Sightseeing Cruises

45-min Chicago River Architecture Cruise

Chicago River with raised lift bridges and skyline during architecture cruise.

Tour boat on Chicago River with city skyline in background during architecture cruise.

Visitors on Chicago River cruise viewing city architecture.

Chicago River with skyline view, featuring modern skyscrapers on a 45min architecture cruise.

Duration

45 min - 1 hr 30 min

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

Spot the best of Chicago's architectural marvels, all in 45 mins on a guided river cruise.

4.8/5

(314)

Jenny

Nov 2025

Verified booking

4/5

Our party of 4 arrived early to be among the first in line since my disabled father was with us and he can not maneuver quickly. As more people arrived, they moved the line from one place to another. Because of this we lost our place in line as people rushed past my father. This situation was frustrating to say the least. The staff approached us and allowed my father and one of us to board first. This was much appreciated and we are very thankful the staff listened and helped. We highly recommend based on how this was handled and of course, the ride itself was beautiful and the tour guide was full of cheesy jokes. We rolled our eyes and chuckled the entire ride.

Flor

Sep 2025

Verified booking

5/5

We only had one day to spend in Chicago, and the 45-minute ride on the Chicago River Architecture Cruise was a great experience. Even though it was quite sunny that day, you could stay under the roof on the boat's lower level in the morning. The buildings are much better appreciated in a very short amount of time than if you tried to see and photograph them from within the city. Plus, our guide was very warm and pleasant. We had a great time and managed to learn the history of the buildings, better appreciate their architecture, and the city in general. It's a tour I highly recommend if you've never taken it.

Qazi

Oct 2025

Verified booking

5/5

The Chicago Architectural Cruise was absolutely fantastic and one of the best ways to experience the city! The tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable, blending fascinating facts with humor and storytelling that brought Chicago’s architectural history to life. Cruising along the river offered stunning, up-close views of iconic landmarks while learning how the city rebuilt itself after the Great Fire. The boat was comfortable, the pace was perfect, and the skyline views were breathtaking especially after sunset. Highly recommended for architecture enthusiasts and first-time visitors alike.

Sail through the heart of Chicago on 45-min guided architecture cruise, enjoying expert commentary, gorgeous skyline views, and onboard refreshments.

Glide along all three branches of the Chicago River including the North Branch, the Main Stem, and the South Branch, as your guide shares fascinating insights into the city's 130-year architectural evolution.

Capture unobstructed views of Chicago’s iconic skyscrapers from the open-air upper deck, offering perfect photo opportunities of the cityscape.

Spot famous buildings like the Tribune Tower, Apple Store, AMA Building and the Wrigley Building.

River cruise

Expert tour guide

Food & drinks from the snack bar onboard

TOTAL DURATION45 minutes
1 Boarding point
Wendella's Michigan Avenue Docks
Get direction
Sights covered
London Guarantee Building
Carbide and Carbon Building
Crain Communications Building
35 East Wacker
Leo Burnett Building
77 West Wacker
Chicago Riverwalk
LaSalle/Wacker Building
333 West Wacker
Civic Opera Building
CME Center
Willis Tower
2 North Riverside Plaza
100 N Riverside Plaza
150 N Riverside Plaza
River Point
Merchandise Mart
Reid-Murdoch Center
Marina City
AMA Plaza
Trump International Hotel & Tower
Wrigley Building
Tribune Tower
NBC Tower
Centennial Fountain
Lake Point Tower
TOTAL DURATION90 minutes
1 Boarding point
Wendella's Michigan Avenue Docks
Get direction
Sights covered
Lake Point Tower
Centennial Fountain
NBC Tower
Tribune Tower
Wrigley Building
Trump International Hotel & Tower
AMA Plaza
Marina City
Merchandise Mart
Reid-Murdoch Center
Residences at River Bend
Kinzie Park
River Point
150 N Riverside Plaza
100 N Riverside Plaza
2 North Riverside Plaza
Old Post Office
Union Station Power House
Canal Street Railroad Bridge
River City
The Southbank
311 South Wacker
Willis Tower
Chicago Board of Trade
CME Center
Civic Opera Building
333 West Wacker
LaSalle/Wacker Building
Chicago Riverwalk
77 West Wacker
Leo Burnett Building
35 East Wacker
Carbide and Carbon Building
London Guarantee Building
Aon Center
Aqua Tower
Vista Tower
Crain Communications Building
Chicago Marine Safety Station
Goose Island
The Domain

