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Architecture Boat Tour on The Chicago River

About this Experience

What you'll do:

Hop aboard with your expert guide for a 90-minute journey along the Chicago River, revealing both its secret treasures and iconic sights. You'll gain historical perspective on famous buildings such as the Wrigley Building, Trump Tower, and the Aqua Tower, alongside the very latest projects like Riverline and the new CNA Center. Immerse yourself in the architectural marvels of Chicago as you leisurely cruise by, taking in every visual detail.

Exclusive for Batch Users:

Get $12 off your General Admission tickets with promo code LB or use the following link: https://cruisetours.eventbrite.com/?discount=LB

Why we love it for your party:

  • Restroom on board

  • Outside seating available (first-come, first-served basis)

  • Guided architecture cruise of the famed Chicago River

  • Fully enclosed interior with air conditioning, seats, & windows

About this experience partner:

Tours and Boats specializes in river architecture tours. We've partnered with some of the city's best professional tour guides to offer fun and informed boat tours of Chicago's famous architecture. 

For more information, including private tours for large groups, please contact us.

Additional information:

  • Guided tour, expert guides, great time

  • Tour is general admission with no assigned seating

  • Purchase tickets early!  Prices go up as more tickets sell!

  • Please arrive 30 minutes before your cruise time

Book This Experience

Visit the experience booking site to check availability and book your experience.

Visit Website

Reviews

See All

5 (18 Ratings)

CC

Chrai C.

May 2025 • Other Party

Excellent tour! Hillary brought interesting perspective/facets to the architecture surrounding the river/lake. I will be looking to take the tour again when I return with guests! Thank you Hillary!

CT

Chantelle T.

May 2025 • Other Party

This was a great experience!! I highly recommend taking this boat tour. It was fun and very informative!!

NC

Natalie C.

May 2025 • Girls-Trip Party

Learned so much and I really enjoyed the sights!

ST

Samantha T.

May 2025 • Group-Trip Party

It is absolutely the best tour! Captain Joe and David were amazing, witty, and knew plenty about the town, history, and architecture. It was such a fun time. You go past everything twice, so it's not rushed at all. I'd go back again for the experience thank you!

EC

Eric C.

May 2025 • Group-Trip Party

This tour it’s a must if you visit the city, the best way to catch the main part, the heart and the vibe of the place!!!

CP

Cadejah P.

May 2025 • Group-Trip Party

10s across the board!! By far my favorite activity on my Chicago trip. Our guide was so knowledgeable and absolutely hilarious!! You WILL be missing out if you don’t book.

JH

Jeanie H.

May 2025 • Girls-Trip Party

Staff were very nice and helpful. Took my 84 year-old mom as she had never been to Chicago. She was very impressed with the tour. The tour guide was very insightful and came around several times for questions from the crowd. Great way to see the north side from the south side and hear the great history.

BA

Bernat A.

May 2025 • Other Party

Everything was great, the guide we had was exceptional! The whole explanation was a 10!

NK

Navjeet K.

May 2025 • Other Party

Thank you for some good knowledge and good company

AC

Adylen C.

May 2025 • Group-Trip Party

The guide was knowledgeable & witty! I loved learning all of the fun facts. The boat ride was the perfect amount of time and had snacks and even a bar available.

LC

Lynde C.

May 2025 • Other Party

This is the best architectural tour I’ve been on so far! They mixed current events and history along with building architecture! It was very informative

PP

Pia P.

May 2025 • Group-Trip Party

Excellent experience, enjoyed the guided tour and the professionalism of the whole crew. Would definitely do again next time I visit Chicago.

KK

Kaushal K.

May 2025 • Group-Trip Party

We visited many places on our trip to Chicago, but the architecture boat tour was my favorite. Not only were many of the major buildings covered, but extensive info and backstory was given about those buildings, including the eras in which they were built, the architects responsible for them, and what they get currently used for. Even as someone who does not have an affinity for architecture, I thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Additionally, our tour guide. Hillary, was phenomenal and kept making jokes and keeping the tour engaging so as to not let us get bored, while also making sure to give an extensive background to many of the major buildings. Overall, I would definitely recommend coming on this tour as it is sure to be one of the highlights.

CH

Cait H.

May 2025 • Group-Trip Party

Love this boat tour for friends visiting. This 90 minute is the superior tour, and our guide was informative and fun. I highly suggest it for tourists and locals

AT

Anthony T.

May 2025 • Group-Trip Party

Smooth ride, good food and drink options and the best guide ever! Hillary is the best! Very informative with a little humor mixed into her presentation. Everyone in my group had a blast!

ML

Madeline L.

May 2025 • Bachelorette Party

Hillary was amazing! She was so fun and knowledgeable and did a fantastic job teaching us about architecture and history. Some of it might even stick ;) Not to mention the views of the city are gorgeous and the captain was very sweet and adorable as well. We went on this tour as part of my sister's bachelorette party and all of us really enjoyed it! Don't forget to wear your sunscreen, though! Thanks for the great experience y'all, I'm hoping I can do Hillary's walking tour sometime too.

KB

Kimberly B.

May 2025 • Other Party

The BEST architecture tour! I didn’t want to get off at the end. Hillary was a phenomenal tour guide as well. 10/10 recommend!

DP

Daniela P.

May 2025 • Other Party

The tour guide was very enthusiastic, knowledgeable and entertaining. I really enjoyed the tour. It was super well organized. Parking and accessing it was very easy.

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