Phenomenal architecture tours! We had Brad who is an architect who shared so much knowledge about the river high rises! The way he differentiated the architectural periods since the Chicago Fire taught us so much! If you have a choice of docents, try to get Brad! read more

Amazing views. Excellent speaker who knew all her histories on each and every building. She was amazing with her knowledge and facts on building. Service was great but it was cold. Overall wonderful time and amazing view. Highly recommend for the views and for relaxation with the family. read more

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We had a pleasant walk to the river and bought tix in person. Got to sit on the top level with great views of the grand buildings of downtown and other neighborhoods. We learned a lot about the history and architecture of these iconic buildings. The speakers are trained volunteers who have passions to share their knowledge with us. I recommend this as a must-do activity for Chicago. read more

Booked this tour off the recommendation of our son who took it in the past. Kathleen and Capt John did a wonderful job taking us on journey of Chicago architecture and history. Our 90 minute tour was relaxing, interesting and informative. Overall, we had an excellent experience. read more

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Passing through Magnificent Mile in Downtown Chicago we were looking for a fun activity to pass some time and thank God we found the First Lady. The tour is ideally located right on the riverwalk (parking beware) and the buying process and wait were all incredibly smooth and easy. The price is well worth it and the staff is exceptional. The boat is clean and has a bar on it and both an outdoor roof seating area and indoor area if you like some coverage. The tour itself takes you down the branches of the Chicago river allowing you to see many neighborhoods and different perspectives of the city. Our docent, Mary Jo, did a phenomenal job of explaining the city's history and architecture, giving us a look into Chicago that we didn't even know was there. The entire cruise went very smoothly and the weather was fantastic, although they had mentioned that some days it does get to be very chilly. However, we think the views and commentary would still make it even. As you weave in and out of buildings, under bridges, and past other boats, you really start to understand what Chicago is all about; not only currently, but historically as well. There is a great amount of work put into this tour and you can see it. By the end of the tour we were incredibly happy we decided to go on it and by the end of our trip it was almost unanimously the highlight of it. Disembarking was quick and efficient as well. They even left us with a parting gift where if you bring your ticket into the Chicago Architecture Center you receive $5 admission in return! Just a great activity and great operator all around. read more

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Fantastic time on our Architecture tour. We booked (discount site) last minute because my friend wasn't sure if her motion sickness could handle it. Ultimately, it was a good time and the boat was a rocking but she didn't get sick. This is my 4th architectural boat tour. I like to vary the business so that I don't hear the same things and jokes. Our tour guide was good on this occasion, not too corny. Enjoyed the route that we took. Thanks Doug!!!! Usually, I do the evening tours but it was nice to do one during the day so that I could see the river/lake water levy system at work. Tons of good views, clean bathrooms. Free cold water and nice parlor bar for snacks if you are hungry. I would book this tour again if hosting visitors. read more

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Great tour. Docent Kathy was so interesting and easy to listen to. The Chicago history and architecture info was really great to hear. Highly recommend this tour and speaker. read more

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Been to Chicago before--but never seen it like this! We were in town for a board meeting and took the First Lady Architectural Boat Tour as part of our group's planned activities. I've visited Chicago before, but this was my first time doing this tour. So glad we took advantage of this fun opportunity. Our guide (a docent from the Chicago Architecture Center) was sharp, funny, and knew their stuff. The focus was more on architectural styles and design trends than deep-dive history, which kept things moving and super engaging, even for someone who can't tell Art Deco from Brutalism without help. It was hot, but if you want to see the buildings properly, you need to be up top in full sun. Bring a hat, sunscreen, or a small umbrella unless you're aiming for a souvenir sunburn. Even as a repeat visitor, I learned new things and left with a deeper appreciation for the city's skyline. Highly recommend; especially with a breeze and good group energy! read more

First Lady - Boating Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Best architecture tour I've ever taken. Cynthia narrated practically non-stop, always perfectly in time with the widely varying buildings we were passing. I was especially impressed that her cadre of tour guides doesn't accept tips; they do it for the best of reasons. And I must say, I came away liking Chicago a lot more. The only thing that detracted was a jerk behind us that felt the need to boo a certain tower and make periodic political comments. I mean, c'mon man - he's not here. Chill. read more

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As part of a work event, we did a Chicago River cruise on the First Lady and guided by a docent from The Chicago Architecture Center. The boat was great with indoor seating and multiple levels of outside deck to sit or roam. Inside there was a small gift area and full bar. Bathrooms were cleaned and staff focused on great service. The guide was excellent (Bob?) and gave us a comprehensive history of the city and the architecture that makes up the cool Chicago skyline. While there was a light rain during our cruise, it didn't dampen our enthusiasm or enjoyment. I highly recommend you give this tour a try. read more

