Chicago Sightseeing River and Lake Cruise

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. The tour cruises along the main branch of the river. You’ll hear stories and insights about Chicago’s most iconic buildings and skyline landmarks.

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2. Cruise along Lake Michigan for stunning views of the Chicago skyline.

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3. Features nearly 50 acres of parks, promenades, gardens, shops, restaurants, and attractions, including the iconic Centennial Wheel, which rises nearly 200 feet above Lake Michigan.

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4. See the 100-story, 1,128-foot skyscraper on the Magnificent Mile, from the lake.

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5. One of the largest natural history museums in the world!

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6. Shedd Aquarium was once the largest indoor aquarium in the world.

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7. See this famous planetarium in the heart of Chicago's museum campus.

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8. Soldier Field is a Chicago landmark and home to the Chicago Bears.

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9. Located in the center of Grant Park. Dedicated in 1927, it is one of the largest fountains in the world!

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10. The Wrigley Building was constructed as the corporate headquarters of the Wrigley Company, the famous maker of chewing gum.

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11. See the twin 65-story towers along the Chicago River known for their distinctive circular design and mixed-use layout.

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Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 744 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Showing reviews written in English.

• 5Great tour

  Very good river and lake tour. Excellent narration of the architecture highlights. One of the few tours that exits the locks and gives great views of the city skyline.

  Kenneth_EOctober 2026via Viator

• 1We were 2 minutes late...

  We were 2 minutes late and they would not let us us board even though boat did not leave yet. Ended up not giving us a refund either

  Sharon_TOctober 2026via Viator

• 5Excellent

  1st time in Chicago, this boat tour was Excellent, and very Informative...Highly recommended, I will be back

  Tyrone_ZOctober 2026via Viator

• 5Excellent! I would...

  Excellent! I would recommend checking the sunset time to make sure you don't get the glare! I like the bar underneath! Savanna our guide was great!

  Ted_LOctober 2026via Viator

• 5Best river cruise in town

  One of the best ways to experience Chicago Lakefront architecture, Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. Worth every dime. Don't miss it.

  Shakil_MOctober 2026via Viator

• 5Great experience

  What a great way to spend a couple of hours on the water looking at beautiful Chicago. Highly recommended.

  C9200LOrogeraOctober 2026via Tripadvisor

Know before you go

How it compares in Chicago

• Its from-price is 46% below the median of the 106 city tours we list in Chicago.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 13 of 106.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Chicago

Chicago is a Great Lakes city on Lake Michigan, famed for skyscraper architecture, deep-dish pizza, blues and jazz and a long lakefront of parks.

Chicago rebuilt itself after the fire of 1871 and became the cradle of the skyscraper. The Chicago River runs through the Loop, where tall towers rise, and boat tours explain the architecture from the water. Millennium Park's mirrored Cloud Gate sculpture, known as the Bean, and the Art Institute of Chicago, with its Impressionist paintings, are close together. Willis Tower has a glass-floored observation deck.

Top-ranked sights in Chicago: Navy Pier, Wrigley Building, The Magnificent Mile.

See all 524 experiences in Chicago