Chicago · CHICAGO RIVER CRUISES

Chicago River Cruises: The 15 Best Departures

41 tours  ·  from $15 a head

Every river cruise passes the same towers; the guide is what changes. These 15 are compared on price, length, docks and whether the narration is a docent, a captain or a recording.

Chicago Architecture River Cruise - Buildings to watch for along the route
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Chicago Architecture River Cruise

1.Chicago Architecture River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15,756 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $39Our pick

Cruise Chicago’s river for about 60 to 90 minutes with a live guide, passing landmarks such as the Wrigley Building, Willis Tower, and Marina City. Choose a departure from Navy Pier or Michigan Avenue. The boat has restrooms and a bar, and dogs are welcome. Guides such as Sam, Jim, and Ashley have led especially engaging trips, though the guide varies.

“Must do in Chicago! Tour operators are funny and knowledgeable. Recommend lining up early so you have your pick of the spots. We chose front row and it felt like you were on a private tour.”

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Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Tour - Following the river past the city’s landmarks
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Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Tour

2.Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 9,629 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $45

Board a Wendella boat at the Michigan Avenue Bridge for a 90-minute narrated cruise along all three branches of the Chicago River. An expert local guide connects buildings such as Marina City, the Wrigley Building and Willis Tower to the city’s architectural story. Choose indoor or outdoor seating, and plan for weather: the best open-air views come with exposure to wind and cold.

“Great experience . Definitely would do it again. Trying to get to know me hundred characters and just made it.”

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Chicago River: 1.5-Hour Guided Architecture Cruise - Marina City and the river’s north and south branches
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Chicago River: 1.5-Hour Guided Architecture Cruise

3.Chicago River: 1.5-Hour Guided Architecture Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 8,046 reviews · 1h 30m · from $44

Cruise Chicago’s main river and north and south branches for 90 minutes, passing landmarks from the Wrigley Building to Marina City and Willis Tower. An English-speaking guide brings the skyline’s 130-year story to life, while you choose an open deck or climate-controlled seating. Local drinks and Garrett’s Popcorn are available to buy onboard.

“This cruise is definitely worth doing. John our guide was first class, very funny and entertaining as well as being informative.”

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Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady - Why the docent matters
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Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady

4.Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5,536 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $57

Cruise the Chicago River for about 90 minutes aboard Chicago’s First Lady, with live commentary from a Chicago Architecture Center docent. Look for Marina City, Willis Tower, Navy Pier and more while learning how the river and its buildings shaped the city. There’s an enclosed, climate-controlled salon, an open-air deck and a bar onboard.

“This is led by a knowledgable docent from the Chicago Architecture Center do visitors will learn more than on other tours.”

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Chicago: Architecture River Cruise Skip-the-Ticket Line - Three branches, one changing view of Chicago
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Chicago: Architecture River Cruise Skip-the-Ticket Line

5.Architecture River Cruise Skip-the-Ticket Line

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4,325 reviews · 1 hour - 90 minutes · from $39

Cruise all three branches of the Chicago River for a close look at landmark buildings such as Marina City, Willis Tower, and Trump Tower. A live guide connects the skyline to Chicago’s architectural history, while a seasonal cash bar offers drinks for purchase. Expect a 75-minute ride in warmer months and a shorter 60-minute trip from November 1 to April 15.

“Love this cruise! Even if you have done it before, you always learn something new!”

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Chicago River 45-Minute Architecture Tour from Magnificent Mile - Marina City’s corn-cob towers from the water
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Chicago River 45-Minute Architecture Tour from Magnificent Mile

6.Chicago River 45-Minute Architecture Tour from Magnificent Mile

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,924 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $28Best value

Cruise the Chicago River from the Wrigley Building for 45 minutes of live architecture commentary. You’ll pass the Riverwalk, Michigan Avenue Bridge, Merchandise Mart, Lyric Opera House, and Marina City’s corn-cob towers. Choose an open-air seat or a climate-controlled lounge; guides have included Tess, Zach, Alyssa, and Chris, though the guide varies.

