Chicago By Night River and Lake Cruise
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Glide along the Chicago River and Lakefront as you're dazzled by the sparkle of the city at night! Enjoy breathtaking views of the dramatic skyscrapers and Buckingham Fountain's spectacular light display. Hear lively commentary as you feel the night breeze and see Chicago’s skyline transformed into a glittering jewel. A one-of-a-kind experience to scratch off your Chicago bucket list. Family-friendly cruises are our specialty!
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Discounted parking available at 111 E. Wacker Drive. Please visit the dockside box office for parking ticket validation
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Chicago River
Travel along the Chicago River to learn about the city's rich history as our lively tour guides bring Chicago to life with interesting stories.
Lake Michigan
Admire the Chicago skyline as you cruise along Lake Michigan.
What‘s Included
All taxes, fees and handling charges
Restroom on board
Live commentary on board
Snacks and beverages are available for purchase onboard.
Gratuities
Options
Priority Boarding
Please arrive 30 minutes early: Priority Boarding Tickets include an exclusive early boarding period and the skip-the-queue during general boarding.
General Boarding
Reviews
304 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Long weekend trip
Sam R,Apr 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing cruise well worth it. The boat was clean and comfortable.,.........................................
Olivia was amazing with...
Krittika N,Apr 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Olivia was amazing with her treasure trove of knowledge about the city which my husband and I found to be both entertaining and informative ..enjoyed our time on board!!one of the must-dos if you visit !
Doug was great! Very...
Tyler W,Apr 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Doug was great! Very knowledgeable, fun, and courteous! Would definitely recommend! Beautiful views and learned a ton
Highly recommend not only...
Cierra M,Apr 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Highly recommend not only for the history but the scenery. Our tour guide was Doug and he did phenomenal!
Wonderful, such a nice...
Gracie M,Apr 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Wonderful, such a nice beautiful ride. The guide I believe Matthew was great aswell. 10 out of 10!!!
Awesome night cruise!
marcuseG8420RW,Apr 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Did the night river and lake cruise, weather was a risk but still soo worth it, great history here too and host Savanna was cool! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Good, but uncomfortable.
stevevQ2540ZB,Nov 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Enjoyed the experience. Very informative and interesting. However seating was not satisfactory. The seats were folding chairs, very uncomfortable. And they were placed to close together. Making for uncomfortable movement in and out of aisles.
Recommend during warmer climate
Aaron D,Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00The experience was nice however due to the fact of the time of year we went being November it was very cold out so we opted to stay inside the boat and not go up to the top deck. From inside the boat due to engine noise and the sounds of the boat creaking, it was very difficult to hear the tour guide. Sights were good but could not hear the history. Louder speakers and more speakers would have made the experience better.
Take this tour
ChristineK S,Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Very nice boat ride :-) even in bad weather, excellent and informative. Clean boat in good condition.
Tour Guide was Exceptional!
Kelly B,Nov 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00I went on a nighttime river/lake 90 min cruise on Nov 7, 2025. It was cold, windy, and started raining. Was still worth it because the tour guide was phenomenal. She was knowledgeable and entertaining. I swear she knew more about those buildings and the history of Chicago than I do about most of my family members. I would bring any one back to hear her. The night views were beautiful. And when it stopped raining it looked like we were in a movie. Honestly would have been a 5 star rating if the chairs weren’t so uncomfortable. To get enough seating, smaller chairs are understandable, however, fixed arms on the chairs make it rough for larger patrons.
From US$50.00
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