Chicago River and Lake Urban Adventure Cruise
from
$42
Chicago
IL
1-10
people
price for
1 participant
1 hour
30 minutes
  • • Experience Chicago's Architecture on a River and Lake Tour
  • • 1 Hour, 30 Minutes of Scenic Cruising
  • • Explore Chicago's Iconic Architecture from a Unique Perspective

Why We Love This Unique Experience

Experience the ultimate Chicago adventure with the Urban Adventure River and Lake Cruise! Discover the captivating beauty of Chicago's iconic architecture and breathtaking skyline on this popular 90-minute tour. Engage with lively and knowledgeable tour guides who bring the rich history of Chicago to life with fun stories and fascinating facts. Relax and unwind as you cruise along the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, gaining a unique perspective of the city.

Embark on a journey that showcases the best of Chicago as you travel along Lake Michigan to witness the stunning Chicago skyline. Cruise through the main branch of the Chicago River and marvel at the city's famous architecture. Pass by notable landmarks such as the Wrigley Building, Navy Pier, Buckingham Fountain, Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and more. Feel the city's pulse as you pass by iconic locations, offering a glimpse into the vibrant culture and history of Chicago. Sit back, enjoy the scenery, and let the beauty of Chicago unfold before your eyes.

Looking for a unique and memorable gift idea? The Urban Adventure River and Lake Cruise is the perfect experience to surprise your friends and family with! Treat them to a leisurely cruise where they can immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of Chicago from a different perspective. Whether it's a special occasion or simply a gesture of appreciation, this cruise promises an unforgettable experience that they will cherish for years to come.

Points Of Interest and Landmarks

  • Buckingham Fountain
  • John Hancock Center
  • Wrigley Building
  • Adler Planetarium
  • Shedd Aquarium
  • Field Museum
  • Navy Pier
  • The McCormick Bridgehouse

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Experience Overview:

Chicago Urban Adventure River And Lake Cruise

Our popular 90-minute daytime river and lake tour, the Urban Adventure Cruise, delights family members of all ages with incredible views of Chicago's world-renowned architecture and stunning skyline. Lively, knowledgeable tour guides bring Chicago’s rich history to life with fun stories and interesting facts. Relax and unwind on a scenic tour of the city from the unique perspective of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. Welcome aboard!

Meeting Point

112 E Wacker Dr

112 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

On Michigan & Wacker Drive, at the northeast corner of the intersection. Upon arrival, please take the stairs down to Chicago's Riverwalk and visit the box office (right after/bottom of the stairs) for guidance to your cruise boarding dock. A departure board is available for your reference.

What's included:

  • All taxes, fees and handling charges
  • Live commentary on board

Not included:

  • Food and drinks

What to expect:

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Lake Michigan

Illinois

Travel along Lake Michigan to view the Chicago Skyline!

45 minutes

Chicago River

Chicago, Illinois

The tour cruises through the main branch of the river. You will hear information about Chicago's famous architecture.

45 minutes

Wrigley Building

400-410 Michigan Ave, , Chicago, 60611-4213, Illinois

The Wrigley Building was built to house the corporate headquarters of the Wrigley Company.

Pass by without stopping

Navy Pier

600 E Grand Ave, , Chicago, 60611-3419, Illinois

View Navy Pier's 50 acres of parks, promenades, gardens, shops, eateries and attractions, especially the 15-story Ferris wheel.

Pass by without stopping

Buckingham Fountain

301 S. Columbus Dr., Grant Park, Chicago, 60601, Illinois

Located in the center of Grant Park. Dedicated in 1927, it is one of the largest fountains in the world!

Pass by without stopping

Field Museum

1400 S Lake Shore Dr, , Chicago, 60605-2827, Illinois

One of the largest natural history museums in the world!

Pass by without stopping

Shedd Aquarium

1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, 60605-2490, Illinois

Shedd Aquarium was once the largest indoor aquarium in the world.

Pass by without stopping

Adler Planetarium

1300 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr., , Chicago, 60605-2489, Illinois

See this famous planetarium in the heart of Chicago's museum campus.

Pass by without stopping

Soldier Field

1410 S Museum Campus Dr, Chicago, 60605-2902, Illinois

Soldier Field is a Chicago landmark and home to the Chicago Bears.

Pass by without stopping

The McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum

376 N Michigan Ave, Enter at Riverwalk Level, Chicago, 60601-3807, Illinois

At river level, visitors can view the massive gears of Chicago’s most famous movable bridge and then journey through time as they experience the story of the Chicago River. Once at the top of the Bridgehouse, visitors are treated to magnificent 360 degree views of the city and river, and will gain a whole new perspective on the beauty and complexity that is Chicago.

