Sightseeing Cruises

Official Chicago Architecture Cruise by First Lady

Name: Official Chicago Architecture Cruise by First Lady
Start: 2026-05-17T15:30:00
End: 2026-05-17T17:00:00
Location: First Lady

Guide speaking on the 'Chicago First Lady' cruise with city architecture in the background.

Chicago Riverwalk with people strolling, boats on the river, and 'Chicago's First Lady' tour boat.

Guests enjoying the view on the 'Chicago First Lady' cruise.

Chicago skyline with skyscrapers and river view, Illinois, USA.

Duration

1 hr 30 min

Guided tour

Meals included

Indulge in a sumptuous meal as a part of your experience

4.8/5(137)

Mike B

Couple

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

It departed on time, Phil ( I think I am terrible with names) was a wonderful guide, very informative and easy to listen to. All around was a great experience. Not sure how objective Caht GPT is but I chose bade on the AI suggestions and it was great. Was looking for less crowded tour, was advised to go before noon. We took noon cruise, minus couple tourist that were intent on standing up the whole trip in the first row 🙄 it was great and I got good tour video and Some pictures.

James S

Group

Verified booking

3 days ago

The knowledge of our docent/guide was impressive. A nice mix of history and architecture. The boat gets you up close to so many buildings, and seeing the city from the river is a nice feature. This tour is a great introduction to the city of Chicago, and a nice dive into the varied phases and styles of the architecture.

Ellen G

Group

Verified booking

6 days ago

It was a beautiful afternoon in Chicago! The river was glistening and we enjoyed a wonderfully narrated tour! Anthony was both knowledgeable and entertaining! We learned a great deal about the history of Chicago and had a 5 star experience!

Virginia K

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

The crew was very polite and informative. The most wonderful thing was our tour guide. He knew so many interesting facts about the building styles and history. He spoke clearly and slowly and was extremely informative.

Deborah Y

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

Our guide was very well informed, and lives in the area, so he was able to give a personal touch. It was also nice that he wasn't allowed to accept tips! We'll worth the cost.

Doreen S

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

Beautiful views of the city, on a boat on a beautiful day! What's not to love? Guide was informative and enthusiastic. And, it benefits a not for profit! Win win win

90-minute guided architecture river cruise

Live narration by Chicago Architecture Center docents

Covers all three branches of the river

Guaranteed open-air outdoor seating

Restrooms onboard

Free stroller storage

Limited mobility services

Food and beverages (available for purchase at the bar/snack bar)

Gratuities

Parking (discounted parking available with validation, but not included)

Transportation or hotel pickup

TOTAL DURATION90 minutes - 90 minutes
FREQUENCYEvery 20-30 mins
MODE OF TRANSFERBoat
1 Boarding point
112 E. Wacker Drive
Get direction
Sights covered
NBC Tower
Trump International Hotel and Tower
Civic Opera House
Chicago Mercantile Exchange
Wrigley Building
Tribune Tower
DuSable Bridge
Marina City
333 Wacker Drive
Willis Tower
Aon Center
875 North Michigan Avenue
Aqua Tower
Lake Point Tower
Merchandise Mart
Lyric Opera
The Rookery
Carbide & Carbon Building
Chicago Board of Trade
Navy Pier
Adler Planeterium
La Salle Street Bridge

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

137 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.
124
7
3
0
3
Guests from Canada, United Kingdom, Philippines and over 13 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Doreen S
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
Beautiful views of the city, on a boat on a beautiful day! What's not to love? Guide was informative and enthusiastic. And, it benefits a not for profit! Win win win
Mike B
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
It departed on time, Phil ( I think I am terrible with names) was a wonderful guide, very informative and easy to listen to. All around was a great experience. Not sure how objective Caht GPT is but I chose bade on the AI suggestions and it was great. Was looking for less crowded tour, was advised to go before noon. We took noon cruise, minus couple tourist that were intent on standing up the whole trip in the first row 🙄 it was great and I got good tour video and Some pictures.
James S
Group
Verified booking
3 days ago
The knowledge of our docent/guide was impressive. A nice mix of history and architecture. The boat gets you up close to so many buildings, and seeing the city from the river is a nice feature. This tour is a great introduction to the city of Chicago, and a nice dive into the varied phases and styles of the architecture.
Ellen G
Group
Verified booking
6 days ago
It was a beautiful afternoon in Chicago! The river was glistening and we enjoyed a wonderfully narrated tour! Anthony was both knowledgeable and entertaining! We learned a great deal about the history of Chicago and had a 5 star experience!
Virginia K
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
The crew was very polite and informative. The most wonderful thing was our tour guide. He knew so many interesting facts about the building styles and history. He spoke clearly and slowly and was extremely informative.

What to bring

A hat, sunglasses, or visor to shield you from the sun as you cruise.

Your booking confirmation, either on your phone or printed, for a smooth check-in.

A government-issued photo ID if staff request to verify your reservation.

What’s not allowed

Large suitcases or oversized bags; you’ll need to travel light.

Open strollers during boarding; please fold strollers and store them, and carry children aboard.

Outside food or beverages. Snacks and drinks are available to purchase on board.

Pets (service animals are welcome).

Any form of smoking, including e-cigarettes.

Accessibility

The cruise offers limited mobility services, including early boarding and river-level drop-off for guests with accessibility needs. However, full wheelchair accessibility may not be available on all vessels. Please contact the staff in advance for assistance.

Additional information

Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure; general boarding starts 15 minutes prior.

Cruises run rain or shine; tickets cannot be refunded for no-shows.

Infants under three years old still require a paid ticket.

Open-air seating is guaranteed but unassigned; seating is first-come, first-served.

Enjoy discounted parking at 111 E. Wacker Drive; validation available at the ticket office (parking fees not included).

River routes may vary due to weather or city events.

A portion of every ticket sale supports the Chicago Architecture Center’s educational mission.

During major events or street closures, please allow extra travel time to reach the departure point.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Please arrive at the boarding point 15 mins before the scheduled time of your visit to avoid any delays.

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

Boarding point

Board your cruise at First Lady.

Address: 112 E Wacker Dr, 60601 Cook County Chicago, US.

Get directions to the boarding point