Chicago

Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Tour

Badge of ExcellenceChicago, USA
Chicago River Architecture Tour

Overview

Discover the architectural gems of the Windy City from an ideal vantage point on a cruise down the Chicago River. Offered several times throughout the day, it’s easy to fit the leisurely excursion into your itinerary. Covering more than 130 years of architectural history, the tour is the perfect opportunity to see a huge area of the city without the hassle of taxis and public transit.
  • Enjoy unobstructed views of the city’s top attractions
  • Gain an in-depth understanding of local architecture
  • See the sights of Chicago without getting worn out
  • Take the tour when it’s convenient for you

What's Included

  • Indoor and outdoor seating available (indoor is climate controlled)
  • Narrated tour on board by professionally trained tour guide.
  • Restroom on board
  • Expert Local Guide
  • Alcoholic Beverages
  • Gratuities

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

  • 400 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA

    Arrive at 400 N Michigan Avenue 30 minutes before your departure and you will be directed to your boarding dock. Please allow yourself plenty of time to arrive if driving. We do not have parking. It is recommend that you book parking in advance.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Make your own way to the boarding dock, located on the Michigan Avenue Bridge, 15 minutes before your chosen departure time. Then, climb aboard your vessel that features indoor and outdoor seating options to ensure your comfort during the cruise.

Journey through Chicago's architectural wonders and unveil over 130 years of design, innovation, and history. Cruise along all three branches of the Chicago River while your architectural guide narrates the evolution of Chicago's skyline and the significance of each landmark.

See iconic structures like the Willis Tower, Centennial Fountain, and the Merchandise Mart. Glide past the Chicago Water Tower and the Art Institute of Chicago, and admire the historic Wrigley Building. Take in the sights of the Chicago Riverwalk, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the unique Marina City apartment buildings.

The tour concludes back at the starting point.

Wendella

15 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

Centennial Fountain And Water Arc (Pass By)

Merchandise Mart (Pass By)

Michigan Avenue Bridge (Pass By)

Wrigley Building (Pass By)

Chicago Riverwalk (Pass By)

Lyric Opera of Chicago (Pass By)

Marina City (Pass By)

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Weapons prohibited by US Coast Guard
  • Outside alcohol is prohibited
  • All bags subject to search
  • Near public transportation
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Arrive 30 Minutes prior to your departure time.
  • Contact tour operator for wheelchair & ADA access
  • Indoor and outdoor seating is available on a first come, first served basis
  • Maps are available with highlights in simplified Chinese. They can picked up per request at the ticket window.
  • Special requests entered at checkout cannot be guaranteed
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 300 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

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Q:Where do we meet for the 90-min Chicago River Architecture Tour?

A:We are located at 400 N Michigan Avenue at the historic Wrigley Building. Wendella has four dock locations that extend west from the Michigan Avenue (DuSable) Bridge to Wabash Avenue.

Apr 2021

Q:Is there parking available for the 90-min Chicago River Architecture Tour?

A:There are two parking garages near the departure point: AMA Plaza parking at 401 N. State Street and InterPark Public Parking at 430 N. Rush St. (Parking fees apply at both locations.)

Apr 2021

Q:Is the 90-min Chicago River Architecture Tour handicap accessible?

A:We operate 3 boats with wheelchair lifts between decks. All our boats can accommodate wheelchairs & have toilets that are ADA compliant. For guests who are deaf or hard of hearing, a written script of the narration is available at the ticket office.

Apr 2021

Q:Can I bring my service animal with me on the 90-min Chicago River Architecture Tour?

A:A service animal is a dog that is trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. Pets and dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA and are not allowed.

Apr 2021

Q:Are there restrooms available on board the 90-min Chicago River Architecture Tour?

A:Yes. Restrooms are located on the lower deck of each vessel; changing tables are also available in each restroom.

Apr 2021

Q:How early should I arrive for the 90-min Chicago River Architecture Tour?

A:Boarding begins 15-30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time.

Apr 2021

Q:Does the 90-min Chicago River Architecture Tour operate in bad weather?

A:Our cruises depart rain or shine. Our vessels include sheltered areas and climate-controlled lounges. Ponchos are available for purchase onboard. However, in cases of severe weather where the cruise must be canceled, all guests will be refunded.

Apr 2021

Q:Is the boat climate controlled during the 90-min Chicago River Architecture Tour?

A:Most of our vessels feature an enclosed climate-controlled lounge on the lower deck with speakers to hear the tour guide’s narration. If you have a concern about whether your vessel has an interior lounge, please call the phone number on your ticket.

Apr 2021

Q:Is food/drink available during the 90-min Chicago River Architecture Tour?

A:A full-service bar is available onboard. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as an assortment of snacks, are available for purchase. Bar sales are credit cards only. No cash purchases.

Apr 2021

Q:Can I store my luggage during the 90-min Chicago River Architecture Tour?

A:There is no storage area on our dock, but guests may bring their luggage aboard keeping in mind it is subject to inspection.

