Chicago: Historic Architecture Chicago River Small Boat Tour

Discover the architectural wonders of Chicago's skyline through a captivating 1.5-hour small boat tour that showcases over 50 iconic skyscrapers and their rich history.

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Chicago’s stunning skyline aboard a small historic riverboat. This 1.5-hour tour offers insights into over 50 skyscrapers, showcasing architectural styles from Art Deco to modern designs. An expert guide provides commentary, enriching your understanding of the city’s architectural heritage. Whether you’re a history buff or a casual visitor, this highly rated adventure is sure to captivate. Discover the hidden gems that make Chicago’s riverscape a true masterpiece.

This experience made our article of Top 16 Historical Tours In Chicago.

Key Points

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  • A 1.5-hour small boat tour focusing on Chicago’s iconic architecture, including a mix of styles from Art Deco to modern.
  • Tour guided by expert docents who provide insights on over 50 skyscrapers along the Chicago River.
  • Intimate setting on a historic riverboat with complimentary refreshments, creating an immersive educational experience.
  • Overall positive customer reviews highlighting the tour guide’s knowledge and the engaging presentation.
  • Flexible booking options, including free cancellation and a "reserve now, pay later" option, facilitate planning for Chicago sightseeing.
You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview

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The Chicago River Boat Tour offers a 1.5-hour experience that provides an in-depth look at the city’s iconic architecture.

Priced from SEK 592 per person, the tour features free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and a reserve now, pay later option.

The meeting point is conveniently located, and the boats are handicap accessible, welcoming service dogs.

Passengers will learn from an expert docent about over 50 skyscrapers and enjoy a smaller yacht experience cruising the Chicago River.

Complimentary Starbucks coffee, sodas, and lemonade are included, with snacks and alcoholic beverages available for purchase.

Experience Highlights

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Aboard the small historic riverboat, passengers embark on a captivating journey along the Chicago River. They learn from an expert docent about over 50 iconic skyscrapers lining the riverbanks.

The tour showcases a mix of architectural styles, from Art Deco to modern, as the guide provides detailed information about each building’s construction and history.

Passengers enjoy the smaller yacht experience, appreciating the educational aspect and engaging presentation.

The smaller yacht experience allows passengers to appreciate the educational and engaging presentation in an intimate setting.

The tour delivers an immersive experience, allowing visitors to appreciate Chicago’s rich architectural heritage in an intimate setting while sipping complimentary refreshments and taking in the city’s stunning skyline.

Included in the Tour

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The Chicago River Boat Tour includes a range of amenities to enhance the experience.

Travelers will cruise down the river on a small historic riverboat with the assistance of the crew. Complimentary refreshments like Starbucks coffee, sodas, and lemonade are provided, and snacks are available for purchase.

For those interested, the bar offers beer, wine, and cocktails. The smaller yacht experience provides a more intimate setting compared to larger tour boats.

Customer Reviews

Travelers have shared overwhelmingly positive reviews for the Chicago River Boat Tour, with an impressive overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars based on 12 evaluations.

Reviewers consistently praised the tour guide’s knowledge and engaging delivery.

However, some participants noted that the group size was larger than expected, with around 60 people instead of the 30 they’d anticipated.

Nonetheless, travelers appreciated the educational aspect of the tour, enjoying the detailed information provided about the city’s diverse architectural styles and building histories.

  1. Positive feedback on the tour guide’s knowledge and delivery

  2. Mixed feedback on group size; some expected a maximum of 30 participants but experienced around 60

  3. Travelers appreciated the educational aspect and engaging presentation

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Booking Information

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Customers can check availability for different starting times of the Chicago River Boat Tour. They can skip the line through a separate entrance, avoiding the wait for general admission.

When booking, travelers select the desired number of participants and the date. This allows them to secure their spots without needing to pay right away.

With options to choose from, guests can find a tour time that fits their schedule. The booking process is straightforward, making it easy for visitors to plan their Chicago sightseeing experience along the historic Chicago River.

Exploring Chicago’s Architectural Gems

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Although Chicago is renowned for its towering skyscrapers, the Chicago River Boat Tour offers an immersive experience that showcases the city’s diverse architectural styles.

Despite its iconic skyscrapers, the Chicago River Boat Tour immerses visitors in the city’s diverse architectural wonders.

As the small historic riverboat cruises down the Chicago River, passengers learn from expert docents about over 50 awe-inspiring buildings, including:

  1. Art Deco masterpieces with intricate facade details

  2. Neo-Classical structures featuring grand columns and ornate ornamentation

  3. Modern glass-and-steel skyscrapers that epitomize the city’s architectural innovation

This intimate tour provides an engaging and educational journey through Chicago’s rich architectural heritage.

Navigating the Chicago River

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As the small historic riverboat glides down the Chicago River, passengers are treated to a unique perspective of the city’s architectural marvels.

The tour takes them along the downtown section, offering breathtaking views of iconic skyscrapers and landmarks. The expert docent provides detailed information about each building’s history and design, from Art Deco to Neo-Classical.

Cruising on the river, passengers gain a deeper appreciation for the city’s rich architectural heritage. The smaller yacht experience allows for a more intimate and educational journey compared to larger tour boats.

Throughout the tour, guests can enjoy complimentary refreshments and snacks.

Sum Up

The Chicago: Historic Architecture Chicago River Small Boat Tour offers an immersive experience to explore the city’s renowned architectural heritage. Navigating the iconic Chicago River, guests will discover over 50 skyscrapers, from Art Deco to modern marvels, while an expert guide provides insights. With complimentary refreshments and a small, intimate setting, this highly rated tour caters to history enthusiasts and casual visitors alike, showcasing the architectural gems that define Chicago’s captivating skyline.

📍 This experience made our list of the 16 best Historical Tours in Chicago

You can check availability for your dates here: