Chicago Line Cruises

We recently decided to book with Chicago Line Cruises Architecture Cruise, and it was a great experience. We departed a bit after 6pm. It was Mid October so whole it was a little chilly, it was really nice. The guide was very informative . She's a a teacher so took time to explain the history behind the architecture,which I enjoyed learning. Offering a unique perspective on the city's stunning skyline. The cruise itself was smooth and comfortable, with plenty of opportunities to take in the views and snap great photos. It's a perfect way to appreciate Chicago's architectural beauty and learn more about its evolving skyline. Highly recommended!

Recently used this company for a architecture tour. Was very fun and very informative. Guide was full of knowledge and friendly. They included complimentary soft drinks. Highly recommended!

Took the 90-minute architecture cruise. You will love this tour if you are already an architecture nerd, know some of your way around town, and speak fluent English. Otherwise, prepare to be lost on a map, lost in rapid fire sentences, and lost with the buildings; novices will be unlikely to appreciate the hard work of architects. Our tour guide, while knowledgeable and funny, kept talking about buildings that were behind everyone. Every time, we had five seconds to spin around to see something only the docent could see. Put the docent at the back of the crowd and practice anticipating what we will see rather than stay in reaction mode.

Unexpected good experience. You are doing a 1hour loop on the Chicago’s river with interesting descriptions of the towers and the city’s story. Don’t hesitate !

This is a must-do for visitors. People kept on telling me this and I didn’t really get it. But the tour was amazing. Our guide (can’t remember his name) was soooo knowledgeable and he made the whole thing really interesting. I kept us all engaged for the full 90 minutes. Free drinks all the way too.

I recently had the pleasure of taking a cruise with Chicago Line Cruises, and I can't recommend it enough! From the moment we boarded, the crew made us feel incredibly welcome with their friendly demeanor and enthusiasm for the city. The cruise itself was the best way to see Chicago, offering breathtaking views of the skyline and iconic architecture. Our knowledgeable guides provided insightful commentary, sharing fascinating stories that deepened our appreciation for the city's rich culture and history. The comfortable seating allowed us to relax and truly soak in the experience. If you're looking for a fun and informative way to explore Chicago, look no further—this cruise is an unforgettable adventure!

Learning a lot of things about the history of the buildings in Chicago with the architecture tour. Informative narration and free drinks and chips. Make sure to bring a thicker outfit as the wind can be chilling.

Excellent architecture tour The guide was very interesting and passionate A must to do when in chicago Excellent staff

Great experience on the Architectural boat cruise of Chicago. Our guide was very knowledgeable and good at his job. And Tom at the bar was very hospitable. I would recommend totally recommend this tour.

So I loved this tour, it really only got one star taken off because of a last minute charge that wasn't advertised and charged to be the day of. They called it a voucher fee, $26. Seemed a bit weird that I paid for the tour weeks ago and the day of the tour I get this random extra charge show up that they didn't authorize with me beforehand about. I know some people who are more price sensitive would not take it as lightly as I did, for me I just felt a little deceived but I knew I wasn't going to care about $26 as long as the tour was really good, so I said nothing about it and pushed onwards. First of all, the tour guide Marshall was awesome and super informative. He knew everything about what seemed like every single building we passed by. The tour was 90 minutes and Marshall was giving us facts about everything the whole time. We learned alot about architecture while we were on the tour and the different types that were introduced in the building designs we passed. They offer free coffee which we used, as well as water and lemonade. You can also buy beer wine or hard liquor. I would definitely recommend this tour to someone new to Chicago

Go to this cruise!!!! Not the others! Our concierge at the Gwen, Ramon, recommended this to us. The guide, I think her name was Diane (last name was Gonzales) had so much knowledge and narrated the entire time. Tons of info on famous architects and characteristics of each building. Also it was a very nice day. The captains came out and introduced themselves. You get comp soft drinks and coffee and tea. Beer and booze for sail. Super nice way to learn and spend 90 minutes on a boat on a beautiful day and best way to see the iconic buildings of this city.

If you're into architectural history, then this tour is for you. Just don't bring children because they'll lose interest and get loud. I couldn't hear the tour guide. Luckily you can move around. The complimentary drinks are wonderful. The guide was knowledgeable, insightful, and had lots of bad dad jokes. Recommend parking lot on E Illinois St. Street parking is only 2 hrs max.