“Great experience. The skyline was beautiful and the tour guide was awesome. This was the highlight of my trip.”

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Chicago Lake and River Architecture Tour - Spot the city-within-a-city buildings
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Chicago Lake and River Architecture Tour

7.Chicago Lake and River Architecture Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,308 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $45

Board Wendella’s boat at the Wrigley Building for a 90-minute cruise along the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. A live guide points out landmark architecture, from the Wrigley Building to Marina City, while you get river-level views and photos of the skyline. Indoor climate-controlled seating and an outdoor deck are available, but spots are first come, first served.

“This was a great tour if you are wanting to many of the buildings and the skyline from the lake. The guide was knowledgeable with the history and construction of the buildings”

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Chicago: 45-Minute Family-Friendly Architecture River Cruise - Guides who make the buildings memorable
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Chicago: 45-Minute Family-Friendly Architecture River Cruise

8.45-Minute Family-Friendly Architecture River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,304 reviews · 45 min · from $28

Cruise the Chicago River for 45 minutes, from the Lake Shore Drive area toward Willis Tower and along the South Branch, with live English commentary on the buildings and architects shaping the skyline. You get access to indoor and outdoor decks, climate-controlled seating, and an onboard bar selling local drinks. Sunset trips offer city views in changing light.

“Sarah was a great guide with a lot of interesting facts about the Chicago architecture. The 45 minute tour was just enough time to get a feel for the history of the city. The boat was comfortable and there were lots of seats for the guests. Highly recommend this tour.”

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Chicago: 1.5-Hour Lake and River Architecture Cruise - The riverfront’s changing skyline
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Chicago: 1.5-Hour Lake and River Architecture Cruise

9.1.5-Hour Lake and River Architecture Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,050 reviews · 1h 30m · from $44

Wendella’s 90-minute cruise pairs the Chicago River’s landmark buildings with wide skyline views from Lake Michigan. An English-speaking local guide points out sights such as Marina City, the Wrigley Building, Willis Tower, and the lakefront museums. Choose open-air or climate-controlled seating, and watch the boat pass through the Chicago Lock.

“This was an outstanding tour and I learned a lot about Chicago, a city I grew up by. The architecture as fascinating. I definitely recommend taking the combined river/lake tour. I do recommend that literature about the tour provide recommendations for parking.”

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Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Boat Tour - Reading the skyline from the Wrigley Building
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Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Boat Tour

10.Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,635 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $37

Spend 90 minutes on the Chicago River, hearing how the city’s buildings took shape as you pass landmarks such as the Wrigley Building, Willis Tower, Aqua Tower, and Merchandise Mart. A live guide narrates the route through all three river branches. Choose an open-air seat or settle inside, where there is air conditioning, windows, and a restroom.

“Amazing tour, handicap accessible, small business owned, Hillary was so knowledgeable and made the trip a great experience! Thanks for a memorable time!”

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Chicago River Architecture Tour with Small Boat Upgrade Option - Why the Chicago River tells the story well
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Chicago River Architecture Tour with Small Boat Upgrade Option

11.Chicago River Architecture Tour with Small Boat Upgrade Option

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 818 reviews · from $49

Cruise the Chicago River for about 90 minutes with a local guide, passing landmark buildings and sights such as Navy Pier and Cloud Gate. The standard boat can hold up to 175 people; the small-boat option caps the group at 60, though seating can affect your views. Guides such as Jim and Justine have led engaging tours, and a combo option adds a 90-minute minibus tour.

“We had a great time . The Docent on the tour was really great and informative very engaging with the passengers . The weather was threatening but it all turned out to be great! Definitely recommend doing this tour , it’s a great way to learn about the city.”

