Wendella Cruises Chicago

Since 1935, family‑owned Wendella Cruises Chicago has been sharing the city’s story from the water. Depart downtown for an architecture tour along the Chicago River, a scenic Lake Michigan cruise, golden‑hour sunset sail, fireworks voyage or private charter; each boat features climate‑controlled salons, open‑air decks and expert local narration.

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2,161 travellers from around the world love this

Slide 1 of 7, Chicago River cruise boat passing under DuSable Bridge with city buildings in the background.

90-min Chicago River Architecture Cruise by Wendella

1 hr 30 mins

from

$45

Slide 1 of 8, Chicago River cruise boat passing under a bridge with city skyline.

45-min Chicago River Architecture Cruise by Wendella

45 mins - 1 hr 30 mins

from

$28

Slide 1 of 7, Chicago River architecture cruise boat passing under a lift bridge with city skyscrapers in the background.

90-min Chicago River and Lake Michigan Architecture Cruise by Wendella

1 hr 30 mins

from

$45

Slide 1 of 10, Cruise boat on Lake Michigan with Chicago skyline at sunset.

90-min Scenic Sunset Lake Michigan Cruise by Wendella

1 hr 30 mins

from

$45

Slide 1 of 8, Fireworks over Chicago River with boats during dinner cruise.

Chicago Fireworks Cruise

Explore at your pace

1 more

Experience Navy Pier’s fireworks from the water on a scenic evening cruise, with front-row views of the illuminated Chicago skyline and fireworks reflecting across Lake Michigan.
Enjoy a relaxed and crowd-free atmosphere as you sail past iconic sights like Navy Pier and Chicago’s skyline, with panoramic views from the open water.
Choose from a variety of cruise experiences, including a plated dinner, buffet dinner, or speedboat ride, with options for different cruise routes and onboard entertainment.
Dinner cruises include reserved seating, a full meal, and complimentary coffee, tea, iced tea, and water, creating a complete evening of dining and sightseeing.
Bring your own drinks on the speedboat cruises or purchase cocktails, beer, wine, and other beverages onboard on your dinner cruise while enjoying festive photo opportunities throughout the experience.

More details

Experience Navy Pier’s fireworks from the water on a scenic evening cruise, with front-row views of the illuminated Chicago skyline and fireworks reflecting across Lake Michigan.
Enjoy a relaxed and crowd-free atmosphere as you sail past iconic sights like Navy Pier and Chicago’s skyline, with panoramic views from the open water.
Choose from a variety of cruise experiences, including a plated dinner, buffet dinner, or speedboat ride, with options for different cruise routes and onboard entertainment.
Dinner cruises include reserved seating, a full meal, and complimentary coffee, tea, iced tea, and water, creating a complete evening of dining and sightseeing.
Bring your own drinks on the speedboat cruises or purchase cocktails, beer, wine, and other beverages onboard on your dinner cruise while enjoying festive photo opportunities throughout the experience.

from

$54.76

Slide 1 of 8, Dinner cruise boat on Chicago River with illuminated city skyline at night.

Chicago Dinner Cruise

2 hrs - 3 hrs

1 more

Enjoy a 2.5-hour cruise on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan with a gourmet dinner and live entertainment onboard.
Relax in a climate-controlled interior deck while enjoying scenic views of Chicago’s skyline and architecture.
Enjoy a chef-prepared meal as you take in the breathtaking views of Chicago's skyline and iconic architecture.
Live curated entertainment, along with an onboard bar with beverages available for purchase, enhances your dining experience, making it perfect for special occasions.
Choose between a Chicago River cruise with a plated gourmet dinner, a Lake Michigan cruise with a plated gourmet dinner, or a Lake Michigan cruise with a buffet dinner.

More details

Enjoy a 2.5-hour cruise on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan with a gourmet dinner and live entertainment onboard.
Relax in a climate-controlled interior deck while enjoying scenic views of Chicago’s skyline and architecture.
Enjoy a chef-prepared meal as you take in the breathtaking views of Chicago's skyline and iconic architecture.
Live curated entertainment, along with an onboard bar with beverages available for purchase, enhances your dining experience, making it perfect for special occasions.
Choose between a Chicago River cruise with a plated gourmet dinner, a Lake Michigan cruise with a plated gourmet dinner, or a Lake Michigan cruise with a buffet dinner.

from

$112.10

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What our guests say

Vanessa W

United States

Couple

Last week

+1 more

Overall, the boat cruise was a great experience\. The food was delicious, the staff was friendly and attentive, and the scenery and atmosphere were beautiful\. Everything was set up nicely and had the potential to be an amazing time\. Unfortunately, the DJ completely ruined the vibe\. The music selection was terrible, there was no energy, and it never got the crowd engaged\. On a cruise like this, the DJ really sets the tone for the entire experience, and this one missed the mark\. If the cruise gets a new DJ, I would definitely recommend it\. Everything else was great, but the entertainment needs a major upgrade\.

