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Home/Destinations/Chicago/Architecture River Cruises

Chicago Architecture River Cruise Tours

See why Chicago is the home of the skyscraper: the famous architecture river cruise glides along the Chicago River past more than 50 landmark buildings, with expert guides telling the story of the city that invented the modern skyline. The number-one thing to do in Chicago.

121 tours · prices per person, book with partner

Chicago Architecture River Cruise
Chicago
Chicago Architecture River Cruise
4.8(17,074)·1h–1h 30min
from$39/ person
via Viator
Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Tour
Chicago
Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Tour
4.7(11,077)·1h 30min
from$45/ person
via Viator
Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady
Chicago
Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady
4.9(7,302)·1h 30min
from$57/ person
via Viator
Chicago River 45-Minute Architecture Tour from Magnificent Mile
Chicago
Chicago River 45-Minute Architecture Tour from Magnificent Mile
4.7(3,654)·45 min
from$28/ person
via Viator
Chicago Lake and River Architecture Tour
Chicago
Chicago Lake and River Architecture Tour
4.7(2,456)·1h 30min
from$45/ person
via Viator
Chicago Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus
Chicago
Chicago Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus
3.9(2,411)·2 hours
from$49/ person
via Viator
Skydeck - Willis Tower Admission
Chicago
Skydeck - Willis Tower Admission
4.3(1,939)·30 min–1h 30min
from$44/ person
via Viator
Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Boat Tour
−10%
Chicago
Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Boat Tour
4.8(1,927)·1h 30min
from$33$37/ person
via Viator
Original Chicago Architecture Interiors Tour: Dazzling Interiors
Chicago
Original Chicago Architecture Interiors Tour: Dazzling Interiors
5.0(1,838)·2 hours
from$35/ person
via Viator
Chicago in a Day Walking Tour: Food, History & Architecture
Chicago
Chicago in a Day Walking Tour: Food, History & Architecture
4.9(1,412)·4h 30min
from$101/ person
via Viator
360 CHICAGO Observation Deck Admission
Chicago
360 CHICAGO Observation Deck Admission
3.9(1,318)·1–4 hours
from$27/ person
via Viator
Chicago Food Tour: 6 Dishes with Deep Dish Pizza & Beef Sandwich
Chicago
Chicago Food Tour: 6 Dishes with Deep Dish Pizza & Beef Sandwich
4.9(1,029)·3 hours
from$85/ person
via Viator
Lake Michigan Skyline Cruise in Chicago
Chicago
Lake Michigan Skyline Cruise in Chicago
4.4(952)·30 min–45 min
from$34/ person
via Viator
Chicago Architectural River Cruise
Chicago
Chicago Architectural River Cruise
4.7(862)·1h 30min
from$50/ person
via Viator
Flyover in Chicago
Chicago
Flyover in Chicago
4.7(753)·30 min
from$28/ person
via Viator
Chicago Sightseeing River and Lake Cruise
Chicago
Chicago Sightseeing River and Lake Cruise
4.7(742)·1h 30min
from$46/ person
via Viator
Chicago City Tour with Architecture River Cruise Option
Chicago
Chicago City Tour with Architecture River Cruise Option
4.8(740)·2–4 hours
from$50/ person
via Viator
Chicago Architecture and True Crime: Halloween Edition
Chicago
Chicago Architecture and True Crime: Halloween Edition
5.0(663)·1h 30min–1h 45min
from$35/ person
via Viator
Skip-the-line: Art Institute of Chicago Guided Tour
Chicago
Skip-the-line: Art Institute of Chicago Guided Tour
5.0(660)·2h 30min
from$71/ person
via Viator
Chicago Architecture Tour: Underground Pedway and the Loop
Chicago
Chicago Architecture Tour: Underground Pedway and the Loop
4.9(572)·2 hours
from$35/ person
via Viator
Chicago CityPASS®
Chicago
Chicago CityPASS®
4.4(542)·9 days
from$144/ person
via Viator
Historical and Architectural Chicago Fireboat River & Lake Cruise
Chicago
Historical and Architectural Chicago Fireboat River & Lake Cruise
4.9(497)·2 hours
from$47/ person
via Viator
Chicago By Night River and Lake Cruise
Chicago
Chicago By Night River and Lake Cruise
4.5(449)·1h 30min
from$50/ person
via Viator
City Cruises Chicago: Signature Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan
Chicago
City Cruises Chicago: Signature Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan
4.0(385)·2 hours
from$63/ person
via Viator
Lake Michigan 30 Minute Speedboat Ride
Chicago
Lake Michigan 30 Minute Speedboat Ride
4.1(360)·30 min
from$39/ person