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We went on the architectural boat tour from the Wacker Dr / Michigan Ave location. Overall the boat was clean and well maintained. We were able to buy tickets online or via their ticket location, with standard or priority boarding. General seating only (no reserved seats, assigned seats). Our tour guide was Mark L from the Chicago Architecture Center and he was phenomenal. He was so knowledgeable and great presenter. We were able to ask questions about locations / buildings that were not on tour and he was able to provide knowledge on those as well. The tour was 90 minutes and there are bathrooms and a full bar on the lower level. If you sit on the top level, it's good to bring a hat and sunglasses. The lower level is enclosed if you need to be out of the sun and you are still able to hear the discussion. Overall, these tours are really well done. They are one of the more higher priced tours, but totally worth it. read more

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I got to experience lady on a sold out Lake House Effect EDM DJ show to hang out with my friend celebrating his birthday. What a great way to celebrate, great night skyline of Chicago, thrilling bridge crossings, and good vibes with great people enjoying the music! If you're looking for an easy convenient way to get out of city and see a different view of the cityscape, this event and the boat is a must! read more

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Really enjoyed the nice tour. Was about 90 minutes and the tour guides are volunteers. Some of the ticket costs go to support the Chicago Institute of Architecture. Lots of interesting fun facts, even if you aren't an architectural buff. Definitely deepens your appreciation for the city. read more

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This tour is ABSOLUTELY worth taking. Ronnie-Jo was our tour guide this passed weekend and she was so incredibly knowledgeable and a wonderful story teller. She made my friends and I fall in love with Chicago on only our second day in the city. Thank you to Captain Jordan and the rest of the First Lady crew for a great tour! read more

What a fun way to see the Chicago River get dyed green for St. Paddy's Day! The package was a little pricey, so it was nice that we got a corned beef sandwich, chips, and two drink tickets/person. Loved starting the trip off w bagpipes, glad when they changed to more fun, danceable music! Would definitely do again. read more

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Great boat trip with an excellent guide. Very well worth the price! Very interesting information about this wonderful city, river, and all of the amazing buildings. Don't miss the opportunity to take this trip. I would recommend this tour/boat company and this was my third time over a period of about six or seven years to take this cruise which never disappoints! read more

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Fabulous boat tour on the river all about Chicago architecture! The ride was smooth and the tour guide was informative, well- and clear-spoken, and a little funny. I learned quite a bit about Chicago history and architecture. Highly recommend! read more

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Lydia was a great tour guide! This was such a good use of an hour and a half, taking a trip up and down the Chicago river and learning about Chicago architecture along the way. Don't forget about the seating in the front, I was basically alone for half the ride because people didn't know there was space there. They have late tours so great for an after work activity when many other museums close. read more

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Great tour 4 stars instead of 5 because it was pricey No kids discount Nothing included but a pamphlet & a guest architecture docent... very knowledgable btw Would recommend it but be ready to pay 90min tour Love the skyline from the water Makes chicago even more special read more

First Lady - Boating Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Lovely day for a boat cruise. Great docent giving information on the history of the buildings and the city. read more

First Lady - Raised bridge - Boating Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Awesome!!! Big shout out to Russell for guiding us through the the "canyon of skyscrapers". This tour met every expectation and more. I wish I had done this tour the last year when I first came. Russell was very informative and enthusiastic regarding the massive buildings that our "rowdy" group were attentive and quiet. Thank you again First Lady and Russell for great experience. read more

First Lady - Boating Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Highly recommend the First Lady for an architectural tour while in Chicago. The meet up point is conveniently location if you're staying on E. Wacker and tickets were easy to get and use. There is a bar on the boat and the tour guide is so knowledgeable on the buildings you're learning about. The tour is 90 minutes but doesn't feel too short or too long. Perfect little activity between coffee and shopping and drinks and dinner! read more

First Lady - Chicago Skyline - Boating Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

For my first real visit to Chicago, my friends booked a couple tours, one of them being the city and architecture tour on the First Lady. Signing up for the tour was pretty easy online and we opted for priority seating, which meant we were some of the first people to board the ship. We were on the smallest of the ships in their fleet, but there weren't a lot of people compared with the other vessels, so that worked out. We were able to board and get seats in the bow of the boat, and then went to have some drinks while listening to the tour guide, Olivia, on the upper deck. We could hear Olivia's informative and humor laced stories from the lower deck and were able to get amazing photos and videos of the city from a pretty unique angle. From it's swashbuckling origins to the curated and cultured skyscrapers, Olivia made the journey very memorable. The boatswain and the bartender were also full of humor and made for a fun and exciting journey. This tour, unlike some of the others, heads out into lake Michigan, allowing you to learn more of the history and various areas of interest from the open water. There is a bit of a splash zone, depending on the weather, which may be more than welcome on those warner days. I highly recommend this tour for anyone interested in architecture, history, or just having a fun time in a boat. The staff, information, and views are incredible read more

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Finding the tour location was easy. We pre booked online. We were disappointed how many people were on our boat. Seemed like 200 people on the top deck crammed in there. Our tour guide was very informative, but not too engaging and seemed to talk too much without adding in appropriate pauses or more in jokes/facts. It was like you the company could have just played an audio guide as it didn't pause or take appropriate stops. It was a lot of history, almost information overload in the 90 min time. I am glad we did this tour however I wouldn't recommend it to others for the fact that it was very crowded and not too engaging in delivery for the price. Skip this and do the fun yacht tour instead to see the same sights without the crowd. read more

