Chicago Seadog River & Lake Architectural Tour
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 15 minutes
Mobile ticket
Soak in unobstructed views of Chicago’s world-famous architecture from the water with an exciting ride on our Seadog River and Lake Architectural Tour! Sail through the Chicago Harbor Locks to the River’s iconic skyscrapers. Enjoy amusing and informative narration for a fascinating tour through the city’s architectural history as you pass the Civic Opera House, the Merchandise Mart, and the Willis Tower. Buckle up for a thrilling finale on Lake Michigan to top off this family and dog-friendly experience and cruise along the skyline at top Seadog speed!
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Coast Guard regulations require a photo ID for each guest to board
All cruises are weather permitting
What To Expect
Apple Michigan Avenue
Seadog Cruises offers the most fun and exciting ways to see the city
Tribune Tower
Views of world famous architecture
Options
Michigan Ave 75 Min Tour
75 Min Architectural Tour: 75 Min Architectural Tour (Michigan Ave) Boarding point is at River Esplanade (Chicago Riverwalk Near Michigan Ave)
What‘s Included
This ride also includes a short speedboat ride portion on the lake
Lakefront, through the locks, and along the Chicago River all the way to the famous Willis Tower
Scenic views of Chicago's famous buildings and unique architecture
75 minute Architectural tour and speedboat ride on Lake Michigan
Seadog is BYOB - bring your own drinks to enjoy on the water (no glass containers)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
272 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
They canceled the tour at...
Lisa M,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00They canceled the tour at the last minute after we paid an uber to get there. No reason was given for the cancellation.
Family Fun on the Water!
S1507SLdavidc,May 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our family of 4 including 2 teenagers took the Seadog Architectural River Tour. Despite it being on the chilly side 2 days before June we thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Ryan was our guide and he did an amazing job as he was entertaining and informative and even took some great photos of us during the tour. I would absolutely recommend this tour for all ages. The city of Chicago has some incredible buildings and architecture and this is a great way to experience many of them.
Viator drop the ball🤔☹️
George Z,May 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00When I got to the venue, they didn’t recognize that I had a ticket! thank God, the guy let me on the ship and said we’ll work it out later.
Ryan was fun and very...
Jorie K,May 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Ryan was fun and very knowledgeable. The weather was perfect on top of it. Taking a fast trip at the end in Lake Michigan was the perfect ending!
Avoid “Skunk” as your host at all costs
jackiet116,May 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00“Skunk” was a horrible host of our Memorial Day family speed boat outing. As people that enjoy SpeedDog a few times each Summer for over a decade, I’ve never had a host that has been so crass or outright obnoxious. This started with breezing over the life vest instructions, which was particularly worrisome for the numerous parents on board with little ones. Kids were panics that they couldn’t see the life vests, and the host didn’t bother to tell guests where to find these on the boat. Instead he was more interested in making bad jokes about having 1 on board. Huge red flag. From there, offensive comments about the Navy being drunks and other offensive statements were even more tone deaf on Memorial Day. His continued jokes about his own suspended license and bad life choices just read as pathetic, not comedic at all. This trip would have been so much more enjoyable if he wouldn’t have been on board. At the end of they ask for applause and tips for the host. Almost no one clapped, which spoke to the idea that most families shared the same feeling my family had, as well as the rows in front of and behind me. What a disappointment.
Couldn’t find record of tickets
Lauren G,May 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00These tickets did not work. The City Cruises folks couldn’t find the record of purchase anywhere so we were not able to board
Sea Dog is our go to boat tour!
Global28082449217,May 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ryan was a great tour guide! Very knowledgeable and made it fun! He seems to love what he does and is passionate about Chicago, the architecture and its history. It was a pleasure being aboard!
Darrin was great!
JJ G,Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Informative and fun! Darrin was enthusiastic and super knowledgeable on Chicago’s history and architecture.
Fun and informative tour
grullonmaria286,Oct 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was an amazing tour, Bryan the tour’s guide, gave a good architectural history information on each building we saw, plus he made the ride fun to be on the boat the entire time. I strongly recommend …
Great experience
Sami J,Oct 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a great combo of seeing the skyline from Lake Michigan, architecture river cruise and experiencing a speedboat.
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Operated by City Cruises