Sightseeing Cruises

Lake Michigan Cruise

4.8/5(377)

Brock G

Couple

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

It was a good overall experience. Spiro was a great guide, and the time on the river & lake was very enjoyable. My only small quibble was that I emailed someone there to ask about whether this cruise on the river and lake included all the arms of the river and the lake, or an abbreviated river tour to allow time on the lake. The person who responded said it was all 3 arms of the river and then the lake ... but it ended up being just the east/west arm of the river. Not a huge issue, but a small disappointment.

Jill R

Solo

Verified booking

4 days ago

For 90mins I was treated to an incredible view of the city from the river and a wider view from Lake Michigan. Our guide gave us interesting insights about almost every building we passed and kept everyone engaged with some history as well. The boat was clean, the staff was friendly, and the entire experience was well worth the money. I only had one day in Chicago and I'm so glad I chose to spend that time on this cruise through the city.

Ann B

Solo

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

All of the helpers and And workers were extremely pleasant friendly knowledgeable they were doing their job professionally the boat left on time they did exactly what they said they were going to do the cruise was informative I had a wonderful time

Sandra R

Group

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

Bobby did give quite a bit of architectural history until we got to the locks. He was energetic and lively--making everything interesting. The views were gorgeous at sunset from Lake Michigan! There is room for improvement with their drinks.

Virginia R

Couple

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

The guy who took us on our cruise was very knowledgeable. We learned so much about individual buildings and the development of Chicago in general. I felt like it was a good combination of history and entertainment.

Kathy H

Group

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

We had an excellent tour guide. Probably the best of all the guides we've ever had in Chicago. The views were amazing of both the river and lake and it was a beautiful day to add to a perfect day.

Experience Chicago’s iconic skyline from the water on a Lake Michigan cruise, offering a unique vantage point and engaging narration that brings the city’s history and architecture to life.

Enjoy skip-the-line entry, onboard commentary (live or pre-recorded in English), and seasonal perks like complimentary hot chocolate on select December evening departures.

Enjoy well-rounded inclusions such as expert-guided or narrated tours, scenic cruising durations of 45 to 90 minutes, and access to onboard amenities like a full-service bar (on select cruises).

Sail past landmarks like Willis Tower, Navy Pier, Buckingham Fountain, and the Chicago Riverwalk while gaining insight into the city’s architectural legacy.

Choose between a quick 45-minute cruise from Navy Pier, a 90-minute architecture-focused river and lake tour with a live guide, or a 90-minute sunset cruise offering scenic evening views with light narration and a more relaxed ambiance.

45-minute Lake Michigan boat tour with audio guide (as per option selected)

90-minute Chicago River and Lake Michigan guided architecture cruise (as per option selected)

90-minute sunset sightseeing cruise on Lake Michigan (as per option selected)

Full-service bar onboard (available for purchase with a valid ID) (as per option selected)

Complimentary hot chocolate on select December evening cruises

Admission to other Chicago attractions

Food and beverages (except complimentary hot chocolate on select December evening cruises)

Transportation to/from departure locations

Additional personal expenses onboard

Gratuities

TOTAL DURATION45 minutes
MODE OF TRANSFERBoat
1 Boarding point
Navy Pier
Get direction
Sights covered
Hancock Building (875 North Michigan Avenue)
Chicago Lighthouse
Willis Tower
The Museum Campus
Shedd Aquarium
Adler Planetarium
Field Museum of Natural History
Centennial Wheel
Aon Center
Aqua Tower
Field Museum of Natural History
Adler Planetarium
Shedd Aquarium
Chicago Harbor Lighthouse
Lake Point Tower
Grant Park
TOTAL DURATION1 hour 30 minutes
FREQUENCYOnce per day
1 Boarding point
Wendella's Michigan Avenue Docks
Get direction
Sights covered
Chicago Harbor Lock
Navy Pier
Oak Street Beach
Chicago Lighthouse
Museum Campus
Buckingham Fountain

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

377 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 25 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Brock G
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
It was a good overall experience. Spiro was a great guide, and the time on the river & lake was very enjoyable. My only small quibble was that I emailed someone there to ask about whether this cruise on the river and lake included all the arms of the river and the lake, or an abbreviated river tour to allow time on the lake. The person who responded said it was all 3 arms of the river and then the lake ... but it ended up being just the east/west arm of the river. Not a huge issue, but a small disappointment.
Jill R
Solo
Verified booking
4 days ago
For 90mins I was treated to an incredible view of the city from the river and a wider view from Lake Michigan. Our guide gave us interesting insights about almost every building we passed and kept everyone engaged with some history as well. The boat was clean, the staff was friendly, and the entire experience was well worth the money. I only had one day in Chicago and I'm so glad I chose to spend that time on this cruise through the city.
Ann B
Solo
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
All of the helpers and And workers were extremely pleasant friendly knowledgeable they were doing their job professionally the boat left on time they did exactly what they said they were going to do the cruise was informative I had a wonderful time
Sandra R
Group
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
Bobby did give quite a bit of architectural history until we got to the locks. He was energetic and lively--making everything interesting. The views were gorgeous at sunset from Lake Michigan! There is room for improvement with their drinks.
Virginia R
Couple
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
The guy who took us on our cruise was very knowledgeable. We learned so much about individual buildings and the development of Chicago in general. I felt like it was a good combination of history and entertainment.

What to bring

Bring a credit card if you wish to buy refreshments, as the snack bar operates on a cashless (card-only) system.

What's not allowed

Bringing alcohol, weapons, flammable items, or explosives onboard is strictly prohibited.

Smoking is not allowed onboard, including the use of e-cigarettes.

Additional information

Boarding typically starts 15 to 30 minutes prior to departure.

Bags may be inspected before boarding.

For safety and comfort, the Captain may alter the route during the tour.

Entry may be refused to guests who are intoxicated, impaired, or considered a safety concern.

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.