Chicago River Historical Cruises

One of the best ways to get to know the Windy City and its rich cultural history is by taking part in one of the city's historical river cruises. These tours travel along the Chicago River and range from one to one-and-a-half hours in length. As you pass by many of Chicago's architectural gems, docents provide historical information about the buildings and salacious tidbits about the people involved in their construction. Most river tours occur between the late spring and early fall, when the city's weather is most accommodating.

Chicago Line Cruises

Chicago Line Cruises offer 90-minute historical and architecture boat tours. Historical tours are offered daily at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. from May 22 through Sept. 7, and 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Fridays through Sundays from Sept. 8 through Oct. 4. Architectural tours are offered at varying times daily from March 27 through Nov. 29. Passengers may indulge in complimentary Starbucks coffee, soft drinks and fresh-baked muffins or cookies while on board. Tours depart from Navy Pier.

Chicago Line Cruises
(312) 527-1977
chicagoline.com

Shoreline Sightseeing

Shoreline Sightseeing offers architectural boat tours from April 1 through Nov. 30, weather permitting. There is a slight discount for those who buy tour tickets in advance online. Tours depart from Navy Pier.

Shoreline Sightseeing
(312) 222-9328
shorelinesightseeing.com/index.php

Wendella Boats

Wendella Boats offers a 60-minute architectural river cruise. These tours operate daily from April through November. Tours depart from their dock located near 400 North Michigan Ave.

Wendella Boats
(312) 337-1446
wendellaboats.com/

Chicago's First Lady

Chicago's First Lady offers 90-minute architecture river cruises, the official cruise line of the Chicago Architecture Foundation. These tours are offered daily from May through late November. Tours depart from their dock located at Riverside Gardens (near the intersection of Michigan and Wacker).

Chicago's First Lady
(847) 358-1330
cruisechicago.com

Seadog Cruises

Seadog Cruises offers a 75-minute architecture river cruise. Tours are offered daily from April through October. Tours depart from Navy Pier.

Seadog Cruises
(888) 636-7737
seadogcruises.com/chicago/

Resources

Chicago Sightseeing Boat Cruises

Article Written By Susan Berg

Based in Philadelphia, Susan Berg has more than 10 years of experience as a writer and editor. Her work has been published in both print and online media, including the "Dayton Daily News," BioZine and Wcities. Berg earned a Master of Arts in journalism from Indiana University.

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