wendella boat tour drink menu

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Chicago River Tours – Best Boat/Architecture Tour On Chicago River

• by Santiago Garza

Fast Facts:

Recommendations:.

• Wendella Boat tours depart from two different docks: Main Dock (Wrigley Building Dock) and Trump Dock. Though both docks are located very close to each other, check on your tickets to avoid any last-minute confusion.
• If taking the tour in nice and warm weather, I recommend sitting on the upper deck of the boat which offers panoramic views of the Chicago skyline.
• If sitting on the upper deck, don’t forget to keep a hat, sunscreen, and water.
• Paid parking is available nearby. I was lucky to find cheap parking within walking distance from the main dock on  SpotHero .
• While using  SpotHero , use promo code WENDELLA at checkout for an additional $5 off.

Chicago, also known as Windy City or Chi Town, is a city like no other in the world. It is unarguably one of my favorite cities in the world. Thanks to its awesome people, breathtaking downtown, and fun activities to do in and around Chicago,

My love affair with Chicago began way back in 2008 when I started pursuing an MS from Illinois State University in Normal, located just 120 miles south of Chicago.

Illinois State University’s close proximity to Chicago allowed me to travel to this amazing city almost every other weekend in quest of its delicious food and fun activities to do. Yes, traveling to and from Chicago downtown may stink because of the insane traffic. But every city has its own problems, and downtown traffic seems to be the most common problem among all the major cities in the United States.

Boat tours on the Chicago River:

When it comes to choosing the best tour on the Chicago River, you have plenty of options to choose from. Some of the major tour companies offering boat tours on the Chicago River are as follows:

Comparison of Chicago River Boat Tours

1. lake michigan skyline sightseeing cruise:.

• Duration: Approximately 30 minutes
• Special Features: Offers some of the best views of the Chicago skyline from Lake Michigan. It’s perfect for those with limited time.
• Commentary: Pre-recorded insights into the city’s architecture and history
• Departure Point: Navy Pier

2. Seadog Speedboat Tour:

• Special Features: A fast-paced tour that covers significant landmarks around Lake Michigan. Ideal for those seeking a thrill.
• Commentary: Live commentary from the captain, covering sites like Museum Campus, Magnificent Mile, Grant Park, and more.

3. Wendella’s Chicago’s Original Architecture Tour:

• Duration: Approximately 90 minutes
• Special Features: A comprehensive tour that explores all three branches of the Chicago River, detailing the stories behind prominent buildings.
• Commentary: Live guide providing architectural insights.
• Departure Point: Wendella Dock, at the northwest corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge.

4. Tall Ship Windy Architecture & Skyline Sailing Tour:

• Duration: Approximately 75 minutes
• Special Features: A scenic route along the Lake Michigan shoreline on a classic four-masted ship. Offers special-themed cruises.
• Commentary: Available on select tours.
• Departure Point: Varies based on the tour.

5. Lake Michigan Gourmet Dinner Cruise:

• Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours
• Special Features: A leisurely dinner with breathtaking skyline views, including a buffet, DJ, and dance floor.
• Commentary: Background music and casual insights.

6. Guided Architecture River Cruise:

• Duration: Approximately 60 minutes
• Special Features: Covers over 40 significant Chicago landmarks with detailed architectural insights.
• Commentary: Live guide detailing historical and architectural facts.
• Departure Point: Navy Pier’s Polk Bros Park or the northeast corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge.

7. Seadog River and Lake Architectural Tour:

• Special Features: A combination of speed and sightseeing, this tour offers detailed architectural insights and a thrilling ride.
• Commentary: Live commentary on Chicago’s architectural history.
• Departure Point: Seadog’s dock at Navy Pier

8. Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise:

• Special Features: In-depth architectural insights on more than 50 buildings, offering a comprehensive history of the city.
• Commentary: Live, expert commentary from the Chicago Architecture Foundation.
• Departure Point: Chicago First Lady Cruises dock

Each of these tours offers a unique way to experience Chicago’s architectural wonders, from quick overviews to in-depth explorations, and from classic sightseeing to luxurious dining experiences. Visitors can choose based on their time availability, interest in architecture, and preference for a leisurely or thrilling ride.

