Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady
Overview
Available languages
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
What To Expect
Chicago River
The story of the Chicago River is one that continues to unfold. Through periods of industry, transportation, revitalization and recreation, it has grown and changed like the city itself.
Chicago Architecture Center
The Chicago Architecture Center is directly across Wacker Drive from the Chicago's First Lady docks. Discounted admission of $5 per person is available if you show your river cruise ticket.
Options
Architectural River Cruise
Reviews
4,781 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Bad experience
MaryAnn R,
Sep 4, 2025
- Viator
1.00We did not get to go on this experience because your directions for parking were so bad that we never could find parking and miss the boat
It was a beautiful day on...
Timothy B,
Sep 3, 2025
- Viator
5.00It was a beautiful day on the river. Our guide was super informative. The architecture is amazing. Highly recommend this tour!
Afternoon tour
Patrick P,
Sep 3, 2025
- Viator
5.00Relaxing and informative, crew were amazing . boat was very clean and well run. Would definitely do this again !.
Fantastic River Tour
Fredrick W,
Sep 2, 2025
- Viator
5.00This was a wonderful tour. Patricia was an outstanding docent and educated us very well throughout the 90 minute tour.
Rough start, but redemption was had!
Dillon H,
Sep 2, 2025
- Viator
4.00This experience actually started out in a negative light. Due to traffic created by nearby protests we were running a bit behind. We arrived to checkin to see our boat already pulling away. The young lady at the counter was less than helpful, stressing that all other boat times were sold out and there was nothing they could do outside of telling us to come back the next morning - which we couldn't, because that's when we were flying back home. She was not very empathetic at all, and I knew we were hardly the first couple this situation had come up for. Since this was not an inexpensive excursion ($120 for two) I had to pull a Karen and ask to speak to the supervisor. The young lady that came out to speak to us however was a delight. Even though she initially echoed the same limitations, the empathy made a difference. She also went above and beyond by asked the deck crew that was preparing the next boat what they could do. Essentially what happened was - when that boat was fully boarded - they were able to signal to us if there were any free seats. There were, and we were able to jump on! The tour itself was great. We heard that booking with CAC was the move since it tends to be way more informational and focused on the architecture and storytelling. Our guide (name is blanking me) was super knowledgeable and was very capable of keeping the full boat engaged throughout the 90 minute ride. This did not go out to the lake at all, but seemed to cover all major stretches of the river. I would definitely recommend this tour to any out of towner looking to learn more about this history of these buildings and the riverwalk itself. If coming on a weekend, it sounds like that's when the protests and associated traffic becomes more common - so maybe allow yourself a good 45 min to an hour pre-arrival to account for that. Otherwise on a normal weekday we had gone done to the riverwalk and I bet you could walk right on within 15 minutes or so.
Related Experiences
Operated by Chicago Architecture Foundation & Chicago's First Lady Cruises