When my boys & I came to CHI-town in 2013 to see Phish-band we wanted to do this... When my boys & I came to CHI-town in 2014 to see Phish-band we wanted to do this... But, late nights, and hang-overs, prevented this. This time I came out a day early, and made it a point to go, and planned it out. So awesome. Yes you can drink on board, they have a full bar. A great, fantastic lovely experience. I would go again and again. read more

First Lady - Horn opener. - Boating Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Took the architecture boat tour with First Lady (I think we were actually on the Little Lady). Great staff, good bartender, nice beer selection...it was a beautiful night to be on the river. The docent from the architecture society, Uncle Hartley, was very knowledgeable and kind of funny. Really got a great background how and why Chicago became such an epic city for architecture. Also heard the G-rated version of the time he ran towel-less into a then-Senator Obama at the gym. Want to hear the R-rated version of that one. Definitely a great tour and a great cruise. Felt very safe the entire time and really, really enjoyed it. read more

First Lady - Boating Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is "the" river tour to take. 90 minutes long and they take you basically through the city via the waterways. Beautiful architecture. The missing star is for the tour guide. She was very monotone and boring. Spoke about things no one cared about. If she spoke less everyone would have been happier. read more

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Patricia did a wonderful job educating us on the historical importance and significance of the buildings along the river tour. read more

First Lady - Boating Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Love the Architectural tour. We've done it a couple of times and enjoyed it each time. We've also done a 'competing' tour on another line that was good as well. On these tours the narrators are docents from the Architectural Foundation. You get a bit of a different presentation depending on who presents, but it is always informative and the 90 minutes goes fast as they have lots of facts about the buildings, architecture, city, and people throughout history. It's well worth your time and the boat ride is relaxing and there is a nice bar area downstairs that has a variety of drinks, water, and snacks. read more

Fantastic tour on the Chicago's First Lady! If you have not been on it I would highly recommend this tour company and the fact that you can drink and buy alcohol on the boat is event better. The tour is about 1.5 hours in length and you go down the river with a guide from the Chicago architecture center and they give you insights into the city from past to present. They tell you who designed each and every building and they give you a great historical lesson. I really enjoyed each and every minute of this tour. You go past places like the Trump tower, Hitchcock building and many other areas. They tell you a history lesson of the city. You see where the barn stood that housed Mrs. Olearys farm that started the great Chicago fire and you see Goose Island! Overall a great tour and I highly recommend! read more

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If you can buy your tickets ahead of time. You don't want your anticipated tour time to be full. The docent of the tour was extremely knowledgeable of the architecture of the city and helped me understand and appreciate Art Deco styled buildings. The best seat on the boat is the top of course. The boat goes up and down the river and it's a good way to see parts of the city. You want to do this at least once. read more

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I visited Chicago recently and crossed off all of the tourist items I wanted to do so now that I was back for a second time I really didn't have anything in my list that I had to do. This tour was recommended by my hotel and just a short walk to get to. It was kind of pricey, about $45 per person but really was worth it. It takes 90 minutes but it is a really great way to see the city from a different perspective. It's also good if you need a break from walking. The tour guide was so knowledgeable. You could tell this was her passion. It was beautiful to see all of the buildings. I saw things that I didn't see on my last trip and was able to truly appreciate the beauty. FYI..the boat has a full service bar, restrooms, and the lower deck is inside so you can get warm if you need to. I'm so glad I did this tour and recommend it to everyone who has the time. read more

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Our Chicago Architecture Cruise yesterday was a real treat. Adrienne, our volunteer docent, provided an energetic and informative commentary...with interesting dollops of the city's history mixed in. Beautiful weather enhanced the experience...sunshine really brings out the best in some of these buildings along the Riverwalk. True, there was a LOT of info to take in...but thankfully, we were not required to pass a quiz in order to leave the boat ... All that, and we got to bask in the glow of the Cardinals sweep of the Cubbies, too! read more

First Lady - Reflecting the skyline... - Boating Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Last chance for romance. Rain or shine, we are having fun. Nice tour guide, no tip accepted. read more

First Lady - Rain or shine, it's fun tour - Boating Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Awesome experience ! Emily was a Great and knowledgeable tour guide !! Definitely recommend!!

