Bestseller

Historical and Architectural Chicago Fireboat River & Lake Cruise

4.93

4.9(332 reviews)

2 hours

English

Mobile ticket

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Overview

Available languages

English

2 hours

Mobile ticket

Travel on a piece of history, learning Chicago fire history as well as Architecture! We travel on Lake Michigan and through the Chicago River seeing the sights. Perfect for Fire enthusiasts, families and everyone in between! Our flagship vessel is a retired Chicago fire boat, the Fred A Busse, Engine 41, which served Chicago from 1937 to 1981. Firefighter patches from around the world and memorabilia from Engine 41's time in service, adorn the walls inside the cabin.

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Important Note: We only serve alcoholic drinks for travelers 21 years old and above. Minor travelers below 21 years old will be served non-alcoholic drinks.

Harbor Parking at 111 N. Lakeshore Drive. Access to parking in same intersection as harbor.

What To Expect

Chicago River

Learn about the Chicago river and the history surrounding it.

Admission Not Applicable

Options

Historical and Architectural Chicago Fireboat River & Lake Cruise

What‘s Included

Bathrooms available onboard

Cruise on a piece of Chicago history

Expert narration of Chicago's history & architecture

Light snacks available for purchase onboard

Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase onboard

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.93

332 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

317

Great trip the weather didn’t cooperate with.
Karl D,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Unfortunately, it was too windy for the Fireboat to navigate the waters. The staff on the boat were very pleasant and disappointed that we couldn’t leave the dock. We were refunded the entire cost. We are hopeful that we can return the summer to experience the tour.
2 babes and a brew
Debra M,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00
Relaxing experience. People running the boat were very very nice. Could use a bit more information about architecture
Amazing!...
Sue S,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Amazing! The staff was very helpful with small children. Very Informative about the history of Chicago, the architecural history along the river and waterfront of the lake. The tour is beyond 5 stars.
Top River sightseeing Trip
Sue M,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Was a brilliant trip full of information and history and going through the Lock was a great experience. Being on a boat that was also part of the Lake and River history made the experience even more enjoyable. Really got it all on this tour - history, architecture, and the Chicago Lake waterfront. Highly recommend this trip.
2 babes and a view
ELWGrammy03,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00
First let me say the crew was excellent and enjoyed them. Our problem was we were interested in architectural information and didn’t d not feel cruise met the mark on this.
Amazing experience! Our...
Sarah G,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Amazing experience! Our entire family enjoyed this, even our finicky teenagers. Gorgeous views and Cliff was an awesome narrator.
If you’re on a time...
Jillian S,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00
If you’re on a time constraint, don’t chance it! Our boat was held for an additional 30 minutes and the location is extremely hard to catch an uber or Lyft from. As long as you allow for extra time, you’ll be fine. The tour in total was more like 4 hours, with the wait times. The guide was GREAT! He was thorough and very informative.
Packed with history in an entertaining way!
305georgettef,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Enjoyable cruise full of historical information not only about the Fred A Busse, but many different aspects of Chicago’s waterway and architecture from Fort Dearborn, to the Great Chicago Fire, to Al Capone, to present.
Cute and rustic.
Nicola B,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
There’s no shade whilst waiting to board and they only start boarding 10 minutes before departure. The onboard drinks are very expensive. The knowledge of the crew is amazing. A thoroughly enjoyable trip.
Fire Boat architectural Tour
Ronald L,Jun 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
It was a great experience. Worth the time and money. We really enjoyed it and the guides were terrific.