Chicago Architectural River Cruise
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Take in the views on this award-winning 90-minute Architectural Tour, a jaw-dropping excursion through a city that defies all expectations!
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Minimum drinking age is 21 years
Refunds will not be issued if tour/activity is missed due to late or non-arrival of cruise ship
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages. Coffee. Lemonade. Coke products.
Live commentary on board
Beer, wine, and cocktails (available for purchase)
What To Expect
Chicago
Throughout our signature cruise one of our award-winning Docents will present more than 50 skyscrapers, bascule bridges, and historic sites.
Chicago River
On your Architectural Tour, you will learn how the Great Chicago Fire jumped a river and allowed for visionaries of structural steel and plate glass, such as John Wellborn Root, William Le Baron Jenney, Louis Sullivan (Wright’s mentor) and Daniel Burnham, in less than ten years, lift Chicago from the ashes of the fire to new heights. Chicago’s ascent continued into the 20th century with titanic figures such as Bertrand Goldberg, Fazlur Khan and Mies van der Rohe – (higher/taller) buildings, sleeker – and it has soared in the 21st century with audacious new steeples such as The Trump Tower and Aqua designed by Jeanne Gang, an internationally known artist of architectural design.
Options
Architecture River Cruise
Reviews
790 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Exceptional Tour
Bridgette H,
Sep 7, 2025
- Viator
5.00Tyler was very informative and entertaining tour guide. I would definitely take another guided tour with him.
Very knowledgeable. ...
Jill M,
Sep 7, 2025
- Viator
5.00Very knowledgeable. Bring a jacket. It was chilly. Loved all the details and learned a lot. Perfect amount of time.
New Information
Michael T,
Sep 6, 2025
- Viator
5.00The tour was very informative about the history and architecture of Chicago! The changes of the Chicago river was such a surprise !
Our tour guide, Jim, was...
Beth C,
Sep 2, 2025
- Viator
5.00Our tour guide, Jim, was amazing & so knowledgeable about the history & architecture throughout Chicago.
What a Wonderful Chicago History Lesson
Stephen G,
Aug 31, 2025
- Viator
5.00The cruise and the guy who presented to info as we rolled down the river, was excellent. We learned so much Chicago history, and of course viewed the awesome buildings along the Chicago River. I highly recommend spending 2 hours on this most relaxing, and enjoyable excursion!
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Operated by Chicago Line Cruises