Chicago Boat and Bus Day Tours

Introduction

Chicago river

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For a traveler that does not have much time in Chicago a day tour might be way to see more of the city. Even then some tours take tourists to places that can only be reached by tours, such as riding down the river on a boat that goes out onto Lake Michigan to get an amazing view of the city. Many tour tickets can be purchased day of while others should be a arranged in advance.

Boat Tours

Odyssey Cruises

• Emphasis: More classy dinner and lunch cruises on the lake.
• Boarding Location: Navy Pier
• Length: 1.5 hours to 3 hours
• Dates of Operation: Year Round
• Cost: $36.90 to $106.90
• Phone: 886-305-2469
• Website:

This classy motorboat offers great dinner and lunch cruises. There are also nice sunday and saturday brunch cruises. The Sunday Sunset Dinner cruise is half off for kids.

Mystic Blue

• Emphasis: A more relaxed dinner and lunch cruise on the lake
• Boarding Location: Navy Pier
• Length: 1.5 hours to 3 hours
• Dates of Operation: Year Round
• Cost: $24 to $79.90
• Phone: 877-299-7783
• Website:

The Mystic Blue is a very large cruise liner that goes on daily trips onto Lake Michigan. This boat caters to a younger looking for a fun crowd.

Seadog

• Emphasis: Lakefront Speedboat Rides, River & Lake Architectural Cruise, Fireworks Cruise
• Boarding Location: Navy Pier
• Length: 30 minutes to 1.25 hours
• Dates of Operation: April to October
• Cost: $17 to $25
• Phone:
• Website:

These long cigar boats cruise around the lake at high speeds. This is the ideal tour for someone that doesn't have lots of time and wants to ride on the lake. There are reduced tickets for military and children.

Lakeshore Sail Charters

• Emphasis: Riding the lakefront on a wooden sail boat
• Boarding Location: Burnham Harbor for tall ship tours and Museum Campus for schooner sailing tours.
• Length: 2 hours to 3 hours
• Dates of Operation: Year Round
• Cost: $50 to $65
• Phone: 312-404-5800
• Website:

Ride a wonderful tall ship or schooner for an early evening cruise on Lake Michigan. For Wednesday and Saturday Night Firework tours there are reduced rates for military and children. The Friday Night tour has a happy hour emphasis which leaves at 5:30 pm, BYOB beer and wine is ok.

Shoreline Sight Seeing

• Emphasis: Skyline Lake Boat Tour and Architectural Cruise on the Chicago River
• Boarding Location: Navy Pier
• Length: 45 minutes to 1 hour
• Dates of Operation: April to November
• Cost: $14 to $15
• Phone:
• Website:

This company offers shorter river and lake tours. There are discounted tickets for children and senior.

Chicago's First Lady

• Emphasis: Architectural River Cruise
• Boarding Location: Michigan Avenue and the Chicago River, lower level at the Southeast corner.
• Length: 1.5 hours
• Dates of Operation: Year Round
• Cost: $25 to $27
• Phone:
• Website:

Is a nice little boat that gives good river tours. The boat has a small snack bar.

Chicago Architecture Foundation

• Emphasis: Architecture River Cruise
• Boarding Location: Michigan Ave Bridge at Wacker Driver, lower level at the southeast corner
• Length: 1.5 hours
• Dates of Operation: Year Round
• Cost: $28 Monday through Friday and $30 Saturday, Sunday and Holidays
• Phone: 312-922-3432
• Website:

Offers nice tours up and down the river. The tour guides are volunteers from a non profit organization and truly love architecture.

Wendella Boats

• Emphasis: Sunset Lake Cruise and Lake & River Cruise
• Boarding Location: Michigan and the Chicago River by the Wrigley Building
• Length: 1 hour to 2 hours
• Dates of Operation: April to November
• Cost: $20
• Phone: 312-337-1446
• Website:

Was the first boat company in Chicago and is family owned business. There are discounted tickets for seniors and children. Snacks and drinks available for purchase.

Bus Tours