Zoom along the shoreline of Lake Michigan, zipping past famous landmarks as you go, during this exhilarating speedboat ride in Chicago. Climb aboard your 2,000-horsepower speed boat at Navy Pier, then hang on for the ride of a lifetime, as you zip past famous attractions like the Willis Tower, Grant Park, and Buckingham Fountain, pausing to learn a little about the history and architecture of the Windy City along the way.

Lake Michigan speedboat ride in Chicago
Enjoy incomparable views of Chicago's skyline and waterfront
Pause to learn about interesting lakefront landmarks, architecture, and history
Race along the lakefront and experience unique views of Willis Tower, Buckingham Fountain, and Grant Park

What's Included

30-minute lakefront speedboat ride
Informative and amusing descriptions of the world famous Chicago skyline
Unobstructed views of the beautiful Chicago skyline
All Fees and Taxes

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

600 E Grand Ave
600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Boarding: Navy Pier. Parking: City Cruises does not own or operate any parking lots in the area. Local parking is available at 600 E Grand Ave. Chicago, IL 60611 for our Navy Pier Departures. Alternative parking is available at 460 E. Illinois St. and 403 E. Grand Ave. (one block from Navy Pier).

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Take a thrilling speed boat tour of Chicago along the city's beautiful Lake Michigan, enjoying fantastic views of the city skyline and its many tourist landmarks along the way. This fast-paced speedboat ride is sure to get your heart racing, with a little history, humor, and information thrown in food good measure.

Start your ride at Navy Pier, heading out onto scenic Lake Michigan as you listen to a few anecdotes about the Pier and the impressive Lake Michigan. Then pump up the music and listen to the engines roar as your 2,000-horsepower vessel zips along the lake for an adrenaline-pumping tour of the city. Zoom down to Chicago's Museum Campus, where you stop for a few minutes to get a quick history lesson and learn about Windy City's many landmarks.

Then crank up the throttle again as you streak back past Navy Pier towards the Magnificent Mile, catching great views of Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain and the Willis Tower as you cruise. Return to the dock at Navy Pier to finish your action-packed speedboat trip.

City Cruises Chicago Navy Pier

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Grant Park

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Navy Pier

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Buckingham Fountain

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Magnificent Mile

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Wheelchair accessible
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Infants must sit on laps

Coast Guard regulations require a photo ID for each guest to board
All cruises are weather permitting
Stroller accessible
Near public transportation
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 19 travelers

Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

about cancellations.

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

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Q:Where is the departure point for the 30 Minute Lake Michigan Speedboat Ride?

A:The 30 Minute Lake Michigan Speedboat Ride departs from Navy Pier: 600 E Grand Ave Chicago, IL 60611.

Apr 2021

Q:Is there parking near the departure point for the 30 Minute Lake Michigan Speedboat Ride?

A:Local Parking is available at 600 E Grand Ave. Alternative parking is available at 460 E. Illinois St. and 403 E. Grand Ave. (one block from Navy Pier.) There may be a fee for parking.

Apr 2021

Q:Are there any restrictions for the 30 Minute Lake Michigan Speedboat Ride?

A:This ride is not recommended for guests with conditions related to the neck or back or that may be pregnant.

Apr 2021

Q:Are there any age restrictions on the 30 Minute Lake Michigan Speedboat Ride?

A:There are no age restrictions, however children under 12 years old require an accompanying adult. Infants under 3 years old go free as lap children.

Apr 2021

Q:How should I dress for the 30 Minute Lake Michigan Speedboat Ride?

A:Casual attire is appropriate.

Apr 2021

Q:How often are the departures for the 30 Minute Lake Michigan Speedboat Ride?

A:Speedboat rides depart every hour from 11 AM - 8 PM

Apr 2021

Q:How early should I check in for the 30 Minute Lake Michigan Speedboat Ride?

A:Boarding time is 30 minutes prior to departure.

Apr 2021

Q:Are there life jackets available onboard the 30 Minute Lake Michigan Speedboat Ride?

A:Each vessel is 100% U.S. Coast Guard and Transport Canada certified with life preservers and all required lifesaving equipment, including child life vests.

Apr 2021

Q:What happens in case of bad weather during the 30 Minute Lake Michigan Speedboat Ride?

A:Cruises sail rain or shine. In the case of severe weather conditions or upon the direction of the U.S. Coast Guard or Transport Canada, you will be given the option to reschedule or cancel with a full refund.

Apr 2021

Q:Will I get seasick during the 30 Minute Lake Michigan Speedboat Ride?

A:Most guests experience no discomfort at all as we do not leave the calm waters of the harbor. If you tend to have a problem with motion sickness, you may wish to bring Dramamine or other seasickness medication.

Apr 2021

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Mark_M

The cool breezes of Lake Michigan were awesome as was the view of the magnificent architecture of Chicago! The tour guide was most knowledgeable and made our trip all the more enjoyable! I recommend this experience for all.

Reviews

4.0

206 reviews

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

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 206 reviews

It was good. But don’t...

Tanmoy_B, May 2023

It was good. But don’t recommend with infants. My toddler did great and enjoyed but my younger one was not feeling good because of the wind .

1 traveler found this review helpful

At least I tried it…

Lizette_C, May 2023

I feel like if you’re a tourist, this is a wonderful experience! If you live in this city, I wouldn’t recommend. It’s expensive and the experience itself doesn’t last 30 mins. The 30 mins is counting from the moment the boat leaves the dock and the time it gets to get back to the dock. Aside of that, the tour guide was hilarious and at least you get a good laugh!