Apr 2021

Traveler Photos

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Featured review
Tia_A
This was a great tour and over view of Chicago. We are happy we braved the rain and cold to do it! Our tour guide Bobby was great and made the tour even more enjoyable!

Reviews

4.5
4,964 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 4,964 reviews
Best activity in Chicago!
Michaelen_B, Mar 2024
This was perhaps our favorite Chicago activity! Our tour guide, Zach, was awesome. Funny and full of facts! We are still wondering how he was able to talk for 80 minutes with few breaks. Great information and really nice views of Chicago!
Excellent and cold
Ty_S, Mar 2024
Host was wonderful, he had a great personality, tried to keep everybody late, and was extremely knowledgeable about the city. It was an enjoyable time, pretty cold. A suggestion may be in the future to rent, small blankets, good way of making additional money and keeping people on the top deck. This would’ve kept you on the top deck versus down below. But then again, down below, they were selling beer and coffee and thanks, so great time.
Breathtaking views of the city
Stephanie_K, Mar 2024
Very entertaining and insightful tour! The tour guide has a witty sense of humor, which made the tour even more enjoyable. A suggestion would be to book the tour on the warmest day of your trip. It can get very cold and windy out in the water. Be prepared to have a sweater, jacket, and/or scarf during the colder months. For people sitting in the front of a boat, it can be difficult to hear the tour guide talking through the speakers at times due to the unavoidable city noise in the background. Overall, this experience was worth the cost and I highly recommend!
This was the best way to...
Abbie_W, Mar 2024
This was the best way to explore the many types of architecture Chicago has to offer. Alyssa was a great guide and historian with lots of personality.
A must-do part of being a tourist in Chicago!
Chelsea_G, Mar 2024
Spiro was entertaining and funny, but also very knowledgeable! I walked away with newfound love for the city and a lot more understanding of architecture and city planning!
Great experience
Claudia_C, Mar 2024
Very interessting trip loaded with information. Tour guide Bobby did a great job. Great views of the city.
The sights to see.
Chelsea_M, Mar 2024
Our guide was awesome. As well as the whole crew. They genuinely seem to enjoy their work. Would love to come back when it's warmer.
Time well spent
Toby_R, Mar 2024
Informative and entertaining. Helped us enjoy the rest of our visit to Chicago as we looked at buildings and architecture in a new way.
Great experience! I would...
Zipporah_R, Mar 2024
Great experience! I would definitely do this again. They also had drinks and plenty of space on the boat
Great tour on the river!
Kelly_E, Mar 2024
Our tour guide was amazing and it was a great tour. Thank you for a wonderful tour. We will definitely recommend to other people visiting the Chicago area!
highly recommend!!
Jade_L, Mar 2024
Had the best experience with the company! We had to reschedule our boat tour a couple times and they were so accommodating and sent us our new tickets each time. When we finally went on the boat tour it was so informative and we loved our tour guide John! He was so funny and kept the tour entertaining. Highly recommend wendella tours for not only their customer service but for a great experience to take in the beautiful skyscrapers of Chicago!
A must-do in Chicago!
Cynthia_B, Mar 2024
The architecture was phenomenal & the tour guide was enthusiastic & very knowledgeable. He engaged the audience with numerous quiz questions.
Great tour!
Susan_R, Mar 2024
This tour was really great, after a long day of walking around the city it's the perfect way to rest and learn about the different styles of buildings and their history
Beautiful must do tour
Beth_M, Mar 2024
The architecture tour is a must do! Our guide was amazing and we enjoyed the boat. It was a bit cold but we were able to sit inside to warm up.
Entertaining and Educational
David_R, Mar 2024
Our your guide, Jack, was so entertaining and we learned so much about the city. We got a really unique view of the buildings along the river. The boat was well equipped with a heated indoor space to warm up in if you go on the winter.
Best Tour Guide ever!!!
kboodee, Mar 2024
Thanks to the unbelievably entertaining Tour Guide, John, this tour was absolutely amazing. John was probably one of the best Tour Guides I have ever had - and I travel a lot. Thank you so much!!
Great to view the city
ratesha_h, Mar 2024
It was worth the money and the hot chocolate on board was amazing….i fun will do this again ……. Thank you
Lots to see and learn!
Femke_S, Mar 2024
Greatly enjoyed the tour. Learned and saw so much in a short amount of time! Definitely recommend if you are only in Chicago a short while.
architecture tour well worth the time
Cheryl_F, Mar 2024
Our tour guide was great, he talked a bit fast. However, in his defense there was way too much to cover to get all information in 90 minutes. Boat was clean and Captain was great.
This tour is a must.
George_C, Mar 2024
Our first time in Chicago. We are so happy that we decided to get this 90 min tour. It gave us great views. Good information. Our tour guide was funny and kept our attention the whole time. Boat was clean, organized, and offered drinks. Snacks. Etc. good times.
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Likely to Sell Out

From $44.00

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

  • 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

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