When searching for top things to do in Chicago, I continued to see many posts about doing a river tour. While I'm pretty much down for anything with being outside / around water, what sold me was that this company also went over the architecture of the buildings. There's so much history on this side of the US, so I knew I had to book this. - The tour guide was knowledgeable, funny, and calming (her voice was almost as soothing as in a meditation session) - With your ticket purchase, you get access to free coffee, tea, water, lemonade, and soda (can purchase alcohol for an additional cost) - There are two decks for seats (top deck and bottom deck). The top deck allows you to see where the tour guide is pointing when they're talking about the buildings, but it is also directly in the sunlight and can be brutal on a Chicago summer day. The bottom deck protects you from the sun, but prevents you from knowing exactly what building is being talked about immediately until you hear more about the design aspects of the building. - In the beginning, the tour guide encourages folks that want to talk to do so by the bar, but not everyone listens, so we got stuck struggling to hear the tour guide amongst what could have been a bachelor party or birthday party. Overall, would recommend this tour because you get to learn so much about Chicago, relax on a boat, and really take in some beautiful sights.

We took a Lunch Cruise on the 'Sprint ' out of Navy Pier' it was very hot out that day, We we're looking forward to getting inside and enjoying the air conditioner , but it was so hot in there in the sitting area" it was obvious that everyone was hot , also on first entered the room they escorted us to our seats, we set for a while then we got up to get drinks at the bar we turned around to sit back down the hostess had given our seat to someone else' it took about 30 minutes for the Staff to resolve the issue....decided to get in line for food, they ran out off food , We had to stand there ' waiting for more food to come.....Cruise date June 29, 2024. 12:30 pm

We definitely enjoyed our time on our 90 minute tour. Our tour guide was wonderful and gave us every detail about the city. 10/10 recommend!!

Don't wanna do the crowded mainstream boat tour in Chicago. Look for this intimate boat tour with great friendly service. Reservation staff and boat crew are both so easy to work with. Hannah and Dan both helped me reschedule my family tour with no hassle land no extra fees.

We did the architectural tour! The crew was friendly and helpful in getting us onboard. Free lemonade, water, coffee, and tea available throughout the tour. The tour guide was friendly and knowledgeable and was able to answer all the questions people had!

I loved the cruise! Prompt leaving the dock, easy to find, and great tour guide (shoutout Jim!) Would definitely go back with other family members to ride and learn about how Chicago came to look as it does. Free endless cookies and drinks also make it awesome. If you check in on yelp you get 1 free ice cream voucher! Be sure to wear sunscreen if its sunny, and be prepared to be feel the full force of the sun in the summer.

Informative | Full-Service | weather Informative: we did the architecture. They start promptly at their stated time. Jim was our guide and he offered SOOO MUCH INFO! We learned a lot from chicago political history, to facts about the fire, to architectural history, and bios of famous architects. The trip is about 100-110 minutes long but it's jammed back with information that makes you feel more connected and knowledgeable about the city. Full-Service: The staff is pretty robust, there are about 3-5 attendants inside the lounge where there is complementary water, lemonade, and coffee/tea. Once you are aboard you can have a chocolate chip, raisin, oatmeal, and sugar cookies on top of water, lemons are, hot tea, hot chocolate, or coffee. Weather: the quality of your experience is dependent on the weather. We had perfect 70 degree F with no clouds. So much of the tour is looking up and off in the distance that any kind of rain, clouds, or fog would impact the views. Pro Tip: sign in on yelp and you get a free ice cream. A $5-8 savings. Pro Tip: Parking is limited in the area so budget time to find parking in the area. Pro tip: be early. There are about 100 quality seats on the boat but normally about 150 tickets sold. Get there early (20-30 minute) and sit in one of the first 5 rows.

Great 90 minute architecture tour in Chicago! I've been to a few others, and I liked them all. In comparison, here's what I liked: 1. lower deck with complimentary cookies, hot cocoa, coffee, tea and cold water and lemonade 2. a much more in-depth lecture of the architecture in Chicago, including quite a bit of history 3. restrooms! 4. lower deck to get away from the sun or the cold (cold in my case, as we went late October) 5. docking outside of Navy Pier. We didn't have to wait for the dam to open to get into the river and back on the dock. One thing that I liked but didn't like was the guide. Amy was awesome, totally knowledgeable and completely friendly. But the tour did feel more like a lecture than a tour, and there really wan't much interaction with the audience. She had so much information to give out that there was also no room to ask any questions. A little bit of fun facts would have made the otherwise education tour much more interesting.

