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Lake Michigan Skyline Cruise in Chicago

Chicago, United States

From HK$280.40

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Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance.
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Kid-Friendly
Likely To Sell Out
Private and Luxury
Unique Experiences
  • 40 minutes (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

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Overview

Take in iconic views of the beautiful Chicago skyline and its many landmarks during this Lake Michigan sightseeing boat cruise. Climb aboard your vessel for a laid-back ride, enjoying panoramic views of the Windy City's skyline from a unique perspective. Along the way, you'll listen to informative commentary and take in views of the John Hancock Center and Willis Tower, along with many other landmarks. Plus feel free to bring your own lunch or grab a drink at the onboard bar, during your ride.
  • Narrated sightseeing cruise on Lake Michigan
  • Enjoy fantastic panoramic views of Chicago's skyline
  • See Chicago's major skyscrapers like the John Hancock Center, Aon, Trump Tower and Willis Tower (Sears Tower)
  • Bring a lunch to enjoy on board during your boat tour

What's Included

  • Pre-recorded commentary on board
  • Scenic skyline cruise on Lake Michigan
  • Food and drinks (available for purchase and you can also bring your own)

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

  • 800 E Grand Ave
    800 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA

    Shoreline Sightseeing Lake Tour is on Navy Pier’s Dock Street. Your tour will depart from Shoreline’s dock on the west end of Navy Pier. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your departure time.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Get a unique perspective on Chicago's world-famous skyline during this sightseeing boat cruise on Lake Michigan. Whether you're looking for some unexpected views of the city's striking architecture, or simply want a chance to relax on Chicago's famous waterfront, this tour is a great option.

Start your cruise from Navy Pier's Dock Street and head out for a ride on the water. Along the way, you'll listen to interesting commentary surrounding Chicago history, and hear colorful details about its most famous landmarks.

During your ride, you'll have a chance to view some of the Windy City's most famous (and tallest) buildings, including the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower), John Hancock Center, and the Aon Center. You'll also be able to spot downtown neighborhoods like Streeterville and the Gold Coast, plus attractions like Navy Pier, Grant Park and the famous Buckingham Fountain.

If you're feeling thirsty, feel free to grab a refreshment at the on-board bar. Or pack a lunch, as you enjoy your meal while you cruise. No matter how you choose to spend your relaxing boat ride, it's sure to offer a great time for the entire family.

Please note: This cruise is seasonal and does not operate in the winter due to weather conditions.

Lake Michigan

40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Chicago Skyline

40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

John Hancock Center (Pass By)

Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower (Pass By)

Navy Pier (Pass By)

Buckingham Fountain (Pass By)

Millennium Park (Pass By)

Chicago Cultural Center (Pass By)

Chicago Architecture Center (Pass By)

Historic Water Tower (Pass By)

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Cruises are dog friendly
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 200 travelers
Operated by Shoreline Sightseeing

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
Saralyn
We’ve lived in Chicago for many years but haven’t been on a lake cruise for some years. We were fortunate to have a perfect weather day and the lake was quiet and it was a wonderful tour. We got a great view of the skyline from north to south and they gave us information that we had never heard before. Even though we’ve been here a long time, we learned new things and it was very enjoyable. the crew could not have been nicer and I highly recommend this experience.

