Cruise boat on Chicago River passing under Clark Street Bridge.
Guide speaking on the 'Chicago First Lady' cruise with city architecture in the background.
Chicago Riverwalk with people strolling, boats on the river, and 'Chicago's First Lady' tour boat.
Guests enjoying the view on the 'Chicago First Lady' cruise.
Chicago skyline with skyscrapers and river view, Illinois, USA.
Chicago skyline with modern skyscrapers reflecting sunset colors over the river.

Official Chicago Architecture Cruise by First Lady

Chicago
Sightseeing Cruises
Google Verified Seller

Duration: 1.5 hours (approx.)

Get your booking confirmed instantly

90-minute guided architecture river cruise

Live narration by Chicago Architecture Center docents

Covers all three branches of the river

Guaranteed open-air outdoor seating

Restrooms onboard

Free stroller storage

Limited mobility services

Food and beverages (available for purchase at the bar/snack bar)

Gratuities

Parking (discounted parking available with validation, but not included)

Transportation or hotel pickup

Guests enjoying the view on the 'Chicago First Lady' cruise.

Guests enjoying the view on the 'Chicago First Lady' cruise.

What to bring

  • A hat, sunglasses, or visor to shield you from the sun as you cruise.

  • Your booking confirmation, either on your phone or printed, for a smooth check-in.

  • A government-issued photo ID if staff request to verify your reservation.

What’s not allowed

  • Large suitcases or oversized bags; you’ll need to travel light.

  • Open strollers during boarding; please fold strollers and store them, and carry children aboard.

  • Outside food or beverages. Snacks and drinks are available to purchase on board.

  • Pets (service animals are welcome).

  • Any form of smoking, including e-cigarettes.

Accessibility

  • The cruise offers limited mobility services, including early boarding and river-level drop-off for guests with accessibility needs. However, full wheelchair accessibility may not be available on all vessels. Please contact the staff in advance for assistance.

Additional information

  • Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure; general boarding starts 15 minutes prior.

  • Cruises run rain or shine; tickets cannot be refunded for no-shows.

  • Infants under three years old still require a paid ticket.

  • Open-air seating is guaranteed but unassigned; seating is first-come, first-served.

  • Enjoy discounted parking at 111 E. Wacker Drive; validation available at the ticket office (parking fees not included).

  • River routes may vary due to weather or city events.

  • A portion of every ticket sale supports the Chicago Architecture Center’s educational mission.

  • During major events or street closures, please allow extra travel time to reach the departure point.

Chicago skyline with skyscrapers and river view, Illinois, USA.

Chicago skyline with skyscrapers and river view, Illinois, USA.

Chicago skyline with modern skyscrapers reflecting sunset colors over the river.

Chicago skyline with modern skyscrapers reflecting sunset colors over the river.

Customer Reviews

Discover what our customers are saying about their experiences

4.3

Loading reviews...

5
-
4
-
3
-
2
-
1
-

By proceeding with any booking via Staybook, you acknowledge and agree to adhere to all the .

FAQs

A hat, sunglasses, or visor to shield you from the sun as you cruise. Your booking confirmation, either on your phone or printed, for a smooth check-in. A government-issued photo ID if staff request to verify your reservation.
Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure; general boarding starts 15 minutes prior. Cruises run rain or shine; tickets cannot be refunded for no-shows. Infants under three years old still require a paid ticket. Open-air seating is guaranteed but unassigned; seating is first-come, first-served. Enjoy discounted parking at 111 E. Wacker Drive; validation available at the ticket office (parking fees not included). River routes may vary due to weather or city events. A portion of every ticket sale supports the Chicago Architecture Center’s educational mission. During major events or street closures, please allow extra travel time to reach the departure point.
Large suitcases or oversized bags; you’ll need to travel light. Open strollers during boarding; please fold strollers and store them, and carry children aboard. Outside food or beverages. Snacks and drinks are available to purchase on board. Pets (service animals are welcome). Any form of smoking, including e-cigarettes.
The cruise offers limited mobility services, including early boarding and river-level drop-off for guests with accessibility needs. However, full wheelchair accessibility may not be available on all vessels. Please contact the staff in advance for assistance.

You might also like ...

Explore more experiences in Chicago.

From
5,297per person
1

Were Online

How may

Why travellers trust Staybook

We've served 50 million+ guests and are here to serve you better

Premium support, curated experiences, and trusted reviews so every trip feels effortless.

Guests hosted
50 million+

Happy travellers across 12,000+ carefully curated experiences worldwide.

In the media
Featured brands

Recognised and recommended by leading travel and lifestyle publishers.

Support
24×7 help center

Live chat with local experts before, during, and after your experience.