V
Best!!! Must Do.
Beautiful views, beautiful ride and such an amazing experience!!! Highly recommend. The ride was smooth and views were spectacular
Chicago By Night River and Lake Cruise
+3 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 1h 30min
- Price from
- $50 / person
- Location
- Chicago, United States
- Rating
- 4.5 / 5 · 451 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 250
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- First Lady
- Meeting point
- On Michigan & Wacker Drive, at the northeast corner of the intersection. Upon arrival, please take the stairs down to Chicago's Riverwalk and visit the box office (right after/bottom of the stairs) for guidance to your cruise boarding dock. A departure board is available for your reference.
Description
Glide along the Chicago River and Lakefront as you're dazzled by the sparkle of the city at night! Enjoy breathtaking views of the dramatic skyscrapers and Buckingham Fountain's spectacular light display. Hear lively commentary as you feel the night breeze and see Chicago’s skyline transformed into a glittering jewel. A one-of-a-kind experience to scratch off your Chicago bucket list. Family-friendly cruises are our specialty!
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 6:15 PM, 6:30 PM, 7:15 PM, 7:30 PM, 8:00 PM, and 8:30 PM
- Next available
- Sun, Oct 11
- Adult (ages 13+)
- $50
- Child (ages 4–12)
- $25
- Infant (ages 0–3)
- Free
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
In demand: 10 of the next 42 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 10.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Chicago River
Travel along the Chicago River to learn about the city's rich history as our lively tour guides bring Chicago to life with interesting stories.
Lake Michigan
Admire the Chicago skyline as you cruise along Lake Michigan.
Navy Pier
Get unbelievable views of this shopping and dining area, and the famous Centennial Wheel.
John Hancock Center
Take in this 100-story, 1,128-foot supertall skyscraper at 875 N Michigan, home to the 360 Chicago Observation Deck.
Adler Planetarium
Cruise past Chicago's museum campus and see Adler Planetarium.
Field Museum
See the The Field Museum, one of the largest natural history museums in the world.
Shedd Aquarium
Shedd Aquarium was once the largest indoor facility in the world!
Soldier Field
Home of the Chicago Bears!
Clarence F. Buckingham Fountain
Enjoy breathtaking views of Buckingham Fountain's spectacular light display.
Wrigley Building
The Wrigley Building is a skyscraper built to house the corporate headquarters of the Wrigley Company.
Tribune Tower
Pass and view famous landmark.
Marina City
Merchandise Mart
What's included
Included
All taxes, fees and handling charges
Snacks, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase on board.
Restroom on board
Live commentary on board
Not included
Gratuities
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.5
451 reviews
How it compares in Chicago
- No. 38 by number of reviews among 523 tours in Chicago
- Starting price $50 is 12% below the typical $57 for tours of similar length in Chicago
Excurgo comparison of 523 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Discounted parking available at 111 E. Wacker Drive. Please visit the dockside box office for parking ticket validation
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chicago By Night River and Lake Cruise take?
Chicago By Night River and Lake Cruise lasts about 1h 30min. The itinerary has 13 stops.
How much does Chicago By Night River and Lake Cruise cost?
Prices start at $50 per person for this Chicago experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Chicago By Night River and Lake Cruise run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 6:15 PM, 6:30 PM, 7:15 PM, 7:30 PM, 8:00 PM, and 8:30 PM.
How much does Chicago By Night River and Lake Cruise cost for children?
Children aged 4–12 pay from $25, adults from $50. Infants go free.
Does Chicago By Night River and Lake Cruise sell out?
It can: 10 of the next 42 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel Chicago By Night River and Lake Cruise for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is On Michigan & Wacker Drive, at the northeast corner of the intersection. Upon arrival, please take the stairs down to Chicago's Riverwalk and visit the box office (right after/bottom of the stairs) for guidance to your cruise boarding dock. A departure board is available for your reference. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Chicago By Night River and Lake Cruise offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 250 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Children must be accompanied by an adult
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(451)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
M
Fun tour!