Was looking for a quick...

Christa_P, Apr 2023

Was looking for a quick outting on the water. Lake Michigan is absolutely stunning! The high speed ride was fun. The stops and the docent explanations were meh.

Fine

Seth_P, Apr 2023

Skunk's jokes were off-color. They detracted from the experience rather than enhanced it. I enjoyed the fun facts and information about the buildings. I appreciated Skunk taking our picture for us with the skyline in the background.

1 traveler found this review helpful

Did not get to ride the boat

Kierra_M, Apr 2023

Y’all let me book on the website when the boat was not running at the time I chose. So now I can’t get a refund even tho yall let me book it just to email and say it isn’t running.

Arfffff

monicaclark22, Apr 2023

My family and I enjoyed ourselves. The guide was awesome. She deserves a raise. I would definitely recommend this experience to everyone.

Absolutely fun!

Julia_D, Oct 2022

Great weather for this speedboat ride. Great tour guide, very informative and cheerful. The city views were amazing.

Booked online for 4pm...

Jason_V, Oct 2022

Booked online for 4pm ride. Arrived in plenty of time, was told that there was no 4pm ride. Told that there was a 5pm ride but this conflicted w 530 dinner reservation. Was told I MIGHT get a refund. Are you serious???

Bad and confusing to get a refund

Jacoby_J, Oct 2022

“Cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances” the day of. Ruined the first night of a very expensive vacation for my girlfriend

Beautiful sunset not a...

Angela_B, Oct 2022

Beautiful sunset not a cloud in the sky staff was excellent View from the boat was awesome. Would recommend to all

Awesome time

Nathaniel_A, Sep 2022

Had good laughs from the host. And good views as well. Would recommend to anyone if they travel to Chicago.

Summers end

Jennifer_C, Sep 2022

The crew and music were great. We had a wonderful time and my sons first experience on a boat and he loved it.

Thrilling and enjoyable

Muhammad_S, Sep 2022

Nice friendly crew, awesome views and a thrilling ride. Certainly worth it, some interesting Chicago trivia to go along with the speedboat experience.

Great speedboat ride that includes info about some of the Chicago architecture

Renee_T, Aug 2022

Description should be updated to reflect experience. I have been on speed boat rides that were just that for the duration. This ride stops twice to include information about some of the iconic buildings in Chicago. Not a bad thing, just needs to be a true description of the experience. As a Chicago native, I wasn’t looking for this. We were just taking our grandson on a speedboat ride.

Music selection was good...

Shacreya_S, Aug 2022

Music selection was good and speeding on the lake was super fun and also looking Chicago/buildings at a distance

The Seadog boat ride experience

Deborah_J, Aug 2022

How colorful the lake Michigan is the view .The light house nice to see and the different building of there history

Fun!

Karen_V, Aug 2022

Seven year old grandson enjoyed the speedboat. He was a little disappointed that he didn't wetter! LOL! Boat narrorator was fantastic and fun!

The guide was super fun...

Olaide_O, Aug 2022

The guide was super fun and still professional. This was the only experience I enjoyed in my stay at Chicago!

Tour guider was just...

Fatuma_A, Aug 2022

Tour guider was just incredibly knowledgeable!! Everything was better than expected. It was worth the money!

Sad

Tameka_S, Aug 2022

I did not get a chance to ride on the boat because I scheduled through you guys and there was no boat scheduled at that time that was given through Viator. It didn't match their schedule. The ticket guy couldn't do anything for me because I didn't book through them so me and my date just was standing there crazy

Gave me the run-around

Shilpi_M, Aug 2022

Our flight to Chicago was canceled, so we had to cancel our vacation. I called Viator to ask for a refund, and they told me to contact the excursion company (City Experiences). City Experiences then told me to call Viator. They promised me that a supervisor would call me within 48 hours, but haven’t heard anything yet.

Fun time

Brett_K, Aug 2022

So fun great experience! Bri was a great host ! All the staff was friendly and helpful. Boat ride was super fun

Great way to see Chicago!

Gail_C, Aug 2022

Really fun ride with a great crew. It’s a great way to see some breathtaking sights of Chicago! Definitely worth it.

It was aN AMAZING...

NAJIA_M, Aug 2022

It was aN AMAZING experience. Took the one that was leaving at the time when we can enjoy both daylight and dusk. What a fun ride!! 👍

Unhappy customers

Averie_T, Aug 2022

We were offered a refund from the boat company but Viator did not offer the refund even when the boat company left us behind and we didn’t get to enjoy the ride.

Sweet little cruise

Heather_H, Aug 2022

The candid banter of the tour guide, was nothing short of entertaining. Seemed very knowledgeable, and quite savvy of the city, and the structures of the skyline as well.

Best experience ever. I...

Joanna_G, Aug 2022

Best experience ever. I recommend to everyone. My family enjoyed a lot. Everybody was very happy. The personal very nice.

A beautiful family experience for young and old

Veronica_S, Aug 2022

Loves the SeaDog Crew very welcoming and knowledgeable. The environment was upbeat and exciting. Will definitely do it again soon.

Fun ride

Denise_R, Aug 2022

We had a blast. We took the yellow boat which is not the extreme one. It was perfect for us. We got an awesome view of the city with the thrill of going really fast. Im glad we didn’t do the extreme as this was just enough for me who can get sensitive to seasickness sometimes.

The crew was absolutely...

Denise_W, Aug 2022

The crew was absolutely fabulous they were full of so much information and knew exactly what to do and we're absolutely full of knowledge about the ship and how it ran

...