via Viator
Chicago Seadog River & Lake Architectural Tour
Chicago
Chicago Seadog River & Lake Architectural Tour
4.5(307)·1h 15min
from$42/ person
via Viator
Chicago's Ultimate City Bike Tour of Top Downtown Attractions
Chicago
Chicago's Ultimate City Bike Tour of Top Downtown Attractions
4.9(275)·3 hours
from$59/ person
via Viator
Chicago River Ghost & Dark History Night Cruise
Chicago
Chicago River Ghost & Dark History Night Cruise
4.1(232)·1h 30min
from$46/ person
via Viator
Frank Lloyd Wright Robie House Admission
Chicago
Frank Lloyd Wright Robie House Admission
4.2(161)·1 hour
from$27/ person
via Viator
Lake Michigan Fireworks Cruise in Chicago
Chicago
Lake Michigan Fireworks Cruise in Chicago
4.2(142)·2–3 hours
from$60/ person
via Viator
Chicago Architecture Walking Tour: Incredible Art Deco Interiors
Chicago
Chicago Architecture Walking Tour: Incredible Art Deco Interiors
5.0(133)·2 hours
from$35/ person
via Viator
Small-Group Sightseeing Boat Tour in Chicago
Chicago
Small-Group Sightseeing Boat Tour in Chicago
5.0(121)·2 hours
from$89/ person
via Viator
360 Chicago Observation Deck Sip and View Ticket
Chicago
360 Chicago Observation Deck Sip and View Ticket
4.0(116)·2 hours
from$44/ person
via Viator
Chicago Walking Tour: Art Deco Skyscrapers Riverfront
Chicago
Chicago Walking Tour: Art Deco Skyscrapers Riverfront
4.9(103)·1h 30min
from$35/ person
via Viator
City Cruises Chicago: Premier Plus Brunch Cruise on Chicago River
Chicago
City Cruises Chicago: Premier Plus Brunch Cruise on Chicago River
4.5(84)·2 hours
from$85/ person
via Viator
Chicago's Secret Interiors Architectural Walking Tour
Chicago
Chicago's Secret Interiors Architectural Walking Tour
4.9(62)·2 hours
from$35/ person
via Viator
Chicago Architecture River Tour & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour
Chicago
Chicago Architecture River Tour & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour
4.0(51)·2 hours
from$99/ person
via Viator
City Cruises Chicago: River Architectural Lunch Cruise
Chicago
City Cruises Chicago: River Architectural Lunch Cruise
4.4(44)·2 hours
from$94/ person
via Viator
BEST of Chicago Landmarks and Skyline Small Group City Tour
Chicago
BEST of Chicago Landmarks and Skyline Small Group City Tour
4.9(37)·3 hours
from$48/ person
via Viator
Sail on Tall Ship Windy, join us for our "Chicago Skyline Sail"
Chicago
Sail on Tall Ship Windy, join us for our "Chicago Skyline Sail"
4.7(32)·1h 15min
from$91/ person
via Viator
Chicago's Fireworks Show aboard Tall Ship Windy!
Chicago
Chicago's Fireworks Show aboard Tall Ship Windy!
4.7(26)·1h 30min
from$114/ person
via Viator
Chicago Skyline Snap Tour Helicopter Flight Over Chicago
Chicago
Chicago Skyline Snap Tour Helicopter Flight Over Chicago
3.9(23)·7 min–10 min
from$150/ person
via Viator
Luxury Minibus Chicago City Tour with Architecture Cruise Upgrade
Chicago
Luxury Minibus Chicago City Tour with Architecture Cruise Upgrade
4.9(17)·2 hours
from$65/ person
via Viator
Chicago River Cycleboat Cruise
Chicago
Chicago River Cycleboat Cruise
5.0(16)·1h 30min
from$65/ person
via Viator
Chicago Haunted Interior Architecture Ghost Tour
Chicago
Chicago Haunted Interior Architecture Ghost Tour
5.0(10)·1h 30min–1h 45min
from$35/ person
via Viator
2-Hour Chicago Wine and Cheese Cruise
Chicago
2-Hour Chicago Wine and Cheese Cruise
4.2(6)·2 hours
from$75/ person
via Viator
Chicago Loop Self-Guided Audio Tour: Architecture & History Walk
Chicago
Chicago Loop Self-Guided Audio Tour: Architecture & History Walk
5.0(5)·2h–2h 30min
from$10/ person
via Viator
Chicago River Fireworks Cruise
Chicago
Chicago River Fireworks Cruise
3.3(3)·45 min
from$35/ person
via Viator

Architecture River Cruises in Chicago — FAQ

What is the Chicago architecture river cruise?
It is a guided boat tour along the Chicago River past dozens of iconic skyscrapers, explaining the city’s renowned architectural history.
How long is the architecture cruise?
Most cruises last around 75 to 90 minutes, with shorter 45-minute options also available.
Is the architecture cruise worth it?
Yes — it is consistently rated Chicago’s top experience, offering the best views and stories of the city’s legendary skyline.

More things to do in Chicago

Skydeck & Observation DecksCity Sightseeing & Bus ToursFood & Deep-Dish ToursGangster & History Tours