learn more about what happened and make this right. Please feel free to contact us directly so we can follow up. We hope you might consider giving us another chance in the future to provide the safe, welcoming Chicago Kayak Hire experience we’re known for.