Chicago is famous for its architecture, and the best way to see it is on a cruise down the Chicago River. Glide by historic and modern marvels like the Civic Opera House, Wrigley Building, and Willis Tower from the comfort of an open-deck boat. Live narration reveals each building’s fascinating history, so you'll learn more than you would just observing on your own.

See Chicago's most famous buildings on an architecture cruise
Learn history and trivia about skyscrapers and civic buildings
Cruise down all three major branches of the Chicago River
Boat has a covered deck and open-air options to suit any weather

What's Included

Restroom on board
Outside seating available
Seating is first come first serve basis
Guided architecture cruise of the historic Chicago River
Fully enclosed interior with air conditioning, seats, & windows

Full bar & snacks (available for purchase)
Gratuities
Discounted parking is for as low as $10
Approx. $10 discounted parking lot connected to marina

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

900 S Wells St
900 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
Please enter 900 S Wells Chicago, IL 60607 to your GPS for directions to the boat dock. Go through the parking lot behind the River City condominium building. The parking lot is located across from the soccer field on 9th St and Wells.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Wrigley Building (Pass By)

Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower (Pass By)

Aqua Tower (Pass By)

Chicago Chinatown (Pass By)

Merchandise Mart (Pass By)

Navy Pier (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Tour times cannot be changed
Cruises are on rain or shine
Minimum drinking age is 21 years

Please arrive 30 min before your cruise time
Seating is first come first serve. If you have a large group, arrive early
Child Ticket (3 and under) is for free but needs a registered ticket
Youth Tickets available on our main ticketing page
Refunds will not be issued if tour/activity is missed due to late or non-arrival of cruise ship
Vessel has full bar and restroom
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 80 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

about cancellations.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Rob_R

Great tour! The guide provided a lot of great info on Chicago’s architecture, was funny and entertaining, and he really added to the overall experience. I haven’t tried the other tour operators but would highly recommend this company!

Reviews

5.0

762 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 762 reviews

Don’t miss out on this amazing experience

Jenny_P, May 2023

Excellent tour guide, we learned so much about the city .. highly recommend if you are going to Chicago!

Best tour ever!

Emily_B, May 2023

David was our tour guide this afternoon and he was amazing! He had such a great personality and really brought everyone on the tour together. I feel like I left with so much more knowledge of chicago than I had received on other tours.

Fantastic!

Natalie_S, May 2023

Hillary and the boat crew was awesome!! Learned so much about the history of Chicago. This is must see and do! Highly recommend going with this boat company!

Nice excursion. Hillary...

Carla_W, May 2023

Nice excursion. Hillary the tour guide was excellent Recommend trip to everyone Went to the art museum also. Exceptional

David's explaination was...

PrajwalKumar_C, May 2023

David's explaination was very detailed and had a fair bit of humour too. The tour covered all the major buildings..

Overall not good due to not being able to hear the narrator

Jennifer_G, May 2023

It was raining so we went down below and you could. It hear the narrator at all. So I feel like we missed out.

Bad experience

Anamaria_M, May 2023

The address that the agency put in the web is wrong , when we arrived all was closed, they don’t want refund the money to the tours

Hillary our tour guide...

Hannah_Q, May 2023

Hillary our tour guide was great!! She was very knowledgeable and made the trip fun even while it was raining!

Great Tour!

Rob_R, May 2023

1 traveler found this review helpful

Great tour with a great tour guide.

Kevin_C, May 2023

Cody was a great tour guide. Chairs were a little uncomfortable but the tour was well worth it. Great price and great experience.

Excellent experience, great views

Ryan_M, Oct 2022

Awesome views and knowledge of Chicago! Crew was very nice and made the ride fun. Thank you David for the excellent guidance of architecture on the trip.

Well done!

Corey_S, Oct 2022

Excellent tour guide, the perfect mix of education and humor. We enjoyed a lovely, relaxed morning prior to race day. Thank you!

