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Chicago River Tours
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Chicago Architecture River Cruise

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Chicago, United States
(158)
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Chicago Architecture River Cruise
See More (158)
158

From $38.15

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Learn more about our Covid-19 response.

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Free Cancellation
up to 24 hours in advance
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icon1 hour  (Approx.)
Mobile ticket
iconOffered in: English and 1 more
Keeping you safe during COVID-19
What you can expect during your visit
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
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Safety precautions are provided by the tour operator and are not checked by Viator for accuracy
More questions?
(888) 651-9785

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). From Memorial Day to Labor Day (May 29 - September 6,) each ticket includes a one-way water taxi ticket.
  • 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
  • For travel between Memorial Day and Labor Day (May 29 - September 6,) each ticket includes a one-way water taxi ticket

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 $38.15

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Guided architecture cruise of the historic Chicago River
Live commentary on board
One-way water taxi ticket (for travel between May 29-September 6)
Drinks (available for purchase)

Departure Point

1: 401 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
2: Polk Bros Park, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA

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

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. 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 face masks and attendee health during Chicago Architecture River Cruise?
A:
The policies on face masks and attendee health are:

  • Face masks required for travelers in public areas
  • Face masks required for guides in public areas
See all safety measures taken by Chicago Architecture River Cruise.
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 policies on social distancing are:

  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience
  • Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
See all safety measures taken by Chicago Architecture River Cruise.
Q:
What is the maximum group size during Chicago Architecture River Cruise?
A:
This activity will have a maximum of 250 travelers.

See all safety measures taken by Chicago Architecture River Cruise.

Traveler Photos

See More (158)

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
4,607 Reviews
5 stars
3,969
4 stars
492
3 stars
76
2 stars
32
1 star
38
Reviews by Viator travelers
Showing 1-10 of 4,607 reviews
star-5
Amazing
Orestes_G
, Jan 2021
Very nice views and architecture and the guide explained everything very well. I recommend it to you, it is one of the most beautiful tours in Chicago
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HelpfulHelpful1 traveler found this review helpful
star-5
Interesting
Brittany_A
, Jan 2021
Our tour guide Adam was very informative and has a good sense of humor. We definitely had a good time.
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HelpfulHelpful1 traveler found this review helpful
star-5
Great experience!
Carlos_F
, Jan 2021
Our tour guide was great! We really enjoyed seeing and learning about the architectural history. Definitely recommend!
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HelpfulHelpful1 traveler found this review helpful
star-5
Amazing & Informative
C_Cramsey
, Jan 2021
Our Uber driver dropped made us late and the ticket agent assisted us to rebook on the next tour. Kevin & the crew were amazing. And very informative. We will be back.
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HelpfulHelpful1 traveler found this review helpful
star-5
Great, informative and fun!
Stephenie_P
, Dec 2020
Great, informative and fun! It was cold when we went, however, the guide was very knowlegable about the architecture (I'd hope so ) and was fun and animated. It was a beautiful way to see the city.
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HelpfulHelpful1 traveler found this review helpful
star-5
Educational
Tomas_G
, Dec 2020
The tour guide was very knowledgeable and pleasant to listen to. It was a very educational experience. The bathrooms were clean and the service all around was good. The ship was well handled coming back.
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HelpfulHelpful1 traveler found this review helpful
star-5
Architecture in a trip of adventure
Carlos_Angarita
, Dec 2020
Very professional and interesting presentation about Chicago’s most known buildings around the Chicago River. Definitely something one must do when visiting the city for the first time. Thank you!
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HelpfulHelpful1 traveler found this review helpful
star-5
I recommend this!!
Bharath_K
, Dec 2020
Trip started on time. There were paid drinks (alcoholic too!) and snacks available on the boat. The guide was very good and funny too. We thoroughly enjoyed our cruise. It was nice to hear the stories behind some of Chicago’s most beautiful and historic buildings.
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star-5
Must do!
Kristin_R
, Dec 2020
Fabulous tour guide! He got in as much information as humanly possible in the hour. I loved his personal comments as it provided some comic relief to some of the architectural design choices. This is a Chicago MUST do!!
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HelpfulHelpful
star-5
Had a great time! The tour guide made it fun and educational-staff was very friendly
Judith_C
, Dec 2020
Had a great time! The tour guide made it fun and educational-staff was very friendly. Great job.....
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Product code: 5580ARC

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