Chicago By Night River and Lake Cruise
Badge of Excellence
Chicago, USA
+3
- 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Discover the beauty of Chicago at night during a 1.5-hour cruise on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. Watch the city sparkle as you pass landmarks such as Museum Campus, Willis Tower, Aon Center and the John Hancock Building, and the illuminated waters of Buckingham Fountain. You'll learn about the history of the city from live commentary by your knowledgeable guide as you glide along the waterfront of Chicago.
- 1.5-hour night cruise in Chicago
- See Chicago landmarks lit up for the night
- Admire the dazzling sight of Buckingham Fountain at night
- Cruise along the Chicago River and Lake Michigan
- Hear informative commentary about the city’s history and architecture
What's Included
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Live commentary on board
- Restroom on board
- Snacks, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase on board.
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- First Lady112 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
On Michigan & Wacker Drive, at the northeast corner of the intersection. Upon arrival, please take the stairs down to Chicago's Riverwalk and visit the box office (right after/bottom of the stairs) for guidance to your cruise boarding dock. A departure board is available for your reference.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Chicago River (Pass By)
Lake Michigan (Pass By)
Navy Pier (Pass By)
John Hancock Center (Pass By)
Adler Planetarium (Pass By)
Field Museum (Pass By)
Shedd Aquarium (Pass By)
Soldier Field (Pass By)
Clarence F. Buckingham Fountain (Pass By)
Wrigley Building (Pass By)
Tribune Tower (Pass By)
Marina City (Pass By)
Merchandise Mart (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Discounted parking available at 111 E. Wacker Drive. Please visit the dockside box office for parking ticket validation
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 250 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Libby_B
Had a great time with amazing views! Mike was our tour guide and he was amazing! Very knowledgeable and answered all questions perfectly! 10/10 would recommend! Seeing the Downtown Chicago skyline from Michigan Lake was so cool! I would definitely do it again!
Reviews
4.5
based on 423 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Terese_F, Aug 2026
We really enjoyed the evening cruise and tour. Our tour guide was funny and informative. Chicago at night, is not be missed~!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hello Terese,
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We’re so glad to hear you enjoyed the evening cruise and tour. We’re especially happy that your guide made the experience both fun and informative. Chicago truly is magical at night, and we’re delighted you got to experience it from the river and lake! We hope to see you back aboard again soon.
Shonnette_D, Aug 2026
We had a wonderful time even in the rain. Learned a lot about the Chicago architectural foot print. Great Experience!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your review. We are thrilled that you enjoyed your tour with us. Hope you will return soon.
Deidre_S, Aug 2026
First Lady boat ride was a great experience. You will start on the Chicago river and merge into the Michigan lake. The view was amazing I mean amazing especially at night! The con was it can get a little bit chilly at night so bring a jacket. They sell blankets if you were to get cold and they also have a bar so you can sip and enjoy the ride. I would definitely recommend it.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your review and feedback. We are thrilled that you enjoyed your tour with us. Hope you will return soon.
Adrianne_V, Aug 2026
Perfect ending to a Beautiful day in Chicago. We could not have asked for a better sunset to enjoy cruising on the Lake and River. GREAT VIEWS
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your review. We are thrilled that you enjoyed your tour with us. Hope you will return soon.
Shamarion_G, Aug 2026
Great informative experience. The guide was very knowledgeable and provided an opportunity for one on one questions and conversation.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your review. We are thrilled that you enjoyed your tour with us. Hope you will return soon.
Megan_S, Aug 2026
This was my second time taking a cruise with First Lady (1st time was a private work event) and it was just as wonderful as I remembered. Absolutely worth paying more to do both the river & lake, and getting to see the skyline at night was magical. The staff are so sweet and everything operated smoothly & on time. I do recommend bringing a light jacket or a sweater because it can get a little chilly at night, but they sell sweatshirts on board if you forget (and you get a nice souvenir). Hands down, if you can only do one thing in Chicago make it this.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your review and feedback. We are thrilled that you enjoyed your tour with us. Hope you will return soon.
Tracy_D, Aug 2026
It was fun and relaxing! Drinks were great too! Learned a few things as well. Would highly recommend.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your review. We are thrilled that you enjoyed your tour with us. Hope you will return soon.
