A beautiful day on the Lake Michigan. Had a blast on Veteran-owned FIREBOAT-TOURS today! Such a fun afternoon soaking up Chicago's history and architecture from the water. The itself was comfy and solid, and it's pretty cool to think this fireboat served the city's fire department from 1937 to 1981. Lucky us, we caught a perfect day light winds and clear blue skies. Thank you to Cliff, our tour guide, who had serious knowledge of Chicago history and a fun vibe was fabulous. The bartender, magic manning, was a total character, bringing good energy and making sure everyone had a good time. In fact, the whole crew was super welcoming and made the experience even better. Next time we are going to try the sunset cruise and do this all over again. read more

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This fireboat tour was spectacular! My friend and I both had a wonderful time and can't recommend it highly enough. The length of 2 hours was perfect so we didn't feel rushed. We motored around near Navy Pier and on the river. While I'm generally not into architecture, the buildings were beautiful and interesting to learn about. I expected that the tour would include a recording of the information about all the sights, but the person narrating the tour did so live. He came up and chatted with all the passengers a couple of times. We felt very well cared-for. Word to the wise though, it can get a bit chilly so wear layers if possible. Highest recommendation! read more

Think Jeopardy-Chicago edition. Cliff is an excellent narrator and will give you information you never realized you wanted ...or needed. We learned about the architectural features of the beautiful buildings. The historical Chicago fires. Movie trivia. Why Chicago is really called " The Windy City" and why Manhattan got its name for good measure. Guess which building sits on a landfill. Why the lake is cleaner than its ever been. Experience a boat lock. The history the fire boat played in Chicago's history. Our party of 5 took the 3 pm trip on Memorial Weekend. It was a beautiful, beautiful day. Our boat was comfortable and not as crowded as all of the other tours we passed. It is a veteran owned business. Tours begin Patrick's Day through October! "May you have fair winds and fortunate seas!" read more

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There are many tour boat companies to choose from and we are so happy we chose Chicago Fireboat Tours! It was GREAT! Just being on a such an historic treasure of a boat. Not too big of a boat either so you can maneuver around it all for great views of Lake Michigan & the Chicago River. This was a Historical & Architectural tour. We learned so much from the speaker ( Cliff) about this great city. Stunning views. Plenty of memorabilia on the boat from it's storied past. Even a full bar ( and small bathrooms). Very fair price. Tour was just under 2 hours which went by quickly because it was fun. If there is one boat tour to do of Chicago, it's this one. Just grab an Old Style (beer), sit back, and enjoy. read more

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Great tour! Friendly staff! Narration was educational and entertaining. Highly recommend and would definitely return!

Everything was perfect. Would highly recommend it. The narrator was incredibly informative and funny

We went on a tour at the end of April. The boarding process was easy. The staff was very friendly and helpful. They were always willing to answer questions. I received great beer recommendations from the bartender, and the guide was super knowledgeable. The boat is also FANTASTIC. It's really cool to be learning the history of Chicago while riding on a piece of Chicago history, read more

The Chicago Fireboat Tour was one of the highlights of our trip. The captain and crew were all incredibly kind and accommodating. We loved the narration by Cliff, our tour guide--his voice is perfect for the job (think radio DJ!)--and we enjoyed a refreshing beer from Magic Manny, the bartender. Seeing the city's iconic buildings up close was truly magical. There was plenty of seating, including several tables toward the back of the boat for families who wanted to enjoy lunch during the tour. I highly recommend this experience--you won't be disappointed! read more

Chicago Fireboat Tours - Boat Charters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Took the family for an afternoon tour. Two teens and my spouse. Everyone enjoyed it. Smaller than other tour boats but it gives it a different feel which I appreciated. read more

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If you want to spend a lovely afternoon and learn something about the architecture of the buildings in downtown this it's the best way. Take a sit ,relax and enjoy. It's nice cuz on the back side of the boat it's covered but unfortunately you can't hear very well because of the noise of the engine so in a hot summer day,that's the best spot if you don't come prepare with had ,sunscreen etc.:) There it's also a small lovely bar that provide snacks and drinks ,2 tinny restrooms service ,a lovely entrance where you can admire some beautiful and tragic moments in the history of firefighters and of course the front side of the boat that it's having chairs to sit and enjoy. read more

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Went on the Santa Cruise this past weekend and took my nieces. It's great for smaller kids and so festive.

