The Red Witch is a wonderful experience. Not one single reservation in recommending Captain Andrew, his crew and the Tall Ship Red Witch for any type of occasion. Totally worth every penny spent to create a wonderful memory. I chartered the Red Witch for an 80th birthday party/family reunion and a fireworks cruise. We had 25 guests ranging in age from 22 - 82. Captain Andrew, his crew and our guests made magic that evening. Clearly the Red Witch is a labor of love for the captain and his crew...and we fell in love with all of them. It was raining softly as we gathered at Burnham Harbor about 1/2 hr before sailing. Captain Andrew says the Lake is a micro climate and that you can't tell what the weather will be until about 4 hrs before cruising time. At 8p he told me the rain would stop by 9p and it did (it actually stopped at 8:50). He knows his business. He gave us the option of cancelling the cruise but based on his reading of the weather, we went ahead, the rain stopped, the sky was clear over the stunning skyline and it became an absolutely beautiful evening. From the moment we boarded the ship, the energy was electric. Once we were out of the harbor, the crew asked for volunteers to hoist the sail - my 80 yr mother volunteered! The bar opened (a cooler) and there wasn't a dry glass the entire cruise. The captain asked if we had an ipod ( we forgot). The accommodations shipboard were fine. The ship is being slowly rehabbed...it is clean and has tremendous character. The crew and their attention were beyond my expectation. The only annoyance of the evening had nothing to do with the Red Witch but with parking. There was a concert on Northerly Island that evening and Soldier Field charged us $50 to park in the garage. Many of our group took Uber - highly recommended. A few rode their bikes and a few took the el - all easy. If you're not interested in paying through the roof for parking, make sure you check parking fees or leave your car at home. Do not hesitate to charter this ship for a special occasion. read more

Really wonderful night out on Lake Michigan! Red Witch sailing is definitely a hidden gem in downtown Milwaukee. Very safety-focused and took us on a peaceful sunset cruise on the lake. Captain and First Mate were very knowledgeable and hospitable. Looking forward to sailing with them again soon! read more

Tall Ship Red Witch - View of downtown - Boating Near Me - Kenosha, Illinois

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This was a fantastic experience all around! The Capt and First Mate were experienced and very professional. Beautiful way to see the MKE skyline and enjoy a couple hours on Lake Michigan! read more

Best deal in Milwaukee. Family of 8 took the sunset cruise. So peaceful and beautiful. the red witch was a surprise hit on our visit to Wisconsin. read more

Affordable experience. Weather was fantastic. They are just getting started in Milwaukee so the amenities are needing attention, but they realize that. The captain and his mate were very friendly and talkative. Seemed very well versed in sailing and very safety conscious. However, they never told us where life preservers were should the unfortunate need to use them arose. I feel that was an important piece of information that was left out but perhaps there is a reason for that as I am not a sailor. All in all we had a very nice time. read more

We went out this past Saturday at 2:30, they packed us in like sardines, I think assuming there would be more walk-ons at the dock, but there were not and then they never allowed us to spread out. 1/3 of the boat was empty but I rode with my hip jammed into a stranger -The water was incredibly choppy and the crew seemed a bit uptight/concerned about passenger safety but began threatening everyone about holding on for dear life and not standing up - I get that there are rules on board but it made for an anxious start, and passengers were left feeling rather subservient. I was holding my breath wondering who was going to be the first chosen to walk the plank...captain, our group just paid hundreds of dollars to float around in your boat, a little kindness could go a long way... The ride was lackluster. We stayed very close to shore due to the waves, and it felt more like a motor boat ride than a sailing cruise. I guess I can say I've done it and lived to tell the tale, but not a very pleasant nor enjoyable experience. read more

Tall Ship Red Witch - Red Witch - Boating Near Me - Kenosha, Illinois

A great experience worth every moment Would recommend it to singles couples families and groups. Excellent deck crew a safe affordable sailing trip on Lake Michigan read more

