Amanda Knapp
Chicago is a city that's best seen from the water. Whether you're looking to relax and take in the sights or get active and paddle yourself, there's a boat ride for you. From the Chicago River to Lake Michigan, you can see iconic landmarks, the city skyline, and even spot some wildlife. You can also rent a yacht, take a meal cruise, or enjoy a unique ride in a brightly coloured retro boat or an 8-passenger donut boat.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Boat types | Yacht, donut boat, retro boat, speedboat, kayak, paddle boat, touring vessel, water taxi, fireboat |
| Boat companies | Chicago Electric Boat Company, Urban Kayaks, City Cruises, Navy Pier, Chicago Riverwalk, Marina City, Rockwell on the River, Monroe Harbor |
| Activities | Guided tour, self-steering, meal cruise, architecture tour, lakefront adventure, educational tour, fireworks show, pirate adventure |
| Sights | Chicago skyline, Willis Tower, John Hancock Center, Wrigley Building, Navy Pier, Buckingham Fountain, Chicago River |
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What You'll Learn
Self-steering boat tours
If you're looking for a self-steering boat tour in Chicago, the Chicago Electric Boat Company lets passengers steer the ship themselves. You can depart from the Chicago Riverwalk, Marina City or Rockwell on the River. You can bring your own personal tour guide for a guided tour of the river, or sail in style and rent a yacht. You can also enjoy a unique ride in an 8-passenger "donut boat" or a brightly coloured retro boat.
If you're looking for something more active, Urban Kayaks offers a brief training session before you hit the water, and you're free to paddle the river or lake at your own pace. You can also join a guided tour to catch the sunset, fireworks, or historic highlights. Rentals are available at the Chicago Riverwalk or Monroe Harbour.
For a more educational experience, Tall Ship Windy at Navy Pier offers storytelling, student trips, concert sails, and architectural tours. You can enjoy the Chicago skyline aboard their tall ship!
A boat ride on Lake Michigan will give you sights of the Chicago skyline, the Willis Tower, Navy Pier, and Buckingham Fountain. You might also spot some of the many birds that call the lake home, such as seagulls, pelicans, and herons.
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Boat tours with a guide
Chicago offers a variety of boat tours with a guide. The Chicago River cruise, for example, takes you past some of the city's most iconic landmarks, including the Willis Tower, the John Hancock Center, and the Wrigley Building. You can also take in the city skyline and the river itself, and if you're lucky, you might even see a boat race.
For a more relaxed experience, you can opt for a boat ride on Lake Michigan, where you can enjoy views of the Chicago skyline, the Willis Tower, Navy Pier, and Buckingham Fountain. You might also spot some of the lake's bird residents, such as seagulls, pelicans, and herons.
If you're looking for a unique boat experience, the Chicago Electric Boat Company offers donut boats, retro boats, and even a bike boat that your group can pedal down the Chicago River. You can bring your own personal tour guide or rent a yacht for a more luxurious experience.
For an educational tour, Tall Ship Windy at Navy Pier offers storytelling, student trips, and architectural tours. You can also opt for a meal cruise with chef-prepared dishes, a live DJ, and stunning views. If you're feeling adventurous, Seadog speedboat rides provide an architecture tour or a lakefront speedboat adventure.
Finally, for dog owners, there are boat tours that provide water bowls for thirsty pups, as well as bar and snack services for human passengers. These tours include lively narrations of Chicago's history and architectural marvels.
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Architecture tours
If you're interested in going on a boat ride in Chicago, there are plenty of options to choose from. One popular choice is to take a cruise on the Chicago River, where you can see iconic landmarks such as the Willis Tower, the John Hancock Center, and the Wrigley Building. You can also enjoy great views of the skyline and the river itself. Another option is to rent a boat from the Chicago Electric Boat Company, which offers unique vessels such as donut boats, retro boats, and even a bike boat that your group can pedal down the river.