My neighbor who lived in Chicago recommended the architectural boat tour and I found this company on Groupon. It was very easy to book online. My coworker and his wife decided to join me. It was a beautiful, sunny day for the tour. Inside the office there was a station for coffee for visitors to enjoy. Restrooms were available before the 90-minute tour. On board the boat, they served complimentary cookies, lemonade and water. The chocolate chip cookie were so soft as if they were freshly baked. I believe cocktails may have been available for purchase. Initially I sat in the rows of chairs and later moved to the front of the boat since I love taking pictures. Definitely more unobstructed views from the front! I was even able to capture a panoramic photo. Very educational tour!

This is my second architectural boat tour, and it was super informative. We were able to snag a Groupon, and decided to go for it. Sharon, our tour guide did not even take a break! If you ever have a question about Chicago architecture, she's your girl. We were on the double decker boat, which was nice. They had complimentary water, lemonade, and cookies, as well as a cash bar. We definitely learned a lot, and recommend Chicago Line for your next architectural tour!

We had a great time on Chicago Line Cruises' architectural tour on the Chicago River! We got a bunch of Groupons together for our family visit to the Windy City and the city did not disappoint. Traveling along the river is the best way to see the sights, especially on a boat and you don't have to drive or see only through a subway window. If only the weather were cooperative. It started with a few drops of rain before we pushed away from the dock. Then the heavens turned on the firehose and we got soaked. But I can't fault CLC for the weather and they did give everybody rain ponchos and the coffee & hot chocolate down below at the snack bar was free. Even the cookies, which were delicious! Our tour guide/narrator was very knowledgeable of the local architecture and regaled us with anecdotes and history. One thing we did learn was that Chicago denizens sure do love their balconies though. Next time, I sure hope we get a sunny day, so that all my pictures aren't through a rain speckled lens and everything is the same color: Gray!

I bought a Groupon for 2 for this cruise. I have been on one other river boat tour and I like this one much more. The staff was especially friendly and our tour guide was excellent. He was funny and not dry or boring to listen to. We sat up top and got some sun and took in the views. We did go downstairs to get some of the complimentary water and lemonade they had to offer. They also had complimentary Starbucks coffee, tea, cookies, and a bar for purchasing beer and wine. We really enjoyed this tour and would do it again next time we are in Chicago. Tip: bring or wear sunscreen if the sun is out. We did not and woke up with a bit of a sunburn.

I bought 3 groupon back in March 2020, just before the pandemic. I also didn't have time to do any refund because 2020 was a very chaotic year. I ended up having to cancel the Chicago trip but was finally able to plan the trip again for the end of August 2022. I called in advance to ask if they would accept the groupons and they said that they did. I emailed them the groupon PDFs at info@chicagoline.com with the date and time slot I wanted to go on. I received an email confirmation roughly a couple days later and I was all set, I only had to pay the additional taxes/fees before the cruise. There were employees with ipads that checked you in and also can accept the credit cards. When you arrive at the meeting spot, just simply tell the employee your name so they can look up your ticket. I received a barcode in an email for an additional ticket that I bought. You don't even need to show this barcode, just state your name to the employee. The tour was rather boring because our tour guide ended up saying facts about the exact same buildings on the way there and back. He told us that we would start with the left side of the tour bout buildings and he will go over the right side on our way back. He ended up repeating most if not all of the buildings that were already on our left at the beginning. It was not worth the $ for this 90 min tour. Pick another tour, any other tour. There are restrooms on the boat and refreshments on the lower deck.

Sean our tour guide was phenomenal. You could tell he really enjoyed what he did and how engaging he made the tour. Incredibly knowledgeable about the Architecture of this great city. I am a Chicago native and I learned a lot about my birth city. We did the night time tour and the sights were splendid with how well the buildings are lit up. I still call it the Sears Tower, Hancock and Wrigley Building. Can't conger up the courage to change.

The views on this tour are incredible, especially during a summer evening. However, the narration is nonstop and does not allow you to enjoy the views with your party or listen to music. In fact, if you talked too much you would be reprimanded.

