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

Tue 08 Jul

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $45.00

Make a reservation

Tue 08 Jul

Starting at $45.00

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.

Expert Local Guide

Restroom on board

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.
Special requests entered at checkout cannot be guaranteed

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.

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 5 more stops

Cancellation Policy

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

Traveler Photos

Reviews (1000)

Fnu_S

Jan 2025

The boat was very, fun and we saw big cool building's my mom didn't even sit for a second she saw every building in Chicago.

Michelle_G

Dec 2024

I love looking at the beauty of the city from the river. Other than being a little chilly it qas great. We actually dressed warm so it worked.

Angelka_D

Dec 2024

This was a bare-bones experience. Even though we had prepaid for our tickets, we had to wait 20 minutes in the cold to get on the sold out boat, and still the only seats left on deck were next to a garbage can. The tour guide spoke very fast and the sound quality was not good so I could not understand most of what she said, the only time I could hear her well was from the speakers in the bathroom! On the deck everyone was packed in on folding chairs. On the positive side, the scenery is spectacular and the downstairs is warm and cozy, bathroom clean. But you can't see much from down there. Everyone was friendly and overall not a bad experience but I had hoped to learn more about Chicago and the architecture in a bit of comfort. In the end it was just sightseeing, couldn't hear the guide, and felt a bit like cattle being loaded in and packed together in the cold.