Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady

From USD 56

4.92

3,536 reviews

Check availability

Overview

Available languages

English

1 hour 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

The Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady has long been the gold standard among all Chicago tour experiences, and is the only Chicago architecture boat tour led by highly trained expert docents. On this 90-minute cruise, you will enjoy an overview of historic and modern architectural styles including stories about the people who designed and built Chicago.

As a certified nonprofit, all ticket purchases directly support education efforts and community engagement projects. No visit to Chicago is complete without experiencing this award winning tour, so accept no substitutes.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Children must be accompanied by an adult

Not recommended for children younger than 12 years

Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately

IMPORTANT: For safety reasons, motorized scooters and electric wheelchairs cannot be accommodated. Guests who are able to transfer may use the company's manual wheelchair based on availability.

WARNING: Tickets are not refundable or transferrable to other departures.

Pets are not allowed

IMPORTANT: There is no elevator access to the boat dock.

IMPORTANT: Most, but not all, departures are wheelchair accessible, please advise at time of booking if wheelchair assistance is required

All seating is General Admission. Boarding is on a first come, first serve basis

Routes, specific vessels, and schedules are subject to change without notice

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

What‘s Included

Local guide (docents)

Restroom on board

Live commentary on board

River sightseeing cruise

Climate controlled lower level

Drinks & light snacks (available to purchase)

Storage for luggage

WiFi on board

Options

Architectural River Cruise

Reviews

4.92

3,536 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

3375

100

Kelly was a fantastic Docent
steve b,
May 6, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Kelly is a Chicago native with exceptional knowledge of the City and Architecture. This Excursion could not have been any better than it was. Thank you!
Fabulous and informative...
Gloria M,
May 6, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Fabulous and informative tour. Highly recommend. Tour guide was knowledgeable and engaging. Tour was just the right length.
I only recommend on a nice day due to drunk/loud people in lower level.
Amber F,
May 5, 2025
- Viator
3.00
Pros: Friendly staff and the docent (tour guide) was very knowledgeable and interesting, at least from what we could hear (which was minimal). Cons: Even in early may, it was a cold day (in the upper 40's low 50's), so we sat down in the lower level. It started raining halfway through our tour, leading almost everyone to come down to stay dry. Unfortunately, the tour serves alcohol, so that leads to drunk, loud people who ruined our tour because we could not hear the presentation down in the lower level. Instead of paying attention and being relatively quiet and respectful, almost all of them were shouting and carrying on so we heard so little of the presentation. They have seats around round tables in the lower level, which encouraged people to use it as a bar/loud restaurant instead of an architectural tour. It would be like going to a nice museum and serving alcohol around tables. Just didn't work for us. I would only go again on this tour on a nice day to be up on the upper deck, where seats were arranged in rows and we could actually get something out of the great presentation.
Best river architecture tour
Susan V,
May 4, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Extremely informed architecture tour by a guide who was so knowledgable and clearly proud of her beautiful city
Fantastic Architecture 101 class on Chicago’s famous skyscrapers
Terri M,
May 2, 2025
- Viator
5.00
This is the best Chicago Architecture cruises as the docents are from the Chicago Architecture Center. I learned so much from my docent about the different styles of architectures, individual buildings, and historical importance. The cruise can get cold due to the winds off the river so bring a coat!