Fun experience, save the weather

Jay_R, Oct 2022

David and Captain Ralph were very funny and entertaining. If only the weather was more pleasant and warm. None the less it was informative tour. I recommend it to people at least once but in August or September, when the temperature is just right.

1 traveler found this review helpful

If you are curious about Chicago, do this tour if nothing else!

Deanne_D, Oct 2022

Our tour guide, Hilary, gave us a fun, sometimes hilarious, informative tour. She obviously knows a TON about Chicago and shares that wealth of knowledge like a highly skilled teacher. Our first time to Chicago to spend time with our son who moved here a couple years ago— he loved the tour as well. The weather was chilly, but sunny. I HIGHLY recommend this architectural boat tour to natives and tourists!

Entertaining Architectural Tour

Michael_F, Oct 2022

Hillary, the tour guide, was awesome- informative, engaging, and funny. She made the tour extremely enjoyable. Hillary, educated us on the different architectural design principles, insights into the designers and the history of the buildings. And, she did all of this in a in a simple, logical and entertaining way!

Fantastic

ursula_a, Oct 2022

Absolutely fantastic tour guide Hiliary…. Made it so much fun and enjoyable… highly recommended … beautiful trip and we had fantastic weather too!! Thank you all

Great tour!!

Sara_V, Oct 2022

Loved the guide’s sense of humor and hearing about some Chicago history. Seeing the city from the river was everything we expected and more.

Great experience

Rob_W, Sep 2022

Both the Captain and our Guide were outstanding and funny. I highly recommend !! The tour was very informative. One of best experiences in Chicago

Great Experience!

Ally_W, Sep 2022

Incredible tour, one of my favorite experiences while in Chicago. Knowledge guide that made the tour entertaining and informative. 10/10.

Breathtaking Chicago

Anna_P, Sep 2022

Very interesting ! Thank you so much! Very educated. I will recommend to my friends for sure! Wish you always great weather .

Awesome tour

Ashley_M, Sep 2022

Such an enjoyable tour! The tour guide has a great energy and did a a very good job telling interesting stories about the history and architecture of Chicago. Learned a lot, and the views were incredible.

Awesome and knowledgeable tour!

Alyssa_K, Sep 2022

The captain and guide were very funny and personable. They interacted with the group and were super fun and knowledgeable. This was my second time on this tour and I’d do it again!

A good host

Bhavya_S, Sep 2022

Our host was just wonderful. Her and her team are not only hilarious but also very well-informed. The unexpected opportunity to see the skyline of Chicago in its entirety was another highlight of the trip. The boat on which I sat was really well maintained.

Tila was a great guide!...

Sarah_O, Sep 2022

Tila was a great guide! She did a phenomenal job of explaining the sights and the history behind them. It was a great time!

Great tour and company!

TAMELA_M, Sep 2022

This was a great experience. Hillary was a great tour guide. I would highly recommend doing this tour with this company.

Very good

Karen_H, Sep 2022

Great views of the buildings from the boat, very pretty, and some interesting history about the city, the building architecture, uses, design etc

If you’re coming to Chicago for the first time, this is a must!

Harmin_A, Sep 2022

Great experience. The captain and the tour guide were excellent, made the audience feel comfortable. The 6pm ride is probably the best!

Very Informative and Fun

Alex_L, Sep 2022

Guide was excellent and fun. He was very informative about the buildings, architecture and history of the city. He brought comedy into the tour which made it fun. Definitely recommend.

Just do it!!

Gerri_V, Sep 2022

Amazing amazing experience! you can never do enough of the boat tour, so worth it. The media makes it seems to be this crazy place there’s crime every where but Chicago is the most beautiful affordable and clean city for a big American city. Get to know Chicago and do this tour. Tour guides are amazing and knowledgeable.

Chicago River Architectural Boat Tour

Donna_W, Sep 2022

I have lived in Chicago my entire life and this is the first time taking this tour! It was well worth it! Our guide, Hillary, was just wonderful. Would do this again!!

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