(800) 814 COOL Questions? Call Us Now!

Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Tour

8,333 Reviews 4.77 out of 5 stars Based on 8,333 reviews collected by City Boat Tours and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 94% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Chicago, USA

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 14 (4.39) days in advance.

1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket

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.

What's Included

  • Indoor and outdoor seating available (indoor is climate controlled)
  • Restroom on board
  • Expert Local Guide
  • Alcoholic beverages Drinks and snacks available for purchase on-board the vessel.
  • Gratuities
See 1 moreSee 2 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point

North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611, USA

Show on Google Maps

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

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.
Read more

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Centennial Fountain And Water Arc (Pass By)

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.
Read more

Merchandise Mart (Pass By)

The largest commercial building in the world.
Read more

Michigan Avenue Bridge (Pass By)

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

Wrigley Building (Pass By)

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

Chicago Riverwalk (Pass By)

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

Lyric Opera of Chicago (Pass By)

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

Marina City (Pass By)

Pass by these iconic mixed-use apartment buildings - "a city within a city" with their unique corn-cob exterior.
Read more
Show 6 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • 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

Frequently Asked Questions

(21)

Q: Is there any place to store luggage/walkers/bag on our dock?

A: There is no storage area on our dock, but guests may bring their luggage aboard keeping in mind it is subject to inspection Read more Nov 2024

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-76126P1

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.77
8,333 reviews

Average 4.77 out of 5 stars based on 8,320 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
7,170
4 stars
687
3 stars
247
2 stars
122
1 star
94

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 14 (4.39) days in advance.

Similar Tours & Activities

Private Holiday City Tour

Private Holiday City Tour

New To The Site!
 3 hours  Hotel pickup offered  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$499

Chicago Architecture Walking Tour: What's New

Chicago Architecture Walking Tour: What's New

 1 hour 30 minutes  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$35

City Cruises Chicago: Signature Brunch Cruise on Lake Michigan

City Cruises Chicago: Signature Brunch Cruise on Lake Michigan

3
 2 hours  Instant Confirmation
from
$122.88

A Storied Neighborhood: A Self-Guided Audio Tour with Bill Ayers

A Storied Neighborhood: A Self-Guided Audio Tour with Bill Ayers

3
 40 to 60 minutes  Instant Confirmation
from
$5.40

Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought

Chicago Lake and River Architecture Tour
Likely to Sell Out

Chicago Lake and River Architecture Tour

 1 hour 30 minutes  Free Cancellation
from
$45

Chicago River 45-Minute Architecture Tour from Magnificent Mile
Likely to Sell Out

Chicago Crime and Mob Bus Tour
Likely to Sell Out

Chicago Crime and Mob Bus Tour

 90 to 120 minutes  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$49

Chicago Architecture River Cruise

Chicago Architecture River Cruise

 1 hour 15 minutes  Free Cancellation  Instant Confirmation
from
$44.43

What's Included

Activity name

  • Indoor and outdoor seating available (indoor is climate controlled)
  • Restroom on board
  • Expert Local Guide
  • Narrated tour on board by professionally trained tour guide.
  • Alcoholic beveragesDrinks and snacks available for purchase on-board the vessel.
  • Gratuities

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • 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
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 300 travelers

Report Product Issue

Activity name

Language
Currency

Site Settings

Activity name

Currency

Activity name

Free Cancellation

Activity name

100% refund
No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CDT).
  • This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Sorting, ranking, and search results

Activity name

City Boat Tours wants to make your searches as relevant as possible. That's why we offer many ways to help you find the right experiences for you.

On some pages, you can select how to sort the results we display and also use filter options to see only those search results that meet your chosen preferences. You'll see explanations of what those sort options mean when you select them.

If you see a Badge of Excellence label, the award is based on average review ratings, share of bookings with a review, and number of bookings through City Boat Tours over a 12-month period.

The importance of any one factor over any other in a sort order varies, and the balance is constantly being reviewed and adjusted. We're always updating our systems and testing new ways to refine and improve your results to make them as relevant as possible to meet your needs.