Drink in a one-of-a-kind perspective on the Windy City when you go for an evening cruise, perfectly timed to coincide with the sunset. Hop aboard your open-top vessel in the heart of the Magnificent Mile, and cruise along the Chicago River, where your guide will point out architectural highlights. Then, see the skyline from a distance, and watch the skyscrapers light up, when you continue to Lake Michigan for a sunset viewing.

Admire a perspective of Chicago that most visitors miss on this boat tour
Explore after dark to see the city's glittering lights come on
Spy the Wrigley Building, Willis Tower, Hancock Building, and more
Learn all about Chicago architecture from the live narration

What's Included

All Fees and Taxes

Alcoholic Beverages

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

400 N Michigan Ave
400 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
NW corner of the Michigan Avenue (DuSable) Bridge. Descend stairs next to the Wendella Logo awning to the river level. Dock is located at the bottom of the stairs. Parking is located at 430 N Rush St. Validate your parking at the Wendella ticket office which gives you 12 hours of parking for $12.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Chicago Skyline (Pass By)

John Hancock Center (Pass By)

Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower (Pass By)

Aqua Tower (Pass By)

Lake

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Chicago River

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your departure time

Contact tour operator for wheelchair & ADA access
Indoor and outdoor seating is available on a first come, first served basis
Most travelers can participate
Special requests entered at checkout cannot be guaranteed
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 300 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.

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 do we meet for the Chicago Sunset Cruise?

A:We are located at 400 N Michigan Avenue at the historic Wrigley Building. Wendella has four dock locations that extend west from the Michigan Avenue (DuSable) Bridge to Wabash Avenue.

Apr 2021

Q:Is there parking available for the Chicago Sunset Cruise?

A:There are two parking garages near the departure point: AMA Plaza parking at 401 N. State Street and InterPark Public Parking at 430 N. Rush St. (Parking fees apply at both locations.)

Apr 2021

Q:Is the Chicago Sunset Cruise handicap accessible?

A:We operate 3 boats with wheelchair lifts between decks. All our boats can accommodate wheelchairs & have toilets that are ADA compliant. For guests who are deaf or hard of hearing, a written script of the narration is available at the ticket office.

Apr 2021

Q:Can I bring my service animal with me on the Chicago Sunset Cruise?

A:A service animal is a dog that is trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. Pets and dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA and are not allowed.

Apr 2021

Q:Are there restrooms available on board the Chicago Sunset Cruise?

A:Yes. Restrooms are located on the lower deck of each vessel; changing tables are also available in each restroom.

Apr 2021

Q:How early should I arrive for the Chicago Sunset Cruise?

A:Boarding begins 15-30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time.

Apr 2021

Q:Does the Chicago Sunset Cruise operate in bad weather?

A:Our cruises depart rain or shine. Our vessels include sheltered areas and climate-controlled lounges. Ponchos are available for purchase onboard. However, in cases of severe weather where the cruise must be canceled, all guests will be refunded.

Apr 2021

Q:Is the boat climate controlled during the Chicago Sunset Cruise?

A:Most of our vessels feature an enclosed climate-controlled lounge on the lower deck with speakers to hear the tour guide’s narration. If you have a concern about whether your vessel has an interior lounge, please call the phone number on your ticket.

Apr 2021

Q:Is food/drink available during the Chicago Sunset Cruise?

A:A full-service bar is available onboard. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as an assortment of snacks, are available for purchase. Bar sales are credit cards only. No cash purchases.

Apr 2021

Q:Can I store my luggage during the Chicago Sunset Cruise?

A:There is no storage area on our dock, but guests may bring their luggage aboard keeping in mind it is subject to inspection.

Apr 2021

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Estela_R

Everything was great. Staff was very knowledgeable and friendly. I would definitely recommend this tour.

Reviews

4.5

548 reviews

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

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 548 reviews

Fun and Windy!

Jonathan_C, May 2023

Our host did a wonderful job explaining the history of Chicago and was super friendly! She was fantastic!

Great Date Night 💖

Rebecca_H, May 2023

Overall the tour is a fun, romantic, and laid back way to spend the evening with your honey. <3 The views of the city skyline against the sunset were breathtaking. 10/10 would go again.

Awsome experience

Edward_B, May 2023

Knowing the history of Chicago and the beauty of the sunset behind the buildings. A really great experience with family and friends. Always bring jacket or hoodie coz it really gets cold when you’re on the top deck. Overall, one of the list to do when you visit the windy city.

Fabulous sunset cruise

Sara_C, May 2023

Would definitely recommend going on the sunset cruise, the views were wonderful. Even though it wasn’t an architecture tour the tour guide pointed out all the unique buildings and history behind them.

Stunning views!

