90-Minute Chicago River Architecture Tour

Overview

Be inspired by the captivating, visual art that is Chicago’s legendary architecture, and the exceptional architects who created this ever-changing, dynamic legacy for all to enjoy and admire. This comprehensive 90 minute tour will navigate through the heart of the city on all three branches of the Chicago River while your professionally-trained architectural guide tells the story of more than 130 years of innovation in design, style and technique and why it is important today. The Chicago River Architecture Tour is the most authentic and encompassing Chicago experience the city has to offer.

City: Chicago

Mon 18 Nov

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $42.00

Make a reservation

Mon 18 Nov

Starting at $42.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Indoor and outdoor seating available (indoor is climate controlled)

Narrated tour on board by professionally trained tour guide.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Weapons prohibited by US Coast Guard
Outside alcohol is prohibited
All bags subject to search
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
Maps are available with highlights in simplified Chinese. They can picked up per request at the ticket window.
Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitised between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitised
Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
All Wendella staff is vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.

What To Expect

Wendella

Vessels depart from Wendella's docks at the northwest corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge (DuSable Bridge), at the foot of the Wrigley Building.

Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower

The tallest building in the Western Hemisphere

Centennial Fountain And Water Arc

Dedicated in 1989 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, known for reversing the flow of the Chicago River in 1900. For the first five minutes of every hour, the fountain shoots a water arc across the river from a tiered waterfall.

Merchandise Mart

The largest commercial building in the world.

Michigan Avenue Bridge

Michigan Avenue is home of the Chicago Water Tower, the Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park, and the shopping on the Magnificent Mile.

Wrigley Building

This white, terra-cotta landmark was built in 1922 as headquarters for the Wrigley chewing gum company.

Chicago Riverwalk

An open, pedestrian waterfront called the city's 'Second Lakefront.'

Lyric Opera of Chicago

Second-largest opera auditorium in North America, with an Art Deco interior

Marina City

Pass by these iconic mixed-use apartment buildings - "a city within a city" with their unique corn-cob exterior.

Show 6 more stops

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (1000)

TERRAvelista

Jul 2022

My other half wanted to surprise me with an architectural tour of Chicago on the 4th of July weekend and purchased the tickets for us online (I noticed Groupon also sells such tickets although not sure if with this company). I highly recommend Wendella though simply because of their tour guide. We booked tickets for 10.30am and due to the traffic it was difficult for my other half to find a good parking space, so I went ahead to join the long queue waiting to board the boat: - some people were buying tickets there and then as they have not planned this in advance - a matter of luck as the capacity of the boat was only 290 people - we were lucky to have an amazing weather and Bob, our guide was not only very knowledgeable but gave us clear information via their very good speaker system - there were options to sit up or downstairs, inside the boat where they had air con/toilets and a bar well stocked - as we were not sure if will take the 10.30am or 11am boat (which also goes on the lake) we did not manage to find any seats upstairs however we were not keen on sitting close to other people anyway so I stood up, only unlucky to have a group of girls chatter away in their language until an old woman actually shouted at them to shut up - they noticed I covered my ear not to hear their talk but only laughed: I know, some people are that stupid and disrespectful - lots of information as we passed all the buildings of interest showing the guide's love for his home town - we also reached the area just before the lake, where we turned back to the city on such a splendid day And that is why I highly recommend this tour as opposed to the many companies doing the same.

jonlK2234NA

Jul 2022

Comfortable boat with all amenities, well narrated tour. Highly recommend! Covers both legs of river and talks about history of Chicago.

zip2play

Jul 2022

Excellent tour. Very fun way to see the city and learn a lot of history and trivia! Being on the water is always fun and this tour was no exception!