C
Chicago Fire Boat Tour
It was perfect! Such a great experience!
Historical and Architectural Chicago Fireboat River & Lake Cruise
+6 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Price from
- $47 / person
- Rating
- 4.9 / 5 · 482 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 100
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Meeting point
- DuSable Harbor, Concrete pier Dock H behind the Columbia Yacht Club
- Confirmation
- Instant
Prices checked on Sep 11, 2026Things to do in Chicago
Description
Travel on a piece of history, learning Chicago fire history as well as Architecture! We travel on Lake Michigan and through the Chicago River seeing the sights. Perfect for Fire enthusiasts, families and everyone in between! Our flagship vessel is a retired Chicago fire boat, the Fred A Busse, Engine 41, which served Chicago from 1937 to 1981. Firefighter patches from around the world and memorabilia from Engine 41's time in service, adorn the walls inside the cabin.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Learn about the Chicago river and the history surrounding it.
Highlights
Bathrooms available onboard
Cruise on a piece of Chicago history
Expert narration of Chicago's history & architecture
What's included
Included
Bathrooms available onboard
Cruise on a piece of Chicago history
Expert narration of Chicago's history & architecture
Not included
Light snacks available for purchase onboard
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase onboard
Traveller Ratings
4.9
482 reviews
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
- Important Note: We only serve alcoholic drinks for travelers 21 years old and above. Minor travelers below 21 years old will be served non-alcoholic drinks.
- Harbor Parking at 111 N. Lakeshore Drive. Access to parking in same intersection as harbor.
Frequently asked questions
How long does this tour take?
Historical and Architectural Chicago Fireboat River & Lake Cruise lasts about 2 hours. The itinerary has 1 stop.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $47 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.
Can I cancel this 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 DuSable Harbor, Concrete pier Dock H behind the Columbia Yacht Club. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is this tour 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 100 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(482)
G
It was fine but went way...
It was fine but went way over return time dock. Had to reschedule our dinner reservations twice. Kids hanging around left side of railing and got a little loud hard to hear the speaker.
P
Exceptional
This was the highlight of our weekend to Chicago. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience. The weather was gorgeous, and the staff were tremendous. Our guide was exceptionally knowledgeable about the history and architecture of Chicago, was entertaining, and friendly. Should we ever have a chance to revisit Chicago in the future, I would definitely book this experience again.
R
Chicago Fire Boat Tours
Excellent day! Crew was great and provided not only architectural information but also history about Chicago.
E
The best boat tour in Chicago!
What a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours. Cliff and the entire team take you on an informative and relaxed cruise around Chicago. Highlighting historical moments, amazing architecture, and important landmarks of the Chicago skyline. We have been on other river tours, but this one is just on another level. The boat itself is a piece of Chicago history and will definitely remember the great tour and the people that run it!
8
Classic Chicago Fireboat w/Passionate Crew
Wonderful, fun & informative tour. Everyone was welcoming & fun. Cliff did a great job narrating highlights with added stories of interest…some history & some fun tales. Denise & Eddy were lovely to talk with as well. The skipper handled the vessel beautifully on the lake, through the locks, & in/out of the river. We’ll be doing this again when next in Chicago. Thanks to all!
C
If you take one water your, take this one. Terrific two hour It felt like a private tour.
Comfortable, small boat, friendly staff, knowledgeable narrator . A delightful and different way of touring the lakefront and learning so many interesting historical details about our city. .
K
The staff is friendly and...
The staff is friendly and helpful. The tour guide is knowledgeable and funny. The boat is clean and is spacious. Highly recommend.
K
Great experience!
It was an enjoyable boat tour. Cliff was very informative and entertaining. We definitely would recommend the tour. Next time we are in Chicago, we probably would do the evening fireworks cruise.
T
Great Trip
Fun architecture through the Chicago River lock and a pleasant cruise enjoys the scenic views of Chicagos famous buildings.
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