We've wanted to do this for a while. Not to mention as long as I've been coming to Chicago, I never got the chance so we came for a day trip and went all in!! Glad we did and would recommend it to anyone. There are a bunch of yours with several different lines and I'm glad we chose this one. It was a smaller boat, which meant fewer people so it was up close and personal. That made for a more enjoyable tour to me. Our "guide" Katie, I believe that was her name, was extremely knowledgeable and articulate. Lots and lots of information to absorb. Well worth it! And the views are incredible! The only thing I don't think I liked was that trying to take pictures was instructed by the rails overhead on the boat, but that wasn't enough to say anything bad. I say book it and go!!

What a great experience with Chicago Line Cruises! Note: be sure to check out Groupon - I saved $30 purchasing on there vs. directly on the website. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, entertaining and made the experience enjoyable. There was also complimentary water, lemonade, tea, coffee, hot chocolate and cookies which I truly appreciated! If you're looking to see the city, I'd recommend doing the architectural boat tour!

Very rude support staff. Had one person following us wherever we went in the boat. If you want to sit in one place and listen to a person talking for 90 mins this is the cruise. If you want to enjoy your time in the cruise; this is definitely not.

I was on a 90 minute cruise recently with Chicago Line. Al W. our guide, was outstanding. He did not miss one detail! I loved the itinerary that took us to Ping Tom Park in Chinatown. That is the first time I have been on a sightseeing boat that has gone there. The free lemonade and ice water were very welcome on a very hot day!

I'm a born and raised Chicagoan, but I always love learning a new tidbit or two. This was my second architectural tour (both from a different company), and I feel as though the pros and cons to Chicago Line were crystal clear. Pros: -Food and drinks available on the boat for free! They serve Starbucks coffee, water and lemonade to keep you refreshed, and offer multiple types of cookies and muffins for sweet treats! -Our tour guide was a recent graduate with a Masters in Architecture, so he knew his stuff! -The seating that was available was probably my favorite part. You could sit on the top or bottom level. On the top, they had foldable chairs in rows, and also benches lining the edge of the boat, and you were free to get up and switch seats as the boat was moving. It was nice not to get squished between two people, or even stuck behind someone tall, since the seating was flexible. -Because they leave every hour on the hour between 8am-4pm, none of the tours were really overly crowded. Arrive 10 minutes before your tour is supposed to leave and you'll be fine. Cons: -There wasn't a lot of interaction. We were very much talked at the whole time, and although it was informational there wasn't any rapport building, which made it nothing more than average. On our other tour, they had funny Q&A time and also surveyed where everyone was visiting from. This tour lacked in the bonding experience. -Our tour guide would stop and take pictures with his phone and/or professional camera, which I thought was odd. It was a little distracting because he kept trying to talk and snap pictures to send his friends at the same time. TIP: Grab a Groupon if you plan to go on this tour! It's almost 50% off!

This was the highlight of my Chicago trip! I mainly chose this tour company because it was cheaper than the other ones and it also offered complimentary soft drinks and coffee. They are located a little further away from the rest of the tour groups that leave from the Magnificent Mile but is only a 10-15 min walk. The tour was so informative and the tour guide was funny and gave so many interesting facts. What impressed me even more was that his knowledge was up to date so he shared a lot of the recent real estate development in Chicago. The boat was not going very fast so you can really take in the scenery. Tip: book in advance! We booked one week before the actual date and many slots were already taken.

On the second day of my trip, my father and I did a boat tour with Chicago Line Cruises. We weren't disappointed and came away feeling like we were a part of the Windy City and the Windy City was a part of us. You tour the river that flows through Chitown with your tour guide who explains the history of the buildings and streets. Lots of beautiful buildings such as the John Hancock building, Sears tower (technically Willis tower but no one calls it that), and Chicago School. Ted Mosby must've been the designer because the architectural landscape of the city is gorgeous (just kidding, many architects including John Root and Daniel Burnham played a part in these historic beauties). Tour is 90 minutes. Complimentary drinks and pastries are served. I wish it was longer but I don't know tour guides who could talk that long and not be bored. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and cracked some funny jokes so we were entertained and educated. Wait till you hear the story about how Wrigley got into the gum business! If you visit Chicago, you should definitely do this. Beautiful scenery, educational tour, plus you're on a boat. The only thing more Chicagoan than that is the Cubs at Wrigley (a review on that later)!