Loved the Chicago fireboat tour. It's a smaller tour boat than some of the others. My friend and I found them on Groupon the deal was super easy to use and book. We got there with plenty of time to spare before boarding. Austin the tour guide gave an awesome satirical history of chicago and the unique architecture and stories that makes up the city. Loved seeing the buildings from the vantage point of the river. I was glad I dressed warm because the wind gets pretty strong coming out back onto Lake Michigan! There were also refreshments to purchase at the bar but my friend and I just stayed in our seats the whole time except to move around a bit to take pictures! read more

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Had a great time. Learned a lot about the area and architecture. Was pretty chilly out but the Irish coffee warmed us right up. read more

Chicago Fireboat Tours - Boat Charters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This tour was one of the highlights of a recent trip to Chicago. We had a great time learning about the locks on the river, the river itself, Lake Michigan, Chicago parks, and the architecture. We arrived early, so we got our choice of seats. They have a little bar, so you can sip a cocktail, beer, wine, or soda while during your cruise. The boat is an old fire boat that has quite a history. It has been very well restored and modified for its current use. The pricing is very reasonable for the tour. I will definitely recommend this tour to anyone traveling to Chicago. read more

Chicago Fireboat Tours - At the dock. - Boat Charters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This tour has been on my list for YEARS and this was AWESOME! There were so many different tours to pick from, and were so glad we picked this one! We passed several other ones along the river and they were PACKED with people. There was plenty of room and space on this one! There was a little fire museum and history of the boat on board, which was nice to look at. The tour guide infused humor in with his facts. He was so friendly and knowledgeable. And the sights were unbeatable! This is the best way to see the city! There was a bar on board, as well as a few small bathrooms. There were chairs, but also tables set up too. read more

After living in Chicago for so many years it's my first time taking this boat ride! I believe it's. Retired fire boat and the people working on the boat couldn't be nicer. As a chicagoans living here for more than ten years and many boats later I still absolutely loved the experience. Our tour guide Austin was amazing too. He was witty detailed and so very patient to answer any questions we had I found the boat ride as a part of Groupon deal and couldn't have loved it more on the beautiful day we took the ride! read more

Really enjoyed this tour. Was initially going to go with the Wendella which most people do. I like this one because the vessel is smaller, so not as many people like the Wendella and priced better. It was informative, fun, and you get some AMAZING views and pictures. Wasn't too happy that they don't accept Groupon on weekends and holidays. But got over it and purchased from them directly. Based on the experience, glad that we went with them. read more

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Had a great time here going on the river and learning about all the different buildings and histories. The boat is nice and there is a covered section as well as an uncovered section in the front. The water was really calm and the weather was quite nice and there was also a bartender there too! I got a coffee. Overall, great thing to do when you're here in Chicago and it's next to the navy pier for you to check out as well. There lots of paid parking around so check spothero for the best deal. read more

Loved this tour! Great architecture tour. Cool historic fireboat. Much better than the huge touristy boats. Small bar for beer, wine, soft drinks, water. Can sit outside or inside. Great staff. Veteran owned. read more

Chicago Fireboat Tours - View from the front seats on our way back. Assuming these retro objects on the deck don't work anymore, but they look really cool. - Boat Charters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

book this for your visiting friends/family around @chicagofireboattours Lakeshore, Chicago This was a fireboat that ran for 45 years. Starting in 1936. Owners were in the navy and are starting a nonprofit to train veterans to work these tours and unique historical boats in Chicago, isn't that cool? They'll have a navy boat coming up, so stay tuned! It's $45 for 2 hours in the lake + river for a sunset tour. Firework cruises and architecture Tours also available read more

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It was a lovely night. My son and boyfriend loved the whole experience since it was their first time on a boat read more

Chicago Fireboat Tours - View of city - Boat Charters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

