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Chicago Architecture River Cruise

Chicago, United States

From HK$404.27

Select Date and Travelers

Reserve Now & Pay Later
Secure your spot while staying flexible
Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance.
Chicago Tours
All Chicago Tours
Audio Guides
Kid-Friendly
Likely To Sell Out
Private and Luxury
Unique Experiences
  • 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

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Overview

Cruise down the Chicago River to see the city's famous architecture on this boat tour. With commentary from your onboard guide, watch the spectacular skyline glide by, including more than 40 notable buildings like Navy Pier, the Wrigley Building, and the John Hancock Building. Cover all three branches of the Chicago River, passing the East Bank Club, the old Post Office Building and the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower).
  • Discover all three branches of the Chicago River with your guide, an expert in architecture
  • Enjoy the best vantage point to admire the distinct city skyline and architecture
  • See more than 40 buildings including the Wrigley Building and Willis Tower
  • Discover the major events that helped shape the architectural history of Chicago

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

This ultra-flexible cruise runs more than 20 times daily from Navy Pier and Michigan Avenue.

What's Included

  • Guided architecture cruise of the historic Chicago River
  • Live commentary on board
  • Drinks (available for purchase)

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting points

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End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Make your way to either Navy Pier or Michigan Avenue (depending on option chosen) for your cruise departure. Board your riverboat and find a comfortable seat; a restroom and sometimes a full bar are available on the boat. Listen as your guide, an architecture expert, gives you an introduction to the city's landmarks. 

Along the scenic route, see buildings by world-famous architects including Mies van der Rohe, Helmut Jahn, and Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. A boat on the river is the best vantage point to admire the distinct city skyline.

Pass by more than 40 distinctive buildings, including the John Hancock Center, the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower), the Wrigley Building, and the Lyric Opera House. Listen as your guide recounts the two major events that helped shape the architectural history of the city. Learn about how the invention of balloon-frame construction revolutionized how homes were built, and hear the dramatic story of Chicago's rise from the Great Fire of 1871. Both of these milestones led Chicago to become one of the cradles of modern American architecture.

Your cruise ends at its starting point.

Chicago River

1 hour 15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Chicago Skyline (Pass By)

Navy Pier (Pass By)

Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower (Pass By)

Tribune Tower (Pass By)

John Hancock Center (Pass By)

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • All boats have full restrooms and a full bar
  • Some boats are single deck vessels, the type of vessel you are placed on cannot be guaranteed
  • Wheelchairs or other walking assistance equipment are not provided.
  • Tour times cannot be changed.
  • Near public transportation
  • Departure locations cannot be changed
  • Beginning November 8, 2022 through April 2023, tours will be 60 minutes in length.
  • Cruises are dog-friendly
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 250 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 good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

about cancellations.

Traveler Photos

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Featured review
Dina_S
Our Guide was very knowledgeable and funny. We had a very memorable time on our tour! The details about the buildings and architecture was fascinating! Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Chicago!!

