6 Best Boat Tours and Cruises in Chicago

The Chicago River is one of the most important elements in the identity of this beautiful American city. In fact, many of the things to see and do in Chicago revolve around this body of water that divides the city centre between north and south, east and west.

I invite you to read about the best options available to you if you are planning a trip on one of the Chicago River cruises that offer a short but enjoyable journey that you will remember for the rest of your life.

The area crossed by the Chicago River has one of the most significant concentrations of skyscrapers per square kilometre on the entire planet. The Tribune Tower with its neo-Gothic architecture, the Ellis Tower with its simple and iconic modernist style, and the Wrigley Building with its combination of neoclassical and Renaissance patterns are just some of the architectural treasures in the area.

For this reason, it makes sense that a cruise on the Chicago River focused on entertainment that highlights the architectural beauty of the area is one of the best itineraries if you are looking for a guided tour of the waters of this river.

The entire route of this section of the river is crossed by countless bridges that connect the city's avenues with the north and south of Chicago's financial and tourist district. You will also have the opportunity to admire the marvels of modern engineering in some of these bridges, such as the one at Michigan Avenue or the one on Dearborn Street, right in front of the iconic skyscrapers of the Marina City Goldberg Complex.

Details of interest

• Prices: a tour of this kind usually costs around £48 or £50 per adult.
• Duration: cruises focusing on the architectural history of the area along the Chicago River usually last approximately 1.5 hours.

Twice the fun for the price of a single event is always a good decision. Therefore, it makes sense that cruises that combine a tour of the Chicago River with a tour of the shores of Lake Michigan are one of the best ways to see both places. These are so important for tourism in this city that they are considered unmissable by most locals.

Keep in mind that the Lake Michigan coastline is quite attractive to local tourists in the state of Illinois and offers a complete view of the skyline of the second city with the most skyscrapers in the United States.

Depending on the time of year you visit, you may encounter a winter scene where the freezing point is quite close in the lake waters or a beautiful summer setting. The latter is so seductive that it attracts hundreds of thousands of people to the artificially created beaches on the lake's shores, such as 12th Street Beach or the well-known Oak Street Beach.

Details of interest

• Prices: around €45 for adults.
• Duration: a tour like this usually lasts approximately 1 hour and a half.

There is a third option among the best cruises on the Chicago River, which are boats that take you on a night-time tour of both the beautiful riverfront that runs through the city from west to north and south and the shores of Lake Michigan. This allows you to see the entire lakefront from the southern end, where the Adler Planetarium and Field Museum are located, to the North Avenue Beach area, where Lincoln Park is located.

The itinerary is basically the same as in the previous proposal, but the big difference is that all this takes place under the moonlight and surrounded by countless artificial lights in a sea of buildings, creating one of the most iconic night-time panoramas of large modern American cities.

During Christmas, this walk is a real spectacle because you can also enjoy the Christmas decorations along the city's waterfront, such as Navy Pier and the entire Riverwalk area along the Chicago River. That's why it ranks as one of those things to see or do in Chicago at Christmas without having to spend so much money or time.

Details of interest

• Prices: adults usually pay around £40.
• Duration: one and a half hours.

There is a perfect alternative if you want to combine sightseeing and adrenaline during your visit to Chicago, and that is to hop on a high-speed boat that races across Lake Michigan at full throttle. For about 30 minutes, you'll ride on a 2,000-horsepower boat while taking in some of the city's most iconic sights, such as the imposing Willis Tower, Buckingham Fountain and the iconic Michigan Avenue.

This tour is not only notable for its speed and excitement, but also for the unique views of the Chicago skyline from the water. All this is accompanied by entertaining explanations that will allow you to learn interesting facts about the history and architecture of the city as you cruise one of the five great lakes of North America.

This is an ideal option if you fancy a different and short activity that you can easily fit into your itinerary, without giving up a fun and energetic experience.

Details of interest

• Prices: from €30
• Duration: approximately 30 minutes.

If you prefer a more relaxed and sophisticated experience, this dinner cruise is a fantastic option. Aboard a luxury boat, you will cruise Lake Michigan while enjoying a three-course menu prepared by a professional chef and an atmosphere where every detail has been carefully considered.

The evening is rounded off with live music from a DJ and spectacular views of the illuminated Chicago skyline. Your reservation guarantees you a table so you can relax and share the experience with your companions in an elegant and special setting.

Details of interest

• Prices: check the updated price when booking.
• Duration: between 2.5 and 3 hours.

There is a comprehensive alternative if you want to discover Chicago from different perspectives. This tour combines a guided tour of the city with a cruise on Lake Michigan and admission to the Skydeck of the Willis Tower, where you can enjoy unique panoramic views.

For about 4 hours, a professional guide will accompany you as you explore the main points of interest and learn about their history. In addition, the experience is carried out in small groups of up to 6 people and includes round-trip transportation to your hotel so you don't have to worry about a thing.

Details of interest

• Prices: check the updated price when booking.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours.

The best way to book cruises on the Chicago River, whether it's a daytime or night-time tour, is always online. By booking online, you receive immediate confirmation of your purchase, you can check the dates and times available for booking, and you can also understand all the details of the payment and refund policies for cancelling your booking.

You can also go to one of the departure points for these tours, such as the Riverwalk or Navy Pier. However, there is no guarantee that the prices for immediate purchase will be as favourable as those I have mentioned, nor is there any guarantee that you will be able to get tickets for all your companions at that precise moment.

The first tip I can give you to fully enjoy cruises on the Chicago River is to be willing to listen to what the guide has to say if you are interested in the history of your surroundings. If this is not the case, then I recommend that you sit at the other end of the boat so that you don't have to feel like you have to lower your voice when talking to your companions and can enjoy the experience on your own terms.

Choosing what to wear is another issue that you cannot fail to prioritise when taking one of these river cruises. Chicago is a city known for its harsh autumns and winters, which require several layers of clothing to cope with. Meanwhile, the harsh summer sun can become your worst enemy if you don't have adequate sun protection for your skin or breathable, cool fabrics.

As you may have noticed, these river tours are quite affordable and offer you the opportunity to get to know the financial and historical heart of the city without having to spend too much time walking or spending lots of money on personalised guides.

These savings can be very appealing if you are planning to visit other iconic places in the city. By paying for a relatively inexpensive attraction like this, you can have money left over to buy tickets to the Field Museum for an afternoon full of natural history or to the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago if you decide to go for a more abstract and modernist approach.