My wife and I very much enjoyed the Chicago Line Cruise jazz cruise. The 90-minute cruise leaves every Sunday evening from the Ogden Slip off of McLurg Court in Streeterville. My spouse said this was one of the favorite things she has done in Chicago since moving here in the past year, and I agree. I am a jazz snob, and the thought of being trapped on a boat listening to bad jazz made me hesitant to purchase tickets. Instead, I was very pleased with the music offered by the Geordie Kelly group. He's a fine jazz guitarist, and his band was great. I was particularly impressed with the young saxophonist. I think her name was Natalie Sharpe, but I cannot find anything about her online. The vocalist, Amanda Wolfe, was terrific, also. The cruise takes you down the Chicago River and past much of the city's great architecture. On a warm summer night, there's nothing quite like floating past the Wrigley Building at sunset while listening to some fine jazz. Seating is limited and you'll share tables with strangers. (Introduce yourself and make some new friends!) Get to the dock early if you're picky about seating. Drinks can be had on board, and we found the prices reasonable. The only food is complimentary pretzels and cookies, so plan ahead. And if you're a jazz fan, consider stopping by Winter's Jazz Club after the cruise. It's just steps away from the Chicago Line Cruise dock, and it's a newer, fine jazz club that deserves a little more attention in the city.

Chicago Architecture Cruise: I bought a Groupon and surprised my boyfriend by taking him on this tour this past weekend. SO WORTH IT! We had an amazing time. I've lived in Chicago most of my life and I definitely learned a lot from the tour. Little fun facts. My boyfriend has only been living here for about a year and loved this! Our tour guide was knowledgeable, funny, and overall entertaining. Complimentary soda drinks and cookies. Beer and wine available for sale. It's definitely a different way to see Chicago and learn a little bit about the city.

10/10 would recommend for anyone visiting Chicago for the first time! Very relaxing boat tour. Alcohol available for purchase with a really nice bartender on board. Informative, engaging tour of the city. Covid precautions taken also!

One of the must do's in when in Chicago is an Architecture Boat Tour. I got a Groupon deal with this company ($59 for 2 for a 75min tour). Other places are about $35 per person so it was some good savings. When you get there, they will charge you $5 and change for tax. The tour overall didn't feel like 75min since it was so informative and entertaining. Our boat tour guide was very funny and engaging so time just flew by. I recommend coming in earlier and sitting on the right side as about 80% of the tour focuses there. However, if you sit on the upper deck you will have no problems seeing/watching both directions - it does get problematic if you want good photos though! Lower deck seating is limited, but it is a shaded area and the Water, Coke, Lemonade, Tea, Cookies and Muffins are down there (for FREE!) Overall, it is a great experience. You get to learn so much about the history of the city. Definitely must do.

We liked this tour a lot, very informative and entertaining. 10:00am in August was a bad call, too sunny and hot. 5pm would have been great.

Our tour guide was SO knowledgeable. She had a great speaking voice and her pace was easy to follow. She really knew here stuff! I sincerely appreciated the little perk of having free coffee, tea, and lemonade to drink on the boat along with several types of tasty cookies! The takeoff location was easy to find and the boarding process was a breeze. The 90-minute tour was very delightful and I learned a thing or two. There are some incredible photo opportunities on this trip, so have your smartphone or camera ready. *It can get a bit breezy on the top deck, so make sure to bring a jacket or sweater

This is the best way to see the Windy City. It was my first trip to Chicago and I already knew that I wanted to take this tour. I was made aware of the tour from the movie "The Break-Up". The tour guide was interesting, entertaining, witty and knowledgeable about this great town. You'll see the city from a prospective that gives you the beauty and magnitude of the tall buildings. Learning about the architectural changes over the years was interesting. I learned more about the city then I'll ever remember. Looks like I'll need to make another trip back. If weather permits, this is a must do when in Chitown

When visiting Chicago, it is recommended to do an architectural boat tour. There are plenty of options for boat tours, they all seem to follow the same script, so I don't think it really makes a difference which one you choose. My traveling companions booked ours online, last minute. The tour takes about 90 minutes. The boat we had for our tour had 2 levels and was already packed, full disclosure, we did arrive 10 minutes before the start of the tour. The top level is the best area to see everything. Plus, the tour guide is on that level, so there's a lot more interaction there. The lower level has the tiny bathrooms and the refreshments (drinks and cookies) plus some really poorly placed seating, but you can move the chairs around to get some kind of view while there. As the tour took off, it was pretty evident EVERYTHING on the tour is focused on the right side. Worry not those sitting on the left side, on the way back, you'll get to see the phenomenal buildings, you just won't get the information associated with it, because guess what, the tour is still focused on the right. I think I would have enjoyed the tour a whole lot more if I had known how the tour would operate. I don't know what the original purpose of the boat was, but it wasn't for an architectural river tour. Is an architectural river tour a must in Chicago? Absolutely! However, show up at least 30 minutes (or more) early and situate yourself on the top level and on the right side.