Tall Ship Red Witch - Captain Andrew - Boating Near Me - Kenosha, Illinois

I bought tickets on Travelzoo for a double date. In total, I paid $175 ($140 on travelzoo, an extra $25 for fees when I actually reserved the dates). Aside from unexpectedly paying fees during the reservation process, I enjoyed my sailing trip. The staff provided complimentary water and pop. We thought we were going to miss the boat, but they left the harbor at 1:15PM! They had beer and wine for sale. They were nice enough to not notice that we didn't pay for the beer, but we tipped generously instead. I kind of wished we were able to go more alongside the lakefront and not just around McCormick Place and Museum Campus. read more

Tall Ship Red Witch - Chicago skyline from one of their ships. - Boating Near Me - Kenosha, Illinois

Really nice experience. Weather was perfect and the captain was very informative. He ran the boat and his crew perfectly

We had a wonderful time sailing out of Kenosha Harbour. I appreciate the captains focus on safety, yet provides a very enjoyable experience. read more

Absolute Delight! I recently had the privilege of sailing on the Red Witch Tall Ship and have only positive things to say. Here are the highlights: 1. Friendly and knowledgeable crew - awesome people! 2. Incredible views! It really doesn't get much better. We had a spectacular night for weather which helped of course, but it still is stunning to see the city from such a distance. 3. Spacious and clean -- the sailboat is great for parties and large groups! It's clean and really easy to maneuver around. 4. I will definitely come back! read more

Tall Ship Red Witch - 8.21.13 - Boating Near Me - Kenosha, Illinois

I like boat trips and tours - I've been on many in various places. This one, unfortunately, was extremely boring. It would have been nice if the captain or crew engaged with us a bit more (e.g., talk about the skyline - not everyone aboard was from Chicago, talk about the ship and sailing, talk about the lake, talk about anything). Instead, there was little interaction (other than being asked repeatedly if we wanted drinks) and excruciating periods of time where the ship just bobbed in the water and we all sat silently (surrounded by strangers, it felt like we were on a lifeboat waiting for rescuers to arrive). Also, it rained during this trip. Obviously, I don't blame the captain or crew for the weird weather we've been having in Chicago. But it would have been nice if they had disposable rain ponchos they could have given us. The only alternative to get out of the rain was to go down below and hang out in a not especially comfortable space (it was dark and cramped). I'd also suggest that there be squeegees to clear off the water from the sitting areas above. You can't really stand on the deck and so I sat back down and ended up with a water-soaked backside. Traveling home on the train in extremely wet pants just made the whole experience even less appealing. read more

I came across the Tall Ship Red Witch about a month before the 4th of July while I was looking for possible sailboats to charter. I showed it to my girlfriend and we were both sure it must have been booked months earlier. Nonetheless, I called the next day and was surprised to find that it was not only available, but also affordable (($650/hour x 3 hours + 9% Chicago Amusement Tax) / 49 people = $44 per person). Now I just had to find 47 other people. Over the weekend I talked to a few friends and word spread like wildfire, turns out everyone wants to be on pirate ship for the Fourth of July. I made an excel spreadsheet with names, sent out emails to our selected friends, and gave them a 72 hour deadline to get me the money (this helps weed out the irresponsible few who would probably not make the boat on time anyway). By the powers of Venmo (amazing iPhone/Android payment app) and Paypal, I had all the money up front and put down our 50% deposit the next week. On the day of the cruise, they recommend that everyone arrives at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure. I would like to reemphasize this point. We only had one couple come slightly late (3 minutes), but it is not especially easy to get to Burnham Harbor so that time cushion is extremely helpful. Once we arrived, Captain Andrew took me aside to go over the plan and make sure we were in sober enough shape to board (it was the 4th of July, mind you). I assured him that I had suggested everyone take the afternoon easy and we were all good to go. Captain Andrew is extremely friendly and certainly allows the passengers to have a good time, but it's obvious that safety is his first priority and wouldn't allow anyone to board who would be a danger to themselves, the other passengers, or the crew. From there, we loaded the beer and wine (no hard alcohol is allowed, which is completely fine), and took off. After leaving the dock, one of the crew went over the rules (no jumping in the water, watch out for the swinging boom, etc.) and we putted out to the lake by engine. Once we were out of the harbor, the sails went up, the engine went off, and we pointed the bow towards the horizon. We couldn't have picked a better day for sailing. The sky was blue, it was very warm, and the wind was strong enough to really get the boat moving. When you approach the boat, it looks a bit small but I can assure you that 49 passengers will fit comfortably. Also, the three hour cruise was a perfect amount of time and as we were heading back to the harbor, we got to see the sun setting behind the skyline (the Sear's/Willis tower is HUGE when looking at it from the water). Overall, everyone had an absolutely amazing time. Since the cruise, at least two of the passengers are now planning their own private charters. Captain Andrew and his crew were wonderful and friendly, going out of their way to make sure we were safe and happy. Also, if you have the chance, I'd recommend talking to the Captain at length, he's a super interesting guy. Thanks Tall Ship Red Witch, we'll be back! read more