Stunning views from Lake Michigan on a clear night on our last night in Chicago!
Operator response
Thank you for joining us on your last night in Chicago!
R
It was a really good...
It was a really good experience. It got a bit cold when we got to Lake Michigan, but that was expected. It was great to listen to the history of the awesome architecture in Chicago. Anna, our guide was fantastic. She was extremely articulate and kept the tour interesting and funny at the same time. Cheers!
Operator response
Thank you for your kind review, we are glad to hear you enjoyed Chicagos history. Shout out to Anna!
L
Cold bur wonderful
I think others should know that if taking this at night and in the non-summer months the boat will be very cold so bring extra warm clothing to wear. Otherwise the experience was amazing and would definitely recommend.
T
Rainy day
Only was able to sit inside because of the rain . Other customers talking so loud I wasn’t able to hear the tour guide. Wish it was another option other than switching to another day verses a full refund. I live in Florida I wouldn’t be able to come back any time soon. My overall experience wasn’t very pleasing
L
Will be booking again!
I’m a Chicago native and this was my first time going on a boat tour. I think it was an amazing experience and I will definitely do it again. The guide was very informative and quite funny. The views were breathtaking and there’s plenty of opportunities for photos. Makes me want to be a tourist in my own city more often.
Operator response
We are always happy to have the approval Chicagoans!
G
Chicago Highlight!
Excellent! Really good value. Wonderful views. Very informative guide. Would certainly recommend. Really enjoyable experience.
J
Excellent cruise opportunity
Cruise was great. Staff was informative and friendly. Boat was comfortable and clean. Everyone had a great time.
Operator response
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us! We truly appreciate your feedback and are happy to hear that you took the time to enjoy the experience with us. Your comments are valuable to our team and help us continue providing memorable experiences for our guests. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you aboard again in the future!
C
First time in Chicago, and it did not disappoint!
This was absolutely amazing, and I’m so glad I did it! The wealth of knowledge the tour guides had was incredible, and the views were even better! If you’re visiting Chicago for the first time like I was, please do yourself a favor and book this tour — you won’t regret it! Fun fact: I did the Architecture Boat Tour during the day and chose to do this one in the evening. I loved that this tour also gives you the opportunity to see the entire Chicago skyline from Lake Michigan — it was absolutely beautiful! Definitely book both the Architecture Boat Tour and the Chicago by night River and Lake cruise!! They’re both amazing and offer such different experiences! 🌃✨ PS - as I also learned from locals and other travelers definiteltly take advantage of the City Pass if you are doing multiple things - Save some $$$ and I wish I would not have slept on this - this goes for any city that has them!
Operator response
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us! We truly appreciate your feedback and are happy to hear that you took the time to enjoy the experience with us. Your comments are valuable to our team and help us continue providing memorable experiences for our guests. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you aboard again in the future!
D
First boat ride
We really had a wonderful time and the scenery OMG absolutely beautiful. The only thing I would suggest is that you either take a small blanket with you or simply dress for the weather. Although they do have an area where you can sit inside and warm up, but to enjoy the full experience and the view definitely sit up top.
Operator response
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us! We truly appreciate your feedback and are happy to hear that you took the time to enjoy the experience with us. Your comments are valuable to our team and help us continue providing memorable experiences for our guests. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you aboard again in the future!
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| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago By Night River and Lake Cruise | 1h 30min | 4.5 (451) | $50 | |
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 Historical and Architectural Chicago Fireboat River & Lake Cruise | 2 hours | 4.9 (499) | $47 | View |
 Chicago River Ghost & Dark History Night Cruise | 1h 30min | 4.1 (232) | $46 | View |
 Chicago Architecture River Cruise | 1h–1h 15min | 4.8 (17,101) | $39 | View |
 Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady | 1h 30min | 4.9 (7,359) | $57 | View |
 Chicago Lake and River Architecture Tour | 1h 30min | 4.7 (2,462) | $45 | View |
from$50
4.5(451) Free cancellation