Chicago Lake and River Architecture Tour
Recommended by 93% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Chicago, USA
- 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Step aboard a boat for a comprehensive cruise that details the history of Chicago's architecture. Enjoy views of the Chicago skyline accompanied by architecture-focused commentary that points out each of the landmark buildings. As you cruise through Lake Michigan, snap photos of you and your party against the stretch of Chicago's 26-mile shoreline.
- Comprehensive architectural tour
- Live commentary on Chicago's architectural gems
- Travel by boat along the Lake Michigan shoreline
- Buy tickets in advance for this must-do Chicago activity
What's Included
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Restroom on board
- Local Expert Guide
- Outdoor and Indoor climate-controlled seating option
- Alcoholic drinks, non-alcoholic drinks, and snacks available for purchase on board
- Storage
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
Arrive early for boarding onto your boat at Wendella's Michigan Avenue Dock, conveniently located in the heart of Chicago's Magnificent Mile. Seating is first-come first-served, so groups should arrive 30 minutes before the tour time.
On the bottom deck of the climate-controlled lounge, you'll find restrooms and a full-service bar offering snacks like chips and candy.
Depart from the dock to start discovering the architecture of Chicago as you float along the city's skyline. With lively commentary highlighting each landmark building, gain a comprehensive understanding of the city's architectural heritage. As you sail along Lake Michigan, capture photos against Chicago's 26-mile (42-mile) shoreline before returning to your departure point.
On the bottom deck of the climate-controlled lounge, you'll find restrooms and a full-service bar offering snacks like chips and candy.
Depart from the dock to start discovering the architecture of Chicago as you float along the city's skyline. With lively commentary highlighting each landmark building, gain a comprehensive understanding of the city's architectural heritage. As you sail along Lake Michigan, capture photos against Chicago's 26-mile (42-mile) shoreline before returning to your departure point.
1
Chicago River
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Lake Michigan
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Centennial Fountain And Water Arc (Pass By)
Merchandise Mart (Pass By)
Marina City (Pass By)
Michigan Avenue Bridge (Pass By)
Wrigley Building (Pass By)
Chicago Riverwalk (Pass By)
The Lyric Opera House (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
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Outside alcohol is prohibited
- All bags are subject to search
- 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
- Special requests entered at checkout cannot be guaranteed
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 300 travelers
Supplied by
Frequently Asked Questions (10)
Q:Where do we meet for the Chicago Lake and 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
We expected a relaxing boat ride with beautiful views — but we got so much more. Our tour guide, Kenny, was absolutely fantastic. His deep knowledge of Chicago’s history, combined with his engaging personality and fun trivia game, made the experience unforgettable. This tour exceeded our expectations, and I would absolutely choose it again!
Reviews
4.7
based on 2,492 reviews
Review summary
Last 12 months
201 reviews
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Travelers praise the tour for its stunning views of Lake Michigan, the Chicago skyline, and the locks system, offering a unique water-based perspective enhanced by informative guides who blend architectural history with engaging storytelling. Comfort is noted through clean facilities, air-conditioned areas, and onboard amenities. The tour is considered well organized and reasonably priced, though some flag overbooking, unclear meeting points, and occasional delays at the locks.
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Great experience, our guide Alyssa was fabulous! She was funny, kept her talk informative and added her own twists. Strongly recommend!
Bobby served as our architectural tour guide on a bright late October day. He was extremely knowledgeable and kept the 90 minute tour enjoyable throughout the time out on the lake and into the river. The history he shared was factual and he doesn’t shy away from the bad that was done by people in the past like polluting the river. He correctly pronounced long confusing names and answered all the questions posed. I really enjoyed this tour. Thank you to the wait staff who recommended it!
Fantastic guide made the trip an experience to remember and share with others. I’m so glad we chose the lake AND river tour.
The 90-minute tour spends 30 minutes just going through the locks! 15 out and 15 back. It should be called a Lake tour, as we turned around immediately after boarding and headed to the lake. We wanted to see the river and the architecture on the RIVER! My bad for not reading the fine print. For some this might be best, but not for me.