Russ was a great tour volunteer! He was very informative and gave an amazing tour! Great activity to do while in Chicago!

The guides are volunteers and very informed (from the Chicago architectural foundation I believe. Have us a new appreciation for the architecture and the history of this beautiful riverside. He timings are convenient and as a mater of fact I had accidentally bought the 4/00 pm tickets and they allowed us to change them to the 5/00 pm ones since they had seats. Lasts about an hour and a half with a running commentary throughout. There is a full bar in the boat that you can get your drinks from before the tour starts (after you're seated) and during the ride. Would recommend it highly read more

First Lady - Boating Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Took my mom on this cruise for Mother's Day and she loved it! We've been near the city for years and we saw a whole new side of it on this trip! read more

First Lady - Sears (Willis) Tower from our cruise down the river! - Boating Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great tour! We loved hearing about all the amazing buildings in Chicago! The tour guide was amazing!

We loved our architecture river cruise. Most amazing tour guide who was so knowledgeable and entertaining. We learned so much. Worth every penny!! read more

Such an interesting tour! I learned a lot about the history of the buildings on the river as well as the river itself. Would definitely recommend this to anyone coming to Chicago to better understand the city. read more

First Lady - Boating Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great architecture tour!!! Our volunteer guide was externally knowledgeable and humorous!!! Great for students and anyone who wants to enjoy a boat ride. Highly recommend it for your fist visit to Chicago! However, the bartender can work on his people skills. I asked if they had non-fat milk for my coffee and his response was, "This is not Starbucks." Really? A simple no, would suffice. This is the only reason I didn't give 5 stars. read more

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Incredibly disappointing experience. We took this cruise with Wendella last year and had an amazing guide. This trip we took our three teens and splurged $275 with First Lady on June 18 at 3pm. Our docent was Corrine, a well meaning older woman, however- she spent the entire 90 minutes stating the obvious. "This one is very tall and made of steel." "This one is curved." "This one is green." She tried to sneak in a small fun fact here or there but they were extremely confusing and poorly explained, such as "this one has three swimming pools in it to help it not sway." - ummmmm....what? It was so painful my 16 year old asked what training you need to volunteer your time on the tour as she though she could improvise a similar tour based on an hour and a half of stating visual observations. I understand the guides are all volunteers, but that makes the quality of the tour a complete crap shoot based on who shows up with the mic. I would love to do this tour again with a docent who has the information and fun facts that my family would have really enjoyed. But the cost alone will keep us from ever trying this again. I have watched boats of tours go by over the last day and have learned more leaning over the edge of the river walk rail than I did in 90 minutes with Corrine. (Not sure I spelled her name right). It would be much nicer to have the entire tour recorded and played so that every patron has the same experience for the cost. The docent merry go round without any real training or consistency could leave you very disappointed with a lot less money than you had before you signed up....like us. Signed, Lighter and no smarter in Chicago read more

Patricia was an amazing docent-so knowledgeable with a great sense of humor an ability to tell a story in such an engaging way. If you do nothing else in this city-this is THE ONE to do! read more

The ride was very good. You see all the architecture. If you are an architect or a student of architecture - PLEASE KEEP YOUR CRITICS TO YOURSELF - a smirk will do just the same. However, the guide gives fun details and blah blah. I just went for the pictures. For the architect like me: Sit in the back of the boat. Get great picture opportunities. Enjoyed it immensely. read more

