Chicago Architecture Boat Tours: Best Options For You

Chicago is famous for its architecture, and there are many boat tours available to help you discover the unique story of the city and its buildings. The Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady is rated #1 year after year and is TripAdvisor's #1-rated boat tour of the city. It is the only Chicago River cruise partnered with the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) and offers a 90-minute architectural tour with highly trained and enthusiastic volunteer CAC docents (guides). Tickets start at $54 for general boarding and $69 for priority boarding. Another popular option is Wendella Boats, which offers a 90-minute Chicago River Architecture Tour for $44 per adult and $20 per child. This tour also has a 45-minute option if you're short on time.

Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise

The Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise, in partnership with Chicago's First Lady Cruises, offers an engaging 90-minute architectural tour of the city. Led by highly trained and enthusiastic volunteer docents, the cruise provides a detailed and captivating narrative of Chicago's architectural styles and the stories of the people who designed and built the city. The boats feature open-air upper decks, full-service bars, and climate-controlled cabins, ensuring a comfortable and stylish experience for all passengers.

The cruise takes passengers on a journey through Chicago's rich history, from its early days as a small settlement to its transformation into one of the world's largest cities. Along the way, they will learn about the architects who created the city's magnificent buildings and the fascinating stories behind them. The cruise is a must-do for both visitors and locals, offering breathtaking views and a unique perspective on the city's architecture.

The Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise is consistently rated as the #1 boat tour in Chicago and has received numerous positive reviews from passengers who have praised the knowledge and passion of the guides, as well as the beauty and informative nature of the tour. The cruise operates from early spring to late fall, with tickets starting at $54 for general boarding and $69 for priority boarding, which includes early boarding and skip-the-queue privileges.

The Chicago Architecture Center is located at 112 E. Wacker Drive, and the boat departs from the nearby Chicago's First Lady boat dock. Passengers are advised to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to their cruise departure time to allow for boarding and to ensure a prompt departure. The cruise operates rain or shine, and passengers are encouraged to bring sunglasses and attire suitable for the weather.

In addition to the river cruise, passengers can also opt to include a visit to the Chicago Architecture Center for just $5, valid for up to seven days after their cruise. This offers a more comprehensive architectural experience and is a great way to further explore the city's rich architectural history.

Chicago's First Lady Cruises

The cruise departs from the Chicago Riverwalk at Michigan Ave. and Wacker Dr. (southeast corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge). Look for the black or blue awning at the stairway entrance. It is recommended that you arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your departure time. The closest parking garage is located at 111 East Wacker Drive, and CAC guests receive a discount.

The cruise takes place on all three branches of the Chicago River. You'll learn about the architecture and design of over 50 buildings and hear stories about Chicago's growth from a small settlement into one of the world's largest cities. The boats hold up to 250 passengers and feature upscale marble and granite restrooms.

Tickets for the cruise start at $54 for general boarding and $69 for priority boarding, which includes early boarding, skip-the-queue privileges, and CAC admission. Tickets can be purchased online, in-person at the dock during the regular season, or at the Chicago Architecture Center. The cruise is accessible to guests with limited mobility, with handicap-accessible boats and restrooms, as well as boarding ramps and manual wheelchairs available upon request.

Wendella Boats

The boat tour offers both indoor and outdoor seating, with climate-controlled cabins to ensure comfort regardless of the weather. The boats also feature full-service bars and snacks available for purchase. Wendella prioritises accessibility, with changing tables and wheelchair accessibility on certain vessels.

In addition to the 90-minute river tour, Wendella offers a 45-minute river architecture tour, which covers the South to the Willis Tower and the main branch of the river, up to Lake Michigan. This shorter tour is a great option for those who want a quick overview of Chicago's architecture, especially if travelling with children.

For those seeking a more comprehensive experience, Wendella offers the Chicago Lake and River Architecture Tour, which includes a trip onto Lake Michigan. This tour provides a unique perspective on the city's famous skyline and is highly recommended by travellers.

Wendella also offers a range of other experiences, such as the St. Patrick's Day Cruise, Lake Michigan Sunset Cruise, and the Lake Michigan Fireworks Cruise, allowing visitors to combine their love of architecture with other interests.

With knowledgeable guides, comfortable vessels, and a variety of tour options, Wendella Boats provides an excellent opportunity to explore Chicago's architectural wonders from the water.

Tours & Boats

Chicago is famous for its architecture, and there are many boat tours that showcase the city's iconic buildings. Here is some information on a few of the best ones:

Chicago's First Lady

The Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady is a 90-minute cruise that showcases the city's architecture. The tour is led by highly trained and enthusiastic volunteer docents who provide a detailed narrative of Chicago's architectural styles and the stories of the people who designed and built the city. The boats feature open-air upper decks, full-service cocktail and snack bars, and climate-controlled interior salons. Tickets start at $54 for general boarding and $69 for priority boarding, which includes early access and skip-the-queue privileges.

Wendella Boats

The Wendella Boats Chicago River Architecture Tour is a 90-minute tour that takes you through three branches of the Chicago River. Along the way, you'll see famous landmarks such as the Willis Tower and Merchandise Mart, and learn about the history of Chicago and its architecture. Tickets for adults start at $44, and tickets for kids start at $20.

Shoreline Sightseeing

Shoreline Sightseeing offers a 75-minute architecture river tour that has been ranked as the #1 Travel Experience in the U.S. for 2020 by TripAdvisor. The tour is led by an expert guide and takes you through the famous buildings and landmarks of Chicago.

Chicago Line Cruises

Chicago Line Cruises offers an intimate boat tour experience that departs from Ogden Slip, allowing you to see the full river and more of the city's architecture. The docents are highly praised, and you can start and/or end your tour at Carson's.

Chicago Architecture Center vs Shoreline

When it comes to choosing between the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) and Shoreline for a boat tour, there are a few things to consider. Both companies offer architecture river tours that cover the three branches of the Chicago River and highlight over 40 landmarks, including the Tribune Tower, the Wrigley Building, and Marina City. However, there are some differences between the two.

Shoreline's architecture river tour is 60 minutes long and is guided by a tour guide who provides insights into the city's buildings, architecture, and engineering. Shoreline operates Chicago's largest and most diverse fleet of cruise boats and water taxis, with 11 major tour vessels and 7 water taxis. Their boats depart from two docks, one at Michigan Avenue and the other at Navy Pier, both offering spectacular sights. Shoreline's tour is also included in the Chicago CityPASS, which can save you 48% on admission tickets to Chicago's top 5 attractions.

On the other hand, the CAC tour is led by volunteers who are often knowledgeable and passionate about architecture. This tour provides a lot of history and context about the buildings and their architectural styles. It is also highly recommended by many locals and tourists who have taken the tour. However, some people find the volunteers less engaging than professional tour guides. The CAC tour is also usually 30 minutes longer than the Shoreline tour, allowing for a more in-depth experience.

In terms of pricing, the Shoreline tour is comparably priced to the CAC tour. The Shoreline tour costs $26.95 for children (3-12) and is free for children under 2, while the CAC tour prices are not readily available but are said to be around $30 for adults and free for children under 12.

Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on your preferences. If you prefer a shorter, guided tour with more flexibility in departure locations and potential cost savings, Shoreline might be the better option. If you are interested in a longer tour with more historical context and are willing to pay a bit more, the CAC tour could be the better choice. Both tours offer unique perspectives and insights into Chicago's architecture and are worth considering.

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