Wendella Boat Tours:

I chose to go on Chicago’s architecture tour on Wendella Boats after going through their amazing reviews online. When it comes to going on an architecture tour with Wendella Boat Tours, you have a couple of options to choose from:

Chicago’s Original Architecture Tour

Wendella’s Signature Lake & River Tour

Having done both of the above tours, I can easily recommend going for  Wendella’s Signature Lake & River Tour . Here are the main reasons to prefer this tour over the original architecture tour:

• Both Wendella’s Signature Lake & River Tour and Chicago’s Original Architecture Tour cost $35.50 for adults. However, Wendella’s Signature Lake & River Tour lasts 90 minutes, while Chicago’s Original Architecture Tour lasts only 75 minutes. Therefore, you get more value for your money by going on Wendella’s Signature Lake & River Tour if time is not a concern, of course.
• Wendella’s Signature Lake & River Tour takes you to Lake Michigan, which offers expansive views of the Chicago skyline. On the other hand, Chicago’s Original Architecture Tour doesn’t venture into Lake Michigan and navigates just on the different branches of the Chicago River.
• Since Wendella’s Signature Lake & River Tour takes you to Lake Michigan, you can see the locking system between the Chicago River and Lake Michigan from up close. It’s pretty cool.

Our time on the boat:

Wendella Boats docking station is located at 400 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611. On Michigan Avenue, you will notice signs for Wendella Boat Tours. Take the stairs down to the docking station. We didn’t have any trouble locating the dock.

Stairs to the Wendella Boats Dock 

Once you take the stairs down, you will notice a ticket window for any last-minute bookings. If you booked your tickets online, you can either bring a printout or show your tickets on your phone. There will be a person with a scanning device to scan the tickets.

There is little shade and chairs once you’re in the line. Make sure you have sunscreen, a hat, and water if traveling in hot weather. Though water, snacks, and booze are available on the boat, it’s priced a bit on the higher side.

Once the boat arrived, we chose to sit on the upper deck of the boat. Usually, Wendella boats have 2 decks: upper and lower. The upper deck has no shade, but that’s where the guide sits. The lower deck is air-conditioned, and you can still listen to your guide since there are speakers all over the boat. We chose the upper deck to enjoy the panoramic views of Chicago downtown.

Now (in) famous Trump Tower 😉

Once on the boat, our captain chose to take the vessel to Lake Michigan first, which meant we had to go through the Chicago Harbor Lock between the Chicago River and Lake Michigan.

On our way to the lock, the guide gave us a lot of interesting and fun information about Chicago downtown and the Chicago River. Did you know the flow of the Chicago River was reversed in 1990, and since then it has been flowing in reverse? I bet you didn’t know this. Even we didn’t, and that’s why we were just stunned to hear about the rich history of Chicago from our very knowledgeable guide.

As for the lock, it was very interesting to see its functioning from the boat. Typically, the water level difference between the Chicago River and Lake Michigan is between two and five feet. Since Lake Michigan’s water level is higher than the water level of the Chicago River, the lock is controlled by gravity. It was a good learning experience to see the lock in action.

Chicago Harbor Lock as viewed from Lake Michigan side

Chicago downtown as viewed from Lake Michigan

Sears Tower (now called Willis Tower ) as seen from the boat!

You will come across many beautiful buildings during your time on the boat. One such building

One of my favorite buildings I came across while going down the river on this tour

I would highly recommend taking a boat tour of the Chicago River on your next trip to Chicago. Though there are plenty of tour companies to choose from, I cannot comment on those tours as I’ve toured just on Wendella boats. I found Wendella Boat’s tour guide very informative and gave us a lot of information about the history of Chicago downtown/river, different architectural styles, and great fun facts. I recommend Wendella’s Signature Lake & River Tour because the Chicago skyline from Lake Michigan is just incredible.

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Wendella Sightseeing Cruises

Providing exciting experiences to locals and visitors since 1935, the Wendella Sightseeing company is known for its signature architecture tours. As the original boat tour company in Chicago, Wendella provides a variety of daily boat tours throughout the summer season, and special occasions as well.

Wendella’s vessels have open topped viewing decks that are perfect for warm Chicago days. Most of the vessels also feature an indoor, climate-controlled lounge on the lower deck, offering speakers that allow guests to continue listening to live narration from the tour guide while inside.

