Chicago River Boat Architecture Tours

I've been on two tours and both were engaging, well paced, and very educational! I've lived in Chicago my whole life and learned so many things on both tours. The tour guide, Grant, was incredibly knowedgable, funny, and friendly.

The Chicago River Boat Architecture Tour was a really great experience. The tour was insightful and the speaker was both funny and incredibly knowledgeable. You could tell she knew Chicago’s history deeply and she explained everything in such an eloquent and engaging way. I unfortunately forgot her name since I’m writing this months after my trip, but she was wonderful. It’s also conveniently close to Navy Pier and just a quick walk to get there. Overall, a fantastic tour and definitely worth doing.

I did the secret interiors walking tour with Grant. He was great and knowledgeable and seemed enthusiastic the whole time. I learned some things I haven't heard before which was exciting! Got to see inside some places you normally can't and others I haven't gotten around to, including the rookery, wintrust building, board of trade, Marquette, Palmer house, cultural center, and marshall field building. Tour takes roughly two hours and you walk about 1.5 miles starting at union station and ending at marshal fields. Pro tip: reserve a table at the walnut room in marshall field building to line up with the end of tour!

I can’t recommend this architectural river tour highly enough—it was easily one of the highlights of my trip to Chicago! From the moment we stepped on board, the atmosphere was welcoming and relaxed. The staff were friendly, attentive, and clearly passionate about both the city and hospitality. The drink menu was surprisingly impressive—far beyond your typical boat. Local beer, or a crisp glass of wine, etc..there’s something to suit every taste. I sipped on a mimosa (I asked for a more champagne -forward mimosa) while cruising past some of the most iconic buildings in the city—talk about the perfect pairing! The architecture tour itself was outstanding. Our guide was not only knowledgeable AND passionate about architecture, but also a fantastic storyteller, weaving together Chicago’s history, design evolution, and quirky trivia in a way that was both informative and genuinely entertaining. Seeing the city’s skyline from the river offers a completely different perspective—one that makes you appreciate just how rich Chicago’s architectural legacy really is.

I wasn’t expecting much from a river tour, but it completely turned our trip around. The guide was phenomenal, friendly, engaging, and packed with extensive knowledge about the city’s iconic towers and architecture. Seeing Chicago from the water gave us a completely new perspective and made the city come alive in a way walking around never could. If you’re visiting Chicago, this tour is an absolute must. Informative, fun, and unforgettable, highly recommend!