Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise

Cruising down the Chicago River is an effective way to explore the Windy City and understand its architectural heritage.

Tour Details

The tour begins at Wacker Drive, where participants will board a boat for a journey along the Chicago River. The route includes views of iconic structures such as the Willis Tower, John Hancock Center, and Wrigley Building.

While on the boat, guides will provide insights into the history, architecture, and engineering that earned Chicago its status as a leader in skyscraper construction and modern American architecture. The tour will highlight the city's rapid transformation from a small settlement to a major metropolis within 100 years, as well as explain the significant engineering achievement of reversing the river's water flow, which now flows backwards.

After approximately 1.5 hours of cruising, the tour concludes as the boat returns to the starting point.