Historical and Architectural Chicago Fireboat River & Lake Cruise
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Chicago, USA
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Maximize your Chicago sightseeing on a river cruise—and travel aboard a unique historical vessel, which other tours don’t offer—on this one-of-a-kind excursion. Pick from different departure times and board a classic Chicago fireboat, which served the city’s fire department from 1937 to 1981. As you sail Lake Michigan and the Chicago River, view architectural highlights including the Wrigley Building and Chicago Lighthouse, and chart the boat’s firefighting history via the on-board displays and commentary.
- This river boat tour covers top Chicago landmarks, all in one quick trip
- Learn facts about the city’s sights and fire service most travelers miss
- Relax with snacks and drinks available for purchase on board
- Great for first-time visitors, families, and firefighting enthusiasts
What's Included
- Bathrooms available onboard
- Cruise on a piece of Chicago history
- Expert narration of Chicago's history & architecture
- SnacksLight snacks available for purchase onboard
- Alcoholic BeveragesAlcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase onboard
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Chicago Fireboat Tours111 N Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable Lake Shore Dr Dock H, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
DuSable Harbor, Concrete pier Dock H behind the Columbia Yacht Club
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Chicago River (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Important Note: We only serve alcoholic drinks for travelers 21 years old and above. Minor travelers below 21 years old will be served non-alcoholic drinks.
- Harbor Parking at 111 N. Lakeshore Drive. Access to parking in same intersection as harbor.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 100 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
Jady_T
Such a fun and unique experience! We absolutely loved the concept of the fireboat — it’s such a cute and charming way to explore Chicago. It was a little tricky to find the boat at first since it’s tucked right behind a larger boat at the address provided, but once we figured that out, everything was smooth sailing (literally!).
A huge thank you to our tour guide, Cliff — he was fantastic! Cliff shared so many interesting stories about Chicago’s architecture and history, and his passion really showed. We learned so much while enjoying the beautiful views. Also a big shoutout to the friendly staff who were waiting for us when we arrived. They were super patient, helpful, and made sure we got on board without stress.
Highly recommend this cruise to anyone looking for a different and memorable way to experience Chicago. The fireboat is truly one-of-a-kind!
Reviews
4.9
based on 386 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
agnesleslie2004, Jul 2026
We loved the boat tour. it was not crowded that we couldn't take good pictures. it was well narrated and enough time on the water to enjoy the sites. It was our first time so we truly enjoyed it.
Linda_P, Jul 2026
It was nice to be able to walk around the boat and see different views, it was a fun atmosphere and nice to see the vintage boat everyone was very friendly and helpful..
Monica_R, Jul 2026
The historical fireboat tour was nice. I'm giving it a 4/5 review because we had a hard time understanding what the captain was saying. We were sitting towards the back end of the boat.
Clare_K, Jul 2026
Excellent staff. Our guide was very knowledgeable. The boat was clean and staff was friendly. Great experience.
Lesley_R, Jul 2026
Had a blast!!!! This boat was relatively quiet and not crowded at all. Loved the history and commentary that Cliff provided. Set the tone for the entire Chigo trip. Love the fact that they were safety minded and above all, proud of their beautiful city.
Carmen_L, Jul 2026
This is a really cool experience and part of Chicago history! To actually see the history of the fire boat and the launching of it, along with the patches down below was amazing! I absolutely loved my entire experience. The crew members are very knowledgeable, and friendly. I would definitely take this tour with them again.
Ann_L, Jul 2026
Excellent experience! The boat was very clean, everyone on the staff was friendly, professional and ensured our trip was top notch! Nice seating with open sides so the very hot and sunny day wasn't a distraction. The guide was so knowledgeable which was very appreciated! Highly recommend!
Jill_M, Jul 2026
This was an excellent tour with the added experience of going through the river lock system. Tour guide was extremely knowledgeable.
Janet_R, Jul 2026
That it was very informational and the tour guide was very helpful and friendly. He came and ask was the trip to our liking and we said we really appreciate him.
Luke_A, Jul 2026
Just the boat was cool enough. The tour guide took it to a whole other level. Could not recommend enough.
Amy_F, Jul 2026
The sunset at the end of the 6pm tour with the skyline from the lake was phenomenal. My mom said aside from her daughter’s wedding this was the highlight of her trip.
My cousin has been on other tours that did not venture in to the lake. The lake is where our tour started, then we entered the lock to go up river. The tour guide was informative. The volume of the guide was perfect. Interesting tid bits learned. Apparently other tours can have the mic set too loud and it can obnoxious.
Do bring a sweater or sweatshirt. I am saying this as a guest who took the tour in July. They do have t-shirts and sweatshirts for sale on board. Two in our party did not heed my wind warning and left with souvenir sweatshirts. They also have hot and cold drinks with snacks. Hot chocolate is a hot commodity on board. There is open seating at the prow of the boat and covered seating at the back.
We went with ages 5-67. They did have coloring pages and crayons for the kids. Our 7 year old neurodivergent kiddo did get bored halfway through but we managed to corral his energy. We also had a chance to feed a duck and duckling while waiting for the other boats to gather in the lock.
