Sightseeing Cruises

90-min Chicago River Architecture Cruise

Visitors on Chicago River cruise viewing city architecture.

Chicago River cruise boat passing under a bridge with city skyscrapers in the background.

Wrigley Building and Chicago River view on 90-minute architecture cruise.

Visitors on Chicago River architecture cruise viewing skyscrapers.

Duration

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

Put the focus on Chicago's architecture on this 90-minute cruise with an expert guide by your side. Operator: Wendella

4.8/5

(194)

Barry

Sep 2025

Verified booking

5/5

We have done several Chicago river cruises and this one did not disappoint. Lots of beautiful pictures were taken and our tour guide certainly entertained us the whole time. We learned alot of new things about the history and architecture of Chicago. Seeing the trains on the bridges was special and the folks onboard and ashore were all have a wonderful time along the river. This cruise was not my first and certainly won't be my last. Cheers!

Marlan

Sep 2025

Verified booking

5/5

It's a great way to view Chicago without having to negotiate traffic, especially if you are new to the area. The tour guide had loads of information and made the tour very enjoyable. One suggestion: post in your ad which parking garages for which you offer validation, along with their addresses. I chose one not on the list, and the total cost was $65.00-not a pleasant end to an otherwise exceptional tour.

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!

Enjoy a 90-min guided architecture cruise on the Chicago River, complete with expert commentary, skip-the-line access, and onboard refreshments.

Sail through the main river and its north and south branches, taking in Chicago’s skyline from an open-air deck or a climate-controlled interior.

The tour highlights 130 years of Chicago’s architectural history as expert guides share fascinating stories behind the city's most famous and innovative buildings.

90‑min Chicago architecture cruise

Boat tour with an expert tour guide

Food and beverages (available for purchase with cash or card on the boat)

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
194 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.
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Guests from Canada, United Kingdom, Germany and over 10 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
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!
Sharon
Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Dave's knowledge of the architecture and architecture and history was amazing. His sense of humor was both dry and punny which added humor to facts. He kept a straight face through stating outrageous "facts" then hit the punchline. The city is beautiful and it was a great 90 minutes
Megan
Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
I had the best time with my grandfather on the cruise. He is older and struggles with mobility. This was the best way for him to see the city. Very relaxing. Our tour guide was extremely informative. #1 tourist attraction in Chicago
Lou
Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Wendella Crusie was the best! Dave the tour guide was so entertaining, very knowledgeable and passionate about Chicago, his city. He made the tour more personable and made you feel involved. I highly recommend this tour company!!
Ed
Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
From arrival and boarding to finishing up the process was so smooth and comfortable. Our tour guide was amazing with spectacular details and personal stories! It was fun to listen to her share! Thanks for a great day!

Enjoy breathtaking views of Chicago’s iconic skyline from the unique vantage point of the Chicago River. As you cruise through the heart of the city, marvel at world-famous architectural landmarks, including the Willis Tower, Tribune Tower, and the Wrigley Building.

Expert-led architectural insights

Let the experts take over and give you fascinating insights into Chicago’s rich architectural history with engaging commentary during your cruise. Learn about the evolution of the city’s skyline, the vision behind its most famous buildings, and the significance of architectural movements that shaped modern Chicago.

Relaxing and comfortable experience

Sit back and enjoy a leisurely cruise along the Chicago River, offering a stress-free way to explore the city’s stunning architecture. With open-air and climate-controlled seating options, you can take in the sights comfortably in any weather.

What's not allowed

Keep in mind outside alcohol, weapons of any kind, flammables, and explosives are not allowed on this experience. Pack wisely!

Smoking cigarettes and e-cigarettes is not allowed on board.

Accessibility

This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.

Your guide dogs are welcome on board.

Additional information

The Captain reserves the right to adjust the tour route as needed to ensure passenger safety and comfort.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

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

Please arrive at the meeting point 15 mins before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.

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