So, I check out Groupon whenever I'm traveling to a new city and sure enough, I stumbled across a Groupon for the Fireboat Tour. It had good reviews and I figured "why not give it a try?" Turns out, the positive reviews are well deserved and I'm happy that I can add one more. I took the afternoon daily river tour and was not disappointed. First of all, the boat itself is pretty darn awesome. It has a ton of personality and plenty of room to move around accommodate large groups. Second, they have a very nice selection of adult beverages from which you can partake while you cruise around. Finally, the running commentary was fantastic. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and really breathed life into the whole experience. He brought the city of Chicago alive with a combination of stories, anecdotes, and facts about the about the city's architecture and history. If you find yourself looking for something to do in the Windy City, consider taking a cruise on the fireboat. You won't be disappointed. read more

Chicago Fireboat Tours - Boat Charters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Just had a wonderful time. So much info from the tour guide. So worth it crew kind and very informative. Don't miss this if visiting Chicago

Love love loved our tour today! The tour guide was fabulous - just the right mix of history and fun facts with lots of jokes in between. I was so relieved to see they made sure everyone followed the COVID guidelines at all times. Even being local to Chivago for almost 2 years now, I learnt a whole lot of new tidbits today and I have done different boat tours on 2 different occasions other than this. They had a full bar on the boat, the boat in itself was beautiful - an original fireboat from 1937! There was good covered seating in the back and open seating in the front. Highly recommend opting for the fireboat tour over the others since it was worth every penny I paid and was 120mins of full adventure by the clock. read more

Chicago Fireboat Tours - Boat Charters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

There are many boat tours and cruises that you take on Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. However, none are quite like Chicago Fireboat Tours. For starters, the boat itself is very historical. According to the owners, the boat dates back to 1936, and was an operating Chicago fire boat for 44 years . Yes, this is one of the actual boats used to fight fires and patrol Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. I went for what might be considered a sunset tour in June of 2023. The boat left from Du Sable Harbor, and went out into Lake Michigan. It went North to Navy Pier, and then turned back South again. We then turn West to head into the Chicago River. After passing through the Chicago River locks, we went West and turn into the South Branch of the Chicago River. We went South to about River City before returning to Du Sable Harbor along roughly the same route. The course itself was mostly at a leisurely pace. We did pick up some speed after we entered the Chicago River. The total time of my cruise was about two hours. You have two options for enjoying the cruise. You can sit up front and feel the speed of the boat and be outside. The other option is to stay in the back and remain inside and under a covering with plastic covered openings if you want a slower paced experience. I moved back and forth to both spaces throughout the course. While this course does not have the commentary of the architectural cruise, I still enjoyed viewing the iconic building along the Chicago River. In sum, this was a fun cruise on a very cool boat. read more

Chicago Fireboat Tours - Boat Charters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great time out with my girls and an amazing historical tour lead by Austin who not only made it enjoyable and informative, but also very engaging. The weather was perfect; boat wasn't crowded, plenty of options to sit, and just a great day overall. read more

Chicago Fireboat Tours - Chicago Fireboat day!! - Boat Charters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Wonderful tour on the river and in the lake on a small, veteran-owned, historic boat. Cliff did a fantastic job talking about both the architecture and the history of Chicago. Highly recommend! read more

Wow what a great activity to do while visiting chicago! Whether you're from out of town or a local you'll learn something new ! Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and humorous. All the staff was so friendly and run a smooth ship! They have a bar with drinks and snacks for purchase. The boat is owned by a veteran family which makes it a great choice to support local businesses ! read more

Chicago Fireboat Tours - The boat - Boat Charters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great experience with Fireboat Tours! I was in Chicago a few weeks ago and saw them float by and thought it would be the perfect experience for my toddler the next time we were in town and I was right. He was so excited to be riding a fireboat. Our tour guide was awesome pointing out the cool architecture. Nice to have bathrooms on board. And there's booze on board too! What a great combo! Enjoy the ride with a drink in hand (or chase a toddler around, which is what I did) but either way, great way to spend an afternoon in Chicago. read more