Pass by without stopping

Navy Pier

600 E Grand Ave, , Chicago, 60611-3419, Illinois

Navy Pier is a 3,300-foot-long (1,010 m) pier on the Chicago shoreline of Lake Michigan. Navy Pier currently encompasses more than fifty acres of parks, gardens, shops, restaurants, family attractions and exhibition facilities. The ferris wheel it is currently the sixth-tallest wheel in the United States.

Pass by without stopping

John Hancock Center

875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, 60611-1803, Illinois

The John Hancock Center is a 100-story, 1,128-foot[6] supertall skyscraper located in Chicago, Illinois. Located in the Magnificent Mile district, its name was changed to 875 North Michigan Avenue on February 12, 2018. View from the lake.

Pass by without stopping

Location

Map from Chicago IL 60601

Chicago, IL, 60601,

Details & Important Info

Additional Experience Details & Important Information

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Discounted parking available at 111 E. Wacker Drive. Please visit the dockside box office for parking ticket validation

Cancellations & Refunds

Reservation Changes, Cancellations & Refunds

Changes to reservations for tickets can be made until 3 days prior to the date scheduled. Reservations may be re-scheduled by the operator of the activity due to reasons such as weather, minimum participation requirements, mechanical issues or other interruptions beyond their control.

Organized by

Mercury, Chicago's Skyline Cruiseline

Product SKU: US-3193-0001
Google Business Profile: Mercury Cruises

What People Are Saying

(219 reviews)

Customers rave about their experience on this Chicago boat tour, highlighting it as a fantastic way to explore the city's stunning architecture and scenic views, both from the river and Lake Michigan. The knowledgeable guides are praised for their engaging and entertaining narratives, providing insights into Chicago’s history and landmarks. Many family groups and educators have noted the tour's suitability for a wide range of ages, making it a great outing for locals and tourists alike. With friendly staff, comfortable accommodations, and enjoyable optional refreshments, this tour is deemed a must-do activity for anyone seeking a memorable experience in Chicago. Don’t miss the chance to capture unforgettable views and stories of this architectural marvel!


Experience Highlights

Outstanding Experience... Knowledgeable Guides... Beautiful Views... Great for Families... Informative Narration... Fun Atmosphere... Accommodating Staff... Perfect for First Timers... Memorable Photos... Must-See Tour...

Chicago River and Lake Urban Adventure Cruise

(219 reviews)
Chicago
IL
1-10
people
price for
1 participant
1 hour
30 minutes
  • • Experience Chicago's Architecture on a River and Lake Tour
  • • 1 Hour, 30 Minutes of Scenic Cruising
  • • Explore Chicago's Iconic Architecture from a Unique Perspective

How It Works

Best Experience Providers

Our Activity Partners are highly rated and experts in what they do, guaranteeing you an unforgettable experience.

Free Gift Exchanges

All ExperienceGifts Certificates are fully exchangeable if you change your mind, free of charge!

Instant E-Gifts

Our beautifully designed e-certificates are sent instantly the moment you place an order, great for last minute gifts.

Location

Map from Chicago IL 60601

Chicago, IL, 60601,

There are no reviews for this experience yet.

Reviews by Viator

River and Lake Cruise

Thoroughly enjoyed our tour of Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. Very informative tour. Keeling and the crew were knowledgeable, entertaining and very friendly. Highly recommend this tour since it includes both Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. great photo opportunities!

TamiHTX - June 18th, 2018

Excellent field trip activity

We brought 75 6th graders on this cruise to connect with a unit on architecture students experienced in art class. Marie, the narrator, was very knowledgeable about the river's and city's history, famous landmarks and buildings. She was also a very entertaining speaker. I'm so glad we chose Mercury for our field trip!

JulieImagines - May 24th, 2018

Great way to show off Chicago's architecture and lakefront

About 40 cousins joined us on opening day in April 2018. The narrative was informative, highlights pointed out. Liked the fact the lower deck windows are on the side of the boat without a walkway to obstruct viewing of the sights. Though I had warned my cousins from the East Coast to the West Coast to dress warm as it's always cooler by the lake, when the north wind hit us, half escaped the top deck to the lower deck. The directions to lower lower Wacker Drive for our bus were accurate and helped a lot as we had several cousins who couldn't do stairs. I appreciate the fact the staff was attentive to our group.

Jean - May 1st, 2018

Great cruise

We live in Chicago and had a guest from St. Louis. This cruise is not only informational but so fun. Great way to see Chicago architecture as well as great photo opportunities of the skyline and navy pier. Highly recommend!

Lynette_P - July 8th, 2018

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