ON THE RIVER · CHICAGO RIVER CRUISES

The 15 Best Chicago River Cruises

24 river trips  ·  from $28 a head

The architecture commentary is the whole product here, so who is talking matters more than which boat. These 15 are compared on the guide, the length of the sailing and the bar.

Chicago Architecture River Cruise - The first view: Chicago’s skyline from the water
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Chicago Architecture River Cruise

1.Chicago Architecture River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15,756 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $39Our pick

Cruise the Chicago River with an onboard architecture guide, passing the Wrigley Building, John Hancock Center, Willis Tower, Marina City, and more. Choose a Navy Pier or Michigan Avenue departure, enjoy a restroom and full bar, and bring your dog along. Guides such as Jim, Ashley, and Sam have earned praise for lively storytelling, though cold weather and onboard noise can affect the ride.

“We loved everything about this tour. Our guide was knowledgeable, friendly and kept everyone engaged.”

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Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady - Boarding at Wacker Drive
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Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady

2.Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5,536 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $57

Spend 90 minutes on the Chicago River aboard Chicago’s First Lady, guided by a Chicago Architecture Center docent. You’ll see Marina City, Willis Tower, Navy Pier, 150 North Riverside, and more from the water. Choose an open-air upper deck or climate-controlled salon, with a full bar and restrooms onboard.

“Dress warm due to shade when weather is colder. The distance isn’t as far as I hoped. Plenty of seats were available”

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Chicago: Architecture River Cruise Skip-the-Ticket Line - Boarding and the first view from the water
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Chicago: Architecture River Cruise Skip-the-Ticket Line

3.Architecture River Cruise Skip-the-Ticket Line

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4,325 reviews · 1 hour - 90 minutes · from $39

Cruise Chicago’s three river branches for 60 to 75 minutes with a live English or Spanish guide. You’ll see landmarks such as Willis Tower, Trump Tower, Marina City, and the John Hancock Building. Guides including Chicago Bob, Jeremy, Juan, Kevin, and Brian bring the buildings to life, with a cash bar available on most boats.

“Cruise was beautiful and interesting, Juan was a fantastic guide”

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Chicago: 45-Minute Family-Friendly Architecture River Cruise - Checking in near the Wrigley Building
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Chicago: 45-Minute Family-Friendly Architecture River Cruise

4.45-Minute Family-Friendly Architecture River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,304 reviews · 45 min · from $28Best value

Cruise from Lake Shore Drive toward Willis Tower and back while an English-speaking guide explains Chicago’s architecture with humor and local detail. You get indoor climate-controlled seating, open-air decks, and a full-service cash bar with local beer and spirits. Guides such as Kenny, Zach, Sarah, and Alyssa have earned praise for keeping families engaged.

“The tour is great .. we were stuck in traffic and they allow us to join other group later … it was very kind of them to do so”

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Chicago: 1.5-Hour Lake and River Architecture Cruise - Finding the dock near the DuSable Bridge
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Chicago: 1.5-Hour Lake and River Architecture Cruise

5.1.5-Hour Lake and River Architecture Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,050 reviews · 1h 30m · from $44

See Chicago from two angles on a 90-minute cruise from the DuSable Bridge. An English-speaking guide such as Lucas, Jack, or Sarah explains landmarks from the Wrigley Building to Willis Tower, while the boat passes through the Chicago Lock to Lake Michigan. Choose open-air or climate-controlled seating, with snacks and drinks sold onboard.

“The boat ride was excellent, the information provided by the guide, Jack, was brilliant, funny at the same time. Highly recommended”

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Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Boat Tour - The Wrigley Building and the grand entrance to downtown
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Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Boat Tour

6.Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,635 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $37

Cruise all three branches of the Chicago River for 90 minutes while guides such as David, Hillary, Heath, and Colleen explain the city’s buildings, engineering, and past. You’ll see the Wrigley Building, Willis Tower, Aqua Tower, Merchandise Mart, Chinatown, and Navy Pier from an open or enclosed deck. Arrive early for the best seats.

“Beautiful Chicago architecture explained by an experienced knowledgeable guide. So glad we took the time to take this boat tour.”

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Chicago Architectural River Cruise - Boarding at River East Plaza
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Chicago Architectural River Cruise

7.Chicago Architectural River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 804 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $50

Spend 90 minutes on the Chicago River with a live docent, seeing more than 50 buildings, bridges, and historic sites. Guides such as Tyler, Valerie, Brian, Jim, and Justine explain Chicago’s rise from the Great Fire to today’s bold towers. Coffee, lemonade, and Coke products are included, while beer, wine, and cocktails cost extra.

“Cruise was nice and the staff was friendly have always wanted to do this! Our tour guide Justine was very knowledgeable and loved that drinks were available definitely worth the $50 a person next time we come back to Chicago we will definitely do the night tour!!”

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Chicago by Night River and Lake Cruise - The main branch of the Chicago River gives you the close view
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Chicago by Night River and Lake Cruise

8.Chicago by Night River and Lake Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 791 reviews · from $45

This 1.5-hour evening cruise takes you from the Chicago River through the Chicago Harbor Lock and onto Lake Michigan. Expect skyline views, Buckingham Fountain, Navy Pier, historic buildings, and live English commentary. Guides such as Olivia, Jacob, and Josh have been praised for making the stories lively, while covered seating keeps the cruise running in rainy weather.