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

4.8
314 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
279
23
9
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Guests from Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom and over 10 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Jenny
Nov 2025
Verified booking
4/5
Our party of 4 arrived early to be among the first in line since my disabled father was with us and he can not maneuver quickly. As more people arrived, they moved the line from one place to another. Because of this we lost our place in line as people rushed past my father. This situation was frustrating to say the least. The staff approached us and allowed my father and one of us to board first. This was much appreciated and we are very thankful the staff listened and helped. We highly recommend based on how this was handled and of course, the ride itself was beautiful and the tour guide was full of cheesy jokes. We rolled our eyes and chuckled the entire ride.
Gregory
Nov 2025
Verified booking
5/5
The art deco buildings were the highlight. The boat was full in the crowd seem to be enjoying the ride. Tess did an excellent job of running the tour and keeping the crowd engaged. She is probably the best tour guide I have ever had. All in all it was an excellent cruise and I would recommend it to anyone going to Chicago. When I come back and the weather is warmer I plan to do the 90 minute cruise. Thank you.
Maria
Nov 2025
Verified booking
5/5
I've been on the Wendella several times, and somehow I always end up learning something new each trip. The guides have a great way of mixing history, architecture, and humor, so even repeat visitors like me stay engaged. The atmosphere on board is always happy and relaxed — perfect for soaking in the beauty of the Chicago skyline from the water. Definitely one of those experiences that never gets old!
Roseanne
Nov 2025
Verified booking
5/5
It was a wonderful experience! It has been years since I took that tour so it was nice to get a refresher on Chicago's rich history. I absolutely loved our tour guide, Spiro. He was fun, informative, and made it a point to visit with as many people as possible. I would certainly do the tour again.
Kumaraguru
Nov 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Had one of the best experiences in Chicago! The 45-minute architecture river cruise was fantastic, beautiful views, great energy, and a fun dose of humor from both the guide and the captain. The booking app made everything seamless and super intuitive. Truly a must-do experience in the city!

Enjoy unforgettable views of Chicago’s skyline as you cruise along the Chicago River. This 45-min tour offers a unique vantage point to admire the city's world-famous skyscrapers, making it a must-do experience for architecture lovers.

Let the experts lead you

Gain insights into Chicago’s rich architectural heritage with engaging commentary from knowledgeable guides. Discover the history and design of iconic landmarks while enjoying a scenic and informative journey through the heart of the city.

Perfect for time-conscious travelers

Short on time? This 45-minute cruise provides a concise yet immersive look at Chicago’s architectural wonders, making it an ideal option for those with busy itineraries.

Great for first-time visitors and locals

Whether you're visiting Chicago for the first time or a local looking for a fresh perspective, this cruise offers a fun and accessible way to experience the city’s stunning urban landscape from the water.

What to bring

If you wish to purchase refreshments at the snack bar, bring your credit card along, as cash transactions are unavailable.

What's not allowed

Keep in mind alcohol, weapons, flammables, and explosives are not allowed on this experience.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Please arrive at the meeting point 30 mins before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Meet your guide at Wendella Tours & Cruises.

Address: 400 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States.

Landmark: The cruise departs and returns to Wendella's Michigan Avenue Docks, located at the northwest corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge (now called the DuSable Bridge), at the base of the Wrigley Building on the Chicago River.

Get directions to the meeting point