I really appreciated the fact that this was a more intimate setting. It is a smaller boat. Did not worry about kids getting lost or losing our spots when we got up to peruse the decor inside the boat.
Brenda_W, Jul 2026
This is a great tour of Chicago history and architecture. The narration was interesting and he answered any questions.
William_T, Jul 2026
The tour guide, Cliff was outstanding. A lot of information was presented with no cues. He made the trip! Wonderful historian.
kcassic, Jul 2026
Cliff is an awesome narrator, and doing a little of the lake and all of the Central fork/a little of the North fork of the Chicago River was awesome.
Liz_R, Jul 2026
The tour guide was fun and enlightening with great knowledge. The whole team was friendly and welcoming
AnaLuisa_M, Jul 2026
It was so professionally explained and the staff was SO nice? Welcoming and also professional. It is so worrh doing this tour and reawrving with time is better.
Antonia_D, Jul 2026
This was such a wonderful tour! Cliff narrated all along the way as we traveled on the Chicago River. Wonderful information about the history of the fireboat and Chicago. Great narration about all the architecture along our route. Chicago is such a beautiful city! A surprise rainstorm ended our tour, but all the staff on board were quick to close the windows and get us all safely inside. And then they gave us each a rain poncho so we didn't get soaked getting back to our rides. That was so thoughtful ❣️ Definitely a must if you're in Chicago -
5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Kris_T, Jul 2026
We thoroughly enjoyed the Chicago Fireboat River & Lake Cruise. The team was outstanding and provided a wonderful experience. We both walked away having learned so much about the history of Chicago. Highly recommended!
angel_s, Jul 2026
A must! Cliff is a natural guide! Loved every minute of it. Wish it was a little bit longer actually.
Cindy_K, Jul 2026
We all loved it - young, older and beyond! Wonderful, engaging crew. Would definitely recommend to anyone.
Frank_D, Jul 2026
I have been on multiple Chicago river tours visiting Chicago over the past 10 years and the Chicago Fireboat tour was the best BY FAR that I have ever been on. I’m not one to leave many reviews, but the staff was so friendly and welcoming that they deserve it.
Cliff is a national treasure, who might be the most knowledgeable guide I’ve ever spoken to. If you are blessed enough to have him giving your tour that day, thank your lucky stars! He is the man. He is one of the main reasons I would recommend this tour.
The entire staff was awesome (shout out Captain Eric who was on board and also is a co-owner of the company). Veteran owned and operated, they were a small “mom & pop” type tour offering a much more personalized experience vs some of the “corporate” type tours i’ve been on in the past. PLUS the boat is a retired Chicago fireboat, so you feel part of the history of the city.
You don’t need to keep searching for a better price or a better tour, you have already found it. Pull the trigger and book with Firehouse, you will not regret it!
THANK YOU again yall!
- Frank & Shelby from Philly (go birds)
Sarah_C, Jun 2026
I have no doubt that the experience itself was fantastic, but can't say for sure. Do NOT try to get an Uber to the address in the instructions on the site. They won't know how to get you there UNLESS you are fortunate enough to get a driver that really knows Chicago. Ours was not from the area and didn't have a clue. Also wasn't incredibly friendly or have great English speaking skills. We even had a very friendly person at the boat dock on the phone about half way through our Uber ride who was trying to help us get there.
If you ordered your tickets through Viator, CALL the boat company number listed for the correct instructions (it's a recording) on how to get to the correct place well in advance so you don't miss your boat, too.
Nichole_P, Jun 2026
Super laided back environment! Very informative as well! The crew was awesome! Freedom to move around!
Sonya_R, Jun 2026
Guide was great, Tour was great, bartender was great! Highly recommended! Better than the tours that only get the river rather than the river and lake! We had a fabulous time!
Laura_B, Jun 2026
This was a wonderful way to see the architecture in Chicago! Our guide was so knowledgeable! Despite some less than desirable weather, we were comfortable on the historical fire boat! Highly recommend this adventure to see and hear about Chicago!
Kathy_D, Jun 2026
What a great experience. The captain and staff were phenomenal. The information from Cliff engaging …… never a dull moment. I feel like I know more about Chicago and the architecture than most Chicagoians!!
James_A, Jun 2026
By far the best tour we have ever been on.
Crew was amazing !
History of the city was wonderful !
Boat was amazing !
Karl_D, Jun 2026
Unfortunately, it was too windy for the Fireboat to navigate the waters. The staff on the boat were very pleasant and disappointed that we couldn’t leave the dock. We were refunded the entire cost. We are hopeful that we can return the summer to experience the tour.
Debra_M, Jun 2026
Relaxing experience. People running the boat were very very nice. Could use a bit more information about architecture
Sue_S, Jun 2026
Amazing!
The staff was very helpful with small children.
Very Informative about the history of Chicago, the architecural history along the river and waterfront of the lake.
The tour is beyond 5 stars.
From $47.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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