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

(253)

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.

Maira

Oct 2025

Verified booking

5/5

It was a wonderful experience. Even though it was raining, the architectural cruise was amazing: the views of the skyline reflected in the water and the guide's explanations made each building come alive. The atmosphere was very pleasant, with soft music and attentive staff giving recommendations and fun facts. Seeing Chicago from the river, even in the rain, has a special charm that makes this tour not to be missed. If you visit the city, it definitely deserves a place on your itinerary.

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
FIRST DEPARTURELondon Guarantee Building
LAST DEPARTURELondon Guarantee Building
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
FIRST DEPARTURELake Point Tower
LAST DEPARTURELake Point Tower
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
253 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.
222
20
8
1
2
Guests from Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom and over 10 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
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.
Maira
Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
It was a wonderful experience. Even though it was raining, the architectural cruise was amazing: the views of the skyline reflected in the water and the guide's explanations made each building come alive. The atmosphere was very pleasant, with soft music and attentive staff giving recommendations and fun facts. Seeing Chicago from the river, even in the rain, has a special charm that makes this tour not to be missed. If you visit the city, it definitely deserves a place on your itinerary.
Aicha
Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Architecture boat tour is a must when visiting Chicago or having guests from out of town.Stunning views with detailed walkthroughs of the buildings,their architecture and the architects that designed them!Whats outstanding is how knowledgeable the guide was and his sense of humor !My guests were do happy with the tour !one thing I really appreciated was the history behind each building it was just amazing!
Netfa
Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Great 45-minute Wendella architecture tour — fun, informative, and the perfect length. Zach kept it simple and interesting, and the boat was super clean with awesome skyline views. We brought our young ASD child and it was just right — calm, not too long, and staff were very kind. Also very affordable compared to other options. Highly recommend for families or anyone short on time!
Pierrette
Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
What a fun and informative tour! Our tour guide, Dave, was highly entertaining. He wove in interesting facts about the city snd the buildings with a fun and playful delivery. It was a perfect amount of history with a lot of laughs. Also, this was the first nighttime cruise I took and the city was breathtakingly beautiful.

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