***While quite pricey at $35 per person, the Chicago's First Lady architecture tour is a unique and one-of-a-kind experience (as well as a must visit if you are interested in skyscrapers)*** Chicago's First Lady is the official boat tour of the Chicago Architectural Foundation and it provides a one-of-a-kind experience. The boat tour takes you on a gentle cruise on the Chicago River where you get great views of many iconic Chicago skyscrapers like Willis Tower (Sears Tower) and the Chicago Tribune Building. The tour guide was good. He was pleasant, friendly and informative. He did a decent job of connecting the dots to build a through line though there are probably better storytellers out there. He also had a few interesting tidbits here and there (like pointing out Groupon's headquarters). The ride was comfortable and since the weather was not that humid, it was quite a good day to be on the water. The total time of the trip was just right. It ran an hour and a half, which was a good time to take everything in, but not too long where it started to get boring. Pricing is high though. Tickets start at $35. If you need a refreshment during the tour, there is a bar on the boat. The tours are conveniently scheduled with boats leaving every 30 minutes. The tour starts at Wacker Drive and Michigan Avenue, which is a very convenient and easy to find location. While expensive, Chicago's First Lady is a unique and very interesting experience. If you like architecture/skyscrapers, it is a must visit if you find yourself in Chicago. I am not sure what the parking situation is around here, but I imagine it is expensive and hard to find. read more

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While on a Bachelorette weekend, we decided the Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise would be a wonderful excursion on Sunday Funday. I prepayed for my ticket on the site which totaled $53.26 for a 90 minute cruise on the river. I would definitely suggest buying your ticket online in advance since we arrived minutes before the tour and were able to easily board with our printed tickets. I would not suggest arriving this late unless you have a harem of ladies saving seats. Also the tour starts promptly and there isn't much of a break, so if you want to enjoy a tasty Bloody Mary during your cruise, arrive early! Dick was the docent from the Chicago Architecture Foundation who led the tour. He was extremely knowledgeable and adorable. If you don't love Dick by the end of the tour, you must hate puppies and rainbows. They don't accept tips but you can maybe sneak in a hug. The weather (Sunday Oct 11) was phenomenal. We were on the back of the deck. No matter how bad you want to...don't touch the bridge...they're always watching. I know it's within reach but restrain yourself. It gets a little breezy on the way back so maybe bring a light scarf. My only minor critique is that for the noon tour you're looking up into the sun quite a bit so rock some shades or go at an earlier/later time. Other suggestions include waving to all the people that wave at you, even the crazies, and maybe bring some crackers if you need to eat every 30 minutes. Thanks Dick for the wonderful tour! read more

First Lady - The dock spot - Boating Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, which was founded in 1837, has reinvented itself countless times in it's history. The evidence of that can be seen through the unique architecture of the buildings throughout the city. To get an up-close view and to hear historical stories for each, come aboard the Chicago First Lady Cruise--rated the #1 tour in Illinois! Admission comes at a steep price of $42/person, but many of the sights are breathtakingly beautiful making this tour worth a visit. Book in advance for they sell out fast on weekends. While you can do this online, I recommend booking through guest services as there were complications when I tried booking online and on the phone. Each cruise is 90 minutes long and held at many different times throughout the day. You can even cruise at night which is deemed as the twilight tour. Keep in mind though, rain, snow, or shine, the cruise will go on. Come at least 30 minutes before your departure time because seating is first come, first serve. Seats at the top deck are lined at the sides and in the middle. I feel the most optimal seats for photos would be in the middle rows, but at the ends of them. Most of the buildings seen will be on the left or Port side of the boat, so plan accordingly. You'll cruise the Chicago River, through the main branch, then to the North and South branches. I absolutely loved our tour guide, Patricia--she was extremely knowledgable, kind, and considerate. I do wish there was more humor involved, but I appreciated the thorough explanations and incite on each building. It was obvious she loved the city and by tour's end, managed to make me, and other tourists, love the city even more than we did. ---- Conclusion: 4.5 Stars! Although It could be more affordable, the sights leave lasting impressions that are a must-see if you're visiting Chicago for the first time. Extra Notes: -Accepts credit card -Full service bar available during the tour, although it's pretty expensive. $12-15 for a libation. $5 for water -Bring a hat, sunglasses, and dress in layers -Employees on ship could be more friendly -I get sea-sick easily, but this ride was really smooth -Restrooms are clean read more