Types of Wendella Sightseeing Tours

Some of the variety of tours guests may find available from Wendella Sightseeing may include:

River Architecture Tours

Navigating through the heart of downtown Chicago on all three branches of the Chicago River, a short architecture tour of just over an hour tells the story of more than 130 years of innovative architecture and unique heritage.

Lake & River Tour

Lasting approximately 1 ½ hours, Wendella has been offering this classic lake and river tour since 1935! Telling the story of more than 200 years of history, this tour explores the community, politics and social history. Begin with an up-close view of iconic architecture from the river, and then move through the Chicago Lock onto the waters of Lake Michigan. This will offer amazing views of Chicago’s 26-mile long skyline.

Sunset Cruise

Spend the evening on the calm waters, watching the sun set slowly behind the city’s skyline. A serene, romantic cruise lasts 1 ½ hours and is best enjoyed with a cocktail, glass of wine, or cold beer.

Chicago River Experience

A shorter, 45-minute experience may be available on weekends and holidays throughout the peak season of the summer. Grab hold of the energy of the city through the heart of downtown Chicago with a casual, family-friendly introduction to the history and heritage of the Windy City.

Fireworks Cruise

Celebrate two nights a week throughout the peak summer season with a two-hour, epic fireworks cruise. Guests will experience an unobstructed, 360-degree view of the fireworks right over the skyline from the peaceful waters of Lake Michigan.

Specialty Cruises

Throughout the season, Wendella Sightseeing provides special occasion tours for various holidays and festivities. These may include St. Patrick’s Day (complete with the green river), 4 th of July, Halloween, Beer & BBQ, Wine & Cheese and more.

What You’ll See on a Wendella Sightseeing Cruise

Points of interest on the Wendell Sightseeing cruise route may include:

• Tribune Tower
• Wrigley Building
• Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower)
• Buckingham Fountain
• Chicago Harbor Lighthouse
• and much more!

Wendella Sightseeing Services

Public tours run daily throughout the warmer season, and the vessels can also be privately chartered for groups. Wendella’s boats are perfect as an open-air venue for family events, school trips, corporate events and much more. Private chartering may include a water taxi for group transportation, or cruise vessels that hold up to 275 guests.

Wendella Sightseeing Timing

River and lake architecture tours are offered each day through the season, from March through December. Cruises may last from 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the specific booking and schedule.

Wendella Sightseeing Considerations

Information guests may need before booking a Wendella Sightseeing Tour:

• Tours depart from the Wendella Main Dock at 400 Michigan Avenue as well as the Wendella West Dock (located at the lower level of Kinzie and Rush).
• Wendella vessels feature restrooms and full-service bars (cash or credit card).
• Tickets may be purchased on the day of the tour at the ticket office, but booking online will ensure that spots are secured. Ticket sales close 5 minutes prior to tour departure.
• Tickets are not refundable but may be transferred to other dates and times.
• Guests should arrive 30 minutes prior to the tour time.
• Seats are not reserved and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Bags are subject to inspection.
• Children receive discounted admission and under 4 are free.
• Active military members, veterans, and students should inquire about discounts.
• Follow Wendella on Twitter and Facebook for promo codes opportunities.
• Wheelchair access is available from the Wendella’s Trump Dock and six of the vessels can fit a wheelchair and have ADA compliant restrooms. Call prior to booking for specific information.
• Hearing impaired guests may request a written narration script at the ticket office.
• Pets are not allowed but ADA compliant service dogs are welcome.
• All tours are weather permitting and schedule may change daily.
• School trips require 1 adult chaperone to accompany every 15-20 children for safety purposes.

Book a Wendella Sightseeing Cruise

Tickets for Wendella Sightseeing Cruise should be purchased in advance online. Tours often sell out. Booking is easy online. Online bookings show weekly availability including tour times as well as revealing tours that are already sold out. Pay for your tour in advance with a credit card and receive an email with all of the information you need about where and when tours meet as well as what to expect.

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Tours & Attractions , Architectural/Cultural Tours , Boat Tours , Special Interest Tours

Wendella tours & cruises.

