Chicago Architectural River Cruise
Description
Take in the views on this award-winning 90-minute Architectural Tour, a jaw-dropping excursion through a city that defies all expectations!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Throughout our signature cruise one of our award-winning Docents will present more than 50 skyscrapers, bascule bridges, and historic sites.
On your Architectural Tour, you will learn how the Great Chicago Fire jumped a river and allowed for visionaries of structural steel and plate glass, such as John Wellborn Root, William Le Baron Jenney, Louis Sullivan (Wright’s mentor) and Daniel Burnham, in less than ten years, lift Chicago from the ashes of the fire to new heights. Chicago’s ascent continued into the 20th century with titanic figures such as Bertrand Goldberg, Fazlur Khan and Mies van der Rohe – (higher/taller) buildings, sleeker – and it has soared in the 21st century with audacious new steeples such as The Trump Tower and Aqua designed by Jeanne Gang, an internationally known artist of architectural design.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum drinking age is 21 years
- Refunds will not be issued if tour/activity is missed due to late or non-arrival of cruise ship
Reviews(837)
The tour guide was great! Very knowledgeable, but not just a dry recitation of facts! The boat was smaller, which was nice, because it was more personal.. We saw many that were really large and not so personal.
We went in late afternoon, great time to see the city from the water. Tyler was an excellent guide and gave great insight into the history of the architecture and how it evolved over the last 100+ years. Best to sit top deck to take everything in but wear sunscreen. Refreshments were easily accessible and the staff were friendly beginning to end
It’s was informative just didn’t expect the tour guide to speak the whole experience I think a lil time to just watch and intake and enjoy would enhance the experience.
Great cruise! Very informative and a beautiful day in Chicago! Staff was very nice and was booked but comfortable.
It was the best part of our Chicago experience. The guide was informative and the buildings were magnificent. Not over crowded. Great experience.
The actual tour was amazing. The guide was knowledgeable and enthusiastic. My only complaint is the location was difficult to find and the instructions were not easy to follow, especially if you don't know the area
The speaker told us the history of buildings and the surroundings. Great details. Loved hearing all the information!
Very knowledgeable and entertaining guide.
This boat tour was excellent (and I’ve done a couple in Chicago) staff was pleasant, free soft drinks and lemonade, seating was good. We came very close to leaving time and sat on the side of the boat and was still great. Our tour guide Lynn was extremely knowledgeable and her voice was very pleasant. I would 100% do it again.
I erpriced for what you get if it's a nice day and you want a narrated boat ride, Cityview boats are far more cost effective and you get the same architectural insight from the boat. If you really want archecture, either do the walking tours or even better BEFORE you come to Chicago, check with the Chicago cultural center to have them hook you up with a free local guide who wants to show off Loop architecture
