45-min Chicago River Architecture Cruise by Wendella





Duration
Free cancellation
Book now, pay later
Guided tour
4.9/5(1,516)
Joseph S
Leilani L
Kristen S
Matthew M
Felicia W
Tiffany G
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45-min Chicago River architecture cruise (as per option selected)
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90-min Chicago River architecture cruise (as per option selected)
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Expert tour guide
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- Food and beverages (available for purchase onboard)
- TOTAL DURATION45 minutes
1 Boarding point
Wendella's Michigan Avenue Docks
Get directionSights 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 DURATION1 hour 30 minutes1 Boarding point
Wendella's Michigan Avenue Docks
Get directionSights 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.
- 1,516 reviews4.9
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.
1.3K1004338Guests from Canada, United Kingdom, Mexico and over 47 countries have loved this experienceWhat our guests say
FFelicia W
CoupleVerified bookingJul 20265/5Chicago Architecture River Cruise Review – 5/5 Stars The Chicago Architecture River Cruise was, without question, one of the highlights of my trip to Chicago. Seeing the city from the water offered a completely different perspective, and the views of the skyline were absolutely breathtaking. The tour was well organized, relaxing, and incredibly informative. The guide did an outstanding job explaining the history behind Chicago's iconic buildings, the evolution of its architecture, and the stories that shaped the city into what it is today. Even if you aren't an architecture enthusiast, the presentation kept everyone engaged from start to finish. The boat was comfortable, the ride was smooth, and there were endless opportunities to capture stunning photos of famous skyscrapers, historic landmarks, and the Chicago River. Every turn revealed another impressive view, making it feel like a living museum. If you're visiting Chicago, I highly recommend making this cruise a priority. It's the perfect combination of sightseeing, history, and relaxation, and it gives you an appreciation for the city's world-renowned architecture that you simply can't get from street level. It was an unforgettable experience and one I would gladly do again on my next visit.LLydia U
CoupleVerified booking3 weeks ago5/5This tour covered a lot more buildings than I though it would, it felt as though the guide had something to say about nearly every building we passed. For 45 minutes, the guide, who did speak pretty quickly, was able to fit in so much information! I also appreciate the sense of humor with which the tour was given; this and other factors made it so that you didn't at any point feel like you were being lectured at and want to zone out. I was engaged the whole time. One of the best parts was heading closer to the mouth of the river and being shown such a scenic view of the city, this was beautiful! Though I would consider doing a longer cruise because I would have loved to learn more, this is very worthwhile in and of itself and especially if you only have (exactly) 45 minutes.PPatrick M
FamilyVerified bookingJul 20265/5My family (12 yr old boy & wife) along with my 4 co-workers age ranges 45-65 all thoroughly enjoyed the cruise. The tour guide was informative, entertaining and funny! The cruise itself was an amazing way to see the beautiful architecture of Chicago from the river. The snacks and drinks (soft and hard) offered in the cafe were perfect and AC was cranking in there for a break from any heat issues. We were able to take in the cruise from either level of the ship. And got some great pictures! I will absolutely book it again! The 45 min cruise was nice for my young son who might not be interested in the lengthier options but loved this one. Seems touristy but it's honestly the coolest thing to do wether you live in town or are visiting. Rock on Chicago!LLeslie V
CoupleVerified booking3 weeks ago5/5I loved everything about the cruise, from the beautiful views to the energy and enthusiasm of our host, he made it so much fun and very informative, we learned a lot about Chicago and its history, I didn't know that The Dark Knight was filmed here that was cool! Only one thing stood out to us, our host seemed to have trouble keeping some people quiet throughout the ride even though he specifically asked us to stay quiet multiple times, to enforce his rules I believe security would be a good option, the people did try to get hostile but eventually stopped, other than that I loved the experience!WWing L
CoupleVerified bookingJul 20265/5We had the perfect guide for this tour. He did an amazing job explaining how the city’s architecture has evolved and adapted over time through human activities, river changes, and policy shifts. The experience was totally worth the ticket price. Despite the hazardous air quality in Chicago today, he and actually the whole crew remained incredibly professional and positive, keeping everyone engaged with great stories and jokes even in such extreme conditions. Highly recommend this tour!
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 that alcohol, weapons, flammables, and explosives are not allowed on this experience.
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Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
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Please arrive at the meeting point 30 mins before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.
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Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.
Meeting point
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Meet your guide at Wendella Tours & Cruises.
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Address: 400 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States.
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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.
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100% ticket guarantee
Receive tickets on time, for the experience you've booked.
100% experience guarantee
Get a refund if your experience doesn't happen as promised.
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