Located in The Magnificent Mile

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400 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago IL 60611

Get directions

• www.wendellaboats.com
• (312) 337-1446
• (312) 344-1190
• Women Owned

As Chicago’s original architecture boat tour, Wendella has been dedicated to serving Chicago’s families, visitors, students, guests and commuters for over 75 years. Family owned and operated for three generations, our mission is to provide you and your family with a safe, comfortable and affordable fun day on the waterways. Our experienced staff and expert tour guides, trained by Wendella’s in-house Education Department, work hard to ensure that you capture the true essence of Chicago’s past, present and future every time you step on board one of our vessels. Wendella offers our signature 90 minute Combined Lake and River Tour; the 75 minute Chicago River Architecture tour; the 45 minute Chicago Experience and our Chicago at Sunset Cruise. We also offer many specialty cruises including Wine Tasting and Fireworks. Taking Metra downtown? Ride the Chicago Water Taxi to Michigan Ave. Visit www.chicagowatertaxi.com for more information.

Wheelchair Accessible

Student Tours

Group Charter/Sightseeing

Complimentary Policy 2 per group of 20 or more

Average Visit/Tour Length 1.5 - 2 hours

Minimum Size for Group Admission Rate 20

American Express

Student Group Friendly

Reservation Cancellation Policy All tickets are non-refundable but are transferable to another time, date, or tour.

Reservations Accepted

ADA Compliant

Self-Parking Available Off-site

Food On-site OTHER

Open Seasonally

Family-friendly

Military Discount

Preferred Catering Providers

Largest Room, Reception Capacity (Standing) 280

Largest Room, Banquet Capacity (Seated) 280

On-site Audio/Visual Equipment

Complete Buy-out Available

Max Capacity, Reception Style (Standing) 1120

Max Capacity, Banquet Style (Seated) 1120

Max Venue Capacity 1120

Private Meeting Space Available

Woman Owned Business

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Things To Do | Get yourself on a boat: The best booze cruises…

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Things to do | get yourself on a boat: the best booze cruises in chicago.

Grab your life-jackets and your goggles (beer or otherwise) and head to these 14 booze cruises to work on your sea legs while getting raucously drunk.

Island Party Boat Monroe Harbor, 312-600-8454 If you’re OK with bordering on tacky, take an Island Party Boat booze cruise along the Chicago River. For $30, you can spend an hour drinking to excess against a soundtrack of ukulele tunes and pretending the water below you isn’t an unnatural color. Dogs are allowed to join you so long as they aren’t scared of drunk strangers. Tickets: islandpartyboat.com .

Mystic Blue Craft Brew Cruises Navy Pier, 866-391-8439 If your drinking preferences are on the refined end of the spectrum, Mystic Blue’s craft brew events are perfect for you. Throughout the summer, the boat will play host to a few select events featuring only the best of Midwest beer and ciders—and one day that’s all about Belgiums brews. Prices range from $39.90 to $49.90 per person. Tickets: mysticbluecruises.com

After Work Cruises aboard Anita Dee II Navy Pier, 866-261-9330 Every summer night is a night for drinking, right? On Monday and Tuesday nights, hop aboard the Anita Dee II at Navy Pier for three hours of sailing and boozing with other professionals drinking off the two hardest days of the week. These two cruises run from 6-9 p.m. with tickets starting at $25 per person. Tickets: afterworkcruises.com

Chicago Cocktail Cruises at Navy Pier Navy Pier, 866-273-2469 Up your boat drinking game with these craft cocktails on offer aboard this skyline cocktail excursion. Starting at $44.90 a person, you’ll have from 3:30-6 p.m. to eat hors d’oeuvres, shake your groove thang on a DJ’d dance floor and mingle with other Chicagoans (and probably some tourists) just trying to live their best lives. Tickets: spiritcruises.com

Eat, Drink & B. Mary Brunch Cruise Navy Pier, 866-273-2469 Why not take your usual Sunday brunch out on the water? This two-hour cruise on Lake Michigan will serve up not only your brunch favorites buffet-style, but also bloodies and mimosas for you to sip to your heart’s content. Tickets start at $57.90. Tickets: spiritcruises.com

Friday and Saturday Night Booze Cruises with Chicago Party Boat DuSable Harbor If you’re OK with being surrounded by a bunch of drunk 20-somethings trying to cling to their college days, this cruise is the place to be. Ranging $20-$50 depending on the date and the occasion, these cruises feature a live DJ. Tickets: chicagopartyboat.com