This was one of our family's favorite experiences while visiting Chicago. Captain Erich and Captain Ray (Navy Veteran owners) were incredible hosts. We learned about the river, the locke system, and the spectacular architecture and history of this iconic city. Their bar features local brews from Phase Three Brewery along with anything else you could want to drink. We enjoyed the night cruise so much we had to come back for the day cruise. Support small businesses and even better, support Veteran-owned businesses! Thank you Chicago Fireboats for being the highlight of our trip--you guys rock! P.S. don't forget to buy some of their awesome merch! read more

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Nothing better than an historic boat run by Navy veterans with a sense of humor and great Chicago back story. In the 90 minute tour, we went out onto the Lake, through the locks, up the river and on the the north branch. It was a spectacular day. The boat has restrooms, bar with alcohol and not, shaded seating and not. And of course Chicago in your sights. I've been on the other boats and love the small size of this tour. They all have docents, all tell pretty much the same stories give or take. I had not gone to the north branch by boat, good opportunity. Nothing like the Chicago architecture along the river and boats, parks and museums along the lake. Just book it before the summer ends! read more

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This was our second time to experience the BEST tour of Chicago waterways. Austin, the tour guide is an amazing guide who knows the architectural and history of structures for every building in view. He details the eco systems along with a great narrative of Chicago's history from a variety of viewpoints. The owner and crew are great. Dan and other veterans who own the Fireboats in service take veterans on given days Free on their tour. They represent the best that Chicago offers! See for yourself how much more you'll enjoy the Fireboat Tours! Tom C read more

Lovely tour on lake and river. Very informative guide to share fun tidbits on architecture, Chicago history and even a bit of firefighting history of Chicago. Easy going staff and lots of reasonably priced beer and non alcoholic drink options. $3 iced lemonade, woohoo! They are totally fine when you bring your food and drinks and there's no pressure for you to purchase food from them at all. If you're gonna do a boat tour, this is the tour to choose to get a more personable tour, less crowded setting, affordable snacks and drinks and reasonable tour price. read more

Austin did an amazing job narrating our boat tour. He would even come by to see if we had any questions during our tour. The rest of crew was always very amazing & friendly. We were hesitant to take the tour since we were told Chicago First Lady was the best tour, but we had an amazing time. Ambiance was outstanding! Definitely would recommend this tour 100%. Thank you all crew members for making it a memorable one for us. Can't wait to return read more

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Of all the boat tours in town this is the best. You get a great view of Chicago while having plenty of space to yourself, you never feel like you're crowded or don't have a seat like the other tours. read more

Chicago Fireboat Tours - Boat Charters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This was the last activity for us before we departed after spending 12 days in Chicago, little did I know it would be a tour that changed my life forever. The tour guid was funny, the deckhand was helpful and walking around offering to take photos for people and the sites and history given was amazing! But let's talk about why it was life changing! My then boyfriend talked to deckhand and the tour guide and they went above and beyond to help him propose to me on the boat. They gave him the mic so he could ask loud enough for the whole boat to hear and even congratulated us with a bottle of champagne! I highly recommend this tour to all and a special thank you to the crew that helped make this day special read more

Chicago Fireboat Tours - Boat Charters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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An awesome fun 90 minute tour of Lake Michigan and Chicago River. You can bring food and buy drinks including alcohol aboard. Crew is very friendly and Captain Bob provided a fun narrative of the city's history. Also, how often do you have the opportunity to ride on a retired fire boat built in 1936?! I highly recommend it! read more

Chicago Fireboat Tours - Boat Charters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This is a great tour we went with family visiting from Germany and it was overall just a fun experience big plus that they allowed our dog to come with read more

I liked their music taste fits perfectly with my age. Also, this boat stayed longer than any other sunset boat (as long as I know. Other boats were returning as the sun went down). Even go around navy pier to have better view of nightlight of Chicago. wonderful experience, friendly staff, and safe, clean boat. Also, it was not crowded so we could have enjoyed our moment privately. read more

Chicago Fireboat Tours - Boat Charters Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We had SO much fun on the Thursday night brew-cruise (I bet any tour is great here)! The crew was awesome and clearly love what they do and we loved the Brew Cruise IPA collab. Can't recommend this boat enough - chill, fun and felt totally at home on the water! Looking forward to next time!! read more