A tour unlike any we've ever been on - Far and away the best way to see the city and in a way that's unique and will leave you both wanting to do it again and with a new appreciation for Chicago and all the great architecture that makes the city what it is! This two hour tour, complete with coffee and cookies, was simply stated - spectacular. The tour guide did a great job of pointing out literally every building that had any history associated with it - granted could have been lying and we wouldn't know the difference. Either way, it was very thorough and on a sunny day it was an incredible way to spend a late morning after grabbing breakfast downtown. Cheaper to book online and it was the best way to make sure we got on. It's located in a bit of an awkward spot, around the block from where our GPS took us. It's back behind the buildings that sit on the water. This is the sort of tour we'll be recommending to our friends and taking ouf family on. Hands down the best way we've seen a city in the US - great photo ops, great guide, and a great way to spend a weekend morning.

Apparently Chicago is known for their architecture. An architecture tour is something that almost everyone who has been to Chicago recommended to us while we were on vacation. Now, there are a ton of different tours you can go on with all different price points. They all pretty much go on the same route though so we chose to save a little money and book the Chicago Line Cruises through Groupon. Not only did we save money, they also offered complimentary cookies and drinks (tea, cocoa, coffee, juice) throughout the tour which was a nice addition. 90 minutes seem like a long time but it goes by pretty quick! Make sure you bring a hat though because you're going to be in the sun and it's impossible to avoid if you actually want to see the buildings being described. Technically you can go below deck to avoid the sun but you're going to miss out. Check in is easy and the staff is friendly. Our tour guide was funny and extremely informative. We enjoyed the tour more than we thought we would and would recommend it to anyone visiting Chicago! 4/5

I think the enjoyment of this tour is based on your tour guide. We booked the architecture tour last Saturday at 10:30a. We got there early to get a good seat (and because they ask you to arrive 30 minutes prior to departure). They actually tried to get us to board the 10a at the last minute, but I declined as it was packed and the whole reason we got there with so much time to spare was to ensure a view. At any rate we did the 10:30 and were up front where the tour guide(s) were. On this cruise we seemed to have an architecture student giving the tour and she appeared to have a boss/professor with her that was grading her. The cruise is a nice way to see the city. You really do get to see a glimpse of several neighborhoods, see Lake Michigan close up and ride the river. It is a great picture taking opportunity. However, the actual tour part is kind of dependent on who is giving you the tour. Our architecture student was very knowledgeable in architecture terms, styles & dates - you know stuff you might get on a test! As far as giving engaging stories that the average person can relate to, um , not so much. At one point her boss/professor actually took over and I thought thank God, he was so much more personable and had great stories to go along with cold hard facts. Unfortunately, it was short lived and most of the cruise was just boring. Yes, I said it, it was boring! I was really looking forward to it and I really found it dull. Loved the boat ride, like the views, but the dry content was very dull. It was OK, but for $80 for 2 tickets I really expected more. They do provide drinks and cookies and it is a short walk to Navy Pier when you are done, so there is that!

We were tipped off by the staff at our hotel to choose Chicago Architectural River Cruises for their family friendly pricing and we were so glad we did. Between the free ticket for our 6 year old, the half price fare for our 9 year old and our groupon for $20 off the adult tickets, the price was half the other big architectural boat tour in town. I took that tour years ago and can honestly say this one was entirely comparable. Very smooth sailing, left on time, good facilities, very informative guide...the best way to see Chicago and learn to see more in that skyline as you walk around town. Highly recommend the tour, the tour company and taking advantage of the family friendly discounts!