Tall Ship Red Witch - An amazing 4th of July aboard the Tall Ship Red Witch. - Boating Near Me - Kenosha, Illinois

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Holy cow, what an accommodating crew/company! My friend and I had tickets for a Thursday evening sail but unfortunately we got caught in a traffic jam. We were both looking forward to sailing so I was devastated that we would have to miss the cruise; I decided to give Red Witch a call.Thinking, maybe, just maybe they would be able to wait for us (since, you know the universe revolves around us). Of course, they could not. BUT offered to reschedule our sail for the following evening! Which worked out perfectly. The actual sail was two hours; the best views of Chicago. Yeah, yeah- you can go on top of the Sears Tower or the Hancock but seriously? If want an astonishing view of the skyline- it should be in the middle of Lake Michigan. Word to the wise: there is beer and wine for sale on the ship but it's cash only; be prepared! The crew was extremely nice- so tip too. read more

My boyfriend and I sailed 9/6 with tickets I purchased through You Swoop. It sounded like the perfect not your everyday romantic date: BYOB, the Chicago skyline, and a beautiful sunset.he staff was all very friendly, attentive to everyone's needs, and engaging. The chop was causing a couple of the other passengers in the front to get wet and the captain has the mates get some jackets for them, good call Capt. Though the whole crew made the experience enjoyable, I was disappointed that we didn't really sail at all. The day was cool and windy and the lake was slightly choppy, perfect for sailing as the first mate Faylin told us. The captain used the motor to get us quickly past the chop to Navy Pier, where we bobbed around for an hour and a half, and motored it back in. I asked what the ships did before motors, the ships apparently are steadier under sail in choppy conditions because the wind hold the boat straight. SO, why not make for a steadier ride with the perfect sailing conditions? We still saw the skyline, sunset, and had our beverages but I really wanted to see and feel what it's like to be under wind power. The other bummer was during the cruise, we and a few other passengers noticed that the clear varnish was getting sticky. It seemed dry when we first sat down. Both of the pants we wore smelled like varnish and were sticky and crusted upon departure. All in all, I'd give it another go if I knew I could see a sail boat in all it's non gas guzzling glory. read more

I've never had so much fun on a boat, and that's quite a statement. I cannot wait to sail again. Maybe I'll get to hoist a sail next time... read more

My wife, daughter and I recently took the cocktail cruise on the Red Witch. We all had a really nice time. The cruise was nice and relaxing, the crew was fun and friendly, and the views of Chicago were amazing. If you do book a cruise, be sure to bring along some fancy snacks, sandwiches, and even a bottle of wine. read more

Great experience for my husband and I's 2yr wedding anniversary! The captain and crew were very welcoming and great company! They gave us free drinks for our anniversary, since we didnt have cash, which was unexpected and very much appreciated! Great sailing experience! We would highly recommend!! read more

My friends and I embarked on the Red Witch as part of a YouSwoop deal. As part of the deal we had 2 free drinks (beer, wine) and it was also BYOB. Sunday funday! A variety of people on the boat including those in their mid/late 20s (my group), some older tourist couples, and a few families. One of which had about 7 kids and a dad that closely resembled Uncle Eddie in Vacation. The cast was super helpful, taught us some about the ship, consistently asked if we needed anything at all. Overall, just a super nice group of people. The trip was great, beautiful, we could move around the boat and were just very relaxed and having a good time. Highly recommend over any of those geeky tour boats with plastic seats and a person with a microphone, disabling you from moving. Definitely recommend! read more

The boat was beautiful! Crew was pleasant MR. Blue was funny. Boat was clean and we had an amazing view for the firework show.