Beer and BBQ Cruise with Wendella Boats 400 N. Michigan Ave. 312-337-1446 Make Ron Swanson proud on this two-hour cruise down the Chicago River to Lake Michigan. Sip craft beer while you nosh on barbecue offerings courtesy of Sweet Baby Ray’s. Tickets start at $53.75 and tours run from 5:45-7:45 p.m. every Thursday. And if the weather doesn’t hold up, no sweat. Each boat includes climate-controlled lounges so your money won’t go to waste. Tickets: wendellaboats.com

Wine and Cheese Cruise with Wendella Boats 400 N. Michigan Ave. 312-337-1446 The finer things in life await you on the high seas—er, lake—of Chicago with this wine and cheese-devoted event taking off every Thursday at 5:45 p.m. along the Chicago River. Wine and cheese pairings from Pastoral make this the highest-class trip you’ll find on the Great Lakes. Tickets: wendellaboats.com

Summer Brew Cruises with Revolution Brewing Navy Pier, 312-222-9328 Celebrate Chicago’s craft beer connoisseurs at Revolution on this brew cruise featuring seasonal craft beer tasting, appetizer pairings and views of the Chicago skyline. For $49 per person, take in the sights and sounds of the city for 90 minutes while you sip on your favorite Revolution beer to the soundtrack of live music and hipsters discussing the different flavor profiles. Tickets: shorelinesightseeing.com

Illinois Made Cruise Navy Pier, 312-222-9328 All things Illinois will take center stage on this 90-minute ride around the shoreline. For $49 per person, dabble with different food and drink vendors from across the state, all while appreciating the Windy City we call home. Tickets: shorelinesightseeing.com

Hard Cider Tasting Cruise Navy Pier, 312-222-9328 Beer isn’t for everybody—or so we’ve heard—but cider is a good substitute. This $49 per person cruise features a lineup of different grown up apple juices, both local and from across the country. For the uninitiated, the tasting cruise will begin with a lesson in how to properly sip a cider … or you can say “screw it” and throw it back. Tickets: shorelinesightseeing.com

Wine Tasting Cruises with Lynfred Winery Navy Pier, 312-222-9328 Keep it classy with this wine tasting (read: not chugging) along the Chicago skyline. Hosted by Illinois’ oldest family-owned winery, this cruise will kick off with a wine course and “generous” tastings of Lynfred’s most popular selections. A fancy summer night awaits you. Tickets: shorelinesightseeing.com

City Winery Wine Flight River Cruises 11 Chicago Riverwalk, 888-636-7737 Leave your three buck chuck at home and hop aboard this Seadog cruise by City Winery. Spend 75 minutes admiring Chicago’s architecture with a guided tour of the city as you sip on select City Winery favorites. Tickets range $41.95-$53.95, depending on how much wine you’re looking to throw back in an hour and a half. Tickets: seadogcruises.com

Chicago Line Architecture Cocktail Cruise 465 N. McClurg Court 312-527-1977 Sponsored in part by the Chicago History Museum, this architecture cruise is equal parts boozy and informative. For $21 on top of your admission, you’ll have access to unlimited wine, beer and mixed drinks during your 90 minutes aboard the boat. Regular admission starts at $43. Tickets: chicagoline.com

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Wendella's Signature Lake & River Tour

400 North Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60606

Architecture

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• Guided Tours

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• About this activity

Wendella's 90-min Chicago River Architecture Tour

• Mobile voucher
• Instant confirmation
• Expert Tour Guide - Never boring, always entertaining
• Full Service Bar - Alcohol, soft drinks and snacks.
• Climate Controlled Cabin
• Restrooms with Changing Tables - no need to hold it!
• Guest Service is our passion.

Activity location

• 400 North Michigan Avenue
• 60611, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America

Meeting/Redemption Point

Check availability.

• Sun, May 19 -
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Sorry this activity isn't available on Sun, May 19

What's included, what's not.

• What's included What's included Guided Architecture Tour of the Chicago River
• What's excluded What's excluded Drinks and snacks are available for purchase.

