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Chicago Architecture River Cruise

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Chicago, United States
(158)
Chicago Architecture River Cruise
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158
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From $35.49

$40.33  Save $4.84

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Free Cancellation
up to 24 hours in advance
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icon1 hour 15 minutes  (Approx.)
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iconOffered in: English and 1 more
Keeping you safe during COVID-19
What you can expect during your visit
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
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Safety precautions are provided by the tour operator and are not checked by Viator for accuracy
More questions?
(888) 651-9785

Overview

Cruise down the Chicago River to see the city's famous architecture on this boat tour. With commentary from your onboard guide, watch the spectacular skyline glide by, including more than 40 notable buildings like Navy Pier, the Wrigley Building, and the John Hancock Building. Cover all three branches of the Chicago River, passing the East Bank Club, the old Post Office Building and the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower).
  • Discover all three branches of the Chicago River with your guide, an expert in architecture
  • Enjoy the best vantage point to admire the distinct city skyline and architecture
  • See more than 40 buildings including the Wrigley Building and Willis Tower
  • Discover the major events that helped shape the architectural history of Chicago

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

This ultra-flexible, cruise runs more than 20 times daily from Navy Pier and Michigan Avenue.

From $35.49

$40.33  Save $4.84

Lowest Price Guarantee
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Make your way to either Navy Pier or Michigan Avenue for your cruise departure. Board your riverboat and find a comfortable seat; a restroom and sometimes a full bar are available on the boat. Listen as your guide, an architecture expert, gives you an introduction to the city's landmarks. 

Along the scenic route, see buildings by world-famous architects including Mies van der Rohe, Helmut Jahn, and Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. A boat on the river is the best vantage point to admire the distinct city skyline.

Pass by more than 40 distinctive buildings, including the John Hancock Center, the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower), the Wrigley Building, and the Lyric Opera House. Listen as your guide recounts the two major events that helped shape the architectural history of the city. Learn about how the invention of balloon-frame construction revolutionized how homes were built, and hear the dramatic story of Chicago's rise from the Great Fire of 1871. Both of these milestones led Chicago to become one of the cradles of modern American architecture.

Your cruise ends at its starting point.
Itinerary
Stop At:  
Chicago River
Cruise takes place on the Chicago River
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Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
Pass By:  
Chicago Skyline
Enjoy an amazing view of the city's skyline
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Pass By:  
Chicago Board of Trade Building
An art deco masterpiece, this is the home of many of the city's financial movers and shakers.
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Pass By:  
Wrigley Building
This white, terra-cotta landmark was built in 1922 as headquarters for the Wrigley chewing gum company.
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Pass By:  
Navy Pier
50 acres of parks, promenades, gardens, shops, eateries and attractions, including a 15-story Ferris wheel.
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Pass By:  
Illinois Center
This mixed-used building is notable in that the streets running through it have three levels.
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Pass By:  
Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower
Tallest building in the Western Hemisphere
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Pass By:  
Tribune Tower
The neo-gothic tower's signature is the exterior collection of stones from other famous edifices, like the Parthenon, St. Peter's Basilica, Notre Dame, the White House and most recently, the Berlin Wall.
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Pass By:  
Merchandise Mart
The largest commercial building in the world. First two floors are essentially a mall, and the rest is business offices
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Pass By:  
Marina City
Unique architecture for a building complex as its own self-contained community.
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Pass By:  
Lake Point Tower
A high-rise residential building located on a promontory of the Lake Michigan lakefront
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Pass By:  
333 West Wacker Drive
Noted for its reflection of the curves of the Chicago River
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Pass By:  
The East Bank Club
A health club with 450,000 square feet of space
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Pass By:  
The Lyric Opera House
Well-known opera company puts on lavish performances in this massive Art Deco Civic Opera House.
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Pass By:  
Citicorp Center
Located between Clinton and Canal Streets on Madison Street, the structure was designed in a late modernist style.
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Pass By:  
360 Chicago Observation Deck
Located on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center
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Pass By:  
John Hancock Center
The John Hancock Center, is a 100-story, 1,128-foot supertall skyscraper
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Pass By:  
London Guarantee Building
The London Guarantee Building or London Guaranty & Accident Building is a historic 1923 commercial skyscraper
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Pass By:  
Historic Water Tower
Chicago-focused gallery, specializing in photos, inside a 19th-century Gothic limestone landmark.
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Pass By:  
Chicago Architecture Center
The Chicago Architecture Center is home to a 4,000-building scale model of Chicago
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Pass By:  
Chicago Cultural Center
The Chicago Cultural Center is the nation's first free municipal cultural center and one of the most visited attractions in Chicago. The stunning landmark building, opened in 1897 as the city's first public library, is home to two magnificent stained-glass domes.
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Pass By:  
Millennium Park
Located within Grant Park, Millennium Park is home to Cloud Gate, or "the bean."
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Pass By:  
Buckingham Fountain
Chicago's landmark is considered one of America's finest fountains due to its Beaux-Arts-style landscape design, finely wrought bronze sculpture and innovative use of technology.
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Pass By:  
Chicago Riverwalk
A continuous walkway connecting the lakefront with the heart of downtown.
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The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What is the policy on face masks and attendee health during Chicago Architecture River Cruise?
A:
The policies on face masks and attendee health are:

