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Chicago Architecture River Cruise

star-57,017 Reviews
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Chicago, United States
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Chicago Architecture River Cruise
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Chicago Architecture River Cruise
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From US$40.33

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Secure your spot while staying flexible
Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance. Learn more
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Safety measures
icon1 hour  (Approx.)
Mobile ticket
iconOffered in: English and 1 more

Overview

Cruise down the Chicago River to see the city's famous architecture on this boat tour. With commentary from your onboard guide, watch the spectacular skyline glide by, including more than 40 notable buildings like Navy Pier, the Wrigley Building, and the John Hancock Building. Cover all three branches of the Chicago River, passing the East Bank Club, the old Post Office Building and the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower).
  • Discover all three branches of the Chicago River with your guide, an expert in architecture
  • Enjoy the best vantage point to admire the distinct city skyline and architecture
  • See more than 40 buildings including the Wrigley Building and Willis Tower
  • Discover the major events that helped shape the architectural history of Chicago

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

This ultra-flexible, cruise runs more than 20 times daily from Navy Pier and Michigan Avenue.
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From US$40.33

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Guided architecture cruise of the historic Chicago River
Live commentary on board
Drinks (available for purchase)

Departure Point

401 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA

FROM MICHIGAN AVE: Departs from 401 N Michigan Ave at the Shoreline Sightseeing docks. NE corner of Historic Michigan Ave. (Dusable) Bridge. Located alongside Chicago's Honored Pioneer Court.

Return Details

Returns to original departure point

Departure Point

124 Park Dr, Chicago, IL 60611, USA

FROM NAVY PIER: Departs from 124 N Streeter Drive from the Shoreline Sightseeing docks at Polk Bros Park.

Return Details

Returns to original departure point
Make your way to either Navy Pier or Michigan Avenue (depending on option chosen) for your cruise departure. Board your riverboat and find a comfortable seat; a restroom and sometimes a full bar are available on the boat. Listen as your guide, an architecture expert, gives you an introduction to the city's landmarks. 

Along the scenic route, see buildings by world-famous architects including Mies van der Rohe, Helmut Jahn, and Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. A boat on the river is the best vantage point to admire the distinct city skyline.

Pass by more than 40 distinctive buildings, including the John Hancock Center, the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower), the Wrigley Building, and the Lyric Opera House. Listen as your guide recounts the two major events that helped shape the architectural history of the city. Learn about how the invention of balloon-frame construction revolutionized how homes were built, and hear the dramatic story of Chicago's rise from the Great Fire of 1871. Both of these milestones led Chicago to become one of the cradles of modern American architecture.

Your cruise ends at its starting point.
Itinerary
Stop At:  
Chicago River
Cruise takes place on the Chicago River.
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Duration: 1 hour 
Admission Ticket Free
Pass By:  
Chicago Skyline
Enjoy an amazing view of the city's skyline.
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Pass By:  
Chicago Board of Trade Building
An art deco masterpiece, this is the home of many of the city's financial movers and shakers.
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Pass By:  
Wrigley Building
This white, terra-cotta landmark was built in 1922 as headquarters for the Wrigley chewing gum company.
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Pass By:  
Navy Pier
50 acres of parks, promenades, gardens, shops, eateries and attractions, including a 15-story Ferris wheel.
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Pass By:  
Illinois Center
This mixed-used building is notable in that the streets running through it have three levels.
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Pass By:  
Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower
Tallest building in the Western Hemisphere
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Pass By:  
Tribune Tower
The neo-gothic tower's signature is the exterior collection of stones from other famous edifices, like the Parthenon, St. Peter's Basilica, Notre Dame, the White House and most recently, the Berlin Wall.
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Pass By:  
Merchandise Mart
The largest commercial building in the world. First two floors are essentially a mall, and the rest is business offices
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Pass By:  
Marina City
Unique architecture for a building complex as its own self-contained community.
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Pass By:  
Lake Point Tower
A high-rise residential building located on a promontory of the Lake Michigan lakefront
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Pass By:  
333 West Wacker Drive
Noted for its reflection of the curves of the Chicago River
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Pass By:  
The East Bank Club
A health club with 450,000 square feet of space
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Pass By:  
The Lyric Opera House
Well-known opera company puts on lavish performances in this massive Art Deco Civic Opera House.
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Pass By:  
Citicorp Center
Located between Clinton and Canal Streets on Madison Street, the structure was designed in a late modernist style.
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Pass By:  
John Hancock Center
The John Hancock Center, is a 100-story, 1,128-foot supertall skyscraper
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Pass By:  
London Guarantee Building
The London Guarantee Building or London Guaranty & Accident Building is a historic 1923 commercial skyscraper
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Pass By:  
Historic Water Tower
Chicago-focused gallery, specializing in photos, inside a 19th-century Gothic limestone landmark.
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Pass By:  
Chicago Architecture Center
The Chicago Architecture Center is home to a 4,000-building scale model of Chicago
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Pass By:  
Chicago Cultural Center
The Chicago Cultural Center is the nation's first free municipal cultural center and one of the most visited attractions in Chicago. The stunning landmark building, opened in 1897 as the city's first public library, is home to two magnificent stained-glass domes.
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Pass By:  
Millennium Park
Located within Grant Park, Millennium Park is home to Cloud Gate, or "the bean."
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Pass By:  
Buckingham Fountain
Chicago's landmark is considered one of America's finest fountains due to its Beaux-Arts-style landscape design, finely wrought bronze sculpture and innovative use of technology.
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Pass By:  
Chicago Riverwalk
A continuous walkway connecting the lakefront with the heart of downtown.
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  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • All boats have full restrooms and some have a full bar
  • Some boats are single deck vessels, the type of vessel you are placed on cannot be guaranteed
  • Wheelchairs or other walking assistance equipment are not provided.
  • Tour times cannot be changed.
  • Near public transportation
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 250 travelers
  • OPERATED BY Shoreline Sightseeing
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Learn more about cancellations.

