Chicago River Architecture and History-Private Boat Tour
Discover Chicago by private boat with a local Chicagoan to highlight its fascinating history and architectural marvels along the way! Before we board, we’ll take a short walk in the Chicago Loop, a bustling area filled with gems like the ostentatious Marshall Field building, the stained-glass-domed Cultural Center, and the Chicago Theatre, adorned with its emblematic marquee. After arriving at the dock, you’ll board your own private boat and set sail along the Chicago River. As we glide along, your guide will point out some of the city’s most fascinating landmarks. Stare up in awe at Willis Tower, once the world’s tallest building. Spot Union Station, which you might recognize from several famous films. And gaze upon a behemoth Art Deco building so large it once had its own zip code! We’ll also pass by Wolf Point, formerly occupied by Native Americans and later by many of Chicago’s first commercial buildings. Afterwards, you might want to explore all these sites and more on foot!
About this activity
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Additional Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Includes
- Get to know the history of Chicago’s growth from pre-settlement to current day
- Local English-speaking guide
- Explore the Chicago Loop by foot and pass by its architectural marvels
- Private Boat Transportation
- Hear the history of the Chicago River and how it has shaped the city’s identity
- See top Chicago attractions like Willis Tower and Union Station
- Food and drink
- Gratuities for the guide
- Souvenirs
Itinerary
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Chicago Theatre : This is where your tour begins - underneath the iconic neon sign made famous in both movies and musicals! Here, you'll meet your tour guide and then set off through bustling downtown Chicago.
Free Admission
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Marina City : Before you board your private boat for a tour along the Chicago River, gaze up at the two towers that make up the main complex of Marina City. Your tour guide will share stories of its development and the complex’s current uses besides an apartment community.
Free Admission
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Your brief walking tour prior to boarding your private Chicago River boat takes place in this lively neighborhood of shopping, nightlife, performing arts, and, of course, restaurants with the best food Chicago has to offer!
Free Admission
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Estimated Time : 150 minutes
Chicago River : We'll cruise alongside this urban green space thronged with visitors and locals alike enjoying its 1.25-mile long path filled with public art. Your Chicago tour guide will point out sites of interests including Marina Towers, the Britannica Building, and the Sears Tower (now known as the Willis Tower).
Free Admission
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During your Chicago boat cruise, your tour guide will be sure to point out this 1930s architectural wonder, built in Art Deco style and which once held the title of the largest building in the world!
Free Admission
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This household-name department store is housed in the The Marshall Field and Company Building, known for its highly ornamented exterior and interior. You’ll learn about the history of this building from your Chicago tour guide and its significance in the American commercial industry.
Free Admission
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Wrigley Building : You can't think of Chicago without thinking of the Wrigley Company. This skyscraper with its central clock tower, first built in the early 1900s, no longer houses the Wrigley Company, but is home to several other significant businesses and consulates.
Free Admission