Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady
Description
The Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady has long been the gold standard among all Chicago tour experiences, and is the only Chicago architecture boat tour led by highly trained expert docents. On this 90-minute cruise, you will enjoy an overview of historic and modern architectural styles including stories about the people who designed and built Chicago. As a certified nonprofit, all ticket purchases directly support education efforts and community engagement projects. No visit to Chicago is complete without experiencing this award winning tour, so accept no substitutes.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The story of the Chicago River is one that continues to unfold. Through periods of industry, transportation, revitalization and recreation, it has grown and changed like the city itself.
The Chicago Architecture Center is directly across Wacker Drive from the Chicago's First Lady docks. Discounted admission of $5 per person is available if you show your river cruise ticket.
From naval base and university campus to shipping hub and entertainment destination, Navy Pier is Chicago’s hallmark of adaptive reuse.
When architect Bertrand Goldberg envisioned Marina City, it was an urban experiment designed to draw middle-class Chicagoans back to the city after more than a decade of suburban migration.
When our docents explain that the Trump International Hotel & Tower reflects its surroundings, they aren’t only referring to its shiny glass and steel exterior.
One of the last American projects designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, this powerful Modernist structure occupies a prominent place on the Chicago River.
Gravity-defying 150 North Riverside has already taken its rightful place among Chicago’s architectural and engineering wonders.
View Boeing International Headquarters at 100 N Riverside Plaza.
For nearly 25 years after its completion, the Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower, held the title of tallest building in the world.
Size has always mattered in the Midwest. Upon its completion in 1930, it was the largest building in the world and served as Marshall Field’s wholesale warehouse, where retailers could buy stock.
View the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Building, located at 20 S Wacker Drive.
Chicago Tribune Freedom Center.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Not recommended for children younger than 12 years
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- IMPORTANT: For safety reasons, motorized scooters and electric wheelchairs cannot be accommodated. Guests who are able to transfer may use the company's manual wheelchair based on availability.
- WARNING: Tickets are not refundable or transferrable to other departures.
- Pets are not allowed
- IMPORTANT: There is no elevator access to the boat dock.
- IMPORTANT: Most, but not all, departures are wheelchair accessible, please advise at time of booking if wheelchair assistance is required
- All seating is General Admission. Boarding is on a first come, first serve basis
- Routes, specific vessels, and schedules are subject to change without notice
Reviews(6,802)
It was great!!! I highly recommend
The First Lady Cruise was the highlight of our Chicago trip as a family! I always wanted to go on a boat cruise and this was a great experience! We learned a lot about the many structural buildings!! The guide was fantastic and very informative, the amount of time was great and we will definitely do again! Worth the money! Very satisfied!
Fantastic tour, worth every penny and more. Our guide (Bill the retired lawyer) was wonderful, so interesting, clear and knowledgeable. As someone who wears hearing aids I was so happy that I could hear and understand everything without effort due to the excellent speaker system. Boat was clean and so comfortable. We enjoyed having the option to purchase refreshments on board (recommend the Spicy Pilsen Paloma!). I plan to do this again, and definitely will make this tour a priority when I have out of town guests.
It's a 10! What a fantastic way to see the city and learn about the history and architectural styles of the buildings. Our volunteer docent, Cressida (?) The Pharmacist was fabulous, so knowledgeable and engaging. I suspect you could take the river cruise multiple times and learn something new with each new docent. I highly recommend First Lady Cruises for their affiliation with the Architectural Socirty of Chicago.
This was a great tour! The guide was fantastic and kept us interested even in the rain! It dumped rain on us the night we went and we still greatly enjoyed the tour!
I went to Chi Arch Center website and paid for two regular tickets on Aug 18, 2026, for the Noon departure. After I paid by credit card, your site sent me to Ticketmaster to get the two tickets. It was a HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE!! First I was told I had to join Ticketmaster, create a password, and then provide lots of my personal information INCLUDING MY PHONE NUMBER! When I omitted my phone, it would not continue! Reluctantly I gave my phone (which will surely be used to sell me stuff.) After all that, site froze! After ONE FULL HOUR I finally got my tickets. Your website should provide other ways to obtain tickets. Ticketmaster was really terrible!!. You should STOP using Ticketmaster to generate tickets!! Your system should be very easy to use. For me it was a nightmare and I would rather not take another cruise or recommend CAC to my visitors if Ticketmaster is the only way to get tickets!!
Docent Sally did a really great job. Friendly and very informative. Keep up the good work.
Scott was a fantastic guide! He was both entertaining, knowledgeable, and even made personable suggestions for us tourist to visit in Chicago to see more architecture. My family has been on the CAC tour before and loved it, and with Scott as our guide it was all the more delightful to see how he shared the history and fun facts about the Chicago’s Riverwalk! Thank you to the captain, crew, and our docent !
Excellent afternoon with terrific guide
John was so knowledge and entertaining! Thank you for a memorable trip!
Thank you for the fantastic review! We're so happy you enjoyed the River Cruise with John and appreciate the support. We hope to see you again!
