eATLAS’ Guide to Chicago Boat Tours

eATLAS has a pair of free Adventures in proximity to the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. Our Women in Design architecture tour starts at the Riverwalk and explores seven places that were designed by or inspired by women. The Many Lives of Navy Pier takes you to six locations that shows how the popular attraction has evolved since opening in 1916.

By Dave Lifton (@daveeatschicago)

An architecture cruise along the Chicago River is one of the most popular attractions for visitors. There are numerous providers, all of whom will give you a beautiful ride through the Main, North, and South Branches of the river as an entertaining and knowledgeable guide points out the stunning landmarks along the way. However, there are differences between them.

The three most popular tours all leave from below Michigan Ave. and offer treks throughout the day—including special sunset rides—and snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages can be purchased on-board. The 90-minute tour from the nonprofit Chicago Architecture Center frequently wins awards from local and national publications, and can be paired with a discounted ticket to its center, where guests can learn even more about the past, present, and future of the city’s architecture. Translations into French, Japanese, Spanish, and Korean for the cruise are available via the Listen Everywhere app. 

In addition to its 90-minute tour, Wendella has a 45-minute family-friendly cruise that omits the North Branch. There are other options, such as combination lake and river tours, as well as Beer & BBQ and Wine & Cheese cruises on alternating Thursday nights during the summer. Shoreline Sightseeing’s river tour (available in Spanish) is 75 minutes and its skyline lake cruise is 45, but there are docks at Navy Pier. Wendella and Shoreline also have fireworks cruises Wednesdays and Saturday nights during the summer.

Navy Pier serves as the departure point for several other tour boats. The Tall Ship Windy, a 148’ four-masted gaff topsail schooner doesn’t go through the Chicago River, but it sets sail with pirate-themed, educational, happy hour, and blues cruises on the lake in addition to its skyline and fireworks cruises.

Those looking to add some excitement to the proceedings can hop on City Cruises’ Seadog speedboat. After touring down the river to the Willis Tower, you’ll head back out to Lake Michigan for a short speedboat ride. You can also skip the architecture portion and opt for one of two 30-minute thrilling adventures on the lake that unleash the full power of Seadog’s twin 1,400 HP engines. City Cruises also operates a variety of brunch, lunch, and dinner excursions on the river and lake at an assortment of price points.

Departing from DuSable Harbor, just south of the river’s mouth, the veteran-owned Chicago Fireboat Tours gives you the opportunity to ride on a piece of local history. Named after the 39th mayor of Chicago, the Fred A. Busse was used by the Chicago Fire Department from 1937-1981, and the boat contains photographs and artifacts from its time in service. It was designed with the height of Chicago’s bridges in mind and was the largest diesel-powered fireboat in the world when it was launched. In addition to its historical and architectural tour of the river and lake, sunset, and fireworks options, you can book a cruise that is a partnership with local brewer Phase Three Brewing Company.

For an active experience on the water, check out Urban Kayaks, which has three guided tours from its spot on the Riverwalk near DuSable Lake Shore Dr. All of its excursions begin with a 20-minute safety and training session, so that newcomers to kayaking can participate. Urban Kayaks also has kayaks and stand-up paddleboards available for rental by the hour.

WeVenture, a leading provider of walking tours in 10 American cities, offers a private 2.5-hour boat tour of the Chicago River for groups of up to 12 people. Many of the other companies listed above, as well as Island Party Boat, also have vessels in their fleets that can accommodate as many as 250 people for private corporate events, weddings, holiday parties, and other occasions. The packages can be customized by food, beverage, and route options.

The popularity of the boat tours, particularly during the summer, means that it’s best to book in advance. However, the weather in Chicago can sometimes be unpredictable. Be sure to check the provider’s website for all information regarding running tours in inclement weather and refunds before completing the purchase.