For those interested in architecture, there are several boat tour options that highlight Chicago's iconic buildings. One option is to take a Seadog speedboat ride, which offers an architecture tour of the city. You can also opt for a guided tour with a knowledgeable guide who can provide captivating stories about Chicago's rich history and architectural marvels. Tall Ship Windy at Navy Pier also offers architectural tours, where you can enjoy the Chicago skyline from the deck of a tall ship.
If you prefer a more active experience, you can rent a kayak from Urban Kayaks and explore the river or lake at your own pace. They also offer guided tours if you want to learn more about the city's history and architecture. Whether you're looking for a relaxing cruise or an active paddle, there are plenty of boat ride options to choose from in Chicago, each offering a unique perspective of the city's architecture and landmarks.
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Speedboat tours
If you're looking for a fast-paced way to explore Chicago, a speedboat tour is a great option. Seadog speedboat rides, offered by Navy Pier, provide an exhilarating way to discover the city's iconic architecture and lakefront. You can choose between an architecture tour, where you'll learn about Chicago's rich history and marvel at its architectural wonders, or a lakefront adventure, where you'll speed along the shores of Lake Michigan and take in the breathtaking views of the city skyline.
For a more intimate speedboat experience, the Chicago Electric Boat Company offers unique ways to get out on the water. You can rent a brightly coloured retro boat or even an 8-passenger "donut boat" and explore the Chicago River at your own pace. If you want a guided tour, you can bring your own personal tour guide or join a group tour. The company also offers the option to rent a yacht for a more luxurious experience.
If you're feeling adventurous and want to be your own captain, Urban Kayaks provides an opportunity to ditch the traditional boat and paddle the river or lake at your leisure. After a brief training session, you'll be ready to explore Chicago from a different perspective. You can also join a guided kayak tour to catch the sunset, fireworks, or historic highlights.
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Fireworks boat tours
Chicago offers a variety of boat tours, from the Chicago River to Lake Michigan. The Chicago Electric Boat Company offers a unique experience where passengers can steer the ship themselves, with departure points at the Chicago Riverwalk, Marina City or Rockwell on the River. You can bring your own tour guide or rent a yacht for a more luxurious experience. If you're feeling adventurous, Urban Kayaks offers a brief training session before you hit the water to explore the river or lake at your own pace.
For a more relaxed experience, you can enjoy a meal cruise with chef-prepared dishes, a live DJ, and stunning views of the city. Or, take a Seadog speedboat ride for an architecture tour or a lakefront speedboat adventure. If you're interested in history, Tall Ship Windy at Navy Pier offers educational boat tours and storytelling. You can also see the city's fireworks show every Wednesday and Saturday night through Labor Day from a historic fireboat, the Fred A. Busse.
A Chicago River cruise will take you past iconic landmarks such as the Willis Tower, the John Hancock Center, and the Wrigley Building. You'll also get great views of the skyline and the river itself. If you prefer a lake cruise, you'll see the Chicago skyline, the Willis Tower, Navy Pier, and Buckingham Fountain. You might even spot some of the birds that call the lake home, such as seagulls, pelicans, and herons.
For a truly unique experience, try one of the Chicago Electric Boat Company's offerings, such as an 8-passenger "donut boat" or a brightly coloured retro boat. Or, if you're feeling energetic, try their bike boat that your group can pedal down the Chicago River!
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Frequently asked questions
There are several options for boat rides in Chicago, including the Chicago River, Lake Michigan, and the Chicago Riverwalk.
Chicago Electric Boat Company, City Cruises, and Navy Pier are some companies that offer boat rides in Chicago.
You can rent a yacht, ride in an 8-passenger "donut boat", or even a brightly coloured retro boat. You can also take a meal cruise with a live DJ, or a Seadog speedboat ride for an architecture tour.
Yes, Chicago Parent offers dog-friendly boat rides with water bowls provided for dogs.
