With the warming Chicago weather, you may be looking to get outside to do something, especially after being cooped up at home this winter. Try going on a Chicago boat tour! It’s a great way to explore the city in a relatively short amount of time, and you’ll be able to view the skyline from the water surrounding the city—a view you can’t get on land! We’ve compiled a list of the best Chicago boat tours here. We’ve tried our best to include boat tours that are currently operating, but if you have concerns about a particular tour, we suggest checking their website or calling ahead.
- Shoreline Sightseeing. Shoreline Sightseeing is currently offering river architecture tours, both in English and Spanish! You’ll depart from Michigan Avenue, and ride along the Chicago River to experience the city’s landmark buildings and learn about its history.
- Tall Ship Windy. Tall Ship Windy offers three different options for their Skyline Sail on their impressive four-masted schooner. Their classic Skyline Sail takes you on a leisurely sail around Lake Michigan, where you’ll have great views of the city skyline. Their Architectural Sail gives you a historic and informative tour of Chicago, and you’ll learn about Chicago’s past through their unique narration. They also have a family-friendly Tales of Real Pirates tour, where you’ll learn about real pirate adventures that happened here.
- Seadog Lakefront Speedboat Tour. This quick, half-hour Seadog Lakefront Speedboat Tour takes you on an exciting ride around Lake Michigan, where your guide will lead you past Museum Campus, Magnificent Mile, Grant Park and more. Take your family for this tour; your dog can come too!
- Wendella. Wendella offers a wide variety of tours for all, whether you’re looking for a daytime architectural tour or a sunset dinner cruise. Claiming the title of the original Chicago architecture tour, Wendella offers a 45- or 90-minute ride down the river and/or through the lake. Their 90-minute sunset cruise offers fantastic views of the skyline, lit by the sparkling setting sun and city lights. Their season opens March 12th!
Check out each of the touring companies’ websites for more information and to book a ride with them. You can also review their covid-safety requirements on their websites. Be sure to check out our other blog posts at www.starevents.com/blog!