6 Top Chicago Boat Tours in The City

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If you are looking for the best Chicago boat tours, then you are in the right place! 

Chicago is a vibrant city with an iconic skyline, beautiful summers, a renowned food scene (don’t miss the deep-dish pizza!), and a rich cultural landscape, from its jazz and blues roots to its lively festivals. As the third-largest city in the United States, Chicago can feel overwhelming to explore, especially if you’re short on time. 

For a comprehensive guide to Chicago’s top attractions, check out my list of the best things to do in Chicago. But if there’s one experience you shouldn’t miss, it’s a river cruise. In this post, I’ve curated the top Chicago boat tours so you can see the Windy City from one of its most memorable perspectives, the water. 

You’ll find a summary of the tour, the price, duration, etc. I’ve also answered many commonly asked questions about Chicago boat tours later in the guide. By the end of this article, you’ll have all the information you need to book the right tour for your trip. Let’s get into the best boat tours in Chicago! 

Looking for more Midwest guides? 

• How to Spend a Day in Chicago

Keep reading to discover the best Chicago boat tours. 

Ultimate Guide to The Best Chicago Boat Tours

FAQs About Chicago Boat Tours

How much does the Chicago Architecture boat tour cost? 

The price for your Chicago River cruise depends on which type of tour you book. Typically, they cost about $40 to $50. However, if you want a tour with cocktails or dinner included, they will be more expensive. 

How long is the Chicago boat tour? 

The duration of the boat tours in Chicago ranges from 40 to 90 minutes depending on which tour you book.

Where does the Chicago boat tour start? 

Many of the river cruises in Chicago begin at Navy Pier dock and Ogden Slip. Each tour will provide instructions on how to reach the meeting point.  

What is the Best Company Boat Tour in Chicago Architecture? 

CAC River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady has been voted the #1 boat tour in the United States. Additionally, it’s been voted as the Chicago Reader’s best tour for over 10 years. I’ve included one of these amazing boat tours in this guide! 

What do You Wear to the architecture boat tour in Chicago? 

Casual attire is perfect. Chicago is the windy city! So I suggest wearing something comfortable. If you are doing a boat tour during the winter, wear warm clothes because it will get cold. However, make sure you know that if you book the dinner cruise (more on this later in the guide), the attire is a bit more upscale. 

Is there alcohol on the Chicago Architecture Boat Tour? 

This depends on which tour you book. My recommendations below have all these details for each tour. Pretty much every tour has alcohol available for purchase, but only a select few include alcoholic beverages. 

The Top 5 Chicago Boat Tours 

Now that we’ve covered some of the popular questions about Chicago boat tours, let’s get into the best river cruises in the city! See below for a detailed list of all the best architecture river cruises in Chicago. 

I’ve been to Chicago quite a few times, I’ve enjoyed the beautiful summer in Chicago, celebrated St. Patrick’s Day, and indulged in their iconic deep-dish pizza. It’s a lovely city — one of the best in America, in my opinion. One of the most renowned things about Chicago is its incredible architecture. And the best way to get a glimpse of the city’s beauty is by taking a boat tour! So all of these tours below, have focus on Chicago’s wonderful architecture, something you have to enjoy while you are in this lovely city. 

1 | The Best Architecture Cruise in Chicago | ✨My Top Pick!✨

Chicago River: 1.5 Hour Guided Architecture Cruise

Price: $44.00

Duration: 1.5 hours  

Rating: 4.8 stars

I personally think that this Chicago boat tour is the best if you are looking for a basic sightseeing cruise at an affordable price. This river cruise is one and a half hours long and you’ll get to experience Chicago’s jaw-dropping architecture with a local guide, with a visit to all three branches of the Chicago River. 

The tour costs around $44 and you can choose a time slot from 11 AM to 5 PM. You’ll start at the Brainlab training center and make your way to Marina City Goldberg, Merchandise Mart, Willis Tower, Chicago Board of Trade Building, Tribune Tower, Aon Center, NBC Tower, Aqua at Lakeshore East, and Lake Point Tower. Drinks are not included, but they are available for purchase on board. 

