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Sightseeing Cruises

75-min Chicago River Architecture Cruise

Tour guide speaking on a Chicago River Architecture Cruise with skyscrapers in the background.
Tour boat cruising on the Chicago River with city skyline and bridge in the background.
Cruise boat on Chicago River with city skyscrapers and Wrigley Building in view.
Cruise boat on Chicago River with city skyscrapers in the background.

Duration

1 hr - 1 hr 15 min

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Embark on a 75-min cruise along the Chicago River, witnessing over 40 iconic landmarks while delving into the city's architectural history with a guide. Operator: Shoreline Sightseeing

4.3/5

(92)

Sasha Libby

Sasha

Sep 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Our experience was amazing. This was our second architectural river cruise since coming to regularly since 2004 - so glad we did the "updated" version! We chose the sunset cruise this time. Our docent was so entertaining and informative, the ties to art and history were fascinating. We did have an issue with a family seated directly in front of us, using selfie sticks with extremely bright light attachments to the point that it was difficult to see at times. We (and other passengers) dealt with it and certainly don't blame the staff, but an announcement regarding lighting on the sunset cruise might be of help! Otherwise most passengers were very respectful and polite. 10/10 would recommend this event!
Elfriede Lindauer

Elfriede

Sep 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Stephanie was the best docent EVER!!! She has an enormous knowledge about Chicago's architecture and a very easy way to let her audience participate. The whole team was georgios and very kind. I fully recommend this tour. It is worth more than it's price. Thank you for such a great experience!
Jonathan Elliott

Jonathan

Jul 2025
Verified booking
5/5
It was bad that I could receive my tickets only through the app, which did not work for me (always just went back to my home screen whenever I tapped it), but it was good that attendant at meeting point was able to print my ticket, and also that she volunteered to give me an earlier time, which was especially useful because it began to rain during the cruise.
    • Set sail from Michigan Avenue dock in the heart of Chicago for an insightful 75-min architectural river cruise.

    • Board a vessel offering unparalleled views of over 40 landmarks including the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower and the 398-feet Wrigley Building.

    • The cruise features live English commentary from a knowledgeable guide, vividly depicting Chicago's architectural history and evolution.

    • You also have the option to embark from the Navy Pier dock, positioned at the entrance of the renowned Navy Pier boardwalk.

    • Did you know? The Tribune Tower has fragments of famous world structures like the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal embedded in its walls."

    • 75-minute boat tour

    • Live commentary in English

    • Departure from Michigan Avenue

    • Live commentary in Spanish (As per option selected)

    • Departure from Navy Pier (As per option selected)

  • TOTAL DURATION75 minutes
    MODE OF TRANSFERBoat
    FIRST DEPARTURETribune Tower
    LAST DEPARTURETribune Tower

    2 Boarding points

    Michigan Avenue

    Get direction

    Navy Pier

    Get direction

    Sights covered

    Tribune Tower

    Tribune Tower

    Lake Point Tower

    Lake Point Tower

    Centennial Fountain

    Centennial Fountain

    NBC Tower

    NBC Tower

    Wrigley Building

    Wrigley Building

    Trump International Hotel & Tower

    Trump International Hotel & Tower

    AMA Plaza

    AMA Plaza

    Marina City

    Marina City

    Reid-Murdoch Center

    Reid-Murdoch Center

    Merchandise Mart

    Merchandise Mart

    Wolf Point Development

    Wolf Point Development

    River Point

    River Point

    333 West Wacker

    333 West Wacker

    Chicago Riverwalk

    Chicago Riverwalk

    77 West Wacker

    77 West Wacker

    Leo Burnett Building

    Leo Burnett Building

    35 East Wacker

    35 East Wacker

    Carbide and Carbon Building

    Carbide and Carbon Building

    London Guarantee Building

    London Guarantee Building

    Crain Communications Building

    Crain Communications Building

    Aon Center

    Aon Center

    Aqua Tower

    Aqua Tower

    Chicago Marine Safety Station

    Chicago Marine Safety Station

  • These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

  • 4.3
    92 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.

    70
    5
    3
    5
    9

    What our guests say

    Monika Briggs

    Monika

    Oct 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Very informative and the docent provides an entertaining experience!
    Bebs Catherine Mediana

    Bebs

    Sep 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    The tour gave us an amazing experience and a picturesque view of the Chicago architecture which is really awesome. Natalie the tour guide was the best! 😊
    Sasha Libby

    Sasha

    Sep 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Our experience was amazing. This was our second architectural river cruise since coming to regularly since 2004 - so glad we did the "updated" version! We chose the sunset cruise this time. Our docent was so entertaining and informative, the ties to art and history were fascinating. We did have an issue with a family seated directly in front of us, using selfie sticks with extremely bright light attachments to the point that it was difficult to see at times. We (and other passengers) dealt with it and certainly don't blame the staff, but an announcement regarding lighting on the sunset cruise might be of help! Otherwise most passengers were very respectful and polite. 10/10 would recommend this event!
    Elfriede Lindauer

    Elfriede

    Sep 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Stephanie was the best docent EVER!!! She has an enormous knowledge about Chicago's architecture and a very easy way to let her audience participate. The whole team was georgios and very kind. I fully recommend this tour. It is worth more than it's price. Thank you for such a great experience!
    Barbara Stender

    Barbara

    Aug 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    I thought the tour was perfectly guided, educational and beautiful! The seats were nice, the tour guide was very witty and hilarious! I learned so much on our guide today.
  • Heart of Chicago's architectural marvels

    As you step off the Magnificent Mile and onto the dock, your architectural journey on the Chicago River begins. Set sail on a 75-min guided tour, offering unparalleled views of more than 40 of the city's iconic landmarks from a vantage point like no other. As you traverse all three branches of the river, your expert guide will regale you with the tales of Chicago's architectural wonders — from the Tribune Tower, housing fragments from world-famous structures like the Great Wall of China, to the Wrigley Building, which was the city's first office building to be air-conditioned.

    Sailing through history

    Soak in the skyline view, and watch as the city's history unfolds before your eyes. As you glide by Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), learn about its history as the world's tallest building. Pass by the East Bank Club, the old Post Office Building, and the fascinating Marina City, known for its corn-cob design and its cinematic history. The cruise culminates with a return to the dock, leaving you with a greater appreciation of why the Windy City is a beacon of modern architecture.

  • Accessibility

    • This experience is wheelchair accessible. Keep in mind, the ramps are accessible only to wheelchairs with a narrow base and not to motorized vehicles.

    Additional information

    • Life jackets are available on board. However, they are only passed out in an emergency.

    • Leashed dogs are allowed on board.

    • Children 2 years old and under can accompany ticketed parents for free.

    • Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

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

    • Please arrive at the boarding point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your cruise to avoid any delays.

    Boarding point

    Please check your final voucher for the boarding point details and specific instructions.

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