5 Best Chicago Boat Tours
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|Updated on March,23,2025|
Planning a trip to Chicago? Awesome choice! The city is great any time of year, but summer is when it really comes alive—with boat tours, festivals, and rooftop vibes! In this post, I’m sharing the 5 best boat tours in Chicago, from scenic architecture cruises to thrilling speedboat rides—perfect for taking in the city’s stunning views from the water. Let’s dive in.
5 Best Chicago Boat Tours
1. Chicago River Architecture Cruise
What can be better than enjoying Chicago water activities on a hot summer day, right?! Chicago offers many kinds of boat tours or cruises which are very entertaining and knowledgeable if you would love to learn history.
On this 60-75 minute cruise, you will learn about hidden architectural gems, see the most popular city architectural pieces, learn Chicago’s history, and just relax and enjoy the beautiful views from the Chicago River.
*Make sure to have cash as there will be a bar with some drinks and snacks.
Get your Skip the Line ticket to the Chicago River Architecture Cruise here.
2. Chicago 45-Minute Family-Friendly Architecture River Cruise
A 45-minute boat tour of Lake Michigan is a fantastic way to experience the city. Did you know that the lake’s turquoise waters in some spots can make it look like the ocean? It’s truly stunning! And while Lake Michigan is a highlight, Chicago has many other incredible attractions to offer.
On this classic, family-friendly tour, you’ll enjoy breathtaking city views from the water, admire architectural marvels, and learn about Chicago’s history.
Chicago River: 45-Minute Family-Friendly Architecture Cruise
3. Chicago River: 1.5-Hour Guided Architecture Cruise
The Chicago River cruise is the longest sightseeing tour available. During this remarkable journey, a local guide will share the rich 130-year history of the city. You’ll see the oldest skyscrapers, historic buildings, and more. Drinks are available for purchase with cash.
You can choose to sit either outdoors or indoors with air conditioning. Be sure to bring a hat, sunscreen, and a light jacket to prepare for any weather.
Get your tickets for the Chicago River: 1.5-Hour Guided Architecture Cruise here.
4. Chicago Lakefront: Seadog Speedboat Ride
If you’re looking for something faster than a cruise, Seadog Extreme is the way to go! Hold on tight as you zoom through sharp turns and slalom runs, all powered by two 1400 HP engines. It’s the perfect way to get your adrenaline pumping on the water!
This 30-minute Seadog Speedboat ride along Chicago’s lakefront is one of the best ways to view the city’s skyline while learning about its history at the same time. The local guide will make your ride fun and informative, so you will want to come back again.
Keep in mind that you might get wet as it is an open airboat. So it is recommended to wear appropriate clothes and shoes.
Skip the ticket line for Chicago Lakefront: Half-Hour Seadog Speedboat Ride
5. Chicago: Seadog Speedboat Fireworks Cruise on Lake Michigan
Watch the fireworks over Chicago’s skyline on this popular 1-hour speedboat tour. Perfect for a couple, to go on a date or a memorable night out with friends, or alone. You can’t miss the spectacular night views of Chicago, as nighttime is very special here. Everything is lighting up, which is breathtaking.
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the city sights from Lake Michigan that have appeared in so many movies and TV shows you might already watched and recognized.
Seadog Speedboat Fireworks Cruise on Lake Michigan
Interested in saving on activities? Get Chicago Pass and Save up to 55% on Top Attractions.
Along with the boat tours, you can combine your days with free things to do.
FREE Things to Do in Chicago
- Visit the Taste of Chicago yearly event.
- Enjoy a FREE movie watching on a big screen outdoors.
- Take advantage of FREE events on Navy Pier. To see the full list of events, check this link.
- See the world’s largest video show on the big display from 8:30 pm to 9 pm every night from the Chicago River Walk. Check more details here.
- Visit FREE festivals and events around Chicago.
- Take FREE walking city tours and art tours.
- If you like sports activities, you can join some teams for beach volleyball. To find who needed a sub or the main player, you can simply go to the beach and see it with your own eyes as they basically play all day long, or just find some groups on Facebook and send the request to join.
- Enjoy free 360-degree views of Chicago from places like Cindy’s Rooftop, Lincoln Park’s Nature Boardwalk, and Millennium Park’s Cloud Gate.
- Explore the Lincoln Park Zoo.
- If you’re in the Windy City in August, head to the beach for a front-row view of the thrilling air show action!
- Visit Lincoln Park Conservatory
- Visit Garfield park conservatory
- Check out free museums
- Planning to grab a drink? Combine it with some fun arcade games at the “Replay” sports bar, where the games are completely free!
- Visit Chicago Botanic Garden. It is totally free, but if you are driving, you will need to pay a fee to get in.
- Head to Millennium Park for some people-watching and snap a photo with the famous Bean—arrive early to avoid the crowds and long lines!
- Head to the “Laugh Factory” for a fun night out! You can snag free tickets on Eventbrite, but expect to pay a $20 drink fee once inside. Trust me, it’s totally worth it for the laughs and great atmosphere!
- Ride the Navy Pier Trolley
- Don’t miss the stunning “Buckingham Fountain”! It lights up beautifully with water shows from April to October each year—it’s definitely a must-see in Chicago.
- If you’re looking to visit some of the most beautiful temples, take a short trip to Winnetka, IL (just 30-40 minutes from Chicago) and check out the stunning “Bahá’í House of Worship.” You can even go inside for free!
Need a cheap place to stay in Chicago? Check out this list of the best hostels and find the best accommodation.
Final Thoughts
There’s always something new to discover in this amazing city, whether you’re a local or a frequent visitor. Every trip can offer a fresh experience, especially in downtown Chicago. I love exploring the area repeatedly, as it always features new activities, sculptures, and top attractions. One of the best ways to take in the beauty of the city is with a boat tour, offering stunning views of the Chicago waterfront and its iconic skyline.
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