With several other architectural cruises, my experience with Chicago Line Cruise was just okay. A majority of tourists will probably do one architectural tour during their time in Chicago. However, because I had gone to Chicago with two different groups, I actually dedicated time to do two of them (the other being Wendella)! Comparing my experience between the two, I definitely felt that this tour was noticeably less enjoyable. As a general positive for any of these tours would be its educational value. Doing one of these tours is a must in Chicago. The tour guide is knowledgable about the history and the buildings that make up the riverfront. Plus, from the riverfront it becomes clear that Chicago is made up some of the most diverse and interesting high rises of any city. One perk from this tour over Wendella is that drinks are provided at the stop as well as on the boat. This fact was not really advertised on the boat and so barely anyone from our trip got any. However, my experience on this tour did have noticeable drawbacks that made it noticeably less enjoyable. First of all, the tour guide, though knowledgable, was not super entertaining and the content of her tour seemed a little winded at times and not enough information for others - almost as if she was winging it. Second of all, there was a part on the tour where we were possibly blocked so this caused a weird speeding that cause the boat to smoke. Not sure if this was completely avoidable, but this did disrupt the flow of the tour and was not super pleasant to smell. My family and I went on this through a Groupon deal which I would highly recommend doing for some cost savings. They do suggest getting there thirty minutes early but there was really nothing to do. If you don't want to waste your time, you can probably get there fifteen minutes early and still get a good seat. I would also recommend either going in the morning or when the sun is about to set to get the best views. Overall, Chicago Line Cruises provides the standard educational purpose that is done better from other cruise lines.

I very much enjoyed my recent Architectural Tour with Chicago Line Cruises. My girlfriend and I took a 90 minute tour on a clear and sunny Saturday afternoon. Groupon had a great deal, 62% off I believe. I've visited Chicago a few times before, but had never seen the amazing views of the city this cruise has to offer! The views are gorgeous! It's a great way to see the city. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. He had much to say about every large skyscraper and/or important landmark that we passed by along the way. He even took a walk around the boat and said hello to every tour goer he could before the ride started. He knew a lot of memorable fun facts and interesting stories about the Chicago River and the city apart from the buildings on the tour. The tour has complimentary Starbucks coffee, as well as lemonade and (delicious) assorted cookies on the lower level of the ship. There are multi-person, gender-oriented bathrooms on the lower level of the ship. I don't have many critiques, but do know that the line does fill up fast. I would recommend getting there at least 20 minutes before to check-in comfortably - and also to enjoy the snacks in their lobby. I recommend this experience for sure!

Great tour of the rich architectural history of Chicago. I took the 2pm tour and got my ticket through the hotel concierge. Come early because the line forms quickly for a good seat. Also, bring a jacket and sunglasses! It gets chilly on the top deck in some areas. The buildings are so tall, you need sunglasses on a sunny day to look up so high to see them. My docent was very knowledgeable Bob. They offer free Starbucks coffee, soda, water and cookies onboard so that's nice. A great way to learn about the city and enjoy the river. See the gorgeous homes too! All a million dollars or something! But a nice ride. I came in May and it was 78 degrees! A rare sunny day in Chicago spring so everyone was outside. Lots of brides too. Amazing buildings for sure a gem for the city. The cool historical bridges and the railways also great.

Located behind Target, go down to the river walk for 50 yards to purchase your tickets. Boat is located next to the ticket office. I read 'Devil in the white city' book before coming to Chicago. It gave me insight to the Chicago architectural background. Fascinating read and definitely a fascinating city. The boat ride was very informative and kept me engaged the entire time. However, if I had brought my kids... I don't think they would have appreciated the boat tour and would have categorized it as a class field trip. It's a pricey tour, and I would have hated paying for something that my kids would have been bored on and not have appreciated. Perfect for adults. Don't forget sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a jacket. It was a warm sunny day, however I didn't realize that the wind chill factor can whip right through you. Better safe than sorry or it can be a long ride. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and knew a lot of Chicago architectural, historical, & trivial info. The crew were very professional and ran the boat smoothly and safely through its course through the river and canals. Would I recommend this tour? YES!

Relatively small intimate boat recommended by the concierge at the Waldorf as a better experience than some of the bigger operations. We were actually able to reserve our place on the boat from the hotel. The tour came with unlimited complimentary soda, lemonade, tea, and Starbucks Coffee both in the ticket building and on the boat. They also had an assortment of fresh cookies and muffins as well throughout the tour as well. Our tour guide was amazing. She was very knowledgeable and kept pace with the movement of the tour almost perfectly. There's a lot of information coming at you fairly quickly, but it was very informative. They prep you with the history of architecture styles and then weave them into the tour of slow moving buildings as you glide down the river. Chicago Lines Cruises provided a top notch experience all and all. Get there early as it's a little hard to find. Navigate to Target and then look for the signs. The secret spot on the boat is on the lower deck in the very front with room for a few chairs. There you have total panoramic views in the sun, or you can take a few steps back and be in the shade.

