Chicago Architecture River Cruise
360 CHICAGO and Skydeck Chicago are excellent places to get an overview of the city's layout and architecture. However, if you want to learn more about Chicago's skyscrapers, consider taking a river cruise to discover more about their architecture. You'll get fantastic vistas and historical insight into well-known structures like the Wrigley Building, the Leo Burnett Building, and the Fulton House if you take a river cruise down the Chicago River.
Although various businesses, like Wendella Sightseeing Co. and Chicago Line Excursions, provide architecture river cruises, most travelers advocate boarding a Chicago's First Lady Cruises boat with a Chicago Architecture Foundation docent to get the most out of the experience. You'll gain a great deal of knowledge about the architecture of the area, as well as get some fantastic skyline photos.
In addition to offering tours throughout the year, the Chicago Architecture Foundation and Chicago Line Cruises also offer cruises, albeit they are not as frequent during the winter. (From December through February, Chicago Line Cruises, Chicago's First Lady Cruises, and Wendella Sightseeing Co. do not arrange any tours.) For $39 per person, architecture cruises from Wendella Sightseeing are available. The cruises take approximately 75 or 90 minutes and are offered many times throughout the day. Shoreline Sightseeing's 75-minute architecture river tours are included in the price of the Go Chicago Cards.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the boat docks near the DuSable Bridge or the Ogden Slip, depending on availability. The docks at DuSable Bridge are within walking distance to The Magnificent Mile, many bus stations, and the Grand L station, while the docks at Ogden Slip are adjacent to Navy Pier and a number of bus stop options. There are also a limited number of parking garages available in the surrounding neighborhood. Ample seating and restroom facilities are available on all river tours, and some vessels also have concession stands selling food and beverages. If you're interested in seeing more, have a look at the U.S. News list of the Best Boat Tours in Chicago for some further inspiration.