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Apologies for the lateness in my update. I would be remiss if I did not update and note the kind attention and genuine response the Director of Tour Sales Nancy Trujillo provided after I expressed my concerns and bad experience. Melanie Maples was also extremely responsive to the situation and I truly appreciated that. The tour definitely lived up to its reputation as one of the best river tours, and I will definitely be back in the summer for a sunset tour. Thanks again for turning a bad experience into a really positive one. I've attached some of my favorite photos from the tour read more

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Part of the fun of friends coming to town is you get to play tourist in your own town. After raving about how great this tour is and all of her friends saying the same the Architectural Boat Tour was a MUST for the Sister in Law from Toronto. Even though I have done it before it is always a nice way to spend time with guests, the unique perspective that the river gives you adds to the amazing nature of the City. Well worth the cost of admission! read more

We had a really great time on this tour, it was very informative. Our docent was excellent, very engaging and knowledgeable. Also if you're staying at The Peninsula, you should book through the hotel to get a free drink card. I would recommend getting a seat on top of the boat, the view from the inside isn't great. But be sure should bring sunglasses/wide brimmed hat for a sunny day. read more

Definitely worth a cruise to browse about the architectural site in Chicago! Our host for the event was very informative on the history and how each significant building came about! Random fact is that the oldest buidling was built in 1898. (Don't quote me on that, however!) Overall, a pleasant cruise to be on and to enjoy the view of Chicago on a boat! read more

This river tour is spectacular in that it is run by a nonprofit with volunteer guide who have a deep and abiding passion for the city and architecture they love. If you are new to Chicago, take this FIRST as it will orient yourself to the building and geography. From the geometric genius of the art deco era to the beaux arts fanciness of an earlier age to the dark blank faces of the more austere new buildings, you'll learn the how and whens and why of many buildings along with fascinating stories. The trickiest part may be finding the dock( its on Wacker Drive but down at the river front.) Ask about parking discounts! read more

First Lady - Boating Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Fabulous and very informative tour! Our docent Sam was fantastic. She was extremely knowledgeable about architecture and engineering as well as Chicago history. read more

An ABSOLUTE MUST for any visitor or local! For the 3 of us on this tour, it was a first for all! My husband and I dropped off my father so he could have assistance getting on the boat, (so if you're in a wheelchair, be prepared to have two monster guys lift you, wheelchair and all ~ onto the boat. The "ramp" has a giant drop at the end.) When we arrived, my father was seated in the front (the only wheelchair accessible area) where we were also met with rain. Thankfully it wasn't a downpour, but sprinkling enough to make you miserable. Fortunately they sell rain ponchos! Another couple bought my dad a poncho before we boarded, which was so kind! They wouldn't even let us pay them back. (They were probably from Canada.) So my husband and I bought our two ponchos at the bar, and away we go! Not only do they give you amazing architectural history, but what I never knew was the architecture on the bridges and the gear rooms. Since I come from a family of know-it-alls (myself included) we laughed each time my dad would give commentary on some building before the woman on the loudspeaker would mention it. I think I also learned a great deal about my dad that day, since I now know of all the random places he would go and take a nap. Apparently my dad is like a cat, and needs to nap often. The most bizarre thing also occurred on this tour, for part of the tour there was a guy on land running along side of the boat route. At first I thought he was a jogger, but then realized he was chasing the darn boat! A few times we were placing bets if he was going to jump in the water, which actually had me a little nervous. Thankfully we lost him. read more

First Lady - On the river right before Lake Michigan - Boating Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

$42 ticket per person 90 minute boat ride tour about Chicagos architecture Get to see all the main skylines and buildings.. very informative as the guide offers historical background about the buildings along with the type of art concept behind each building. Yes, it is a tourist thing to do but if you don't live in Chicago, I would reccomend to check it out. They did say this is the TOP tourist attraction in chicago! read more

