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Planning a visit to Chicago? Great choice! Chicago is a fantastic city year-round, but the best time to visit is definitely during the summer.

Chicago offers many summer activities, from festivals, events, concerts, tours, and many other things to do. To find the best fun activity in Chicago, I created a list of these 5 popular boat tours in Chicago for you. So you will know what to expect.

What to Do in Chicago in the Summer: 5 Popular Boat Tours

#1 Best Boat Tour in Chicago

Chicago River Architecture Cruise

What can be better than enjoying a water activity 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 Best Boat Tour in Chicago

Another great water activity is a 45-minute boat tour of Lake Michigan. Did you know that this stunning lake, with its turquoise waters in some spots, looks like an ocean? I’m sure you did! While Lake Michigan is spectacular, Chicago offers many more beautiful attractions.

On this classic, family-friendly tour, you’ll enjoy breathtaking city views from the water, admire architectural marvels, and learn about Chicago’s history.

This is a perfect tour for tourists and locals.

Chicago River: 45-Minute Family-Friendly Architecture Cruise

#3 Boat Tour in Chicago

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 Best Boat Tour in Chicago

Interested in a faster activity rather than a cruise? Sure. They got you all covered here. Experience full-throttle slalom runs sharp twists and turns, and feel the power and excitement of Seadog Extreme’s two 1400 HP engines.

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 Best Boat Tour in Chicago

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 Taste of Chicago yearly event. This year it is scheduled for September,6-8. Enjoy plenty of local food for all tastes, live music, and more.
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.
Instead of paying for 360 city views from the Observatory, you can enjoy the view from the Signature Lounge at the top of the John Hancock Building.
Explore the Lincoln Park Zoo.
If you are in a windy city in August, you can go to the beach and view the air show activity.
Visit Lincoln Park Conservatory
Visit Garfield park conservatory
Check out free museums
Planning to go for a drink somewhere? Combine it with fun arcade games at the sports bar “Replay”, which are free.
Visit Chicago Botanic Garden. It is totally free, but if you are driving, you will need to pay a fee to get in.
Go “people watch” at Millenium Park and take a picture with the famous bean (come early to avoid crowds and lines)
Go have some fun at the “Laugh Chicago Factory”. You can get free tickets online on Eventbrite, but they will ask you to pay $20 for drinks once you are in. But do not worry, it’s totally worth it as you will have a great time and will be laughing so much.
Ride the Navy Pier Trolley
Watch the big beautiful fountain at the “Buckingham Fountain” which happens from April-October every year.
Want to visit some greatest temples? Head to Winnetka, IL (it is just 30-40 min from the city) and observe our best temple “Bahai House of Worship”. You can also go inside (there is no charge).

Need a cheap place to stay in Chicago? Check out this list of the best hostels in Chicago. (To jump to the Chicago section, just click on the navigation link).

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. I love exploring downtown repeatedly, as it continually features new activities, sculptures, and attractions.

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