Reviews

5.0
10,142 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 10,142 reviews
Tour on 05-24-24
Chris_B, May 2023
The guide on the boat Antonio was fantastic enjoyed the tour immensely The boat ride was great and the crew as well
Must visit when in Chicago
Sheila_W, May 2023
Great tour! Beautiful skyline and amazing architecture of Chicago’s buildings.Tour guide very informative and funny
Solo traveler
TYETHAS_L, May 2023
The host was very informative and entertaining!! Chicago is beautiful from the river. I loved every minute!!
Go riverboat
Gale_S, May 2023
Tour guide very entertaining and knowledgeable. Comfortable. Beer etc Folks helped you on your way ride hit all the avenues nothing missed
Architecture Tour
pclinkenbeard, May 2023
Interesting and Engaging Tour! Learned a lot about city history and the architecture of the different buildings
Loved looking at the...
Michelle_H, May 2023
Loved looking at the buildings. I enjoy hearing the facts about the buildings. I did not enjoy the constant talking from the guide. His opinions, jokes, harmonic playing, singing were not necessary for the tour. My family and I lost interest after 5 minutes. We just wanted the tour over. Not worth our time and money.
Better tip!
David_Z, May 2023
Your was fine, narrator begging for tips at the end was really disappointing and disgraceful . I hated to hear this, I always tip when applicable but felt this was unnecessary begging
Lovely tour with enthusiastic veteran tour guide
Lauren_U, May 2023
We were on a barge-like sightseeing boat so that everyone could see all the buildings easily. Our tour guide/speaker was a long-time veteran on this tour whose love for Chicago really shone through and it was evident that he keeps on top of all of the architecture goings-on locally so that he can keep his tour information very current. My mom and I both really enjoyed this tour and would recommend it to anyone.
Awesome experience!
Brenda_T, May 2023
The host was very comical and extremely throughly! I enjoyed the bartender. Lol The drinks were good.
Great way to see the city...
Gina_T, May 2023
Great way to see the city Guide is very knowledgeable Would highly recommend Captures the beauty of the city
Interesting and...
Patricia_M, May 2023
Interesting and impressive to see Chicago from the water. Ashley was an excellent host, friendly and humorous.
Very knowledgeable guide...
Lee_D, May 2023
Very knowledgeable guide - comfortable seating - allowed our small dog aboard. Perfect amount of time.
Speechless
Quisha_S, May 2023
Loved every moment and very educational and fun. So beautiful and pleasurable to see how the River was.
Family trip for graduation
Patricia_C, May 2023
The tour guide, Megan, was very enjoyable and engaging. She really spoke well about the buildings and history of the city! She had the timing of her speech down to a science!! She KNOWS HER STUFF and how to do it! And the view of the skyline at sunset was BEAUTIFUL!!
Awesome experience!
Michelle_N, May 2023
Our tour guide was amazing! Beautiful sites, great history lessons, and one hour was perfect! Definitely recommend!
Great experience
Tiffany_S, May 2023
Great experience. 6:45 was perfect time to see river in daylight and still be on it at sunset! Tour guide was great. Easy to find.
Great experience!
David_G, May 2023
The city history— Daniel Burnham. Also, the tour guide was exceptional. Very informative and lively.
Patrick is the best
David_B, May 2023
Patrick was phenomenal as our tour guide. Very fun and knowledgeable. Highly recommend this tour. Will do this again.
Bad experience
Scott_S, May 2023
The reservation system was confusing. No information on where to go to board the boat. The cruise was fantastic but I was charged twice and have to fight to get my money back. Very frustrating.
Great experience!!!Highly...
hana_k, May 2023
Great experience!!!Highly recommended!!! We were very impressed about everything!!Friendly staff !!!
Must see
wendy_r, May 2023
One of the best tours we have ever had. Truly inspiring and really made us love Chicago even more. Our guide was funny and informative and we came away really appreciating the buildings and city.
Awesome time in Chicago
Michelle_B, May 2023
Awesome experience!! The guide shared so much interesting information about the buildings and Chicago! Really enjoyed the boat tour and hearing the history of Chicago ♥️
William our guide was...
Jonah_K, May 2023
William our guide was great, extremely interactive and involving all the while keeping the ride light hearted. Got to experience the city from the river. Overall wonderful experience.
The tour guide was very...
Judy_H, May 2023
The tour guide was very knowledgeable, friendly, and amusing! We learned a lot about Chicago architecture and enjoyed a boat ride along the beautiful river.
Perfect way to see Chicago
Linda_D, May 2023
Tour guide Bob was phenomenal. Learned a lot, very relaxing, perfect opportunity to see a lot in a very comfortable and fun way.
Great view of Chicago
Rafael_M, May 2023
Great trip lots of information. It shows the city in a totally different way. The skyline from the river was beautiful.
A Must Do
cynthia_r, May 2023
This is a must do in Chicago! Our guide was so knowledgeable and entertaining. We learned a lot about the architecture and history of Chicago and saw sights you won’t see any other way.
Worth doing when in Chicago
JM_O, May 2023
Had a great time on this cruise. Easy to find at Navy pier. Speaker was informative and fun. Although this is a river cruise talking about buildings, the speaker also added some additional Chicago history and information. Saw a lot of Chicago from the river perspective.
Great way to see and learn about Chicago
Angela_T, May 2023
Highly recommend this tour. Excellent storytelling with interesting tidbits. Tour guide set a great tone for the cruise.
Quick and Easy
Azucena_S, May 2023
Quick and easy experience purchasing tickets. The only issue I had was finding the location of the boat. Had to stop and ask for help. A little map for reference would be very helpful for future customers that are not familiar with Navy Pier.
...

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Product code: 5580ARC

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