Chicago Dinner Cruise

Cristina K

United States

Couple

Last week

+1 more

It was a great easy ride around the city thanks to the captain. We liked how you timed the cruise so people could see the sunset just in time. Boarding was easy. The guide was informative but not intrusive in letting people enjoy the view to the nice music. It was a very pleasant experience and I will recommend to anyone I know who is visiting Chicago. It was truly the highlight of my visit.

90-min Scenic Sunset Lake Michigan Cruise by Wendella

Leslie V

United States

Couple

Last week

I loved everything about the cruise, from the beautiful views to the energy and enthusiasm of our host, he made it so much fun and very informative, we learned a lot about Chicago and its history, I didn't know that The Dark Knight was filmed here that was cool! Only one thing stood out to us, our host seemed to have trouble keeping some people quiet throughout the ride even though he specifically asked us to stay quiet multiple times, to enforce his rules I believe security would be a good option, the people did try to get hostile but eventually stopped, other than that I loved the experience!

90-min Chicago River Architecture Cruise by Wendella

Cynthia E

United States

Group

Last week

+4 more

Our tour guide was perfect. He was jovial and extremely knowledgable throughout the tour. He was able to answer any and all questions and tossed in lots of "tidbits" of unknown information here and there, keeping things even more interesting. We loved that this tour covered EVERYTHING. I highly recommend it!

90-min Chicago River Architecture Cruise by Wendella

Lydia U

United States

Couple

2 weeks ago

This tour covered a lot more buildings than I though it would, it felt as though the guide had something to say about nearly every building we passed. For 45 minutes, the guide, who did speak pretty quickly, was able to fit in so much information! I also appreciate the sense of humor with which the tour was given; this and other factors made it so that you didn't at any point feel like you were being lectured at and want to zone out. I was engaged the whole time. One of the best parts was heading closer to the mouth of the river and being shown such a scenic view of the city, this was beautiful! Though I would consider doing a longer cruise because I would have loved to learn more, this is very worthwhile in and of itself and especially if you only have (exactly) 45 minutes.

45-min Chicago River Architecture Cruise by Wendella

Felicia W

United States

Couple

2 weeks ago

+7 more

Chicago Architecture River Cruise Review – 5/5 Stars The Chicago Architecture River Cruise was, without question, one of the highlights of my trip to Chicago. Seeing the city from the water offered a completely different perspective, and the views of the skyline were absolutely breathtaking. The tour was well organized, relaxing, and incredibly informative. The guide did an outstanding job explaining the history behind Chicago's iconic buildings, the evolution of its architecture, and the stories that shaped the city into what it is today. Even if you aren't an architecture enthusiast, the presentation kept everyone engaged from start to finish. The boat was comfortable, the ride was smooth, and there were endless opportunities to capture stunning photos of famous skyscrapers, historic landmarks, and the Chicago River. Every turn revealed another impressive view, making it feel like a living museum. If you're visiting Chicago, I highly recommend making this cruise a priority. It's the perfect combination of sightseeing, history, and relaxation, and it gives you an appreciation for the city's world-renowned architecture that you simply can't get from street level. It was an unforgettable experience and one I would gladly do again on my next visit.

45-min Chicago River Architecture Cruise by Wendella

Aaron S

United States

Couple

2 weeks ago

Embarking on the Premier Fireworks Dinner Cruise was an unforgettable experience. The evening began with a delicious meal, complemented by breathtaking views as the sun set. As twilight descended, the anticipation for the fireworks grew, and the display itself was absolutely spectacular. The vibrant colors and synchronized explosions against the night sky created a truly magical atmosphere. We wholeheartedly recommend this cruise for anyone seeking a memorable and visually stunning evening. The only issue is the directions to actual place at the pier from which the ship sets sail. Get there early to avoid any confusion.

Chicago Fireworks Cruise