An excellent way to wind down after a day in the city. The Red Witch is a gorgeous ship with a friendly and professional staff. I highly recommend the sunset cruise. Definitely pack a small bag of wine and snacks before your trip. It will make the experience perfect. I recommend some flutes and Prosecco with apple slices. I would do this again if it didn't make me absolutely seasick. Take your Dramamine if you are prone to that crawly feeling. read more

I took my gf on one of their sunset firework cruise for her birthday and we had an absolute blast. It was the perfect thing at the perfect time. The staff was absolutely accommodating and you can not beat BYOB, BYO Food and fireworks. I brought champagne and her birthday treats since we had already went to dinner. We definitely got lucky with one of the most beautiful nights this summer (which isn't in their control but it was part of the entire experience). Even though we brought our own stuff they still give you a couple drinks each and offer them so you don't have to ask (Canned beer and house wine). Thank you Red Witch for making this an unforgettable birthday for my gf and I. read more

Amazing night out. Perfect weather, crew, and company (you can bring so many people on board you. An make new friends). BYOB, Chicago skyline and an amazingly personable crew. Shutouts specifically to Brennan and Sam. Thanks for a great evening. read more

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My husband and I along with two friends sailed on the 3-hour Red Witch Fireworks Cruise as part of a YouSwoop deal and we all had a great time. The deal included 2 drinks and the boat was also BYOB, so that was an added bonus. We sailed out of the harbor and into Lake Michigan to Navy Pier for the fireworks and then sailed back. The weather was perfect, the views of the city were amazing, but the boat seemed a bit tight with the amount of people on it making it tough to move around on the bumpy waters. We highly recommend a sail on the Red Witch! read more

We found a travelzoo deal for a Saturday 1pm sail and it was awesome!! The crew was so friendly and come around to make sure you have drinks. It was such a relaxing experience!! Love the BYOB, food, etc. Highly recommend and will do this again when we have guests!! read more

I went on a sail with Red Witch last weekend. Great fun! The crew and Captain were very informative and I learned a great deal about sailing tall ships. It was fun to imagine how are forefathers traveled and get to experience it, with modern conditions of course. Highly recommend going out on Red Witch! read more

Booked a Nave Pier Fireworks sail and had a great time. Before we went out we were warned that the water was a little rough that night, and were offered a chance to get off to swap for a different day. The Captain was really wanting to make sure people were going to enjoy themselves. We stayed on board, and had a great cruise. The Captain and crew were great and helpful and pleasant. The boat was definitely full, but we were comfortable. Seeing the Chicago skyline at dusk and into the night was beautiful!! Getting to see the fireworks from out there in the water was SO Awesome! We were SO close to them it was really amazing! Would certainly recommend this to anybody interested in going out and experiencing a ride out on a sail boat like this one! read more

We had a large group and booked the whole boat just for us. We had people travel 5 hours to be there. We waited and waited........... finally we were told that it was too windy and have to rebook and no refund per their web site. This captain should have known the weather 6 hours ago, why we had to wait made no sense. If a sailor does not know the weather hours before a charter, it seems it maybe questionable if it is safe to sail with him. And why no refund! makes no sense. This all happened last summer and still no refund and it looks like no rebooking. read more

They handled 50 of us (all college students) professionally and efficiently. The trip was amazing and an absolute great time. The ship was in great shape and the crew was accommodating, friendly, kind, professional, and safe. Every one of us thoroughly enjoyed the trip and we are already making plans to go on another excursion. Worth every dollar and it is highly recommended that you enjoy the experience as well. read more

Terrible! Bought tickets for my husband for Fathers Day. Whole family going. We waited and waited and no boat! Walked over to the harbor to find the ship docked and locked up. After finding a number to call with the help of a random dock worker, come to find out there is no trip, they changed the schedule and were in Milwaukee. But they didn't bother to notify the people who had bought tickets in Kenosha. "You can pick another day or get a refund" we were told. No apology, nothing. Won't be doing that again! What a waste of our time! Don't bother. read more

