When the sun is shining in Chicago, one of the best ways to enjoy the city is by taking an architecture boat tour along the river. Multiple companies offer these tours, each providing fascinating insights into the city’s history and its impressive architectural landmarks along the Chicago River.
After the tour, don’t forget to try some of Chicago’s top restaurants and bars. Throughout the boat ride, you’ll learn about over 50 significant buildings by famed architects like Daniel Burnham, Louis Sullivan, and Mies van der Rohe. The open-air top deck of the boat offers stunning views of the city’s skyline, and there’s even an onboard bar if you fancy a cocktail.
You’ll also hear about the ingenious work of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who reversed the river’s flow in the early 1900s to improve public health and sanitation. This involved creating a series of locks between the river and Lake Michigan, resulting in clean lake water flowing into downtown Chicago. Additionally, the tour highlights one of the worst maritime disasters in U.S. history: the 1915 sinking of the SS Eastland, which claimed 844 lives.
On the tour, you’ll see remarkable buildings like Marina City, known as the “corncob buildings.” Once the tallest residential towers in the world, they feature unique, pizza wedge-shaped apartments. The complex also houses the House of Blues, Smith & Wollensky steakhouse, and a bowling alley. The Merchandise Mart, another iconic stop, is so vast that it has its own postal code. Formerly owned by the Kennedy family, it now hosts numerous home decorating showrooms open to the public.
As the boat cruises further, you’ll pass 333 W. Wacker Drive, known for its beautiful, curved green glass wall that mirrors the river below. This building cleverly positions its office space above the noise of the nearby elevated trains, with decorative air intake fans at eye level for train commuters. Fans of “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” might recognize this building as Ferris’s dad’s office.
No architecture tour of Chicago is complete without seeing The Willis Tower. Previously known as The Sears Tower, it was the tallest building in the world until 1998 and remains the second tallest in the U.S. Visiting the Willis Tower Skydeck after your tour is highly recommended.
You might often hear the name Daniel Burnham from your tour guide, although his buildings aren’t directly visible from the river. Burnham’s 1909 “Plan of Chicago” laid the foundation for the city’s beautiful parks and well-organized streets. Downtown landmarks like Macy’s on State Street, Union Station, The Monadnock Building, and The Hotel Burnham are all his creations.
Several companies offer architecture boat tours in Chicago. Shoreline Sightseeing offers tours for $44, departing from Michigan Avenue (DuSable Bridge) from 10:45 am to 8:15 pm during the summer. Chicago’s First Lady, in partnership with the Chicago Architecture Foundation, offers 90-minute tours departing from Michigan Avenue Bridge at Wacker Drive for $56 per person. They also offer special photography cruises and evening tours.
Remember to book your tickets in advance since these tours can sell out quickly. If you’re visiting in the summer, don’t forget a hat, sunscreen, and water to stay comfortable in the heat. Enjoy exploring Chicago from the river!