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

4.9/5

(314)

Maye

Mar 2026

Verified booking

Our tour guide was the best we've had, hands down. She unequivocally knew her history and kept us all engaged! Her esprit de corps is unparalleled and should be recognized! Others in the industry should emulate her enthusiasm and wealth of knowledge "before" they clock in. My wife and I had monotone tour guides basically reading from their notes and it ended up being a waste of money to include a boring experience! Promote her please!

Sharon

Feb 2026

Verified booking

Our guide,Tess, was fantastic! We were lucky to be visiting on a beautiful day - sunny and in the high 30s (not bad for a February). I was glad I had dressed appropriately for the temperature -- the boat also has a heated main cabin so I could have gone there if I had ever gotten too cold. I am so glad I did this tour and highly recommend it to anyone visiting the beautiful city of Chicago.

Chetna

Dec 2025

Verified booking

I absolutely loved this tour! The JBL speakers were fantastic and made it so easy to hear the guide clearly, even in a busy and noisy environment. The tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable and shared information in such a fun, engaging, and effortless way that it really stayed with me. I still remember interesting facts like the Chicago River being 22 feet wide and how it turns green on St. Patrick’s Day. The clear sound from the JBL speakers and the amazing guide together made this tour truly memorable and enjoyable.

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.

314 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 28 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Maye
Mar 2026
Verified booking
Our tour guide was the best we've had, hands down. She unequivocally knew her history and kept us all engaged! Her esprit de corps is unparalleled and should be recognized! Others in the industry should emulate her enthusiasm and wealth of knowledge "before" they clock in. My wife and I had monotone tour guides basically reading from their notes and it ended up being a waste of money to include a boring experience! Promote her please!
Anthony
Mar 2026
Verified booking
Crew was great! Tour guide was excellent!! Wish I could remember her name, so I could give her the recognition she deserves. She was very informative with just the right amount of humor.
Sergio
Mar 2026
Verified booking
The guide, Tess, was very knowledgeable! Great tour for architects and sightseeers alike!
Carolyn
Mar 2026
Verified booking
Excellent guide and views! Can be chilly.
Helen
Mar 2026
Verified booking
Was a superb experience. Thank you.

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