We had a group of 4 and used Groupons for this adventure. It was a 2 1/2 hour cocktail cruise. We had a blast! The crew was super friendly and it was a gorgeous night! If your from out of town it's a beautiful way to see the skyline from the water! Would definitely recommend! read more

I went on the fireworks cruise with some friends on Saturday. The weather was stormy that day but the tickets we purchased though Travelzoo said rain or shine so we went. Trying to redeem the vouchers we purchased was a whole other nightmare story with the vouchers not even covering the entire cost of the cruise! We arrived about 7:30 for the 8:30 cruise and the weather was awful so we called to see if the cruise was cancelled; we were told it was on when the storm passes and we would probably leave later. We boarded the boat about 8:30 and was told we needed to wait for a group of 8 who mistakenly went to Navy Pier thinking the boat was leaving from there. After we waited and the group was a no show we overhead the captain talking on the phone to a member of the no show group saying he was sorry we couldn't wait any longer but they should call him next week and arrange a cruise for another day. WHAT????? The tickets clearly stated "no refunds, no exchanges, rain or shine, no umbrellas" I wish I was given the same courtesy of rescheduling this cruise but I guess you don't get that if you arrive on time. The cruise itself was ok, the captain and crew were capable and friendly. The whole experience was quite disappointing, I wouldn't go back, rain or shine! read more

We booked a 1 hour sail trip with Red Witch in Kenosha Wisconsin and loved it! We had 2 kids and 4 adults and everyone had a lovely time. There was the captain, 2 mates and Pete the dog. They offered us drinks (adult and kid friendly), had sweaters to borrow and overall were super friendly. Highly recommend them. read more

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I chartered the Red Witch for my girlfriend's 30th birthday party and had an awesome time. The boat is amazing, the crew is unbelievably professional and there is really nothing not to love about the entire experience. I was able to cater food and drink myself and the crew even helped set everything up and were serving drinks to the guests. The pricing was very reasonable especially when compared to the other ships on Lake Michigan. I will definitely go back and highly recommend this unique experience. read more

Cannot believe how awesome a time this was! The ship was so beautiful and the crew was great! We loved the trip out on the water and watching the sunset from there. We brought some food and drink with us and enjoyed ourselves completely. After we came back I felt like I was just on a mini vacation, really relaxed and carefree. read more

Bought a Youswoop, since we've always wanted to see the fireworks from the water. We had to book in advance, so we wound up picking a Wednesday that turned out to be 99 degrees. We were afraid it might be too hot, but it wound up perfect! A cool little breeze, and the most breathtaking sunset against the city backdrop...gorgeous! When the fireworks went off, I couldn't believe how beautiful they looked above the lake. Much more dramatic than land viewing! Anyways, boat was great, staff was very friendly and the whole experience was very relaxing! Recommend for a great evening on the water!! read more

I charted the Red Witch for my mom's 65th birthday, and it was a GREAT experience. We had about 18 people aboard, ages 3 to 70, and there was plenty of room for everyone to take in the beautiful view. I highly recommend chartering the Red Witch for a special occasion... it's sure to impress. read more

The Red Witch is a blast! The captain is very nice and accommodating, and the rest of the crew was both hopeful and added to the whole sailing atmosphere. We were on the boat for my friends birthday party, and it was the perfect way to celebrate. I would recommend this for anyone who is celebrating any special occasion with friends or family! read more

I chartered the Red Witch to take my group of engineers for a sail September 1 in the afternoon. I can't imagine a better way to spend 2 hours than with the captain and his crew on Lake Michigan. We had an emergency situation arise with non-delivery of beverages. The captain generously agreed to wait for delivery and to share what was on board if delivery did not occur. Long story short, we shared and the afternoon was a success. Thanks to Captain Andrew and crew for a wonderful sail. We'll be back next year! read more

My friend got a YouSwoop to sail on the Red Witch and we were finally able to sail yesterday evening. While the weather was chilly and the water a bit choppy, it was a blast. The crew was great, very friendly and clear about what we should expect. Also, Captain Andrew was very generous in making sure that any jackets he had on board were given to people who did not have them. If you are looking to get out on the lake and have a few drinks with your friends, you should check this out. read more