2 | A Family-Friendly River Cruise in Chicago

Chicago: 45-Minute Family-Friendly Architecture River Cruise 

Price: $28.00

Duration: 45 minutes 

Rating: 4.7 stars 

If you are looking to enjoy a Chicago architecture cruise and bring along the kids, this is a great option for you. It’s quicker, only 45 minutes, so the kids won’t be sitting for hours on a boat. There will be live family-friendly commentary and a full-service bar on board with drinks available for purchase. 

This is great for adults and kids alike because you will learn about Chicago’s architecture from expert guides, all while maintaining a family-friendly environment. It’s good to know that passengers can bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages on board and children under 4 years old are free. There are multiple starting times daily, so you can choose what’s best for your family. This is an amazing way for the entire family to enjoy Chicago! 

3 | Chicago Boat Tour with Refreshments 

Chicago: Architecture Boat Tour with Drinks 

Price: $39.00

Duration: 1.5 hours 

Rating: 4.7 stars 

Many boat tours in Chicago include refreshments available for purchase, they aren’t included in your ticket. I liked how this cruise included drinks – coffee, tea, water, soft drinks, and lemonade. However, note that it does not include alcoholic drinks (we’ll get to that tour later). 

This tour is also a great price, at only $39 it includes a cruise by Willis Tower, Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, and more. Guests will sail through the rivers Main Branch, North Branch, and South Branch. The river cruise is an hour and a half long and the meeting point is at 465 N. McClurg Court, on a slip of water called Ogden Slip. 

4 | A Sunset Architecture Cruise with Cocktails 

Chicago River: Guided Sunset Cocktail & Adventure Tour 

Price: $59.00

Duration: 1.5 hours 

Rating: 4.5 stars  

Okay, if you are looking for a river cruise in Chicago with cocktails, this is the tour for you. You’ll be able to enjoy this one-and-a-half-hour river cruise with your choice of one or two cocktails included and additional drinks are available for purchase on board. 

This is a fully guided sunset tour (although there are other times you can choose) that includes the history of over 50 significant buildings in the city. You’ll cruise in a 90-passenger historic riverboat and learn about the city via live narration. For those looking for a more upscale experience, consider this cocktail cruise. 

5 | Gourmet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner River Cruise in Chicago 

Chicago: Gourmet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner River Cruise

Price: $139.41

Duration: 2 – 2.5 hours 

Rating: 4.5 stars

Again, if you are looking for something a bit more high-end, consider this Chicago River cruise with a nice meal. Guests will enjoy the skyline from a glass-enclosed dining area while cruising the river. You can choose from brunch, lunch, or dinner, each is a three-course meal. The dinner cruise includes an onboard DJ and architectural narration for lunch and brunch cruises. 

This tour is a two-hour cruise and includes a sail past all the iconic sites in Chicago. Because this is an upscale river cruise in Chicago, the dress code is “dressy-casual.” Jeans, flip flops, t-shirts, and athletic shoes are discouraged. 

6 | A First Lady River Cruise in Chicago 

Chicago: First Lady River Cruise & Architecture Center Combo 

Price: $59.00

Duration: 1.5 hours 

Rating: 4.7 stars 

I had to include this tour on the list because you’ll not only get to experience a river cruise on Chicago’s First Lady, but also you can visit the Chicago Architecture Center. For those looking to learn a bit more about the city, this is a great tour option. 

At only, $59 it includes live commentary by a Chicago Architecture Center docent and discounted entry to the Chicago Architecture Center. You’ll learn stories about more than 50 buildings and 13 bridges and food and drinks are available for purchase. 

Note that for the CAC (Chicago Architecture Center) you can redeem your general admission ticket at any time within seven days of the First Lady Cruise. This is a popular cruise in Chicago, so If you are considering booking it, do so in advance. 

History of Chicago Boat Tours

Did you know that these river cruises in Chicago started way back in 1935? Chicago’s tours have now become a staple of the city’s tourism. Back then, it was similar; the river cruises were mainly for sightseeing and leisure, as visitors and residents booked cruises for scenic views of the rapidly growing city skyline. 

Architectural boat tours in Chicago gained more and more popularity over the years, as the city grew, and so did the river tours. Today, Chicago boat tours offer visitors a unique view of the city and continue to be an amazing way to explore Chicago’s waterfront beauty and history.

And that’s a wrap on the best Chicago boat tours. I hope you found this guide helpful and if you have any questions about planning your trip to Chicago, feel free to comment below or DM me on Instagram!

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