Sightseeing Cruises
1 hour
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 97% of travellers
97% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$90
per adult
THE 10 BEST Chicago Boat Rides & Cruises
Boat Rides & Cruises in Chicago
Revenue and your browsing history impact the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Category types
Boat Tours & Water Sports
Time of Day
Price
$0 - $1,000 +
Duration
Awards
Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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55 results sorted by featured
- Our Featured sort order ranks tours, activities, and experiences by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, your individual user browsing history and preferences while using Tripadvisor, the frequency of user clicks generally, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.
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Sightseeing Cruises
45 minutes
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 90% of travellers
90% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$52
per adult
Sightseeing Cruises
1–2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 92% of travellers
92% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$83
per adult
Likely To Sell Out
1–2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$83
per adult
Likely To Sell Out
1–2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$108
per adult
Bus Tours
2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$174
per adult
Private and Luxury
2–4 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 96% of travellers
96% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$88
per adult
Sightseeing Cruises
1–2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 95% of travellers
95% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$90
per adult
Sightseeing Cruises
30 minutes
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$60
per adult
Likely To Sell Out
3–4 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$182
per adult
Cultural Tours
1–2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$108
per adult
Sightseeing Cruises
1–2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 91% of travellers
91% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$83
per adult
Half-day Tours
4 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 97% of travellers
97% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$465
per adult
from
$255
per adult
Ghost Tours
3 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$182
per adult
Speed Boat Hire
1–2 hours
Recommended by 92% of travellers
92% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$114
per adult
Sightseeing Passes
3–11 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$54
per adult
Historical Tours
1–2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$165
per adult
from
$92
per adult
Sightseeing Cruises
1–2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$156
per adult
from
$193
per adult
from
$355
per adult
from
$275
per adult
Private and Luxury
1 hour
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$114
per adult
Showing results 1-30 of 55
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
What travellers are saying
- This was a lot of fun, educational, and filled beautiful views. The architecture there is world class and the fact you are able to experience it in this awesome way a core memory!I highly recommend the sunset trip. I will do it again when I’m in town. The tour guide was fun and informative. Make sure that you wear a jacket!!Written 19 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Great tour, great tour guide, reasonable price. I would highly recommend going on the architectural tour of Chicago. The buildings came alive when viewed from the river.Written 17 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- It was a beautiful ride and the tour guide was awesome! We love the drinks by the bar. We had a wonderful time celebrating our anniversaryWritten 18 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Andy DTHLondon, UKGreat little tour out and back - shame it wasn't longer but we had a great time. Fantastic sights and the tour guide was spot on.Written 24 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Great tour …great guide …we did the cocktail architecture tour
The experience to see the buildings at nite is just amazingWritten 1 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - TraceyC62Burpengary, AustraliaAn introduction to Chicago and a great cruise. As usual, the hop on hop off bus is a great way to get a feel and orientation to the city. The only downside is that it doesn't start to run until 10 am, so it does limit your time a bit getting around.
We liked the cruise very much and departed from the dock across the river from stop 1. It was very entertaining and interesting information about not just the buildings, but some city history also.Written 29 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - This was a great tour through Chicago! Rick is the best tourguide, told so many interesting and funny stories, it made the tour very entertaining.
Also Rick gave us very helpful tips before and throughout the tour, thank you again from "the Germans"
We highly recommend the tour!!!Written 2 July 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Fiona L.Claremont, CAI’m originally from Chicago and live in LA now. We took a family trip to visit friends and it was my boyfriend’s first time in Chicago so I booked this for us and my college aged son. The weather was absolutely horrible but the tour was so good that we sat outside in the freezing rain, under inadequate umbrellas, because we didn’t want to miss a word. We were frozen and completely soaked and it was worth it. I had never taken this tour and I plan to do it again next time I’m in Chicago, hopefully in better weather. Our guide was amazing and I felt like we all learned so much. I highly recommend this tour. You will not be sorry. Go!Written 26 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- They sold hats, gloves and blankets on the boat I had told my family of adults not to worry about the cold because every boat I’ve been on had blankets that they give you that’s This is the first place that sold them and that’s why they get a four instead of a fiveWritten 10 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Beautiful views, delish food, and great service! Heather was so nice! Perfect way to enjoy the river on a chilly day. Thanks!Written 8 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- We had a fantastic time on this tour. Joseph was a great tour guide. He was very knowledgeable and also fun/entertaining ( It was the right mix!) . Keith was an excellent driver. Strongly recommended it to anyone visiting Chicago and hoping to learn more about its rich history!Written 27 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JudiWBoston, MAPerfect start to our Chicago trip. I had never been to Chicago and thoroughly enjoyed being on the water and seeing the skyline. The buffet was good, not great, although there certainly was plenty to choose from.Written 8 October 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Tour guide was great,staff friendly. Boat a little crowded, but really enjoyed tour. For some reason this boat has metal bars going over it the top so hinders view a bit.Written 8 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- teamsnardyVincennes, INEnjoy a relaxing, historic and current event tour of Chicago’s ‘other shoreline’. Boats are clean, safe, punctual and very informative. Recommended on a warm summer evening. See the hidden side of the windy city.Written 23 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- sstandingUnited StatesRobert was the hands down the best tour guide we have ever had. He was professional, pleasant, and knowledgeable about the city. Everything was lined up for us, including tickets to the observation deck of the Willis (Sears) Tower, and the architectural boat tour. He accompanied us right through the check-in process. I would take this tour again in a heartbeat.Written 26 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