Overall pretty good. The tour guide was very knowledgable and a good speaker. I like that they give you cookies, soft drinks, lemonade, water, and tea. However, when I went to order a soft drink the server was sitting in the corner reading something and did not even acknowledge my existence. Then when I kindly asked her for a soft drink after a few minutes, she looked at me with pure annoyance and gave it to me with no pleasantries. Someone needs a better attitude while working! I got there 30 minutes to departure and there was already a huge line. Also, you must check in at their office to get a ticket even though you already purchased your ticket online. This is fine but please note get there earlier than 30 minutes if you want a better seat on the boat. I had to sit on the perimeter benches because all of the seats were already taken by the time I got there. I kind of wish there was more seating up top or that they let less people on. It would suck if you had to sit at the bottom. It's not fair to make people sit on the first floor. Overall, good company just get there early so you have a better seat.

Great cruise with very knowledgeable host. We enjoyed the sights from embarkation (which is on a lovely inlet off the river). The main river is a short 5 min boat ride, but it gives you the view and grandeur of entering the Chicago River next to the Navy Pier and practically from Lake Michigan. The guide was very knowledgeable and kept the pace and information flow interesting. We learned a lot about Chicago trivia! This was lots of fun! Tip: for a great breeze and awesome views, sit upfront, by the captain's cabin. Some sunscreen may be required as the bench seats are not shaded/covered. Tip: the cruise line offers FREE Coca-Cola and tea/lemonade/coffee products plus cookies.

Great for families of all sizes. We enjoyed our time on the boat. Complimentary cookies, coffee, tea, and water throughout the trip. 90 minutes is just perfect for this kind of tour. Our guide was just okay, a little boring, she almost put me to sleep. If you do get bored, you can roam around the bottom deck. Come early to get to the front of the line and secure seats together. Otherwise you'd be like us being at the end of the line and sitting away from each other. Haha! If you're traveling with an infant like us, they have a space in their office for your stroller so u dont have to bring it into the boat.

The architecture tour with Chicago Line Cruises was probably the best decision I made during my first visit to Chicago. Not wearing a hat or putting on sunscreen, well, that's another story. When planning my first trip to Chicago, I purposely went with some of the more touristy decisions. A boat tour came up again and again as one of the best ways to see Chicago. I easily booked my ticket online through viator.com and the plan was set. I picked a Monday to take the 90 minute architecture tour thinking it wouldn't be too crowded. Our tour wasn't packed, but it was far from empty. Our tour guide talked, no joke, for 90 minutes straight. Well, except for the two minute break she took that I still think was only 60 seconds. She gave us so much information on the different styles and history behind the city and it's construction. I felt very entertained as we made our way around the city along the Chicago River. And on such a beautiful day I couldn't take pictures fast enough. Chicago Line Cruises offers several different tours including a cocktail cruise, a history cruise and the architecture cruise I took. I'm not sure if the amenities are the same on all the cruises but mine included complimentary cookies and drinks (coffee/lemonade). I strongly recommend taking the architecture boat tour to anyone interested in Chicago - tourists, visitors, even residents. It's an overwhelming way to see and learn about this remarkable city skyline. I think even Chicagoans will learn something new.

My friend and I learned so much about the history of Chicago's architecture on this tour. The guide was so knowledgeable and was a great speaker so everyone paid attention. The 90 minute tout was perfect. The weather was beautiful as we sat outside and was able to take a lot of beautiful skyline pictures. Out of all the things we did in Chicago over the weekend, I felt like this was at the top of the list. Learned a ton and came away with a real appreciation for many amazing buildings of Chicago and its interesting history. The boat ride was smooth and beautiful. You won't regret spending 90 minutes of your life on this tour. Highly recommend!!

My friends and I purchased tickets to the 2018 and 2019 morning St Patrick's day river dying cruises. We had a wonderful time in 2018 and booked again in 2019 making sure to bundle up since it is colder on the river than one would think. While the drinks were still flowing on the boat in 2019 - the boat never even cruised at all on the Green river - instead we were on the outskirts of all the dying action for the entire cruise. We were all very disappointed as that was a highlight in 2018 and key reason we purchased tickets again.