Our 2023 season has ended. Join us when we open for St. Patrick's Day weekend! Check back soon for more information!
Experience our renowned Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise in the glow of the setting sun. Serene and bathed in a softer light, the city's architecture takes on a whole new life as it begins its transition from day to night. Savor the views with friends and family as you enjoy a relaxing evening on the water with cocktail in-hand.
Priority Boarding tickets start at $74 and include exclusive early boarding period, skip-the-queue during general boarding, and Chicago Architecture Center admission
Tickets can be purchased online, in-person at our dock during regular season hours or at the Chicago Architecture Center. Avoid the box office by choosing "eTickets" or "Print at Home" as your delivery method.
Tour departures frequently sell out. Reserve your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.
Select "Will Call" to pick up your tickets at our dockside ticket office; bring your confirmation number.
Each person must have a ticket including infants and children.
Arrival Time Make sure your entire party arrives 30 minutes prior to departure.
Priority Boarding Tickets include exclusive early boarding period, skip-the-queue during general boarding, and Chicago Architecture Center admission.
General Boarding Tickets begin boarding approximately 15 minutes before departure.
Seating Open outdoor seating is guaranteed for all guests. The number on your ticket does not represent a seat number.
Tour Route The tour travels all three branches of the Chicago River. View tour route map. Tour route subject to change without notice.
Cruises depart rain or shine. Tickets may not be refunded or exchanged if you miss your boat - allow extra time!
What to Bring Your sunglasses, cap or visor, as the sun can interfere with your view of the buildings.
Parking Discounted parking available at 111 E. Wacker Drive with proper validation from ticket office. Visit our Location page for more.
Did you know? A portion of your ticket fee supports the educational work of the Chicago Architecture Center!
Amenities & Accessibility
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Full-service Bar/Snack Bar A full-service bar and snack bar are available on every vessel.
Outdoor Seating Each vessel features an open-air upper deck to enjoy Chicago's architecture safely outdoors.
Well-Appointed Restrooms Well-appointed restrooms are available on each vessel.
Free Stroller Storage Strollers will be folded and stored in the salon during the cruise. Children must be removed from strollers before boarding.
Limited Mobility Services Available See our Location page for river-level drop-off directions for guests with accessibility needs. Our staff is also available to provide early boarding services for those with limited mobility.
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FAQ
Is there a bar and food onboard?
Yes. All boats have a full bar available onboard with cocktails, wine, craft beer, water, cold brew and more, as well as locally sourced snacks available for purchase.
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.
Do I need to buy tickets in advance?
Advance reservations are recommended as many tours sell out.
Is there assigned seating?
All seating is general admission, though proper distancing measures are put in place to ensure the safety of each party outside of their own groups, per city ordinances. There is enough seating for all guests to have a seat outside. 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.
Yes. All boats have a full bar available onboard with cocktails, wine, craft beer, water, cold brew and more, as well as locally sourced snacks available for purchase.
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.
Each tour is 90 minutes.
Advance reservations are recommended as many tours sell out.
All seating is general admission, though proper distancing measures are put in place to ensure the safety of each party outside of their own groups, per city ordinances. There is enough seating for all guests to have a seat outside. While seat numbers are printed on the tickets, you can ignore these as they are not valid.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Only service dogs are allowed onboard. Our sister company, Mercury, offers the popular Canine Cruise on summer weekends.
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.
No, all tickets are nonrefundable and nonexchangeable.
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.
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.
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