Romulo_A, May 2023

Great experience. The views are stunning. I would do this trip again. Everyone should take this trip!

The great scenery and...

Davon_B, May 2023

The great scenery and great commentary about the information. Everything went well and would definitely go again.

Beautiful sunset cruise

Debbie_S, May 2023

Beautiful sunset, Buckingham Fountain, Planetarium, St. Regis, skyline, music, Chicago River history.

Unforgetable

camelia_t, May 2023

The smooth ride. The expectacular views is a must trip specially at sunset. The trip was awesome worth every penny

Kraken-free

Travis_P, May 2023

It was a nice tour, super pleasant crew. Until of course, the kraken emerged from Lake Michigan. That didn't happen, the review has a 100 character minimum. Anyway it was great.

It was beautiful , sunset...

Angie_R, May 2023

It was beautiful , sunset & all . Then ended the night with the city lit . I would definitely go back :)

The cruise was awesome....

Diem_A, May 2023

The cruise was awesome. The views of the skyline is wonderful. The lighting of the buildings at night is unreal.

Great trip at Sunset...

Brian_L, May 2023

Great experience. Zach was a fantastic guide. Everyone was friendly and informative. Captain made sure everyone could see sunset as he moved the boat throughout the experience.

Sunset cruise

Jeffrey_K, May 2023

The guide was very knowledgeable and entertaining! The city line was beautiful, and the weather was great! I would recommend this to anyone coming to visit Chicago!

Chicago Cruising

gordonchube, May 2023

Great boat ride with great friends!!! Loved learning about the architecture and water flow into the river from Lake Michigan

Amazing cruise, the guide...

Inbal_P, May 2023

Amazing cruise, the guide gave interesting information about the local architecture. Lots of time to take pictures and enjoy the view

Awesome

Christine_C, May 2023

Totally worth it for the price. It was raining, but they sold ponchos and it was still an amazing experience. I’m born and raised in Chicago and never got on this boat before, but I will remember it forever. My husband and I had a great time with even with the rain. Walking distance from the hotels and restaurants. The only thing I didn’t like was the long line for a drink.

1 traveler found this review helpful

Awesome view

Emily_J, May 2023

My entire family thoroughly enjoyed this excursion. The tour guide was fantastic and witty. The views were spectacular, and it inspired us to take another Wendella cruise!!

Beautiful sunset

Shailja_S, May 2023

It was worth doing the sunset cruise as Chicago is beautiful at sunset with the shimmering waters and the gorgeous skyscrapers in the backdrop .

Wonderful!

Jennifer_M, May 2023

One of the highlights of the Chicago trip. Wonderful cruise on the lake! Highly recommended! The guide was great!

Great photo opportunities

Cher_N, May 2023

Guide was knowledgeable; lots of seating. Beautiful views with great photo opportunities. Definitely wear a coat if going at night!

Worthwhile experience!

mariam_m, May 2023

perfect experience! We were lucky to have beautiful weather on the day of our trip so had some amazing views whilst out on the Lake, but even if you’re not so lucky with weather, the experience is still worth doing - the cruise guide was extremely knowledgable and gave a really great commentary throughout (sometimes these can get tedious to keep along with but wasn’t the case at all here) and the view of the city skyline is great due to the architecture!

Great ride

PinWei_C, May 2023

Great experience. Sunset cruise worth the money. No other comments to fill 100 character minimum. Ben

Sunset cruise

Clemena_B, May 2023

We had the best time on the Chicago sunset cruise. Thank you Viator. The best sunset cruise - we had a blast.

Nice view

Dawn_G, May 2023

The view! I loved the sunset boat ride. It was cold when we rode the boat but the view after sunset was spectacular.

Fantastic!

Lisa_R, May 2023

Fantastic! Guide was very knowledgeable and entertaining! Highly recommend this trip. p.s...bring a jacket! :)

Wasn’t a perfect timing

Richel_C, May 2023

It was a great experience, the cruise was fantastic but the cold weather was a bummer… we went last 4/23/2023 and it was very cold and there was no sunset at all. We had a great time tho.

Great experience

Estela_R, May 2023

Everything was great. Staff was very knowledgeable and friendly. I would definitely recommend this tour.

Over all great experience!

Ummarah_J, Apr 2023

Out of the entire obv the sunset was the best part! But the tour guide was great. He’s very knowledgeable and eloquent. Haven’t done the architectural tour but would def love to do it with this crew

Amazing!!

Serena_E, Apr 2023

It was amazing!! Truly breathtaking views! Me and 8 other girls went at the end of April so the weather was very nice. It was a little windy which was okay

Majestic cruise

Alexander_L, Apr 2023

Amazing scenery with so much history. The sunset added to this great experience. I highly recommend this to anyone and everyone!

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