Chicago Architecture River Cruise

Name: Chicago Architecture River Cruise
Brand: Shoreline Sightseeing
SKU: 5580ARC
Price: 48.78 USD
Rating: 5 (14063 reviews)

Recommended by 97% of travelersChicago, USA

From $48.78

per person

Select Date and Travelers

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

- Secure your spot while staying flexible

1 hour (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Explore our promoted experiences

Chicago, Illinois

4.5

(761)

Lake Michigan Skyline Cruise in Chicago

from $33

Small-Group Sightseeing Boat Tour in Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

5.0

(72)

Small-Group Sightseeing Boat Tour in Chicago

from $85

Likely to Sell Out

Chicago River Architecture Tour with Small Boat Upgrade Option

Chicago, Illinois

4.8

(817)

Chicago River Architecture Tour with Small Boat Upgrade Option

from $49

Viator earns higher commissions on experiences featured here

Overview

Admire some of the Windy City's most iconic views—and enjoy a time-saving, relaxing way to sightsee—aboard this Chicago River architecture boat tour. With commentary from your onboard guide, watch the spectacular skyline glide by, including dozens of notable buildings, like the Wrigley Building and the John Hancock Building. In just one tour, you'll cover multiple branches of the Chicago River, and will learn insider facts and stories you'd otherwise miss.

Pick from numerous tour times available all throughout the day
Capture some of the Windy City's best views
This tour is ideal for first-time and time-pressed Chicago travelers
See more of the sights than you could exploring at street level

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

This ultra-flexible cruise runs multiple times daily from Navy Pier and Michigan Avenue.

What's Included

Guided architecture cruise of the historic Chicago River
Live expert commentary on board
Restroom on board
Pet-friendly

Drinks (available for purchase)
WiFi on board

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting points

Select a meeting point

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

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 is 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 beyond. A boat on the river is the best vantage point to admire the distinct city skyline.

Pass by dozens of classic Chicago buildings, including the John Hancock Center, the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower), the Wrigley Building, and more. 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.

Chicago River

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Chicago Skyline (Pass By)

Navy Pier (Pass By)

Tribune Tower (Pass By)

John Hancock Center (Pass By)

Marina City (Pass By)

Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower (Pass By)

Aqua Tower (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Most travelers can participate
All boats have full restrooms and 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.
Beginning November 11, 2024 through April 2025, tours will be 60 minutes in length.
Cruises are dog-friendly.
Tours can be rescheduled through Viator 24 hours prior to the departure dates.
Wheelchair accessible from Navy Pier dock only.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 250 travelers

Cancellation Policy

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

Questions?

Visit the Viator Help Centre for any further questions.

Product code: 5580ARC

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Taryl_H

This was a very good experience. The guide was educational and funny. We had a very nice time I would definitely recommend.

Reviews

4.8

14,063 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 14,063 reviews

Great tour. Really...

AnaCarolina_C, Jan 2025

Great tour. Really recommend it while visiting Chicago. Very interesting and full of details about the architecture.

Great time with granddaughter

teri_a, Jan 2025

Had a great time, lots of things to look at. Couldn't understand everything tour guide was saying but he was nice. For 2 hot chocolate drinks and 2 shots of captain plus 5$ tip came to $38, wow. Dress warm bc it was cold. You can even go downstairs to warm up.

Fun and informative!

Pat_P, Jan 2025

A really enjoyable Chicago classic! The tour guide was fun and engaging! The pictures I got are still wowing my friends

Nice tour

Maya_H, Dec 2024

Great tour very informative and the boat was comfortable there’s a lot to see and the tour gives you all in one ticket

Chicago Birthday Trip

Elliott_B, Dec 2024

We came to Chicago for our twins birthdays. We have always wanted to take the architecture tour and this was a great December weekend to take it. We had a great weekend in Chicago with museum tours and a bulls game but the boat tour defiantly added to the enjoyment.

Great tour

TilmanTimothy_E, Dec 2024

The boat tour was great and we learned a lot, the tour guide was informative and did a great job, bartender was not friendly and put a damper on the tour

Cider in the City

Dan_P, Dec 2024

Sipping delicious cider while seeing the city at night. It was a wonderful experience that I'd love to do again

Disappointed

tony, Dec 2024

We did not go as it was raining and we had to go to the airport directly afterwards and did not have all weather gear with us. The cruise is open air. We tried to cancel but between the cruise operator(their direct response to as we run rain or shine) and Vaitor neither concerned about anything other than charging for what would have been a terrible overall experience with the weather, zero concern about the client experience, all about the bottom line.

5 Star

Irene_H, Dec 2024

It was great and fun as well as very knowledgeable. My 12 year old grandson loved it bring jackets for sure a bit cold

Top notch

Nina_P, Dec 2024

Really enjoyed even in the winter! Richard was great :) you learn a lot of great facts about Chicago. Thank you again for the tour!

Learning more about buildings

ROGER_B, Dec 2024

The architecture tour has always been a favorite! I learn something new every time! This one was great!

Oma

Eileen_W, Dec 2024

Dress warm as wind makes it feel much colder on the river. Try to do at dusk or early evening to enjoy the buildings’ lights

Fun and informative

Kari_j, Dec 2024

Our tour guide,Victor, was very knowledgeable and entertaining. We really enjoyed the his tour and highly recommend it

The guide was honestly...

Carlos_A, Dec 2024

The guide was honestly really good. He said it was his last day for the season but it seemed like he really knew what he was doing

Excellent historical boat tour.

Michael_D, Dec 2024

This tour although an hour packed a lot of history from the tour guide of the buildings we passed. We learned a lot about the architecture and history of Chicago so was well worth it. Definitely recommend this tour.

Obviously some parts of...

Haylie_M, Dec 2024

Obviously some parts of the tour were cold (in December) but the lower deck (guarded from wind w a plastic shield) still had a lot of visibility plus hot drinks were served.

Don't miss it.

Nathan_m, Dec 2024

Excellent tour. Audio was crystal clear. Tour guide was enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Chicago from the river was stunning. Did tour on a really cold day in December. Brrrrr..... Take the tour but choose a warmer day!!

Informative, beautiful and fun!

JOSHUA_R, Dec 2024

Great way to see Chicago! Fascinating glimpse into different architectural styles of the city from a great perspective!

Even cold weather on the...

seounghoon_J, Dec 2024

Even cold weather on the roof of ship but tour guide was super professional and fantastic!! I highly recommend it!

Fun and pet friendly

Sandra_H, Dec 2024

Our guide was awesome! She was incredibly knowledgeable and super entertaining as well as enthusiastic. We had a great time, and were grateful to find a pet friendly architecture cruise.

...