The perfect thing to do on a beautiful, sunny Chicago day. We knew we wanted to do a boat tour and this one was recommended to us by some friends who lived here. It was great all the way around. Our tour guide Bill was so knowledgeable and interesting and we learned so much. The boat was very comfortable and loved having a bar and bathrooms downstairs. Enjoying a spritz while learning about Chicago's history, just lovely. Would absolutely recommend, and might have to try one if they're walking tours! read more

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The tour was good but one thing really bothered me. They don't pay their docent's. It's nice that they volunteer but seriously, these tours are a hefty $57 per person. They literally can't function without this vital role. No docent, no tour. So why aren't they paying them? Seems lame. read more

Tour was ok, not as insightful or as inspiring as others have stated. We enjoyed the time on the water and enjoyed the docent's passion. Not sure what would have made it better, but it definitely lacked something. read more

First Lady - Boating Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Everyone I know who loves Chicago told me that this Architecture tour was a MUST and they were correct. Lindy, a docent from The Chicago Architecture Center, was my guide and she did a great job of bouncing between her talking points and quirky tangents. The tour took almost exactly 90 minutes and I was in awe of Chicago the whole time. If you're ever in Chicago, I highly recommend getting tickets for this tour. read more

The cruise was super informative and a terrific way to learn about the rich history along the Chicago river. The docent (Amy) was full of interesting information/facts. There is a full bar with cocktails/beer/wine, and they also sell chips and ponchos (in case of inclement weather), and there is a nice, clean restroom. This is a wonderful 90 minute activity, and I highly recommend them!! read more

Shoutout fellow DePaul alum, Jacob, for being a wonderful tour guide! Jacob was very welcoming to everyone on board, greeting everyone as we boarded. He was obviously very passionate and knowledgeable, with great commentary on the history of Chicago and its unique architecture. Seeing the skyline from Lake Michigan and being guided through the past and present of the city was wonderful. We had the opportunity for a great photo-op with the skyline, despite the rain and clouds. I learned a lot about Chicago and was able to appreciate the rich history, with awesome views from the lake and river. This tour is definitely worth its price! read more

First Lady - Boating Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This is a great way to tour the Chicago River. This 90 minute tour shows the highlights of Chicago architecture. The docent was very nice and knowledgeable. A not to be missed activity. read more

Absolutely fabulous architectural river cruise!!! MaryJo was our tour guide and she was awesome and fun. The tour is 90 minutes long but felt like maybe 30 minutes..so fun we did not realize so much time had passed when they headed back. Nice crew and clean boat!! Also note...not for profit! All proceeds go to the ACC! The only river tour you need to book...book now!! You will not be disappointed!! read more

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I was dying to do a boat tour when I came to Chicago recently and was very happy with this tour. We bought tickets in advance, but you can also buy them right at the dock. You line up to get on the boat, if you're anxious about getting a spot you might want to arrive early, but there was plenty of space on board. Drinks and snacks are available for purchase on board, they have a full bar. I did not get anything, but I saw plenty of people partaking on our tour. The tour guide was excellent, he talked for the entire 90 minute tour and I definitely learned a lot about Chicago and its history. The boat was clean and well maintained. The chairs are those metal mesh like seats, so if you're wearing shorts or skirt, bring something to sit on so you don't end up with an impression on your thighs like I did read more

excellent time at a friends party on a really nice chicago evening. The staff were polite, the views to die for and the open bar was flowing. Will certainly host or attend another event with them! read more

First Lady - Boating Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Second time on this tour 9 years since the first time and honestly I could take this tour annually I love it so much. The docents are so incredibly knowledgeable and you learn so much about the major architectural styles and history of Chicago while enjoying a perfect 90 minute cruise! read more

I've been to Chicago at least half a dozen times, and the architectural tour is always a favorite. Most recently, I went on Chicago's First Lady, as it was the closest ticket booth and it didn't disappoint. The guides are volunteers, but seem very passionate and knowledgeable. Worth the time and money every time! read more

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Came to celebrate our boss's birthday on Wednesday and we had a good time. We could t have asked for a more glorious day to do so. With 13 of us there, we all sat together on the top floor of the boat and cruised down the Chicago river. Tom out docent was great! Very knowledgeable on all Chicago buildings and skyscrapers. And how photogenic is our city!! It didn't disappoint either the sun hitting all the right marks. read more

First Lady - St Regis hotel - Boating Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Genuinely one of the worst experiences in my year and a half of living in chicago. Took the ghost tour and not a single person would stop talking, the crew didn't try and do anything to get anyone to stop. The bartender was letting people buy 4 drinks at a time. The speaker system was horrible and you couldn't hear anything unless you were on the top floor of the boat but it was pouring rain so you couldn't stay up there long. Do not recommend, swimming in the chicago river would be more pleasant. Take a tour with Windella instead. read more

The architecture tour was great! The boat was nice, and the guide very clearly knew what she was doing. I took more pictures then I can count! Highly recommend! read more

Bill gave a great tour, drinks were good, had a very fun time overall. Would suggest more morning time tours. read more

First Lady - Boating Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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