S
Great experience
This was a lot of fun, and I'm glad I booked it. Very informational, interactive and entertaining. Definitely take a coat as being on the water gets chilly.
Operator response
Thank you for joining us!
Chicago River Ghost & Dark History Night Cruise
+3 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 1h 30min
- Price from
- $46 / person
- Location
- Chicago, United States
- Rating
- 4.1 / 5 · 234 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 Dr., 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
See Chicago from a different perspective on this evening cruise that explores the city’s darker side. As twilight settles over the skyline, glide along the Chicago River while hearing chilling tales of disasters, infamous criminals, and eerie legends tied to the city’s past. This relaxed river cruise blends atmospheric storytelling with some of the best nighttime views of Chicago’s renowned skyline and landmarks. Grab a drink from the onboard bar, settle in, and let the city’s shadowy history unfold as you cruise through the heart of downtown. By the end of the journey, you’ll have experienced Chicago’s skyline in a whole new way—while uncovering the chilling events, legends, and mysteries that shaped the city. Please arrive 30 minutes in advance!
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Mon, Fri, Sat, and Sun
- Start times
- 8:00 PM, 8:30 PM, 9:00 PM, and 9:30 PM
- Next available
- Fri, Oct 16
- Adult (ages 13+)
- $46
- Child (ages 4–12)
- $21
- Infant (ages 0–3)
- Free
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 12.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Chicago Riverwalk
Chicago's famous river walk is lined with things to do and see.
Pass and view famous landmark.
Tribune Tower
Pass by and view famous landmark.
Marina City
Merchandise Mart
What's included
Included
Snacks, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase on board.
Live commentary on board
Restroom on board
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.1
234 reviews
How it compares in Chicago
- Starting price $46 is 19% below the typical $57 for tours of similar length in Chicago
Excurgo comparison of 522 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
- Discounted parking available at 111 E. Wacker Drive. Please visit the dockside box office for parking ticket validation.
- Wheelchair accessibility varies by vessel. Please contact us in advance to confirm availability.
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 River Ghost & Dark History Night Cruise take?
Chicago River Ghost & Dark History Night Cruise lasts about 1h 30min. The itinerary has 5 stops.
How much does Chicago River Ghost & Dark History Night Cruise cost?
Prices start at $46 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 River Ghost & Dark History Night Cruise run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, starting at 8:00 PM, 8:30 PM, 9:00 PM, and 9:30 PM.
How much does Chicago River Ghost & Dark History Night Cruise cost for children?
Children aged 4–12 pay from $21, adults from $46. Infants go free.
Can I cancel Chicago River Ghost & Dark History Night 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 Dr., 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 River Ghost & Dark History Night 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
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessibility varies by vessel. Please contact us in advance to confirm availability.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(234)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
B
Our host was outstanding,...
Our host was outstanding, completely committed to the presentation. It would have been even better if the inside seating had functional speakers - we retreated below when the evening temperature dropped from "refreshing" to "uncomfortable," along with perhaps a quarter of the other passengers. The audio was simply lost at that point.
E
Bad information
Horrible the website said parking but 3 min walk but never said it was a scavenger hunt to find them. It needs to at least post names of garages so we could find one. We drove around looking for 30 min and yes I know NOW that they are across the street all over but when your not from chicago and trying to avoid an accident and look its not the same.
Y
One of a kind experience
Would recommend 10/10 - speaker was amazing to say the least! Stories where great; the whole experience itself was one of a kind. Bring a jacket!
M
Twilight Zone
Our cruise guide had to be a Trump impersonator on the side. The voice, the mannerisms, it was distracting I could not enjoy the stories or the cruise. There was definitely an air of discomfort among the other guests. Regardless of my personal opinion on the current President, I did want to be told haunted Chicago history by his doppleganer. The cruise could not end soon enough.
1 people found this helpful
M
Doug the tour guide was...
Doug the tour guide was great. He knows how to portray the characters he’s talking about to make them interesting!
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!
L
The narrator make or breaks your experience.
The information about the experience is complete and accurate. The narrator was not a Great story teller. I would try another line the next time. These experiences are always great if you have a good narrator. This one was boring and seemed to Need coaching on presenting an intriguing story.
H
In the picture It showed...
In the picture It showed me a big boat, we got a small one. We got told the wrong docking umbrella so we didn't get a good view. Wondering if I can get a refund for this because that's not cool
3
Great night trip
Fun! And beautiful at night..highly recommend
P
Horrible staff OUTSIDE the boat
The tour was awesome l! The staff outside the boat was no help. I had my ticket and they couldn’t find my name when they typed into their device. They pulled my family and I out of the line we had been in for quite some time. They sent me to the ticket office all to be told they couldn’t find my name but I could still board and had to run back so I wouldn’t miss the boat. The staff was no help.
Compare similar tours in Chicago
- Lowest price: Chicago's Dark Side: Ghosts, Gangsters, and True Crime Tour — $35
- Best rated: Chicago Architecture River Cruise — 4.8 (17,123 reviews)
- Shortest: Chicago Architecture River Cruise — 1h–1h 15min
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago River Ghost & Dark History Night Cruise | 1h 30min | 4.1 (234) | $46 | |
 Chicago By Night River and Lake Cruise | 1h 30min | 4.5 (451) | $50 | View |
 Chicago Architecture River Cruise | 1h–1h 15min | 4.8 (17,123) | $39 | View |
 Chicago Gangsters and Ghosts Late Night Halloween Special | 2 hours | — | $46 | View |
 Chicago's Dark Side: Ghosts, Gangsters, and True Crime Tour | 2 hours | 4.9 (79) | $35 | View |
 Chicago Architectural River Cruise | 1h 30min | 4.7 (864) | $50 | View |
 Haunted Ghosts & The Chicago Outfit Segway Tour | 2 hours | 4.7 (38) | $75 | View |
from$46
4.1(234) Free cancellation