Cruising Season 2025 March 16–November 23

First Lady

Chicago Architecture Center

River Cruise

Aboard First Lady

First Lady Architecture River Cruise Hero
Tickets Start $56 General Boarding
90 Minutes Multiple Departures Daily Cruising Mar–Nov

The Cruise That Puts Architecture First

Explore Chicago’s iconic architecture aboard TripAdvisor’s
#1 rated boat tour of the city. The only Chicago River cruise partnered with thChicago Architecture Center (CAC), First Lady offers visitors the city’s most engaging 90-minute architectural tour experience.

Highly trained and enthusiastic volunteer CAC docents (guides) provide visitors with a compelling and detailed narrative of Chicago’s numerous architectural styles and the stories of the legendary figures who designed and built our city.

Enjoy cruising in comfort and style aboard Chicago’s Finest Fleet, featuring unobstructed sightlines and guaranteed seating on our open-air upper decks and full-service cocktail and snack bars in our climate-controlled interior salons. You’ll see why visitors and locals alike consistently name our tour the best way to see Chicago.

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BUILDING EXCITEMENT

Cruise Chicago Architecture River Cruise 11 Cruise Chicago Architecture River Cruise 1 Cruise Chicago Architecture River Cruise 2 Cruise Chicago Architecture River Cruise 14 Cruise Chicago Architecture River Cruise 3 Cruise Chicago Architecture River Cruise 5 Cruise Chicago Architecture River Cruise 8 Cruise Chicago Architecture River Cruise 13 Cruise Chicago Architecture River Cruise 4 Cruise Chicago Architecture River Cruise 6 Cruise Chicago Architecture River Cruise 9 Cruise Chicago Architecture River Cruise 15 Cruise Chicago Architecture River Cruise 10 Cruise Chicago Architecture River Cruise 16 Cruise Chicago Architecture River Cruise 12

Our tour is the only architecture cruise led by one of over 100 expert CAC volunteer docents, each providing unique insights and stories about the city’s architecture.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

An obvious first choice when seeking out the best Chicago boat tour.

Departures Magazine

This is one of the best activities you can find in Chicago. The docents are knowledgable and skilled at presenting the history and architecture highlights of the city.

Steve V. — Google

Not the typical tour but better, as it puts the buildings and the city history into context. Very informative and very well managed. One of the best tours I have taken!

Sean G. – Yelp

What an amazing experience, this tour brings all the beautiful architecture and history to life. Great bar, lots of seating options, and the crew is a well oiled machine.

Rachel M. Yelp

I learned so much and left with a vastly greater appreciation of Chicago’s stunning skyline.

Jennifer S. — TripAdvisor IL
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