Boat Tours in Chicago 13 options
From US$ 28 · 7 of 13 run daily · departures between 09:30 and 20:15 · live guides in 2 languages · most take 45m–2h
No experiences match those filters.
Chicago River Architecture Cruise: 40+ buildings from the waterArchitecture cruise on the Chicago River. See the John Hancock Center, Willis Tower, Wrigley Building and 37 more landmarks. Pet-friendly, full bar.
- 17,211 reviews
- 4.84★
- Duration
- 1h–1h 15m
- start times · Every day
- 24
Chicago River: 90-Minute Architecture Boat TourChicago River architecture tour covers 130+ years of design on a 90-minute narrated boat ride. Indoor & outdoor seating, professional guide, all three river branches.
- 11,316 reviews
- 4.71★
- Duration
- 1h 30m
- start times · Every day
- 22
Chicago: Architecture River Cruise & First Lady Boat Tour90-minute guided river cruise past Willis Tower, Marina City & Merchandise Mart with expert docents. Includes live commentary, climate-controlled cabin, restroom on board.
- 7,641 reviews
- 4.93★
- Duration
- 1h 30m
- start times · Every day
- 12
Chicago River: 45-Minute Architecture Boat TourGlide past Marina City, Wrigley Building, and Merchandise Mart on a 45-minute Chicago River cruise with a local guide. Includes restroom and climate-controlled lounge.
- 3,778 reviews
- 4.65★
- Duration
- 45m
- start times · Every day
- 16
Chicago Skyline Boat Tour: River & Lake Michigan viewsChicago Lake and River Architecture Tour with professional guide, climate-controlled seating and taxes included. Covers 200+ years of architecture.
- 2,492 reviews
- 4.69★
- Duration
- 1h 30m
Chicago River: 90-Minute Architecture Cruise & Three Branches90-minute guided boat tour of Chicago River covering all three branches. Narration on Wrigley Building, Willis Tower, Merchandise Mart. Enclosed cabin with bar.
- 1,992 reviews
- 4.84★
- Duration
- 1h 30m
- start times · Fri–Sun
- 4
Chicago: Lake Michigan Sunset Cruise from DowntownDepart near Michigan Avenue Bridge on Wendella's boat, cruise the Chicago River and Lake Michigan at sunset. Climate-controlled lounge, expert guide, restroom. 1.5–2 hours.
- 1,735 reviews
- 4.52★
- Duration
- 1h 30m
Chicago Skyline Boat Tour: 30–45 minute Lake Michigan cruiseLake Michigan skyline cruise from downtown Chicago with narration, onboard bar, and views of Willis Tower, John Hancock Center, Navy Pier.
- 956 reviews
- 4.44★
- Duration
- 30m–45m
- start times · Every day
- 13
Chicago City Cruise Tour: Minibus, river boat & skyline stopsSmall-group Chicago tour with expert guide in minibus, three photo stops and optional 75-minute Architecture River Cruise.
- 747 reviews
- 4.77★
- Duration
- 2h–4h
- start times · Every day
- 4
Chicago: Historic Fireboat River & Lake Cruise with ArchitectureCruise Chicago's river and Lake Michigan aboard a retired 1937 fireboat. Expert narration on fire history and architecture. Onboard bathrooms, all fitness levels welcome.
- 514 reviews
- 4.92★
- Duration
- 2h
- start times · Sat and Sun
- 2
Lake Michigan Speedboat Ride Chicago: 30-Minute Skyline TourHigh-speed boat tour departing Navy Pier with unobstructed views of Chicago's skyline and live guide commentary. 30 minutes on the water.
- 360 reviews
- 4.11★
- Duration
- 30m
Private Sailing on Lake Michigan: Navy Pier, ChicagoSail Lake Michigan from Navy Pier with a US Coast Guard licensed captain for up to six people. Choose your route, your music, your pace.
