Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Tour
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Be inspired by the captivating, visual art that is Chicago’s legendary architecture, and the exceptional architects who created this ever-changing, dynamic legacy for all to enjoy and admire. This comprehensive 90 minute tour will navigate through the heart of the city on all three branches of the Chicago River while your professionally-trained architectural guide tells the story of more than 130 years of innovation in design, style and technique and why it is important today. The Chicago River Architecture Tour is the most authentic and encompassing Chicago experience the city has to offer.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Weapons prohibited by US Coast Guard
Outside alcohol is prohibited
All bags subject to search
Arrive 30 Minutes prior to your departure time.
Contact tour operator for wheelchair & ADA access
Indoor and outdoor seating is available on a first come, first served basis
Maps are available with highlights in simplified Chinese. They can picked up per request at the ticket window.
Special requests entered at checkout cannot be guaranteed
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Indoor and outdoor seating available (indoor is climate controlled)
Narrated tour on board by professionally trained tour guide.
Expert Local Guide
Restroom on board
Drinks and snacks available for purchase on-board the vessel.
Gratuities
What To Expect
Wendella
Vessels depart from Wendella's docks at the northwest corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge (DuSable Bridge), at the foot of the Wrigley Building.
Centennial Fountain And Water Arc
Dedicated in 1989 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, known for reversing the flow of the Chicago River in 1900. For the first five minutes of every hour, the fountain shoots a water arc across the river from a tiered waterfall.
Options
Chicago River Tour
Reviews
9,552 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Garner
Kevin G,
Dec 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00If the folks on the boat understood that some people actually come to hear the history and the architecture of the city.
90 minutes of pure entertainment
shaunnahh,
Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide was truly one of the most educational and brilliantly funny that we’ve ever experienced. The ride was warm below and chilly but beautiful at 21 degrees. Highly recommend!
Great tour company great customer service
Star L,
Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00I actually didn’t get to go because I was stuck at work but the tour operator was amazing and as flexible as they could be considering the circumstances. It doesn’t give me the option to review only them.
It was a great...
Bhawna M,
Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a great experience. A knowledgeable and funny narrator, clean environment along with a good bar
well worth it, even if it...
Cynthia H,
Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00well worth it, even if it is cold outside - the city is beautiful, especially during the holidays....
Wintry Cold Tour on the Chicago River
Denise R,
Dec 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Took tour on Thanksgiving Day and the weather was cold (28 degrees F). Construction in the area made it a little confusing to find the entrance. Tour guide was interesting, fact filled with a little humor thrown in. Seating up top allowed the best view. If you want to see the skyline and get a history of the buildings this is a must tour. There is a 45-minute tour, but we chose the longer one so as to not feel it was rushed. But did I mention that it was cold! Very restricted view from the lower deck and the small interior cabin (a bar with about 6 tables with four seats each). It was SRO when we paused for turning around of the boat and people came down to warmup. Beverages and snacks were available and there were times when the lone server was overwhelmed by the crowd. Hot cocoa was for sale but maybe should have been complimentary and self-service due to the weather. I gave 4 stars for great view up top and interestingly humorous commentary by the tour guide. Poor view and not enough seating in lower cabin.
Amazing tour of chicago
Stephen s,
Dec 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Dress appropriately for the weather. Chicago is completely different from the river. So many items originated in chicago
Stunning but Too Much Info to Absorb
cremebruleegirl,
Nov 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Your experience will be tainted or enhanced by the weather and the guide you have. We enjoyed fabulous weather, sunny and not too windy. The boat takes visitors up the three branches of the Chicago River, along the shores of which Chicago's great architecture is concentrated. Our guide was into quantity, and not quality, of the information she shared. She made it clear before we set out that she would only entertain questions after the tour was completed and we had disembarked. So she told us tourists the names of every architect of every building we passed rather than going into challenges of design and/or engineering or pointing out the truly outstanding or unique buildings and then explaining why they were so. Being an architectural novice, I was not looking for a catalogue-type approach. Perhaps this is why friends at home, who said they have taken this tour six or more times, have done so. Each guide is unique, and thus what one learns from tour-to-tour varies widely.
Very informative but got...
Don T,
Nov 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Very informative but got boring towards the end and became too much. Tour guide was good. very cold on the boat. Wear a lot of layers. bar was good added touch.
Too cold for this
Merrill E,
Nov 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
2.00I should have cancelled! Too cold for this. Narrator talked too fast, 2 family members missed boarding, so it wasn’t the family bonding experience I envisioned.
From US$45.00
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Operated by Wendella Tours & Cruises