Historical and Architectural Chicago Fireboat River & Lake Cruise
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Travel on a piece of history, learning Chicago fire history as well as Architecture! We travel on Lake Michigan and through the Chicago River seeing the sights. Perfect for Fire enthusiasts, families and everyone in between! Our flagship vessel is a retired Chicago fire boat, the Fred A Busse, Engine 41, which served Chicago from 1937 to 1981. Firefighter patches from around the world and memorabilia from Engine 41's time in service, adorn the walls inside the cabin.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Important Note: We only serve alcoholic drinks for travelers 21 years old and above. Minor travelers below 21 years old will be served non-alcoholic drinks.
Harbor Parking at 111 N. Lakeshore Drive. Access to parking in same intersection as harbor.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Bathrooms available onboard
Cruise on a piece of Chicago history
Expert narration of Chicago's history & architecture
Light snacks available for purchase onboard
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase onboard
What To Expect
Chicago River
Learn about the Chicago river and the history surrounding it.
Options
Historical and Architectural Chicago Fireboat River & Lake Cruise
Reviews
201 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
More of a private tour feel with no crowds on this boat!
steven f,
Sep 10, 2025
- Viator
5.00Great tour on historic old Chicago fireboat Excellent crew. Tour narration was informative and well done. About 40 customers on the boat versus 100+ on many of the other river tour boats makes the fireboat a much nicer cruise.
great experience
mary b,
Sep 6, 2025
- Viator
5.00Very cool to be on an old fireboat since my husband is a Firefighter. Great experience and very interesting tour
I had an amazing...
Ifeoluwa A,
Sep 6, 2025
- Viator
5.00I had an amazing experience, and I’m confident you will too! I gained so much knowledge about Chicago and its stunning architecture. The team was fantastic, making the tour truly worthwhile.
Excellent tour of the greatest city in the world.
Brett 7,
Sep 5, 2025
- Viator
5.00The tour was excellent. The boat itself is a part of Chicago history. Cliff gave a great explanation of all the historical architectural hotspots. I would highly recommend this tour if you want to spend some time on the water.
Superb tour
John B,
Sep 2, 2025
- Viator
5.00Superb tour with extremely well informed guide/crew. Definitely worth doing. Good value and not to be missed.
Related Experiences
Operated by Chicago Fireboat Tours