- 73 reviews
- 5.00★
- Duration
- 2h
Chicago: 2-Hour Luxury Minibus Tour & Skyline ViewsTwo-hour guided minibus tour of Chicago's skyline, Grant Park, Cloud Gate and Lake Michigan views. Climate-controlled comfort, live guide, photo stops included.
- 20 reviews
- 4.90★
- Duration
- 2h
- start times · Every day
- 4
The top 12 of 13 options, side by side
✓ 2026-11-03| Option | Price | Duration | Rating | Days and times | Guide languages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago River: 90-Minute Architecture Boat TourOur pick | US$ 45 per person | 1h 30m | 4.71★ · 11,316 | Every day · 22 start times | English |
| Chicago: Architecture River Cruise & First Lady Boat TourTop rated | US$ 57 per person | 1h 30m | 4.93★ · 7,641 | Every day · 12 start times | English |
| Chicago River: 45-Minute Architecture Boat TourBest value | US$ 28 per person | 45m | 4.65★ · 3,778 | Every day · 16 start times | English |
| Chicago River Architecture Cruise: 40+ buildings from the water | US$ 39 per person | 1h–1h 15m | 4.84★ · 17,211 | Every day · 24 start times | English, Spanish |
| Chicago Skyline Boat Tour: River & Lake Michigan views | US$ 48 per person | 1h 30m | 4.69★ · 2,492 | Next departure: 16 Apr 2027 | English |
| Chicago River: 90-Minute Architecture Cruise & Three Branches | US$ 37 per person | 1h 30m | 4.84★ · 1,992 | Fri–Sun · 4 start times | English |
| Chicago: Lake Michigan Sunset Cruise from Downtown | US$ 48 per person | 1h 30m | 4.52★ · 1,735 | Next departure: 16 Apr 2027 | English |
| Chicago Skyline Boat Tour: 30–45 minute Lake Michigan cruise | US$ 30 per person | 30m–45m | 4.44★ · 956 | Every day · 13 start times | — |
| Chicago City Cruise Tour: Minibus, river boat & skyline stopsGroup of up to 12 | US$ 50 per person | 2h–4h | 4.77★ · 747 | Every day · 4 start times | English |
| Chicago: Historic Fireboat River & Lake Cruise with Architecture | US$ 39 per person | 2h | 4.92★ · 514 | Sat and Sun · 2 start times · Season until 8 Nov | English |
| Lake Michigan Speedboat Ride Chicago: 30-Minute Skyline Tour | US$ 45 per person | 30m | 4.11★ · 360 | Next departure: 1 May 2027 | English |
| Private Sailing on Lake Michigan: Navy Pier, ChicagoPrivate | US$ 85 per personUS$ 567 per group (split 6 ways) | 2h | 5.00★ · 73 | Next departure: 29 May 2027 | English |
By what you need
- Private (1): Private Sailing on Lake Michigan: Navy Pier, Chicago (US$ 567)
- Small groups (up to 15) (2): Chicago City Cruise Tour: Minibus, river boat & skyline stops (US$ 50) · Chicago: 2-Hour Luxury Minibus Tour & Skyline Views (US$ 65)
Boat Tours in Chicago at a glance
- Our pick: Chicago River: 90-Minute Architecture Boat Tour, US$ 45 (1h 30m, 4.71★ · 11,316).
- Top rated: Chicago: Architecture River Cruise & First Lady Boat Tour, US$ 57 (1h 30m, 4.93★ · 7,641).
- Best value: Chicago River: 45-Minute Architecture Boat Tour, US$ 28 (45m, 4.65★ · 3,778).
Real price per person across the 13 options: US$ 28–US$ 85 (median US$ 45). With 100+ reviews: 11 of 13.
Of the 13 options: 12 with live guides in English, 12 with free cancellation, 8 with instant confirmation, 11 kid-friendly, 1 private and 8 bookable last-minute.
How we rank: quality, number of reviews and relevance to the topic. In the comparison table, our top 3 comes first. Real price per person: the group price divided by the seats it includes.
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