Know before you book

• Children ages 3 years and younger are free.
• Full-service bar with wine, local beer, and craft cocktails, as well as an assortment of snacks, all for purchase. Pinkies up!
• Expert Tour Guide included
• Wendella is located at 400 N Michigan Avenue at the historic Wrigley Building. Wendella has four dock locations that extend west from the Michigan Avenue (DuSable) Bridge to Wabash Avenue

What you can expect

Experience the city’s legendary architecture from the best seat in the house—the river. Our experienced tour guides detail the 130 year long history behind the skyline, while our bartenders and staff keep you comfortable and entertained. This comprehensive tour navigates through the heart of the city on all three branches of the Chicago River, and lasts approximately 90 minutes. It’s the one thing everyone tells you to do in Chicago, done right.

Cleaning and safety practices

Enhanced cleanliness measures.

• Vehicles and venues cleaned with disinfectants
• High-touch surfaces cleaned and disinfected

Social distancing

• Contactless ticket redemption

Safety measures

• Hand sanitizer provided
• Individually wrapped food options available

Chicago’s Best 90-Minute Architecture Boat Tour

Review Highlights

“ Hillary was so fun and made coming all the way down to the south loop worth it. ” in 4 reviews

“ HIGHLY recommend going on this when visiting. ” in 2 reviews

“ Our tour guide, Billy , was super-informative and entertaining! ” in 2 reviews

Location & Hours

Suggest an edit

River City Marina - Summer Of George

900 S Wells St

Chicago, IL 60607

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Brian H. said "So let me just start off by saying if you can only do one thing while in Chicago let this be it. I was a little hesitant about spending $35.50 for an adult for a 90 minute excursion but in the end I would've sieve $50. Not only was…" read more

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Went on the 10am tour and the weather was perfect. Both sides of the boat had amazing views! Hillary was funny and engaging. We got to see more parts of the river than I excepted and the 90 minutes was so worth it!!

Hillary was a great tour guide keeping it light and humorous. No script, but her knowledge of the buildings and Chicago in general was phenomenal. It's probably our third time over the years but the most memorable. A great tour to do every few years.

Our tour guide, Billy, was very informative and entertaining! We learned a lot about the history of Chicago and it made my partner and I appreciate the city we were visiting more.

Skyline of Chicago

Had a wonderful time on this tour. Sean was a fantastic guide, and I learned a lot about Chicago and its marvelous architecture. I liked that the boat wasn't too big or crowded. Highly recommend!

View of Chicago skyline from boat

Summer of George at dock

Wife and I enjoyed a wonderful 90 min trip with @toursandboats enjoying the architectural beauty of Chicago on the Chicago River. Took some amazing photos from the uncrowded bow of the boat; the other passengers on board were all very chill and the staff were fantastic including the captain with his dry sense of humor! The boat was clean and well maintained, in particular the bar was very well maintained and made the trip even more enjoyable. Will definitely repeat another trip with these folks next time I'm in Chi-Town, but I'm gonna try to do an evening cruise which may be even more amazing. Don't hesitate, book with this crew and you'll have a great time.

See all photos from N.F. P. for Chicago’s Best 90-Minute Architecture Boat Tour

What a wonderful day! The tour was awesome. Lots of fun information about the City.I would highly recommend it. The weather was kind of cloudy but at least it didn't rain and no sun damage.

Booked tour through Groupon. Our tour guide Teela was so great and fun. Had such a great time and learned a lot!

I've taken several boat tour of Chicago, and this is the best by far! Our tour guide, Billy, was super-informative and entertaining! Very comfortable boat with a full bar. Great outing in Chicago!

This was well worth it. The captain (Joe) and the guide (Dave) were friendly, inviting, and made the tour wonderful. Something I would do again on my next visit.

I had an excellent experience with Tours and Travels! Initially, I faced some challenges reaching them over the phone, but their customer service team truly impressed me. They not only resolved my issues but went above and beyond to assist me. Their dedication to customer satisfaction is outstanding. I highly recommend booking your tickets directly with them for a seamless and stress-free experience. Kudos to Tours and Travels for their exceptional service!

