Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise Aboard First Lady

Board Chicago's First Lady for a river cruise presented with the Chicago Architecture Center. The boat spends an hour and a half on the river, with commentary on the buildings along the banks.

Overview

The boat leaves from a dock on the Chicago Riverwalk at Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive, right by the southeast corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge. From there the First Lady spends an hour and a half on the river, passing a long run of buildings that made Chicago's reputation: Navy Pier, Marina City, the towers along Wabash and Riverside Plaza, Willis Tower, the Merchandise Mart, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Tribune building. Nothing is disembarked at. The whole cruise is a moving look at the skyline from the water, and it finishes back where it started.

Commentary comes from docents connected with the Chicago Architecture Center, and this is what separates the trip from an ordinary sightseeing ride. Reviewers again and again describe the guides as deeply knowledgeable, with several saying the narration gave them a real understanding of the city's buildings and history. Many go as far as calling it a must-do experience in Chicago. The tone is educational rather than party-boat, though drinks and snacks are sold on board.

It suits adults and curious visitors more than small children. The listing advises against bringing children younger than 12, seating is general admission, and the boat runs in all weather with a climate-controlled lower level. Anyone with limited mobility should read the fine print carefully, since there is no elevator to the dock.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet on the RiverwalkCheck in at 112 E Wacker Drive, on the Riverwalk at Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive, at street level under a black awning on the southeast corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge.
2. Board the First LadyBoarding is first come, first serve, with general admission seating and a climate-controlled lower level available.
3. Cruise the Chicago RiverThe river sightseeing cruise runs for 1 hour, 30 minutes with live commentary from a docent, passing the Chicago Architecture Center, Navy Pier, Marina City, the Wabash Avenue towers, the Riverside Plaza buildings, Willis Tower, the Merchandise Mart, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and Tribune Publishing.
4. Return to the dockThe cruise ends back at the meeting point on the Riverwalk.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape how this cruise goes, from stairs at the dock to how seating works.

• Getting to the dock. There is no elevator access to the boat dock, so travellers with limited mobility should flag wheelchair assistance at the time of booking, since most but not all departures are accessible. The meeting point is near public transportation, which helps with getting there.
• Seating and timing. All seating is general admission and boarding is first come, first serve. One reviewer found an early morning departure uncrowded with good seats, so arriving ahead of time helps.
• Weather and dress. The cruise runs in all weather, and the listing says to dress appropriately. A reviewer who went on a rainy day said the inside cabin kept it doable, so conditions on the water do not have to ruin the trip.
• Food and drink. Drinks and light snacks are not included but can be purchased on board. One reviewer mentioned a nice variety of drinks available during the cruise.
• Views from the water. One reviewer described the views from the river as incredible and said the tour gave a good understanding of Chicago. The boat has a climate-controlled lower level for anyone who prefers to be inside.
• Tickets and paperwork. One reviewer reported that tickets booked through the listing had to be printed, which caused a delay at the counter. It is worth sorting ticketing before heading to the dock, and double-checking the meeting address.

Common issues. Tickets are not refundable or transferable to other departures, so a missed boat is a lost ticket. There is no elevator to the dock, and motorized scooters and electric wheelchairs cannot be accommodated, though a manual wheelchair may be available for guests able to transfer. The listing caps the trip at 250 travellers, so it is a large-boat experience rather than an intimate one. Routes, vessels and schedules can change without notice, and the cruise runs in all weather, so rain is not a reason to expect a cancellation.

Common Questions