Sightseeing Cruises

45-min Chicago River Architecture Cruise

Chicago River with raised lift bridges and skyline during architecture cruise.

Tour boat on Chicago River with city skyline in background during architecture cruise.

Visitors on Chicago River cruise viewing city architecture.

Chicago River with skyline view, featuring modern skyscrapers on a 45min architecture cruise.

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

Spot the best of Chicago's architectural marvels, all in 45 mins on a guided river cruise.

4.7/5

(133)

Frank

Jul 2025

Verified booking

5/5

This was our first visit to Chicago and we were overwelmed. We chose the Rivercruise because the Chicago river floats right in the hart of Chicago and such a cruise offers a much better view at the intetesting buildings. Top it of with a proffesional narritor Alex and wr had a superb excursion. Very special was to see to clouds float in between the skycrapers. That made it all a kind of mystic. Very tecomendable to do this cruis Thanks Frank Hoffman (Netherlands)

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!

David

Aug 2025

Verified booking

4/5

Everything was good, except it was a hassle to find where the tour began! This could be easily remedied by simply putting the address on the ticket or in the confirming email. Instead, I had to call somebody, probably from some far off foreign country, to give me the address. Really? it's not rocket science guys. If you make it a hassle to even get to the boat, people aren't gonna do it. Just sayin'.

Sail through the heart of Chicago on 45-min guided architecture cruise, enjoying expert commentary, gorgeous skyline views, and onboard refreshments.

Glide along all three branches of the Chicago River including the North Branch, the Main Stem, and the South Branch, as your guide shares fascinating insights into the city's 130-year architectural evolution.

Capture unobstructed views of Chicago’s iconic skyscrapers from the open-air upper deck, offering perfect photo opportunities of the cityscape.

Spot famous buildings like the Tribune Tower, Apple Store, AMA Building and the Wrigley Building.

River cruise

Expert tour guide

Food & drinks from the snack bar onboard

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

How do we collect reviews?
4.7
133 ratings
5/5
111
4/5
14
3/5
6
2/5
0
1/5
2
Guests from Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom and over 16 countries have loved this experience
James
Aug, 2025Verified booking
5/5
My wife and I really enjoyed the architectural boat tour. Lots of very interesting facts related to Chicago's history that most people will never have a clue about. Quite the shame as there's so much there. Tour just touched the surface I'm sure but a big eye opener for sure.
Nataliia
Aug, 2025Verified booking
5/5
The cruise was just amazing ! Despite of being late for a ticket time, I was allowed to take a next scheduled ride which was spartacular!!!!! 90 minutes of stannic views , well delivered guide support and best memories created ! Highly recommend for all!
Frank
Jul, 2025Verified booking
5/5
This was our first visit to Chicago and we were overwelmed. We chose the Rivercruise because the Chicago river floats right in the hart of Chicago and such a cruise offers a much better view at the intetesting buildings. Top it of with a proffesional narritor Alex and wr had a superb excursion. Very special was to see to clouds float in between the skycrapers. That made it all a kind of mystic. Very tecomendable to do this cruis Thanks Frank Hoffman (Netherlands)
Casey
Jun, 2025Verified booking
5/5
We had a wonderful time with our tour guide. He was very informative. Had a great personality and very educational . We've told everyone about it. It started on time and we were entertained for the full 45 minutes.
Dominic
Aug, 2025Verified booking
4/5
Good tour ... great city......

Enjoy unforgettable views of Chicago’s skyline as you cruise along the Chicago River. This 45-min tour offers a unique vantage point to admire the city's world-famous skyscrapers, making it a must-do experience for architecture lovers.

Let the experts lead you

Gain insights into Chicago’s rich architectural heritage with engaging commentary from knowledgeable guides. Discover the history and design of iconic landmarks while enjoying a scenic and informative journey through the heart of the city.

Perfect for time-conscious travelers

Short on time? This 45-minute cruise provides a concise yet immersive look at Chicago’s architectural wonders, making it an ideal option for those with busy itineraries.

Great for first-time visitors and locals

Whether you're visiting Chicago for the first time or a local looking for a fresh perspective, this cruise offers a fun and accessible way to experience the city’s stunning urban landscape from the water.

What to bring

If you wish to purchase refreshments at the snack bar, bring your credit card along, as cash transactions are unavailable.

What's not allowed

Keep in mind alcohol, weapons, flammables, and explosives are not allowed on this experience.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Please arrive at the meeting point 30 mins before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.

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

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