Sightseeing Cruises

45-min Chicago River Architecture Cruise by Wendella

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

4.9/5(744)

Christian C

Group

Verified booking

3 days ago

What I enjoyed most about the cruise was seeing Chicago’s incredible skyline and architecture from the river. The views were amazing, and the tour guide explained the history and design of the buildings in a fun and interesting way. It was relaxing, informative, and a great way to experience the city while taking lots of beautiful photos.

Craig D

Group

Verified booking

Last week

The knowledge of the guide was amazing. It enhanced the views all along the way. You don't think about the many types of building types when you're walking around the city, you just notice them. But when you're told the many facts our guide gave you really appreciate Chicago and it's architecture.

Shiva K

Couple

Verified booking

3 days ago

Chicago River Architecture Cruise by Wendella was really good and we enjoyed it a lot. The crew members were very friendly and explained all the buildings and architecture clearly. The tour was very informative. The cruise also had clean restrooms and a nice bar with reasonable prices.

Nephateria L

Solo

Verified booking

3 days ago

The experience was more than amazing. I'm from out of town and learned so much about Chicago and its history. The tour guide was phenomenal. The river, the buildings and architecture was beautiful. I would highly recommend going if you haven't.

Beth F

Group

Verified booking

Last week

Todd was a great tour leader. Funny, dry, and quintessentially Chicago, he made a chilly day thoroughly entertaining . Every time I have visitors to THE GREATEST CITY IN THE WORLD, I take them on the Wendella Architectural Tour. Always a hit!

Rickelle H

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

Absolutely loved the tour! Our guide was entertaining while educating my group on the history of Chicago River, the first people in the area and the buildings that came to be there both then and now.

45-min Chicago River architecture cruise (as per option selected)

90-min Chicago River architecture cruise (as per option selected)

Expert tour guide

Food and beverages (available for purchase 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.

744 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.
675
45
16
1
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Guests from Canada, United Kingdom, Mexico and over 39 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Beth F
Group
Verified booking
Last week
Todd was a great tour leader. Funny, dry, and quintessentially Chicago, he made a chilly day thoroughly entertaining . Every time I have visitors to THE GREATEST CITY IN THE WORLD, I take them on the Wendella Architectural Tour. Always a hit!
Anuj M
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
That's absolutely great experience with Wendella Tours & Cruises. They've explained very well throughout the ride. Thank you for making our trip remarkable.
Christian C
Group
Verified booking
3 days ago
What I enjoyed most about the cruise was seeing Chicago’s incredible skyline and architecture from the river. The views were amazing, and the tour guide explained the history and design of the buildings in a fun and interesting way. It was relaxing, informative, and a great way to experience the city while taking lots of beautiful photos.
Craig D
Group
Verified booking
Last week
The knowledge of the guide was amazing. It enhanced the views all along the way. You don't think about the many types of building types when you're walking around the city, you just notice them. But when you're told the many facts our guide gave you really appreciate Chicago and it's architecture.
Shiva K
Couple
Verified booking
3 days ago
Chicago River Architecture Cruise by Wendella was really good and we enjoyed it a lot. The crew members were very friendly and explained all the buildings and architecture clearly. The tour was very informative. The cruise also had clean restrooms and a nice bar with reasonable prices.

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.

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