  • Face masks required for travelers in public areas
  • Face masks required for guides in public areas
See all safety measures taken by Chicago Architecture River Cruise.
Q:
What is the policy on sanitization during Chicago Architecture River Cruise?
A:
The policy on sanitization is:

  • Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
See all safety measures taken by Chicago Architecture River Cruise.
Q:
What is the social distancing policy during Chicago Architecture River Cruise?
A:
The policies on social distancing are:

  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience
  • Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
See all safety measures taken by Chicago Architecture River Cruise.
Q:
What is the maximum group size during Chicago Architecture River Cruise?
A:
This activity will have a maximum of 250 travelers.

See all safety measures taken by Chicago Architecture River Cruise.

Traveler Photos

See More (158)

Reviews

5.0
star-5
4,315 Reviews
5 stars
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1 star
Reviews by Viator travelers
star-5
Date
Cherie_J
, Aug 2020
Great experience, really enjoyed the cruise for me and my date.. the operator did a great job explaining
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star-5
Boating on Chicago River
MKS
, Aug 2020
Gorgeous scenery, knowledgeable guide, just the right length -90 minutes. Perfect Chicago activity - not necessary to care about architecture to enjoy the beautiful buildings and learn some Chicago history.
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star-5
Tour With Lots of History and the Best Views
Brittany_P
, Aug 2020
Such a great experience and learned so much about the city and the architecture of the buildings. I love history and was able to get a lot from this tour. The hosts were great and very accommodating. I would highly recommend to anyone coming to Chicago to take the time to go on this tour! Thank you!
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star-5
Amazed
Abigail_C
, Aug 2020
We had a great tour guide, very funny and informative. I enjoyed the river cruise a lot. I highly recommend
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star-5
Chicago Architecture tour
Nav_G
, Aug 2020
Knowledgeable Speaker who kept things interesting and entertaining. Lots of info. Beautiful day to add.
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star-5
Everything was great from start to end
dale_k
, Aug 2020
We really enjoyed it very much, the commentator really knew his stuff. It was very informative and fun trip. I always wanted to do a river trip in Chicago, I have been in the city a lot and never did it? Thank you for a wonderful experience. We will do it again! Dale
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star-5
Covid vacation -- boat trip
Karen
, Aug 2020
Even with Covid restrictions, we had a wonderful trip, with great weather. The guide did a good job in spite of the mask that he wore. I've been on this trip before, about 2 years ago, and I believe the talk was a bit more entertaining then, although I do not know if it was the same person. I came with my sister (which is not an option below....so I checked family which is not accurate... there should be an option for "other" there.)
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star-5
Great tour
Bell_K
, Aug 2020
Great tour, the pictures turned out great from the tour. Definitely learned a lot about Chicago during this tour.
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star-5
Rain jackets
Dan_S
, Aug 2020
Awesome! The views are beautiful. Just all in all a really great experience. They also has food and snacks on the boat.
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star-5
Fun and educational
Katarzyna_A
, Aug 2020
I had a great time on the boat! Was able to learn about the city of chi and enjoy beautiful views! Would recommend:)
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Questions?

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Product code: 5580ARC

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