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What is the policy on sanitization during Chicago Architecture River Cruise?
A:The policy on sanitization is:

  • Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
See all safety measures taken by Chicago Architecture River Cruise.
Q:
What is the social distancing policy during Chicago Architecture River Cruise?
A:The policy on social distancing is:

  • Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
See all safety measures taken by Chicago Architecture River Cruise.

Traveler Photos

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Traveler Tips

  • "Most of the boat is exposed, so make sure to wear appropriate attire in the case of rain or direct sunlight." See review
  • "There are 2 departure piers (East Michigan and East Grand) so make sure that you’re at the right place." See review

Reviews

5.0
star-5
7,017 Reviews
5 stars
6,191
4 stars
599
3 stars
107
2 stars
47
1 star
73

Reviews by Viator travelers

Showing 1-10 of 7,017 reviews
star-5
Great tour!
robansinead
, Dec 2021
This was the only formal tour we did in Chicago and it was a great choice. Spiro was our guide— we unfortunately went on our tour on a rainy day but he still made it fun. I learned a ton— I was worried it wouldn’t be accessible to someone who doesn’t already know much about architecture but this wasn’t the case at all. The customer service I received from Vanessa was also excellent.
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star-4
great tour
John_G
, Dec 2021
excellent survey of chicago architecture. tour guide was very knowledgeable. Boat ride down river gave a good perspective, but they need to find a way to keep people warm on the boat. It was freezing!
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star-5
Great Experience! Would definitely recommend
Rodrigo_M
, Dec 2021
Ashley (our cruise guide) was superb! Very knowledgeable, and funny. The vantage point as you ride on the boat is unlike other most other cities in the world. It was fun to learn so much about the city!
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star-5
Chicago at night
Gustavo_O
, Dec 2021
I've done 3 tours so far and this one was the best. We started at 4pm and on our way out we had daylight and on our way back we had nightlight. It's a whole different experience to see Chicago at night. Definitely the most beautiful city in the US. Our tour guide was very informative and keep it fun. Great experience, absolutely recommend
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star-5
Unique experience
Linda_P
, Dec 2021
We loved this experience! Ashley was so knowledgeable about the sites, the history and architecture of the buildings, with some fun facts thrown in! You see things from the river that you won’t see from the streets. Highly recommend!
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star-5
Spirit was great
Sonja_J
, Dec 2021
Beautiful day for December and we great guide in Spiro who brought past and present architecture to life
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star-5
Great experience!
Cristela_K
, Dec 2021
All the great information provided by Nathan. History of Chicago. Great customer service. Nathan was amazing! awesome!!! We truly enjoyed the cruise.
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star-5
Not to miss
Laura_B
, Dec 2021
The entire ride was filled with all kinds of information that I wouldn’t normally get an opportunity to hear in such a short tine
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star-5
Incredible
Catherine_F
, Dec 2021
Jack was very educated on the city.The amount of information he gave us was above and beyond .Beautiful architecture and the 4:00 time was perfect to see sun set and night lights. Loved this !!
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star-5
Jack was FANTASTIC!
Jennifer_M
, Dec 2021
The whole trip was FANTASTIC! The tour guide had tons of great history to tell and did an AMAZING JOB!!!
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