Chicago River Ghost Tour: Great Fire & Eastland Disaster

Two Disasters, One River: Chicago's Darkest Stories Told from the Water

You board at the Chicago Riverwalk and spend two hours on the water hearing about the Great Chicago Fire, the Eastland Disaster, and the curses locals still talk about. The guide answers every question, the group stays small, and you can bring your own drinks and snacks to make the afternoon comfortable. Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in, and you're done by early evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Chicago River guided ghost tour

• Arrive early at Chicago Riverwalk
• Board the boat for ghost tour
• Pass by Chicago Riverwalk and learn history
• See Ft Dearborn settlement site south side
• View Jean Baptiste Point Du Sable's cottage north side
• Spot John Hancock building by Chicago Locks
• Learn about Great Chicago Fire site
• See Eastland Disaster site on river
• Hear about building curse stories
• Enjoy bring-your-own snacks and beverages

The experience

The guide mentions the curse before you even leave the dock, and you're not sure if he's joking. Turns out, the land beneath the John Hancock building (875 N Michigan Ave, the fifth-tallest in Chicago) carries a weight most visitors never think about. Over the next two hours on the Chicago River, you'll learn why locals still call it by its old name, and what happened on these banks that shaped the city's character in ways the tourist brochures skip over. The boat holds up to 18 people, small enough that you can actually ask questions without shouting, and the guide seems to genuinely want you to.

The tour starts at the Chicago Riverwalk and moves south first, past the site where Fort Dearborn once stood: the first American settlement here. Then north to where Jean Baptiste Point Du Sable's cottage sat, before the river itself became the story. You'll pass the exact spot where the Great Chicago Fire started in 1871, and then the guide takes you to the site of the Eastland Disaster, where over 800 people died in what's considered the largest maritime disaster on the Great Lakes. It's not the kind of history that feels distant or academic when you're standing on the water where it happened. The guide doesn't sensationalize it. He just tells you what occurred and lets the weight of the numbers do the work.

What makes this Chicago River ghost tour different is the setup itself. You can bring your own drinks and snacks, no glass, and there's a u-shaped bar with coolers on board, so you're not just listening to dark history, you're doing it while actually comfortable. Fifteen minutes of early arrival gets you checked in and ready to depart on time, which matters if you've got other plans that day. The whole thing runs 120 minutes, which is long enough to cover the major events without feeling rushed, but short enough that you're not stuck on a boat for half the day.

What’s included

• A 120-minute guided tour on the Chicago River with a local knowledgeable guide.
• coolers and ice provided on board.
• permission to bring your own beverages and food (no glass).
• small group setting with up to 18 passengers.
• coverage of Chicago's haunted history including the Great Chicago Fire, Eastland Disaster, and local curses.

Before you book

Days and timesFriday to SundayDepartures at 13:00 and 20:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Child (1 to 5 years) · Infant (under 1)

GroupUp to 18

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Chicago Boat Company

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want Chicago's darker history told by someone who knows the city, without having to arrange a separate boat or figure out which stories matter. The small group size means you can ask the guide anything that comes up, and bringing your own drinks makes a two-hour tour feel less like an obligation and more like time on the water.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 5 years); Infant (under 1).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the Chicago River ghost tour?

The tour runs 120 minutes total, departing from the Chicago Riverwalk.

Can I bring drinks on the boat?

Yes, you're welcome to bring your own beverages and snacks (no glass containers). The boat has coolers and a u-shaped bar on board.

How many people go on this tour?

Groups are capped at 18 passengers, keeping it small enough to interact with the guide and ask questions.

What time do I need to arrive?

Plan to arrive 15 minutes early for check-in so the boat can depart on time.

What events are covered on the Chicago River ghost tour?

The tour covers the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the Eastland Disaster (where over 800 people died), and haunted history tied to landmarks like the John Hancock building and the sites of Fort Dearborn and Jean Baptiste Point Du Sable's cottage.

Where does the tour depart from?

The tour departs from the Chicago Riverwalk.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed on the tour.