3 other reviews that are not currently recommended

Chicago Architecture Center

1.3 miles away from this business

Phil G. said "Whether or not you consider yourself an architectural aficionado, this museum/center/foundation is a must, if you live in Chicago or are visiting the city. Chicago is the architectural beacon for the world. The skyline, the…" read more

in Tours, Museums

Casey’s Travel Service

Crystal S. said "Ramon planned a wonderful cruise for my family to honor my mom. Planning was effortless and all of our needs were met. He even made sure we had pre-scheduled transportation to and from the port in addition to arranging a stop in…" read more

in Travel Services

Collections Including Chicago’s Best 90-Minute Architecture Boat Tour

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Elektrostal

Elektrostal Localisation : Country Russia , Oblast Moscow Oblast . Available Information : Geographical coordinates , Population, Area, Altitude, Weather and Hotel . Nearby cities and villages : Noginsk , Pavlovsky Posad and Staraya Kupavna .

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SCHEDULE & TICKETS

Looking for a specific tour or cruise.

• Lake & River Architecture Tour
• 90 Minute Chicago River Architecture Tour
• 45 Minute Chicago River Architecture Tour

• Chicago Sunset Cruise
• Chicago Fireworks Cruise
• Beer & BBQ Cruise
• Wine & Cheese Cruise
• St. Patrick’s Day Cruise (21+)
• St. Patrick’s Day Kids Cruise
• Holiday Fireworks Cruise

Frequently Asked Questions

Wendella has three docking locations. The location of your tour or cruise, is clearly marked on your ticket. Your ticket will say: “Michigan Avenue,” “West Dock, or “Riverwalk,” under the tour title. Locations below;

Michigan Avenue;  Located at 400 N Michigan Avenue Chicago, Il 60611. Descend the stairs adjacent to the Michigan Avenue (DuSable) Bridge.

West Dock ; Located at 400 N Michigan Avenue Chicago, Il 60611 in between the Wrigley Building and Trump International Hotel & Tower.

The routes of the Architecture Tours can be found here; 8×11 Map_2023

Ticket prices vary. Please select a specific tour or cruise from the above list to view pricing and more information.

Food is not served, but snacks are available for purchase at the vessel bar.

Our tours are currently in English only. Printed tour guides are available in Simplified Chinese.

Boarding begins 15-30 minutes prior to scheduled departure time.

Tours and cruises depart rain or shine. Wendella vessels include sheltered areas and climate controlled lounges. Ponchos are available for purchase on all vessels. However, in cases of severe weather, if the Captain deems it unsafe and cancels the tour, all guests will be refunded.

Seating is first come, first served. We recommend groups arrive 30 minutes prior to the tour time for a better chance of getting seats together.

A full-service bar is available on board. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as an assortment of snacks, are available for purchase. Bar sales are credit card only. No cash purchases.

There is no storage area on our dock, but guests may bring their luggage aboard keeping in mind it is subject to inspection.

Our tours do often sell out and we always recommend customers buy their tickets online and in advance.

The following discounts apply; 50% off on Tuesdays for College Students with a valid Student ID from an accredited College or University. 50% off Monday-Thursday for active-duty U.S. Military personnel and their spouses with a valid ID. $10 off Monday-Thursday for U.S. Veterans and Reservists with a valid ID. All discounted tickets must be purchased at the ticket office to receive the discount. Discounts are not valid on holidays. Discounts are not valid for the Wine & Cheese Cruise or Beer & BBQ Cruise.

Parking is available at nearby parking garages or through SpotHero, the nations leading parking reservation app ;

AMA Plaza Parking Garage may be accessed off Wabash Avenue, opposite Trump Tower or on State Street near the Hertz sign. Wendella guests can receive a $5.00 off parking chaser coupon from our ticket office. Parking may be reserved in advance by visiting StateWabashParking.com ($5.00 off parking chaser coupon cannot be applied to parking reservations made in advance).

Trump Tower Parking Garage is located at 401 N Wabash Avenue. Wendella guests may park for up to 6 hours at a discounted rate of $18.00 with a parking chaser coupon from our ticket office. This coupon is for self-park only and is not valid for valet parking. Parking is subject to availability.

Yes. Restrooms are located on the lower deck of each vessel; changing tables are also available in each restroom.

If the weather isn’t ideal for outdoor seating, most Wendella vessels feature an enclosed climate-controlled lounge on the bottom deck with speakers to hear the tour guide’s narration. We suggest that if you have a concern about whether your vessel has a climate-controlled lounge, to please call ahead: 312-337-1446.

Sanatorium Valuyevo

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• Excellent 13
• Very Good 22
• All languages ( 65 )
• Russian ( 65 )
• English ( 0 )

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SANATORIUM VALUYEVO