Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady
Description
The Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady has long been the gold standard among all Chicago tour experiences, and is the only Chicago architecture boat tour led by highly trained expert docents. On this 90-minute cruise, you will enjoy an overview of historic and modern architectural styles including stories about the people who designed and built Chicago. As a certified nonprofit, all ticket purchases directly support education efforts and community engagement projects. No visit to Chicago is complete without experiencing this award winning tour, so accept no substitutes.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The story of the Chicago River is one that continues to unfold. Through periods of industry, transportation, revitalization and recreation, it has grown and changed like the city itself.
The Chicago Architecture Center is directly across Wacker Drive from the Chicago's First Lady docks. Discounted admission of $5 per person is available if you show your river cruise ticket.
From naval base and university campus to shipping hub and entertainment destination, Navy Pier is Chicago’s hallmark of adaptive reuse.
When architect Bertrand Goldberg envisioned Marina City, it was an urban experiment designed to draw middle-class Chicagoans back to the city after more than a decade of suburban migration.
When our docents explain that the Trump International Hotel & Tower reflects its surroundings, they aren’t only referring to its shiny glass and steel exterior.
One of the last American projects designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, this powerful Modernist structure occupies a prominent place on the Chicago River.
Gravity-defying 150 North Riverside has already taken its rightful place among Chicago’s architectural and engineering wonders.
View Boeing International Headquarters at 100 N Riverside Plaza.
For nearly 25 years after its completion, the Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower, held the title of tallest building in the world.
Size has always mattered in the Midwest. Upon its completion in 1930, it was the largest building in the world and served as Marshall Field’s wholesale warehouse, where retailers could buy stock.
View the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Building, located at 20 S Wacker Drive.
Chicago Tribune Freedom Center.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Not recommended for children younger than 12 years
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- IMPORTANT: For safety reasons, motorized scooters and electric wheelchairs cannot be accommodated. Guests who are able to transfer may use the company's manual wheelchair based on availability.
- WARNING: Tickets are not refundable or transferrable to other departures.
- Pets are not allowed
- IMPORTANT: There is no elevator access to the boat dock.
- IMPORTANT: Most, but not all, departures are wheelchair accessible, please advise at time of booking if wheelchair assistance is required
- All seating is General Admission. Boarding is on a first come, first serve basis
- Routes, specific vessels, and schedules are subject to change without notice
Reviews(6,275)
Excellent tour. I had done the tour about 12 years ago. Enjoyed it then, but even more now. So.many changes since then. Mark L did a great job of leading and having a positive attitude.
Angel was very knowledgeable and took us on a great tour. There were only 5 of us in the group, which made it easy to ask questions and we could hear everything just fine.
The Architecture tour was well-organized however I feel the content and delivery by the tour guide was poor and not worth the money. This was my second architecture tour...my first tour was with another company. I was expecting more because this is being offered by the Chicago Architecture Center, we were underwhelmed and I felt bad I foisted this on my guests. Our guide's pronunciation was poor and the content was just okay. After disembarking I heard another boat's guide and it was better so it seems it was our guide.
Great experience, the guide on board was super knowledgeable, the boat is super comfortable, easy boarding and easy reach from any place in Chicago. We recomend!
It was a gross day (a little rain, a lot of fog) for our tour, but our tour guide persisted nevertheless! Lydia did a great job of still pointing out all of the wonderful architectural details we could see below the cloud cover, and letting us know what to look for once the clouds lifted later on our trip. I also did this tour as one of the first things I did in Chicago, and found being able to recognize some of the buildings to be really helpful in orienting myself throughout the rest of the trip! All in all, I would highly recommend this as an early option for anyone coming to Chicago- you learn a lot, and you will get less lost throughout the rest of your trip :)
We booked the Chicago Architecture Tour with First Lady, and it was a great time. Shoutout to Steve for an outstanding tour. He was incredibly knowledgeable, engaging, and genuinely passionate about sharing Chicago’s history and architecture with visitors. The tour offered amazing views, fascinating stories, and memories created. Thank you, Steve, and the First Lady team, for a fantastic experience.
Terry was a fantastic guide and had us engaged the entire time! Even in the 90+ degree heat, the staff kept us hydrated, supported and entertained.
Highly recommend this tour! It was well organized. The boat was spacious, clean, and had drinks and a cooler lower level for anyone that needed it. As for as tour itself, our guide Gary was wonderful! He was an amazing wealth of knowledge on the city and the architecture of each building. My daughter, a current college architecture major, loved all the details on structure and design! (However, you definitely don’t need to be a student of architecture to enjoy this tour!!). Highly recommend!
Had a great experience with Terry. He was so knowledgeable and taught us a lot about Chicago’s cool history and unique architecture. He had funny quips too! The tour is also for a great cause! 10/10
Chris was fantastic!!! The info he gave was a perfect intro to Chicago for my friends from out of town. Highly recommend this tour and highly recommend Chris!
