Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Tour
by Wendella Tours & Cruises
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$90Overview
This 90-minute architecture tour explores Chicago’s history and development through its riverfront buildings. The tour follows all three branches of the Chicago River, beginning at Wendella's docks near the Michigan Avenue Bridge by the Wrigley Building. A professionally trained architectural guide narrates the evolution of more than 130 years of design, style, and engineering innovation along the river. The trip includes views of the fountain dedicated in 1989 to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, which reversed the river’s flow in 1900. Passengers see notable landmarks such as the world’s largest commercial building, the Chicago Water Tower, the Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park, and the Magnificent Mile shopping district. The tour also covers the 1922 white terra-cotta Wrigley Company headquarters, a pedestrian waterfront known as the "Second Lakefront," the second-largest opera auditorium in North America with its Art Deco interior, and the mixed-use apartment buildings known for their corn-cob style exterior. Indoor and outdoor seating is available on board, with indoor seating climate controlled. The boat has restrooms, and the guide shares detailed stories about the architecture and the city’s growth. Alcoholic beverages and gratuities are not included. The tour runs for about an hour and a half and offers a comprehensive view of Chicago’s river architecture.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Departure from Wendella's docks
The tour departs from Wendella's docks located at the northwest corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge (DuSable Bridge), at the base of the Wrigley Building.
15 min
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Fountain
This fountain, dedicated in 1989 for the 100th anniversary of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, commemorates the 1900 reversal of the Chicago River's flow. For the first five minutes of each hour, it shoots a water arc across the river from a tiered waterfall.
World's Largest Commercial Building
View the largest commercial building in the world as the tour passes along the river.
Michigan Avenue Landmarks
Pass by Michigan Avenue, which features the Chicago Water Tower, the Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park, and the Magnificent Mile shopping district.
Wrigley Company Headquarters
See the white terra-cotta building constructed in 1922 that served as headquarters for the Wrigley chewing gum company.
Second Lakefront Waterfront
The tour passes an open, pedestrian waterfront area known locally as the city’s 'Second Lakefront.'
Opera Auditorium
View the second-largest opera auditorium in North America, notable for its Art Deco interior design.
Corn-cob Apartment Buildings
Pass by the mixed-use apartment buildings famous for their unique corn-cob style exterior, described as 'a city within a city.'
Meeting point
Arrive at 400 N Michigan Avenue 30 minutes before your departure and you will be directed to your boarding dock. Please allow yourself plenty of time to arrive if driving. We do not have parking. It is recommend that you book parking in advance.
End point
Arrive at 400 N Michigan Avenue 30 minutes before your departure and you will be directed to your boarding dock. Please allow yourself plenty of time to arrive if driving. We do not have parking. It is recommend that you book parking in advance.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Tour
by Wendella Tours & Cruises
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$90Overview
This 90-minute architecture tour explores Chicago’s history and development through its riverfront buildings. The tour follows all three branches of the Chicago River, beginning at Wendella's docks near the Michigan Avenue Bridge by the Wrigley Building. A professionally trained architectural guide narrates the evolution of more than 130 years of design, style, and engineering innovation along the river. The trip includes views of the fountain dedicated in 1989 to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, which reversed the river’s flow in 1900. Passengers see notable landmarks such as the world’s largest commercial building, the Chicago Water Tower, the Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park, and the Magnificent Mile shopping district. The tour also covers the 1922 white terra-cotta Wrigley Company headquarters, a pedestrian waterfront known as the "Second Lakefront," the second-largest opera auditorium in North America with its Art Deco interior, and the mixed-use apartment buildings known for their corn-cob style exterior. Indoor and outdoor seating is available on board, with indoor seating climate controlled. The boat has restrooms, and the guide shares detailed stories about the architecture and the city’s growth. Alcoholic beverages and gratuities are not included. The tour runs for about an hour and a half and offers a comprehensive view of Chicago’s river architecture.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Departure from Wendella's docks
The tour departs from Wendella's docks located at the northwest corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge (DuSable Bridge), at the base of the Wrigley Building.
15 min
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Fountain
This fountain, dedicated in 1989 for the 100th anniversary of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, commemorates the 1900 reversal of the Chicago River's flow. For the first five minutes of each hour, it shoots a water arc across the river from a tiered waterfall.
World's Largest Commercial Building
View the largest commercial building in the world as the tour passes along the river.
Michigan Avenue Landmarks
Pass by Michigan Avenue, which features the Chicago Water Tower, the Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park, and the Magnificent Mile shopping district.
Wrigley Company Headquarters
See the white terra-cotta building constructed in 1922 that served as headquarters for the Wrigley chewing gum company.
Second Lakefront Waterfront
The tour passes an open, pedestrian waterfront area known locally as the city’s 'Second Lakefront.'
Opera Auditorium
View the second-largest opera auditorium in North America, notable for its Art Deco interior design.
Corn-cob Apartment Buildings
Pass by the mixed-use apartment buildings famous for their unique corn-cob style exterior, described as 'a city within a city.'
Meeting point
Arrive at 400 N Michigan Avenue 30 minutes before your departure and you will be directed to your boarding dock. Please allow yourself plenty of time to arrive if driving. We do not have parking. It is recommend that you book parking in advance.
End point
Arrive at 400 N Michigan Avenue 30 minutes before your departure and you will be directed to your boarding dock. Please allow yourself plenty of time to arrive if driving. We do not have parking. It is recommend that you book parking in advance.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.