First Lady - Boating Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've been on about three architecture tours but I think the best one is with the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF). The tour meets at the southeast side of Michigan Avenue and Wabash Avenue. We purchased our tour tickets the day before, so we thought we would just need to arrive (20 minutes earlier, as advised by CAF) and line up at the first boat there. Turns out there are many boats there and you have to find the time of your tour at the entrance of each boat and then line up. It is open seating on the boat. We were seated next to one of the speakers. I thought it would be too loud for us, but it wasn't too bad at all (and I have sensitive ears). The 90 minutes went by quickly and very informative. I never get bored of hearing about Chicago architecture. I recommend wearing a jacket because when the wind picks up on the boat, and you are under the shadow of the buildings, it can get very cold. Also bring a cap in case the sun is directly above to prevent sunburn. And of course bring your camera! That is a must! read more

I wish that they had boat tours like this in more cities with rivers. The 90 minute tour takes you to the mouth of the Chicago River and north and south a bit. As they do three u-turns (if I remember correctly) you get ample opportunities to take pictures of the skyscrapers on both sides of the boat. They have a bar downstairs as well as a bathroom, very important to know since the boat ride is 90 minutes long. They told us that it would be a good idea to arrive 30 minutes early for our 3:30 boat tour. Good thing that we did because the line had already formed. Chicago is a beautiful city. Even if you do not care that much for architecture for architecture's sake, the skyline is a wonder to behold. The one and a half hours, I have to say, was a little bit hard on my neck (staring up at all those tall buildings), so be warned. Nothing a good massage couldn't fix. The women seated next to us was pregnant, and kept dozing off. One hour and a half isn't for every one. But, I think, well worth the effort. read more

First Lady - Boating Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Tip: In summer, sit at the front of the boat, but not in the chairs. Sit on the bench behind the metal chairs - the overhang provides much desired shade and the blaring speaker blasts over your head, rather than at you. You're welcome. Knowledgeable tour guides and very educational/entertaining! $44/ticket and worth it. read more

What a great way to see the city! I really enjoyed the Official Architecture River Cruise on the Chicago's Little Lady. The tour takes you down the main branch, north branch, and south branch of the Chicago River. The tour guide certainly knew her history as she spoke about 70 or so buildings on the 90-minute tour. There is a bar on board for those who feel so inclined. I was on the company tab, so I certainly took advantage of this feature. If you are going on a hot/sunny day, don't forget that you are going to be in direct sunlight for much of the time. You can choose to sit inside, but the sound was not piped inside (or at least it wasn't turned on). Overall, this is a must do tour for anyone who loves architecture, history, or is new to the city. read more

First Lady - Boating Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This is THE architecture tour to go on. Do not sleep on this beautiful experience. Non-profit, enthusiastic docents, on a lovely boat with not a bad seat on it. I was moved to tears with a new love for a city that I've been living in for 6 years. Thank you to Steve and the Chicago Architecture Center for an unforgettable time! read more

I'm so glad we did this! It's a 90 minute excursion down the Mississippi River with a knowledgable docent from the Chicago Architecture Foundation. It's a wonderful way to see the beautiful architecture of Chicago and learn a lot about it too. It's also a great vantage point for taking excellent pictures! It's $40 per person but definitely think it's worth it. Several tours each day so just walk up and book. You may have some trouble getting in if you're booking on the weekend but weekday tours seem to be pretty open. There is a bartender on board if you need it to make it more interesting! read more

The Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise! You can buy and print out your own tickets online. We got tickets for Sunday at noon, and they cost $37.85 each. That's kind of pricey, but the tour lasts 90 minutes and is quite thorough, so I guess it's worth it. The tickets had assigned seats, but when we got on board, you could basically just sit wherever you wanted to. The docent that lead our tour was really knowledgeable and had a great presentation style. I learned a lot about the history of Chicago's buildings, both old and new, and it was something I never knew about before. Unfortunately, it started raining about halfway through our tour... and we were sitting on the open deck on top without an umbrella. At first, it was okay to just withstand the drizzle, but after a bit, the rain really started coming down, and we had to take shelter indoors, where the view wasn't as nice. All-in-all, this is a very nice tour, and I highly recommend it if you are ever visiting Chicago. read more

I have been on this tour about 10 times and I just love it. Becky is wonderful and does a great job. It's a dreamy tour! Make sure to bring water and a hat! read more