3 Best Boat Tours and Cruises in Chicago

The Chicago River is one of the most important elements of this beautiful American city's identity. In fact, many of the things to see and do in Chicago revolve around this body of water that divides the city centre between north and south, east and west.

I invite you to read about the best options available if you are planning a trip on one of the Chicago River cruises that offer a short but fun journey that you will remember for the rest of your life.

The area crossed by the Chicago River has one of the highest concentrations of skyscrapers per square kilometre on the planet. The Tribune Tower with its neo-Gothic architecture, the Ellis Tower with its simple and iconic modernist style, and the Wrigley Building with its combination of neoclassical and Renaissance patterns are just some of the architectural treasures in the area.

For this reason, it makes sense that a cruise on the Chicago River focused on entertainment that highlights the architectural beauty of the area is one of the best itineraries if you are looking for a guided tour of this waterway.

The entire route of this section of the river is crossed by countless bridges connecting the city's avenues with the north and south of Chicago's financial and tourist district. You will also have the opportunity to admire the modern engineering marvels of some of these bridges, such as the one at Michigan Avenue or the one on Dearborn Street, right in front of the iconic skyscrapers of the Marina City Goldberg Complex.

Interesting details

• Prices: a tour of this kind usually costs around £48 or £50 per adult.
• Duration: cruises focusing on the architectural history of the area along the Chicago River usually last approximately 1.5 hours.

Twice the fun for the price of one event is always a good decision. That's why it makes sense that cruises that combine a tour of the Chicago River with a tour of the shores of Lake Michigan are one of the best ways to see both places. Both are so important to tourism in this city that they are considered unmissable by most locals.

Keep in mind that the Lake Michigan coastline is quite attractive to local tourists in the state of Illinois and offers a complete view of the skyline of the second city with the most skyscrapers in the United States.

Depending on the time of year you visit, you may encounter a winter landscape where the freezing point is quite close to the lake's waters or a beautiful summer setting. The latter is so seductive that it brings together hundreds of thousands of people on the artificially created beaches on the lake's shores, such as 12th Street Beach or the well-known Oak Street Beach.

Interesting details

• Prices: around £45 for adults.
• Duration: a tour like this usually lasts approximately 1 hour and a half.

There is a third option among the best river cruises in Chicago, which are boats that take you on a night-time tour of the beautiful riverfront that runs through the city from west to north and south, as well as along the shores of Lake Michigan. You'll see the entire lakefront from the southern tip, where the Adler Planetarium and Field Museum are located, to the North Avenue Beach area, home to Lincoln Park.

The itinerary is basically the same as the previous option, but the big difference is that all this happens under the moonlight and surrounded by countless artificial lights in a sea of buildings, creating one of the most iconic night-time panoramas of modern American cities.

During Christmas, this walk is a real spectacle because you can also enjoy the Christmas decorations along the city's waterfront, such as Navy Pier and the entire Riverwalk area along the Chicago River. That's why it ranks as one of those things to see or do in Chicago at Christmas without spending too much money or time.

Details of interest

• Prices: adults usually pay around £40.
• Duration: one and a half hours.

The best way to book cruises on the Chicago River, whether it's a daytime or night-time tour, is always online. When you book online, you receive immediate confirmation of your purchase, you can check the dates and times available for booking, and you can also see all the payment details and cancellation policies.

You can also go to some of the departure points for these tours, such as the Riverwalk or Navy Pier. However, there is no guarantee that the prices for immediate purchase will be as favourable as those I have mentioned, nor is there any guarantee that you will be able to get tickets for all your companions at that precise time.

The first tip I can give you to fully enjoy cruises on the Chicago River is to be willing to listen to what the guide has to say if you are interested in the history of your surroundings. If this is not the case, then I recommend that you stand at the other end of the boat so that you don't feel like you have to lower your voice when talking to your companions and can enjoy the experience on your own terms.

Choosing what to wear is another issue that you should prioritise when taking one of these river cruises. Chicago is a city known for its harsh autumns and winters, which require several layers of clothing to cope with the cold. Meanwhile, the harsh summer sun can become your worst enemy if you don't have adequate sun protection for your skin or breathable, cool fabrics.

As you may have noticed, these river tours are quite affordable and offer you the opportunity to explore the financial and historical heart of the city without spending too much time walking or spending lots of money on personalised guides.

Those savings can be very appealing if you are planning to visit other iconic sites in the city. By paying for a relatively inexpensive attraction like this, you can have money left over to buy tickets to the Field Museum for an afternoon filled with natural history or to purchase tickets to the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago if you decide to go for a more abstract and modernist approach.