6
Loved being on the boat.
Overall a great experience. We sat outside most of the tour and it was easy to hear. When we git chilled, we went inside but could not hear as well. Service people were professional and friendly.
Chicago Lake and River Architecture Tour
+7 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 1h 30min
- Price from
- $45 / person
- Location
- Chicago, United States
- Rating
- 4.7 / 5 · 2,461 reviews
- Languages
- EN, EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 300
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Within 24h
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Wendella Tours & Cruises
- Meeting point
- Arrive at 400 N Michigan Avenue 30 minutes before your departure and you will be directed to your boarding dock. Please allow yourself plenty of time to arrive if driving. We do not have parking. It is recommend that you book parking in advance.
Description
An authentic Chicago tradition since 1935, this is the tour that started it all. This unique excursion tells the story of more than 200 years of fascinating social, cultural and political history, and explores more than a century of groundbreaking architecture. The journey begins with an up-close perspective of Chicago's internationally-known architecture as seen from the Chicago River. Then venture through the Chicago Lock on to the calm, cool waters of Lake Michigan for expansive views of Chicago's extraordinary 26-mile skyline. Take the selfie of a lifetime on this inspirational experience!
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 10 times a day, 10:00 AM–5:30 PM
- Next available
- Wed, Oct 7
- Adult (ages 13+)
- $45
- Child (ages 4–12)
- $20
- Infant (ages 0–3)
- Free
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
Out at sunset: the 5:30 PM departure is under way when the sun sets, around 6:03 PM in the coming weeks.
In demand: 245 of the next 300 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 6.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Chicago River
Lake and River Architecture Tours begin at Michigan Avenue and explore Chicago's amazing architecture along the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. All tours are narrated by professional tour guides.
Lake Michigan
Your tour travels along Lake Michigan and explores Chicago's beautiful skyline.
Centennial Fountain And Water Arc
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.
Merchandise Mart
The largest commercial building in the world.
Marina City
Pass by these iconic mixed-use apartment buildings - "a city within a city" with their unique corn-cob exterior.
Michigan Avenue Bridge
Michigan Avenue is home of the Chicago Water Tower, the Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park, and the shopping on the Magnificent Mile.
Wrigley Building
This white, terra-cotta landmark was built in 1922 as headquarters for the Wrigley chewing gum company.
Chicago Riverwalk
An open, pedestrian waterfront called the city's 'Second Lakefront.'
The Lyric Opera House
Second-largest opera auditorium in North America, with an Art Deco interior
What's included
Included
All taxes, fees and handling charges
Outdoor and Indoor climate-controlled seating option
Local Expert Guide
Restroom on board
Not included
Alcoholic drinks, non-alcoholic drinks, and snacks available for purchase on board
Storage
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.7
2,461 reviews
How it compares in Chicago
- No. 6 by number of reviews among 523 tours in Chicago
- Starting price $45 is 21% 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
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Weapons prohibited by US Coast Guard
- Outside alcohol is prohibited
- All bags are 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
- Special requests entered at checkout cannot be guaranteed
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 Lake and River Architecture Tour take?
Chicago Lake and River Architecture Tour lasts about 1h 30min. The itinerary has 9 stops.
How much does Chicago Lake and River Architecture Tour cost?
Prices start at $45 per person for this Chicago experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Chicago Lake and River Architecture Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, with 10 departures a day between 10:00 AM and 5:30 PM.
How much does Chicago Lake and River Architecture Tour cost for children?
Children aged 4–12 pay from $20, adults from $45. Infants go free.
Does Chicago Lake and River Architecture Tour sell out?
It can: 245 of the next 300 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel Chicago Lake and River Architecture Tour 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 Arrive at 400 N Michigan Avenue 30 minutes before your departure and you will be directed to your boarding dock. Please allow yourself plenty of time to arrive if driving. We do not have parking. It is recommend that you book parking in advance. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Chicago Lake and River Architecture Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN, EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 300 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Contact tour operator for wheelchair & ADA access
Reviews(2,461)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
T
Easy to communicate,...
Easy to communicate, right on time and interesting and knowledgeable guide takes you the journey enjoyable.
B
Don’t miss out on this lake/river tour.
It was a delightful experience. The boat ride was fun, the sights were spectacular, and the guide was awesome.
O
Wonderful intro to ChiTown
The meeting spot was very easy to find and get into the queue. Our guide Alissa was very fun and informative. While you listen along to Alissa describe the surrounding architecture and history or Chicago, you can go down stairs to get a drink from the bar. A beautiful tour on the river and lake was a fantastic way to kick off our anniversary trip.
L
BEST Tour in Chicago!!
Excellent in every way!! Kenny, our guide was awesome! Will come back often!! Never disappoints! What a great city!
R
Great tour! So...
Great tour! So interesting! Boat was clean, guide was knowledgeable, and staff friendly! I would recommend this tour to anyone interested in learning Chicago History and architectural history.
W
Great tour of a Great City
Greatview of the City and its architecture. Knowledgeable guide with the right mix of facts and humor.
3
Exelent
Amazing loved it the tour goes was very good and frendly
J
Fun & informative!
Our guide Sarah was great. Very knowledgeable about Chicago and its rich history. We really enjoyed our time and highly recommend this tour.
1
Great tour
Excellent guide and beautiful tour
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| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
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| Chicago Lake and River Architecture Tour | 1h 30min | 4.7 (2,461) | $45 | |
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from$45
4.7(2,461) Free cancellation