Chicago River 90-Minute 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.
What's Included
- 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 beverages Drinks and snacks available for purchase on-board the vessel.
- Gratuities
Meeting Location
North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Wendella
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Centennial Fountain And Water Arc (Pass By)
Michigan Avenue Bridge (Pass By)
Wrigley Building (Pass By)
Chicago Riverwalk (Pass By)
Lyric Opera of Chicago (Pass By)
Marina City (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- 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
Frequently Asked Questions
(21)Q: Is there any place to store luggage/walkers/bag on our dock?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-76126P1
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Reviews
Average 4.77 out of 5 stars based on 7,772 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (21)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Boat Tours customers.
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There is no storage area on our dock, but guests may bring their luggage aboard keeping in mind it is subject to inspection
Nov 2024A full-service bar is available on board. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as an assortment of snacks, are available for purchase. Bar sales are credit card only. No cash purchases.
Nov 2022Parking is available at nearby parking garages or through SpotHero, the nations leading parking reservation app ;
AMA Plaza Parking Garage may be accessed off Wabash Avenue, opposite Trump Tower or on State Street near the Hertz sign. Wendella guests can receive a $5.00 off parking chaser coupon from our ticket office. Parking may be reserved in advance by visiting StateWabashParking.com ($5.00 off parking chaser coupon cannot be applied to parking reservations made in advance).
Trump Tower Parking Garage is located at 401 N Wabash Avenue. Wendella guests may park for up to 6 hours at a discounted rate of $18.00 with a parking chaser coupon from our ticket office. This coupon is for self-park only and is not valid for valet parking. Parking is subject to availability.
Oct 2022Tours and cruises depart rain or shine. Wendella vessels include sheltered areas and climate controlled lounges. Ponchos are available for purchase on all vessels. However, in cases of severe weather, if the Captain deems it unsafe and cancels the tour, all guests will be refunded.
Mar 2024The routes of the Architecture Tours can be found here: https://www.wendellaboats.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/8×11-Map_2023.pdf
Mar 2024Wendella has three docking locations. The location of your tour or cruise, is clearly marked on your ticket. Your ticket will say: “Michigan Avenue,” “West Dock, or “Riverwalk,” under the tour title. Locations below;
Michigan Avenue; Located at 400 N Michigan Avenue Chicago, Il 60611. Descend the stairs adjacent to the Michigan Avenue (DuSable) Bridge.
West Dock; Located at 400 N Michigan Avenue Chicago, Il 60611 in between the Wrigley Building and Trump International Hotel & Tower.
Apr 2023Boarding begins 15-30 minutes prior to scheduled departure time.
Jun 2023Seating is first come, first served. We recommend groups arrive 30 minutes prior to the tour time for a better chance of getting seats together.
Jul 2022Our tours do often sell out and we always recommend customers buy their tickets online and in advance.
May 2022Our tours are currently in English only. Printed tour guides are available in Simplified Chinese.
Dec 2021If the weather isn’t ideal for outdoor seating, most vessels feature an enclosed climate-controlled lounge on the bottom deck with speakers to hear the tour guide’s narration.
Feb 2024Food is not served, but snacks are available for purchase at the vessel bar.
Oct 2022Yes. Restrooms are located on the lower deck of the vessel. In addition, baby changing tables are also available in each restroom.
Mar 2024If you have any doubts about becoming seasick on the water, we recommend taking a Dramamine® Motion Sickness Relief tablet the night before your trip. Some people recommend taking it the night before your cruise and then again that morning so you will not feel so drowsy.
Feb 2023- 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).
- 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 beverages. Drinks and snacks available for purchase on-board the vessel.
- Gratuities.
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Tour is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Tour will be included in your confirmation email from City Boat Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024What's Included
- 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
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- 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
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