Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Tour
Description
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.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Vessels depart from Wendella's docks at the northwest corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge (DuSable Bridge), at the foot of the Wrigley Building.
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.
The largest commercial building in the world.
Michigan Avenue is home of the Chicago Water Tower, the Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park, and the shopping on the Magnificent Mile.
This white, terra-cotta landmark was built in 1922 as headquarters for the Wrigley chewing gum company.
An open, pedestrian waterfront called the city's 'Second Lakefront.'
Second-largest opera auditorium in North America, with an Art Deco interior
Pass by these iconic mixed-use apartment buildings - "a city within a city" with their unique corn-cob exterior.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- 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
Reviews(10,283)
The narrator is wonderful. She does an awesome job. The cruise is about the right amount of time and our narrator knew everything about the history of Chicago and went in a great detail explaining the buildings. The year is built how tall it was the square feet that is huge designed who built it and the significance of it for the Chicago history
We enjoyed seeing the buildings and hearing the history of architecture in Chicago. We would recommend this tour as a highlight of our trip to Chicago
This is a wonderful fun trip giving history of beautiful architecture along Chicago River. History of Chicago is incorporated. Bathrooms, drinks and snacks available.wear sunscreen. Air conditioned section available if needed. Easy access from Michigan Ave.
Definitely show up early. We arrived about 15 minutes early and only half of us got to sit on top. The shade was nice down below but those seats don’t offer much of a view and you can’t see the things the guide is talking about.
Great way to see the city & learn history of buildings & the city. Perfect if you have limited mobility!
Loved our experience. Beautiful day gave us a nice broad overview of Chicago and the architecture history. Highly recommend when Windella tours
An amazing way to see Chicago! You get to appreciate the architecture while learning about the history behind the buildings. Definitely a must see!
This tour was very accommodating. We unfortunately missed the boat ride the first day and they were able to reschedule us for the next day no charge. Other than that the tour was worth the money. Would do it again. Drinks were good and viewes were nice.
We arrived very close to departure time. So - we were not able to sit near the tour guide. We sat at the botoom of the boat. Nice seats with plenty of shade - but unable to hear guide. Speakers were very poor. I would have liked it better if we could have heard more of the narration. Maybe headsets could be an option?
This was an awesome tour! Absolutely spectacular. I am glad that I had already purchased my tickets ahead of time because there was a long line to purchase tickets at the gate. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and funny. The tour is something I’ll never forget.
