Chicago River Cruise: Historic Architecture Tour

Explore Chicago’s iconic architecture on a guided river tour. Discover historic landmarks, new developments, and enjoy a unique cruise experience through the city’s three river branches.

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Wrigley Building - Situated in the heart of the Magnificent Mile and just steps from the Michigan Avenue Bridge, the Wrigley Building has been a prominent feature of Chicago’s skyline since 1920. Originally designed as the headquarters for the successful chewing gum company, the building was inspired by the Giralda Tower of Seville Cathedral in…
What's Included
  • Fully enclosed interior with air conditioning, seats, & windows
  • Outside seating available (first come, first serve)
  • On-board restrooms
  • Guided architecture cruise of the historic Chicago River
What's Not Included
  • Full bar & snacks (available for purchase)
  • Gratuities
  • $12 to $15 discounted parking lot connected to marina
Additional Information

Marvel at the magnificent architecture on the Chicago River with expert tour guides! All ages welcome.
Each architecture river tour is narrated by a professional guide which leads passengers down the Chicago River to discover the city’s most renowned landmarks. In addition to historical insight on well known structures such as the Civic Opera House,…

Location
900 S Wells St
South Wells Street
Registration takes place in the parking lot connected to the marina. Please note that parking typically costs between $12.00-$15.00. For more details on directions and parking.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.8
(1645 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Sara_d
May 10, 2026
Smooth ride which went... - Smooth ride which went further than most boats on the south branch. Guide gave great context instead of just list of facts
Review provided by Viator
Kathleen_w
May 10, 2026
Get there early as they... - Get there early as they will let you on before time. Folding chairs in the center, bench seating around the rails (up top). Tour guide Hillary was very knowledgeable.
Review provided by Viator
Sanneh976
May 9, 2026
We loved it. (Hillary TG) - We loved the knowledge of Hillary and her interaction with the group. This was my 4th boat tour in Chicago but definitely the best. Gives a different perspective than all the others. Not as uniform. I would go again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ewa_s
May 9, 2026
Hillary was super cool... - Hillary was super cool very informative and nice to listen to the boat was comfortable and clean enough
Review provided by Viator
Grace_t
May 9, 2026
Excellent Boat Tour - Hillary was our tour guide on the Chicago architecture boat tour, and she was absolutely wonderful! It was her first tour back for the 2026 season, and she was excellent. She was full of knowledge about Chicago architecture and history! The tour was so informative and fun!
Review provided by Viator
Gricels2026
May 6, 2026
Best boat tour in Chicago! - We enjoyed every minute of the tour. David was incredibly knowledgeable and didn’t miss a beat! Loved all the details and jokes. The tour was the best part of my first trip to Chicago. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
H8944icjoanb
May 3, 2026
Super Boat Tour! - Dave was a phenomenal tour guide! He had the perfect mix of in-depth knowledge and perfect humor. Great tour!!!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joseph_h
May 2, 2026
Entertaining - Prepare for the weather we had rain and it still was a great way to start our vacation here. First thing we did
Review provided by Viator
Danielle_w
Mar 19, 2026
We took this tour on a... - We took this tour on a picture perfect day in September - absolutely the right call for our one day in Chicago. Very informative guide and a fantastic way to see the city!
Review provided by Viator
Anak637
Jan 28, 2026
It's worth it - Very interesting tour that is worth doing. Hope to have a good day, of course, because then you can enjoy more. The boat seats are not very comfortable, but enough to enjoy. The tour features a guide who tells the stories of the buildings that make up the city. Tickets are purchased near the departure of the boats and have scheduled hours.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $37
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).