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Chicago Architectural River Cruise - From the Great Fire to towers of steel and glass
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Chicago Architectural River Cruise

12.Chicago Architectural River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 804 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $50

Cruise the Chicago River for about 90 minutes as a live docent points out more than 50 buildings, bridges, and historic sites, from Lake Point Tower to Navy Pier. Expect stories about the Great Chicago Fire, steel-frame skyscrapers, and architects including Louis Sullivan and Jeanne Gang. Coffee, lemonade, and Coke products are included; alcoholic drinks cost extra.

“Highly recommended! Incredibly knowledgeable guide and breathtaking views on this unforgettable tour.”

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Chicago City Tour with Architecture River Cruise Option - Buckingham Fountain and the skyline from Museum Campus
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Chicago City Tour with Architecture River Cruise Option

13.Chicago City Tour with Architecture River Cruise Option

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 705 reviews · 2 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $49

Start near the Palmer House and explore downtown, Museum Campus, and North Side neighborhoods by climate-controlled minibus. Guides such as Avery, Rick, Reenie, and Logan have led lively tours with history and humor. Add a 75-minute open-top Chicago River cruise for close-up architecture commentary.

“Avery was our guide and he was great. Very good knowledge of the city and the communication was excellent.”

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Chicago River: Guided Sunset Cocktail & Architecture Tour - A cocktail, with a few details to check
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Chicago River: Guided Sunset Cocktail & Architecture Tour

14.Chicago River: Guided Sunset Cocktail & Architecture Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 203 reviews · 1h 30m · from $68

Spend 90 minutes on the Chicago River as an English-speaking docent explains the design and history of more than 50 buildings. You’ll pass century-old bascule bridges and see downtown as daylight fades. Depending on your ticket option, one or two alcoholic drinks are included; coffee, soda, and bottled water are free.

“The tour was fantastic. Everyone was friendly, and the guide lady was very knowledgeable and attentive. I highly recommend it for first-timers in Chicago.”

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City Cruises Chicago: Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner River Cruise - Three courses, with different reasons to book
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City Cruises Chicago: Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner River Cruise

15.City Cruises Chicago: Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 128 reviews · 2 hours - 150 minutes · from $84

Board the glass-enclosed Odyssey near NBC Tower for a Chicago River meal with views of landmarks from the Wrigley Building to Willis Tower. Choose brunch, lunch, or dinner; brunch includes bottomless mimosas, while dinner adds a DJ. The meal is prepared onboard, and lunch and brunch include architectural commentary.

“We sailed around the city, and was introduced to the Chicago skyline, and architecture.”

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New in Chicago River Cruises

★ 4.0Chicago Riverwalk Self-Guided Walking TourFrom $146 reviews
★ 4.5Chicago Night Driving Tour with Skydeck and River CruiseFrom $18926 reviews
★ 4.0Chicago River Sunday Funday Mimosa or Bloody Mary Party CruiseFrom $3518 reviews
★ 5.0Historical Fireboat River TourFrom $479 reviews
★ 4.5Chicago Luxury Minibus City Tour and Architecture River CruiseFrom $498 reviews
★ 5.0Architecture & History Guided Tour along the Chicago Riverwalk12 reviews
★ 5.0Chicago River Guided Ghost TourFrom $656 reviews
★ 5.0Chicago River Cycleboat CruiseFrom $658 reviews
★ 5.0BYOB Chicago River Guided History TourFrom $654 reviews
★ 3.5Thanksgiving Gourmet Lunch Cruise on Chicago RiverFrom $1164 reviews
★ 4.2Sunset Kayak Tour on the Chicago RiverFrom $575 reviews
★ 4.5Chicago River 90-Min Architecture Boat TourFrom $3224 reviews
★ 4.2Moonlight Paddle Tour on the Chicago RiverFrom $589 reviews
★ 5.0Lake and River Tour on a RIB BoatFrom $854 reviews
★ 4.6Historic Architecture Chicago River Small Boat TourFrom $6726 reviews

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