Architecture cruise on the Chicago River from Michigan Ave
Activities

Architecture cruise on the Chicago River from Michigan Ave

4.7/5
Excellent
Based on 18 reviews
from
$44.44
Free cancellation
Language: English
Mobile voucher accepted
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Why you’ll love this…
  • Admire Chicago’s amazing urban architecture from the Chicago River
  • Sail down and view works of Bertrand Goldberg, Jeanne Gang and Mies van der Rohe
  • Take photos of the picturesque skyline at Wolf Point
  • Make your friends back home envious with great photo ops
What to expect

This picturesque 75-minute cruise is led by a professional guide who shares exciting details and historical significance of the buildings that line the Chicago River. Boarding at the dock on Michigan Avenue, you’ll sail down all three branches of the Chicago River--the main branch, north branch and south branch.

While on the main branch, you’ll marvel at the works of Bertrand Goldberg and Jeanne Gang. Afterward, reach the north branch and witness the vast contrast in how architecture on the Chicago River has changed over time. Enjoy amazing photo opportunities at Wolf Point, and then sail down the south branch where you’ll see Chicago’s iconic Willis Tower. You'll even hear the dramatic story of how Chicago rose from the ashes of the Great Fire of 1871.

Buildings along the tour: 35 East Wacker, 222 North LaSalle, 225 West Wacker, 311 South Wacker, 333 North Michigan, 333 West Wacker, 401 North Michigan, Aon Center, Apple Store, Aqua, Boeing World Headquarters, Central US Post Office, Chicago Board of Trade, Cityfront Center, Civic Opera Building, East Bank Club, Fulton House, IBM Building, Jewelers Building, John Hancock Center, Lake Point Tower, LaSalle-Wacker Building, Leo Burnett Building, London Guarantee Building, Marina City, Merchandise Mart, Montgomery Ward Complex, Navy Pier, NBC Tower Chicago, Plaza Citicorp Center, Prudential Plaza, RR Donnelley Center, River City, River Cottages, Tribune Tower, Trump Tower, USG Building Riverside, Willis Tower (Sears Tower).

Read more
What's included
  • check Professional narration of tour highlights
What's not included
  • x_not_included Food and drinks (available on most tours)
Where

Michigan Avenue – 401 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611

Meeting point:
Please note, the meeting point corresponds to the flagship Apple Store located at this dock.
What to remember

Know in advance:

  • Tours last 75 minutes, except for March, April, and November, where tours run 60 minutes
  • This tour is only available in English
  • Please note that upper decks are open-aired
  • Restrooms are located on the boat's lower deck, and can only be accessible by stairs
  • Leashed dogs are welcome on the tour
Read more
Provider
SHORELINE SIGHTSEEING
Booking fee
We know. Nobody likes extra fees. But not only do they cover the cost of managing your booking, they let us give you 24/7 customer service and a free app to access your tickets and discover more city sights.
Cancellation policy
Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 24 hours before the experience begins.

What people say about this experience

Excellent

4.7/5

Based on 18 reviews from verified customers

72%
22%
6%
0%
0%
  • Anonymous

    From United States of America - July 2025

    Excellent

    Overall rated

    5/5

  • Anonymous

    From United States of America - May 2024

    Average

    Overall rated

    3/5

    Our electronic tickets were refused. Told us they were for Wendella Went to Wendella and they confirmed tickets were for Shoreline Tours and not Wende ...

  • Anonymous

    From United States of America - May 2024

    Excellent

    Overall rated

    5/5

    Our tour guide was amazing! I am not even interested in architecture, and yet it was super fascinating! Enjoyed it a ton!

  • Anonymous

    From United States of America - June 2023

    Excellent

    Overall rated

    5/5

    Docent was very informative and funny. Made the experience very pleasurable

  • Anonymous

    From Switzerland - November 2022

    Great

    Overall rated

    4/5

  • Anonymous

    From United States of America - October 2022

    Excellent

    Overall rated

    5/5

    Tour was fun and Courtney was amazing! So funny and full of interesting information. Highly recommend this boat tour!!

You might also like

Chasse au trésor interactive à Chicago
Activités

Chasse au trésor interactive à Chicago

Libérez le détective qui sommeille en vous avec la chasse aux mystères Murder in The Chicago Loop à Chicago. Résolvez l'affaire et remportez la victoire.

free cancellation
Available in:

en 

Match de baseball des White Sox de Chicago au Guaranteed Rate Field
Billets et événements

Match de baseball des White Sox de Chicago au Guaranteed Rate Field

Laissez-vous emporter par l'atmosphère électrisante de la foule animée du Chicago White Sox Guaranteed Rate Field.

Duration 2 hours 30 minutes
Available in:

en 

Confirmation Instantanée
Match de baseball des Cubs de Chicago au Wrigley Field
Billets et événements

Match de baseball des Cubs de Chicago au Wrigley Field

Choisissez parmi une large sélection de dates de match des Cubs de Chicago contre certaines des meilleures équipes de baseball et laissez-vous emporter par l'atmosphère électrisante de la foule animée.

Duration 2 hours 30 minutes
Available in:

en 

Confirmation Instantanée
Billet pour un match de football des Chicago Bears à Soldier Field
Billets et événements

Billet pour un match de football des Chicago Bears à Soldier Field

Profitez de l'atmosphère d'un match de la NFL et encouragez les Bears de Chicago au Soldier Field.

Duration 3 hours 30 minutes
Available in:

en 

Confirmation Instantanée
Billets et visite audio du Field Museum of Natural History
Attractions et visites guidées

Billets et visite audio du Field Museum of Natural History

Réservez vos billets pour le Field Museum of Natural History de Chicago et découvrez ses points forts guidés par votre propre visite audio intégrée à l'application.

Duration 2 hours
Available in:

en 

Confirmation Instantanée
Visite audio autoguidée des points forts et des trésors cachés de Chicago
Visites à pied

Visite audio autoguidée des points forts et des trésors cachés de Chicago

Admirez la ville pleine de grands gratte-ciels et de parcs urbains et découvrez pourquoi le cours de la rivière Chicago a été inversé et comment cela a aidé la ville.

Duration 3 hours
Available in:

en 

Confirmation Instantanée
Visite audio autoguidée du cimetière Graceland de Chicago
Attractions et visites guidées

Visite audio autoguidée du cimetière Graceland de Chicago

Profitez de la beauté et de la tranquillité du cimetière de Graceland, trouvez l'une des plus anciennes pierres tombales de Graceland et visitez le lieu de repos de Daniel Burnha.

Duration up to 1 hour 30 minutes
Available in:

en 

Confirmation Instantanée
Visite guidée à pied des trésors historiques de l'âge d'or de Chicago
Activités

Visite guidée à pied des trésors historiques de l'âge d'or de Chicago

Découvrez les grands monuments architecturaux de Michigan Avenue et State Street avec cette visite guidée à pied.

free cancellation
Available in:

en 

Visite souterraine des beignets du West Loop de Chicago
Nourriture et boissons

Visite souterraine des beignets du West Loop de Chicago

Préparez-vous à découvrir la délicieuse scène gastronomique de Chicago lors de cette douce visite souterraine des beignets du West Loop.

free cancellation
Available in:

en 

Visite audio à pied du centre-ville de Chicago
Activités

Visite audio à pied du centre-ville de Chicago

Réservez dès maintenant cette visite audio à pied du centre-ville de Chicago pour en savoir plus sur l'histoire et l'architecture de Chicago et explorer la ville à votre rythme !

Duration 1 hour
Available in:

en 

Confirmation Instantanée