Travel Guide
Chicago Architecture River Cruise
Everything you need to know β hours, tickets, tips, and how to make the most of your visit.
Overview
About Chicago Architecture River Cruise
A 75- to 90-minute narrated boat tour along the Main, North and South branches of the Chicago River, where guides explain dozens of landmark buildings, from the Wrigley Building and Marina City to Willis Tower. It's the single best introduction to the city and the reason many visitors fall for Chicago.
Chicago
Insider Knowledge
Travel Tips
Book the Chicago Architecture Center tour aboard Chicago's First Lady for expert volunteer docents, and reserve a few days ahead in summer.
Nearby
Must See Attractions
chicagoArt Institute of Chicago
One of the oldest and largest art museums in the US, home to Grant Wood's American Gothic, Edward Hopper's Nighthawks, Seurat's A Sunday on La Grande Jatte and one of the finest Impressionist collections outside Paris. Its Modern Wing faces Millennium Park, and the bronze lions out front are a city icon.
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chicagoChicago Architecture River Cruise
A 75- to 90-minute narrated boat tour along the Main, North and South branches of the Chicago River, where guides explain dozens of landmark buildings, from the Wrigley Building and Marina City to Willis Tower. It's the single best introduction to the city and the reason many visitors fall for Chicago.
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chicagoChicago Riverwalk
A 1.25-mile pedestrian path along the south bank of the Main Branch of the Chicago River, running from Lake Shore Drive to Lake Street. It mixes terraced seating, floating gardens, kayak rentals, cafes and wine bars, with tour boats and water taxis departing along the way.
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chicagoLincoln Park Zoo
One of the oldest zoos in North America and one of the few major US zoos that is free to enter. Its 35 acres in Lincoln Park hold lions, gorillas, polar bears and more, with a farm for kids, skyline views and the free Lincoln Park Conservatory and Nature Boardwalk next door.
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chicagoMillennium Park and Cloud Gate
A 24.5-acre park on the edge of the Loop known for Anish Kapoor's mirrored Cloud Gate sculpture (the Bean), the Crown Fountain's video-face towers, the Lurie Garden and Frank Gehry's Jay Pritzker Pavilion, which hosts free summer concerts. In winter, the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink sets up here.
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chicagoWillis Tower Skydeck
The observation deck on the 103rd floor of Willis Tower, once the world's tallest building, about 1,353 feet above the street. Step out onto The Ledge, glass boxes that extend from the facade, and on a clear day you can see across Lake Michigan toward several neighboring states.
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