Morgan_T, Aug 2026
Our boat was 20 minutes late to leave, so we missed the sunset. Sitting by the railing was unsettling due to an extreme amount of spiders, mosquitos, and other flying creatures. Cole was a great guide and the sights were beautiful!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your review! We’re glad you enjoyed the beautiful sights and appreciated Cole as your guide. We apologize for the delayed departure and for the discomfort caused by the insects. We appreciate you bringing this to our attention and will share your feedback with our team.
Mary_K, Aug 2026
Explanation for traveling through the lock might be helpful as it delayed our boat. Sometimes there’s a delay at the lock. Otherwise, beautiful weather and guide was very knowledgeable.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your review! We’re glad you enjoyed the beautiful weather and found the guide knowledgeable. We appreciate your feedback regarding potential delays at the lock and will take this into consideration as we look for ways to make our product description clearer and better set expectations for our guests.
Ross_S, Aug 2026
Friendly staff. Paddles are really efficient in the water. Book the two hours so you don’t feel rushed.
Monica_B, Aug 2026
We missed our boat ride last night because we took the wrong bus to the harbor. We paid for another one for tomorrow night. It would be great to get refunded for Friday’s boat cruise if possible, please
Ronald_B, Aug 2026
Doug was fantastic! His enthusiasm and knowledge was first class! The trip was entertaining and the views were incredible!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your review. We think Doug is awesome too. We are thrilled that you enjoyed your tour with us. Hope you will return soon.
Corky_R, Aug 2026
Excellent tour & tour guide. Very knowledgeable! She was funny and entertaining. The views were incredible. Got great photos!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your review. We are thrilled that you enjoyed your tour with us. Hope you will return soon.
Tracy_G, Aug 2026
So the two things that I was hoping for were fireworks and a sunset and I did not get either of those. When I booked the tour I did not know sunset was at 8:08 so I booked the 815 tour so I did not get to see the sunset so make sure if you’re wanting to see the sunset you go a little earlier. We still got to see the city lit up at night while on the lake, which was beautiful the young lady that did all the talking about the architect and Chicago did a great job. Overall, it was a beautiful boat ride.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your review. We’re glad you enjoyed the beautiful views of Chicago at night and appreciated our guide. The tour you selected was Chicago by Night, which is designed to showcase the city illuminated after dark and does not include sunset or fireworks as part of the experience. We understand that the timing may not have matched your expectations, and we appreciate your feedback.
Crystal_M, Aug 2026
It was great! Can be choppy at night on the Lake so be prepared! The person leading the tour was funny and very well informed. Learned a bunch and would definitely do it again!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your review and feedback. We are thrilled that you enjoyed your tour with us. Hope you will return soon.
Lisa_G, Jul 2026
Taking the sunset architectural cruise near the Riverwalk was easily one of the highlights of our trip. Seeing the city's iconic skyline transition from the golden hour glow into the beautifully lit evening cityscape is an absolute must-do.
The vessel was comfortable, the atmosphere was relaxed, and the tour provided fascinating insights into the history and design behind Chicago's world-famous buildings. If you want a peaceful, breathtaking, and informative way to experience the city from the water, this is it! Highly recommended.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello Lisa,
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We’re so glad our Chicago by Night River and Lake Cruise was a highlight of your trip. It’s great to hear that you enjoyed the beautiful sunset views, the transition into the illuminated skyline, and the relaxed atmosphere aboard the vessel. We love sharing the history and fun facts that make Chicago such an incredible city to explore from the water. We really appreciate your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you aboard again soon!
Stephanie_P, Jul 2026
Highly recommend doing the night tour and watching the sunset behind the skyline as you cruise through the lake! Our guide was great, she was funny and knowledgeable we absolutely enjoyed our ride!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for the lovely review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the Chicago by Night River and Lake Cruise and got to take in the beautiful sunset views of the skyline. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with your guide — we’re happy to hear she made the experience fun and informative. We hope to see you back on the water soon!
