Sightseeing Cruises

Chicago River Architecture Cruise

Chicago River cruise with tourists viewing city skyline and architecture.

Chicago River with skyscrapers at sunrise in downtown Chicago.

Chicago River cruise boat passing downtown skyscrapers.

Person on a boat enjoying the Chicago River Architecture Tour with city skyline views.

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

4.8/5(288)

Arun S

Solo

Verified booking

4 days ago

I visited the USA for the first time and had an amazing experience on this cruise. I really enjoyed everything, from the beautiful views to the fun activities onboard. I took lots of photos and shared them with my family, and they were very happy to see them. The whole trip was perfectly balanced with exciting entertainment and calm, relaxing moments to unwind. Thank you, Headout, for such a wonderful experience.

Coralee P

Couple

Verified booking

3 days ago

The announcer had perfect inflection in her voice. She captivated your attention was extremely informative yet not over the top cheesy. The volume could be turned up a little louder but so much was fit into a perfect time it was unexpectedly great

Nephateria L

Solo

Verified booking

Last week

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.

Joanne Z

Family

Verified booking

5 days ago

The guide presented the history of Chicago and it's buildings in a funny and engaging way. I've been on similar tours and still found it informative! The 45 minute tour was perfect amount of time for small children too!

Rickelle H

Couple

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

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.

David D

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

The tour speaker was excellent. He was extremely knowledgeable, informative and helpful. We would highly recommend your tour. Next time we would take the longest tour.

Discover Chicago's architectural wonders on a guided cruise along the Chicago River with live commentary.

As you set sail, enjoy insights from your local guide on Chicago's architectural heritage.

Take the cruise to gain a deeper appreciation of Chicago's legacy by exploring its most famous landmarks from a unique vantage point on the river.

See over 50 landmarks, including the Wrigley Building, Chicago Riverwalk, Michigan Avenue Bridge, and Willis Tower, offering a blend of educational insights and comfort.

Choose to upgrade from a 45-min cruise to a 60-min or a 90-min cruise for a more in-depth exploration of Chicago's history.

45-minute narrated architecture boat tour along the Chicago River (as per option selected)

60-minute narrated architecture boat tour along the Chicago River (as per option selected)

90-minute narrated architecture boat tour along the Chicago River (as per option selected)

Expert English-speaking guide

Access to the upper deck for fresh air and views

Access to the climate-controlled lower deck lounge

Full-service bar onboard (available for purchase with a valid ID)

Food and beverages (available for purchase at the bar)

Parking fees

Refunds or transfers after the scheduled departure time

Gratuities

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 DURATION75 minutes
MODE OF TRANSFERBoat
2 Boarding points
Michigan Avenue
Get direction
Navy Pier
Get direction
Sights covered
Tribune Tower
Lake Point Tower
Centennial Fountain
NBC Tower
Wrigley Building
Trump International Hotel & Tower
AMA Plaza
Marina City
Reid-Murdoch Center
Merchandise Mart
Wolf Point Development
River Point
333 West Wacker
Chicago Riverwalk
77 West Wacker
Leo Burnett Building
35 East Wacker
Carbide and Carbon Building
London Guarantee Building
Crain Communications Building
Aon Center
Aqua Tower
Chicago Marine Safety Station
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.

288 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.
256
24
4
1
3
Guests from Canada, Mexico, Ireland and over 29 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Anuj M
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
That's absolutely great experience with Wendella Tours & Cruises. They've explained very well throughout the ride. Thank you for making our trip remarkable.
Arun S
Solo
Verified booking
4 days ago
I visited the USA for the first time and had an amazing experience on this cruise. I really enjoyed everything, from the beautiful views to the fun activities onboard. I took lots of photos and shared them with my family, and they were very happy to see them. The whole trip was perfectly balanced with exciting entertainment and calm, relaxing moments to unwind. Thank you, Headout, for such a wonderful experience.
Coralee P
Couple
Verified booking
3 days ago
The announcer had perfect inflection in her voice. She captivated your attention was extremely informative yet not over the top cheesy. The volume could be turned up a little louder but so much was fit into a perfect time it was unexpectedly great
Nephateria L
Solo
Verified booking
Last week
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.
Joanne Z
Family
Verified booking
5 days ago
The guide presented the history of Chicago and it's buildings in a funny and engaging way. I've been on similar tours and still found it informative! The 45 minute tour was perfect amount of time for small children too!

What to bring

Carry a valid photo ID for ticket verification.

Dress according to the weather and consider bringing sunscreen if needed.

What’s not allowed

Outside food and alcohol are not permitted onboard.

Weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited on the cruise.

Accessibility

The tour is wheelchair accessible from the West Dock.

Select boats feature an elevator between decks.

ADA-compliant restrooms are available onboard.

Additional information

All bags are subject to mandatory security screening.

Children under 4 can ride for free.

Snacks and beverages are available for purchase on board.

The tour operates rain or shine, with most boats offering climate-controlled indoor seating.

Guests should arrive 45 minutes before departure, with boarding typically starting 15 to 30 minutes prior.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

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

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.