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Sorry for the confusion. we’d be happy to have you back as my guest for one of our river tours. Please contact me directly and I’ll be happy to arrange it.
Wonderful experience we were able to see all of the lake and the city around the lake, the architecture by the river. Very informative trip wonderful views perfect to take pictures.
Great tour, loved the details about the history of the city, very informative and had a great guide that kept things interesting and fun! Highly recommend!
Nice way to see the beautiful skyline and learn a little about the buildings. The boat was fairly basic but comfortable and the tour guide was very knowledgeable about the city, its history and the buildings.
All good for us. Cruise was more lake than river which was perfect for us. Our guide was great - knowledgeable and easy to hear. Enjoyed the lock experience between the river and lake.
Great introduction to Chicago for first-time visitors! Some history, some architecture, some food and night life recommendations. Amazing views. Light-hearted.
Good weather is key, but this was so cool to see all the buildings, learn about the architecture and city history and get incredible views from Lake Michigan. Seems like a Chicago Must Do!
May get a chilly breeze but totally worth the cool fresh air to behold the landsacape of this beautiful city..
It’s a great tour! We didn’t expect to enjoy the lake portion as much as we did, but it turned out to be the best part.
Beautiful cruise on the river and lake, very enjoyable! Loved the description of all the buildings, really loved the skyline view!
It was so interesting. I learned a lot. Loved it! Beautiful scenery and the guide was wonderful. Happy we went!
Great experience on a beautiful sunny day in October in Chicago, our tour guide Kenny was fabulous! Learned a lot of interesting history about the buildings and the lake/river
River lake cruise guide was very informative and funny. I really enjoyed the cruise. The Chicago skyline was beautiful.
We had a great time and recommend this tour to everyone visiting Chicago. The tour guide, Jay, was not only informative but very entertaining..
Great experience and very well run. Easy to find, on-time and les by a wonderful tour guide. Gaby was a wealth of knowledge.
This tour is less informative about the architecture, but goes on both the lake and the river, which is nice.
Fantastic! Light snacks & drinks avaliable for purchase! Great way to see the shoreline. Would highly recommend.
The directions were clear. The tour was informative and interesting. The tour narrator was knowledgeable and humorous. Refreshments were welcome on a chilly day.
90 minute tour made me appreciative of Chicago skyline. Tour was very scenic and informative
Gabby was energetic and friendly
It was really great. Lovely views, and the guide was charming and funny. Learned a lot about Chicago, which was nice.
What a fantastic way to spend a sunny afternoon in Chicago. I’d been on Chicago River cruises before but this was the first time I got to go through the locks to Lake Michigan and see Chicago from that perspective. Kenny was a great guide! Best cruise ever!
The guide on the boat was absolutely fabulous! His charisma, passion and genuine interest in Chicago really came thru in the info he provided.
Easy to locate, it was an absolutely amazing tour, the guide was very knowledgeable, very friendly, and funny. The day was perfect for boating! Will definitely be back for another tour!!
My husband and I both enjoyed this 90 minute lake and river cruise. We learned a lot about the architecture and history of Chicago from our knowledgeable and engaging tour guide. Highly recommend!
The speaker was interesting but we were disappointed in how the time was spent. We hadn't realized that the tour was going through locks and that took too much time away from the actual river cruise and discussion about the architecture.
The tour started and ended exactly on time, was really fun and informative, I'll definitely take the tour again when I'm back in the city. Great views and explanation of history, and an easy ticket buying and check on process
This is the second time we have experienced the architectural river tour. Learned new stuff and the crew aboard the boat was friendly and accommodating as they were the last time. This is definitely an interesting and economical experience for anyone who lives here and wants to learn more of Chicago’s history or someone from out of town that just wants a nice afternoon. !
Member Pricing
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$45.60
per personWas $48.00(-5%)
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Chicago Lake and River Architecture Tour
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