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

Sun 17 Nov

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $42.00

Make a reservation

Sun 17 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)

Reagan_S

Jul 2022

The tour guide was amazing! Very knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor! I would recommend this to anyone visiting Chicago.

hazelnuth

Jul 2022

Ham & Cheese was our tour guide. He was fantastic! I would do the tour again. My only complaint about your was parking directions and directions to tour. Due to the layered roads and tall buildings, a phone cannot triangulate signal there. We ran all over because of this issue. We missed our tour. Also stairs down to water. You need to put better directions on your site about how close the parking is it was easy to find. But it’s just straight up one block from the water. There are no public restrooms in the area. Plan accordingly. And down stairs to heads on the boat. The boat crew was super kind to me as a disabled traveler. And they opened the elevator briefly after boat fir a few of us to get to street level. The tour itself was fantastic. It’s the only way to see Chicago. Though it is unlikely I will visit Chicago again. The city itself is not disabled friendly. I see now about accessibility in description, post tour.

Jill_F

Jul 2022

I’ve been to Chicago a couple of times before and had done all of the usual “touristy” stuff. I had never taken an architectural cruise and it turned out to be the highlight of my trip! Our guide was so knowledgeable and personable! He made the cruise so much fun. Highly recommend!