Laura_F, Jul 2026
Great way to see the Chicago skyline, especially at night. The tour guide was fun and informative explaining the history of the city and the architecture. It was a first class tour. Highly recommend!!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello Laura,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience! We’re so happy to hear that you enjoyed our Chicago by Night River and Lake Cruise and experienced the beauty of the city skyline illuminated at night. We’re especially glad that our guide’s entertaining stories, historical insights, and interesting Chicago facts added to your experience. It means a lot to know that you found the tour informative and first class. Thank you for recommending us, and we look forward to welcoming you aboard again for another unforgettable experience!
Adriana_V, Jul 2026
The route was fantastic and gave us a beautiful view of Chicago at night. The First Lady’s tour guide was great. Loved his sense of humor. Great facts shared.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your review. We strive to make our tours memorable for our guests. We are thrilled that you enjoyed your tour with us. Hope you will return soon.
Lymon_W, Jul 2026
To start off, I would say it was nice in the beginning other things I would say about the cruises. It just could’ve been a little bit more sighting less time on the boat more time seeing the boats.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your review. We're glad to hear you enjoyed the beginning of your cruise. We appreciate your feedback regarding the length of the experience and the balance between time on board and sightseeing. Our cruises are designed to provide guests with the opportunity to relax while taking in Chicago’s skyline and history from both the river and lake. We value your feedback and hope to have the opportunity to welcome you aboard again in the future.
tanya_b, Jul 2026
Got some beautiful pictures. So glad I did this. Highly recommend to everyone visiting Chicago. Weather was nice as well
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your review. We are thrilled that you enjoyed your tour with us. Hope you will return soon.
Angela_W, Jul 2026
If you sit at the front of the boat, expect to get wet when the boat gets on the lake. Bring a sweater, too.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your review and feedback. We are glad that you enjoyed your tour with us. Hope you will return soon.
Ebony_C, Jul 2026
It was SO LONG. Our information said 1.5 hours… it definitely lasted well over 2. It started promptly at 8:30 but we weren’t back to the dock until 10:50. Everyone on the boat was EXHAUSTED. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable… but after sitting on the boat so long we were over it.. which is no fault to him. There were a lot of moments where we were just sitting. Not moving. Which made the trip more excruciating.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your review. We sincerely apologize for the delay you experienced. Friday evenings can be especially busy at the Chicago Harbor Lock, and boat traffic may cause delays. We do our best to stay on schedule while providing an enjoyable narrated tour. We're sorry for the late return and hope to welcome you back in the future.
Shirley_R, Jul 2026
The 8:00 time was perfect and we enjoyed hearing about the Chicago information. The staff were friendly
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your review. We strive to make our tours memorable for our guests. We are glad that you enjoyed your tour with us. Hope you will return soon.
Tajma_K, Jul 2026
We had such a great time on this cruise! We took the 9pm time slot and it was so worth it! The tour guide was beyond knowledgable and we enjoyed learning about Chicago’s history.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your review. We are thrilled that you enjoyed your tour with us. Hope you will return soon.
Rachelle_G, Jul 2026
What a way to see the Chicago skyline! It was a beautiful night cruise. We were able to see the city come alive at night. Best experience!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your review. Yes, Chicago is a beautiful city especially in the evening. We are glad that you enjoyed your tour with us. Hope you will return soon.
Shanell_M, Jul 2026
Everything was amazing!! Only negative comment I have is as a plus size lady, the chairs are not comfortable at all. Overall the tour guide was amazing and I loved this experience!!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your review and feedback. We are glad that your enjoyed your tour with us. Hope you will return soon.
Erin_D, Jul 2026
Our guide was fantastic. The cruise at sunset was fun. Chicago was pretty from Lake Michigan. We had a great time.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your tour. Yes, Chicago is a beautiful city especially in the evening. We are glad that you enjoyed your tour with us. Hope you will return soon.
Carolyn_L, Jul 2026
Great tour to enjoy the downtown architecture against the evening sky. Learning the history of the buildings and the city was fascinating.
L_G, Jul 2026
It was a very fun, eventful and peaceful ride. We got to see the fireworks Drone show, and they extended the ride so it was over 2 hrs long. Would do it again.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your review. We are thrilled that you enjoyed your tour with us. Hope you will return soon.
From $50.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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