Reviews

4.5
554 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 554 reviews
Great
Gloria_K, May 2023
Great view. We weren’t late, but waited a few minutes. Welcoming staffs. Pretty clean and well maintained. First boat on the pier. Reasonable price with the sale imo; could been cheaper for a 45 min ride.
Good views
Ariana_B, May 2023
Very nice and beautiful event. I would recommend booking a time slot at night for a better scenery with the city night lights. Very cold, bring a coat, hat and gloves if possible for better enjoyment.
Great Boat Tour
Ricco_R, May 2023
Great tour of Chicagos best sights. A must see if you are near the Pier. I recommend starting in the evening so you can see the sights at night too.
Fun and informative
Stephen_S, May 2023
It was a nice ride and tour. It was cold but we went downstairs where it was a lot warmer. However, the speaker downstairs was hard to understand. Overall, the tour was fun and informative.
Fun time with family.
Merrill_S, May 2023
Great setting sitting right on Navy Pier. The lively atmosphere, the images from the Lake Michigan Skyline Cruise and vibing with family members just made for an amazing experience. Plus it's a relatively short trip (40 minutes), so it won't consume too much time if you're trying to take in more of Chicago. Paid about roughly a hundred dollars for a party of three. Not too bad at all!
Wonderful
Heriberto_F, Apr 2023
I have been asking my wife to do something like this for years finally she agreed for her birthday. Thanks to the crew for waiting we were running late trying to find the place and they waited till we got there to leave thank for a beautiful memory.
Chicago Skyline
Brittany_W, Apr 2023
Seeing the chicago skyline was amazing. I love chicago and the skyline is one of my favorite parts of the city whether I’m seeing it in the day or night. I just love chicago and the atmosphere.
Tears of Joy
Caliph_M, Apr 2023
My wife was brought to tears, enough said. Deepest Gratitude. She loves the water, bring by it, around it, you name it, so to be on top of it, moved her to tears.
Birthday Celebration
Patricia_N, Apr 2023
I enjoyed the cruise of Lake Michigan for my birthday celebration with my family. The cruise gave us a great opportunity to see Downtown Chicago.
Definitely Worth It
Jocelyn_P, Apr 2023
Beautiful weather, good captain, informative narration. The boat was clean and tidy, nice day altogether.
Wonderful view of Chicago
Nora_A, Apr 2023
We were blessed with amazing weather during the boat tour, and the view over the city was absolutely beautiful. Not too long, 40 minutes is enough. I would really recommend this boat tour if you want a better view of all the skyscrapers & the city in general.
Introducing Chicago to a Frenchman
Gina_S, Apr 2023
Sharing it with our French ESL student. It made me proud of our city and I even learned some new things as a native Chicagoan.
Great trip
Jennie_R, Apr 2023
Very informative and nice ride. Beautiful scenery. We had great weather and awesome seats. We recommend the top.
Great tour guide! Great tour!
Michael_K, Apr 2023
Our tour guide was amazing - he told us all about the architecture and buildings along the river and was so funny too! Great tour, we can absolutely recommend it.
Pretty Good
Mary_K, Apr 2023
It was a quick tour. The prerecorded guide was a bit outdated. great scenic views of the city. Would do it again.
Fun boat trip
Robert_L, Apr 2023
Great views from the boat - excellent way to see the skyline. The commentary was informative but needs updating.
Awesome time !
Jaime_R, Mar 2023
Great service . Friendly crew . Very informative and clean boat . Great experience to spent some time out on the lake with friends and family .
Fun
Emily_H, Jan 2023
Loved the cruise. Can go on top or stay inside. It was very difficult to find the location. There were even signs saying that they were closed that day and a worker on the pier gave us the wrong directions to the west end. I called viator to get a refund and after 30 min they didn't even answer. Luckily after walking to the other end of the pier after 45 min we found the location and they were able to give us a different tour time without penalty. The need clearer directions with landmarks
Such a disappointment
Diyas_A, Jan 2023
We couldn’t make it! Given Instruction was awful. Nobody picked up phone call. We were looping around 30 minutes and couldn’t find which one was ours. At the end when we finally found our boat it had already sailing from the shore.
Educational
Jubaira_M, Dec 2022
Very informative and interesting as well as educational trip. Good to know the history behind it. Thanks
Good city views
Victoria_M, Nov 2022
Great to see the city from the water. It’s advertised as a 40 minute trip but it was closer to 30 minutes
Much too expensive for the value of the tour
Alain_C, Nov 2022
Nothing to say , not great , not smart, sad . Low level of everything Too expensive for the value of the trip
There is no better place...
Colin_M, Oct 2022
There is no better place to see the Chicago City Tall Skyscrapers than the Lake Michigan Boat Cruise. Stunning view of the city.
Fun time
chris_s, Oct 2022
Perfect amount of time with the 40 minute cruise. The information about the city was fantastic and the crew did a wonderful job of welcoming you on board and off board. Nice job. Highly Recommend.
Chitown views
Metoyer_C, Oct 2022
Very Cool and relaxing with great views. The boat ride could be a little longer! Good historical lessons.
Great Trip!
Katelin_P, Oct 2022
This cruise was beautiful and informative! We had so much fun and got some beautiful photos. 😍 Would recommend for everyone to take some time out and go on this cruise!
Great perspective of the skyline from the Lake.
Michael_K, Oct 2022
Nice, short tour that gives a great perspective on the buildings along the lakeshore. The recorded narrative is very informative.
First time to Chicago,...
Noreena_M, Oct 2022
First time to Chicago, loved the tour. Definitely a tour I'd do over. Love the history, the narrator was definitely easy to comprehend.
In the fall Bring a blanket
Heather_K, Oct 2022
Bring a blanket if you’re going in the fall but it was so beautiful! We really enjoyed it. I liked the light house a lot.
A CHARMING Way to EXPERIENCE Chicago's beautiful skyline & her history!!
Susan_Y, Oct 2022
A CHARMING Way to EXPERIENCE Chicago's beautiful skyline & her history!! Amazing tour! 👏 we had the best time. Got Amazing photos during our stellar experience ✨️ HIGHLY RECOMMEND for friends, family, groups or couples. Food and drink fairly priced available on board. So much fun!!!
...

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Product code: 5580SKY

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