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Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady

COVID-19 Statement: We are committed to taking the proper precautions to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our guests and team including ensuring that our boats are cleaned and sanitized throughout the day and service. We also have restrooms on board each vessel with running water and plenty of soap. We continue to follow the recommendations of public health officials and are monitoring the evolving situation. Click here to learn more about our enhanced protocols.

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

This relaxing 90-minute tour features both indoor and outdoor seating, a full-service bar and snack bar, and is consistently named by locals and visitors alike as the best way to see Chicago.

Special Cruises: Our popular daytime CAFC River Cruise currently has one specialty cruise: Our Evening River Cruise nightly at 5:30pm and 7pm.

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Tickets Start At

46.29

Plus applicable tax

Buy Tickets

Pricing Details

Tickets start at $46.29 per person + applicable tax. Prices subject to change.
Tickets available online through Ticketmaster, in-person at the dock during regular season hours or at the Chicago Architecture Center
Upgrade your ticket for $5 and include a visit to the new Chicago Architecture Center! Available for purchases online or in-person at dock.
Each person must have a ticket including infants and children
Every ticket is general admission seating
Tickets may not be refunded or exchanged if you miss your boat - allow extra time!
Choose "Print at Home" or "Mobile Ticketing" for immediate tickets; choose "US Mail" only if you have enough time to receive prior to your visit
Select "Will Call" to pick up your tickets at our dockside ticket office; bring your confirmation number and arrive 30 minutes early to collect your tickets

Tickets Start At

46.29

Plus applicable tax

Pricing Info Buy Tickets

Full Schedule

Late Spring May 1- 21

Early Fall: October 13 - November 1

Late Fall: November 2 - 22

Mon 10:00^am 12:00^pm 2:00^pm 4:00^pm
Tues10:00^am 12:00^pm 2:00^pm 4:00^pm
Wed 10:00^am 12:00^pm 2:00^pm 4:00^pm
Thu 10:00^am 12:00^pm 2:00^pm 4:00^pm
Fri 10:00^am 11:00^am 12:00^pm 1:00^pm 2:00^pm 3:00^pm 4:00^pm 5:00^pm
Sat 10:00^am 11:00^am 12:00^pm 1:00^pm 2:00^pm 3:00^pm 4:00^pm 5:00^pm
Sun 10:00^am 11:00^am 12:00^pm 1:00^pm 2:00^pm 3:00^pm 4:00^pm 5:00^pm

Schedule

Friday

12:30pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm, 4:30pm, 5:30pm, 7:00pm

Saturday & Sunday

10:00am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm, 4:30pm, 5:30pm, 7:00pm

See all seasons

Location

Located on Chicago’s Riverwalk

112 E. Wacker Drive, Chicago IL 60601

We are located at Michigan Ave and Wacker Drive, Chicago IL

More Info

“I learned so much and left with a vastly greater appreciation of Chicago's stunning skyline.”
- Jennifer S. TripAdvisor, IL

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What sets your tours apart from the others?
We are the only tour that partners with the Chicago Architecture Center to offer the official Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady. All of our tours are given by experienced, volunteer docents who receive hundreds of hours of training from the Chicago Architecture Center before guiding the river cruise tour.
How long is the tour?
Each tour is 90 minutes.
Is there food/drink available onboard?
Yes. All boats have a full bar available onboard.
Do I need to buy tickets in advance?
Advance reservations are recommended as many tours sell out during the busy summer season and on weekends. Also, the 7:30 p.m. Twilight Cruise often sells out in advance.
Is there assigned seating?
All seating is general admission. There is enough seating for all guests to sit on our open air upper decks safely and with proper distancing measures in place. While seat numbers are printed on the tickets, you can ignore these as they are not valid.
Are tours offered in any languages other than English?
The Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady is given in English. However, there are foreign language brochures available at the ticket office and next to our outdoor beverage cart, in a variety of languages: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Chinese and Arabic.
Do I have to print my tickets?
You do not have to print your tickets. You can show your mobile ticket to our dock attendant with your smartphone, or you can have your tickets printed at the dockside will call window (be sure to bring a photo ID and your confirmation number).
Does the boat go on the lake?
No, the tour is only on the Chicago River. If you’d like to take a lake tour, please check out our sister cruise line Mercury, Chicago’s Skyline Cruiseline.
Are there restrooms onboard?
Yes, all the boats have restrooms onboard. There are also wheelchair accessible bathrooms on the Classic Lady and Leading Lady. Please note: the restrooms close 15 minutes before the end of the tour for safety reasons.
Can I bring luggage onboard?
Due to security reasons, luggage cannot be brought onboard. There is not an area to store your luggage dockside either. We recommend having your hotel hold your luggage.
Can I bring a stroller onboard?
Yes, you can bring a stroller onboard. Children must be removed from strollers before boarding. Strollers will be folded and stored in the salon during the cruise.
Are there changing tables onboard?
The Classic Lady and Leading Lady have changing tables onboard in the family restroom. The Little Lady, Fair Lady, and First Lady do not have changing tables onboard.
Are dogs allowed onboard?
Only service dogs are allowed onboard. Our sister company, Mercury, offers the popular Canine Cruise on summer weekends.
How can I get to your dock without using stairs?
There are two ways to reach our dock along Chicago’s Riverwalk without using stairs:
1. On foot via the ramp located on Wacker Drive at State Street.
2. Vehicle drop-off area on Lower Wacker Drive.
Can I trade my tickets for a different date/time?
No, all tickets are nonrefundable and nonexchangeable.
Do you cruise rain or shine?
Yes, we cruise rain or shine. All the boats have two levels – the top deck is open-air, and the lower deck is an enclosed, climate-controlled salon. Each salon is surrounded by large windows so you can stay comfortable while still taking in the magnificent views. Tour commentary is broadcast over speakers on both levels.
Are the boats wheelchair accessible?
Chicago's Leading Lady and Chicago’s Classic Lady are wheelchair-accessible. These vessels cruise at the 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 5pm departure times. When boarding, guests cross two ramps and enter through a 36-inch-wide opening (doorway). Crew members will assist in guiding the wheelchair across the gangway. Please present yourself to our staff if you prefer to board before general boarding starts. Guests unable to climb stairs to the upper deck may choose to sit in the open-air bow or the enclosed, climate-controlled salon with large windows. For safety reasons, motorized scooters and electric wheelchairs cannot be accommodated. Guests who are able to transfer may use the company's manual wheelchair based on availability.

Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady

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