“Jake the tour guide was amazing and funny! Highly recommended”

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Chicago City Tour with Architecture River Cruise Option - Chicago River, Wrigley Building, and Tribune Tower
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Chicago City Tour with Architecture River Cruise Option

9.Chicago City Tour with Architecture River Cruise Option

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 705 reviews · 2 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $49

Ride a climate-controlled minibus through the Loop, Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, and more with guides such as Avery, Rick, or Reenie. Stop at Buckingham Fountain, Museum Campus, the Rookery Building, and the Chicago River. Add a 75-minute open-top cruise for a closer look at Chicago architecture and river history.

“Avery did a great job on this tour. The bus was very comfortable. It was a good mix of riding and getting off the bus to see things. Lots of interesting facts and well paced.”

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Chicago: Fireworks Cruise with Lake or River Viewing Options - From Wolf Point to the river mouth
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Chicago: Fireworks Cruise with Lake or River Viewing Options

10.Fireworks Cruise with Lake or River Viewing Options

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 551 reviews · 45 minutes - 2 hours · from $32

Cruise from the Chicago River toward Wolf Point, then watch Navy Pier fireworks from the river mouth or Lake Michigan. Your English-speaking guide covers Chicago architecture and history, while the boat offers indoor climate-controlled seating, an outdoor deck, restrooms, and a cash bar with local drinks. Choose a 45 to 60-minute river cruise or a 2 to 2.5-hour lake trip.

“Just a perfect way to see the River and skyline at night along with amazing fireworks. Just perfect!”

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Chicago Sightseeing River and Lake Cruise - What you’ll see along the route
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Chicago Sightseeing River and Lake Cruise

11.Chicago Sightseeing River and Lake Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 509 reviews · from $45

Spend 90 minutes with First Lady cruising Lake Michigan and the Chicago River, guided by local storytellers such as Jacob and Mike. You’ll pass the Wrigley Building, Navy Pier, Museum Campus, Soldier Field, and 875 North Michigan Avenue. Choose an evening departure for skyline lights, but dress for spray, wind, and changing weather.

“This is a lovely cruise, especially at night with the lights. There were a few moments where we stopped for several minutes, and I'm sure for good reason, but it was definitely a lull.”

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Chicago: Narrated Sightseeing River and Lake Cruise - The Chicago River puts the buildings overhead
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Chicago: Narrated Sightseeing River and Lake Cruise

12.Narrated Sightseeing River and Lake Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 268 reviews · from $45

Spend 90 minutes with First Lady cruising from the Chicago River through the Harbor Lock and onto Lake Michigan. A live English guide points out Willis Tower, Marina City, Navy Pier, and more. Choose open or covered seating, bring snacks, and allow extra time if the lock is slow.

“Super fun way to see Chicago from the river and Lake Michigan!”

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Chicago Premium Driving Tour with River Boat Cruise and Sky Deck - The Chicago River cruise is the heart of the day
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Chicago Premium Driving Tour with River Boat Cruise and Sky Deck

13.Chicago Premium Driving Tour with River Boat Cruise and Sky Deck

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 165 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

This four-hour Chicago tour combines a narrated city drive, Cloud Gate, an architecture cruise past more than 40 landmarks, skyline views from Adler Planetarium, and a Skydeck visit. Downtown hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Guides such as Tony, Robert, Joe, Danny, and Jack handle the route, tickets, and local stories in English.

“Tony was a great guide. Very informative and kind. The boat tour, Sky Deck, Navy Pier, and Lake Michigan were all so beautiful to see.”

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City Cruises Chicago: Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner River Cruise - Brunch, lunch, or dinner: choosing the right sailing
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City Cruises Chicago: Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner River Cruise

14.City Cruises Chicago: Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 128 reviews · 2 hours - 150 minutes · from $84

Sail the Chicago River aboard the glass-enclosed Odyssey Chicago River for a three-course brunch, lunch, or dinner. You’ll pass landmark buildings from the DuSable Bridge to Willis Tower, with architectural narration on daytime cruises and a DJ at dinner. Brunch includes bottomless mimosas, while a cash bar serves cocktails, wine, and beer.

“Wonderful! A great date night/ family celebration experience; although I was the only single diner, I was made to feel welcomed & included. The entire crew seemed happy & wanted to make sure everything was perfect . Mimmo, the chef, obviously cooks with love- the food was delicious & plated with care. I’m vegetarian & was delighted with my choices ( not to mention the tasty cocktails.) The view from the river was enchanting. My favorite Chicago memory!”

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Chicago River: 1.5-Hour Guided Architecture Riverboat Tour - Boarding a classic 200-passenger riverboat
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Chicago River: 1.5-Hour Guided Architecture Riverboat Tour

15.Chicago River: 1.5-Hour Guided Architecture Riverboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 93 reviews · 1h 30m · from $57

Spend 90 minutes on a classic 200-passenger boat, learning from an English-speaking docent such as Jim or Ed as Chicago’s Gothic, Art Deco, Neoclassical, and modern towers unfold along the river. Enjoy open-air seating, free coffee, lemonade, soft drinks, and snacks, with beer, wine, and cocktails available to buy.

“Jim did an amazing job with the tour guiding! Very informative and clearly passionate about the architecture along the river! The rest of the crew were extremely friendly and helpful, too! Thanks for an amazing river tour!”

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Just added to Chicago River Cruises

★ 3.5Thanksgiving Gourmet Lunch Cruise on Chicago RiverFrom $1164 reviews
★ 3.8Tiki Bar Cruise on Chicago River or Lake MichiganFrom $4116 reviews
★ 5.0Lake and River Tour on a RIB BoatFrom $854 reviews

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