90-Minute Chicago River Architecture Tour
Overview
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.
Inclusions
- Indoor and outdoor seating available (indoor is climate controlled)
- Narrated tour on board by professionally trained tour guide.
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Wendella, Chicago, IL
Vessels depart from Wendella's docks at the northwest corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge (DuSable Bridge), at the foot of the Wrigley Building.
Duration: 15 minutes
Pass By: Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower, 233 S Wacker Drive entrance on Jackson Blvd (south side of building), Chicago, IL 60606-7147
The tallest building in the Western Hemisphere
Pass By: Centennial Fountain And Water Arc, 400 N McClurg Ct, Chicago, IL 60611-4323
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.
Pass By: 222 Merchandise Mart Plz Suite 107, Chicago, IL 60654-1103
The largest commercial building in the world.
Pass By: Michigan Avenue Bridge, 333 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601-3901
Michigan Avenue is home of the Chicago Water Tower, the Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park, and the shopping on the Magnificent Mile.
Pass By: Wrigley Building, 410 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611-4213
This white, terra-cotta landmark was built in 1922 as headquarters for the Wrigley chewing gum company.
Pass By: Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago, IL 60601
An open, pedestrian waterfront called the city's 'Second Lakefront.'
Pass By: Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606-2806
Second-largest opera auditorium in North America, with an Art Deco interior
Pass By: Marina City, 300 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654-5414
Pass by these iconic mixed-use apartment buildings - "a city within a city" with their unique corn-cob exterior.
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Wendella, Chicago, IL
Vessels depart from Wendella's docks at the northwest corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge (DuSable Bridge), at the foot of the Wrigley Building.
Duration: 15 minutes
Pass By: Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower, 233 S Wacker Drive entrance on Jackson Blvd (south side of building), Chicago, IL 60606-7147
The tallest building in the Western Hemisphere
Pass By: Centennial Fountain And Water Arc, 400 N McClurg Ct, Chicago, IL 60611-4323
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.
Pass By: 222 Merchandise Mart Plz Suite 107, Chicago, IL 60654-1103
The largest commercial building in the world.
Pass By: Michigan Avenue Bridge, 333 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601-3901
Michigan Avenue is home of the Chicago Water Tower, the Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park, and the shopping on the Magnificent Mile.
Pass By: Wrigley Building, 410 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611-4213
This white, terra-cotta landmark was built in 1922 as headquarters for the Wrigley chewing gum company.
Pass By: Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago, IL 60601
An open, pedestrian waterfront called the city's 'Second Lakefront.'
Pass By: Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606-2806
Second-largest opera auditorium in North America, with an Art Deco interior
Pass By: Marina City, 300 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654-5414
Pass by these iconic mixed-use apartment buildings - "a city within a city" with their unique corn-cob exterior.
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Weapons prohibited by US Coast Guard
- Outside alcohol is prohibited
- All bags subject to search
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- 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
- All Wendella staff is vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 300 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Khaled_A
May 2022
This tour is one of the things that you have to do in Chicago. We really enjoyed it, lots of great information that I didn't know about.
This tour is one of the things that you have to do in Chicago. We really enjoyed it, lots of great information that I didn't know about.Noemi_J
May 2022
I live in the city of Chicago and took this tour because friends came from out of town so they wanted to do the tour. It was a very enjoyable time and I love how the tour guide made history so much fun and interesting! I will definitely be doing this again.
I live in the city of Chicago and took this tour because friends came from out of town so they wanted to do the tour. It was a very enjoyable time and I love how the tour guide made history so much fun and interesting! I will definitely be doing this again.laurennmf
May 2022
The tour was great. Got to learn a bunch and see some amazing architecture around the downtown area.
The tour was great. Got to learn a bunch and see some amazing architecture around the downtown area.U1345EJmelissap
May 2022
We really enjoyed the sights on this river tour, and how informative it was. You see so many different architectural styles and learn so much about the city. Our tour guide, Jack, was very knowledgable and entertaining. This tour helped us map out places we wanted to go during the remainder of ou...
We really enjoyed the sights on this river tour, and how informative it was. You see so many different architectural styles and learn so much about the city. Our tour guide, Jack, was very knowledgable and entertaining. This tour helped us map out places we wanted to go during the remainder of our visit. 2 tips: try to sit where you can easily see both sides of the river, and dress in layers because it's significantly cooler on the river than on land.Cindy_W
May 2022
We never got a confirmation even after trying several phone calls. So we did not get tickets and were terribly disappointed. We went to a ticket center at the river and they said they understood from others that Victor was having difficulty with their web site.
We never got a confirmation even after trying several phone calls. So we did not get tickets and were terribly disappointed. We went to a ticket center at the river and they said they understood from others that Victor was having difficulty with their web site.Joanne_S
May 2022
AMAZING!!! Would do it again it was that good! So much fun information about a great city. Our moderator was extremely knowledgeable and very funny. Had a cool, drizzly day but dressed for it.
AMAZING!!! Would do it again it was that good! So much fun information about a great city. Our moderator was extremely knowledgeable and very funny. Had a cool, drizzly day but dressed for it.