THE
ARCHITECTS'
CHOICE

Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady

Architecture Adventure Awaits!

Explore Chicago’s iconic architecture aboard TripAdvisor’s #1 rated boat tour of the city. The only Chicago River cruise partnered with the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC), Chicago’s First Lady Cruises offers visitors the city’s most engaging 90-minute architectural tour experience.

Highly trained and enthusiastic volunteer CAC docents (guides) provide visitors with a compelling and detailed narrative of Chicago's numerous architectural styles and the stories of the legendary figures who designed and built our city.

Enjoy cruising in comfort and style aboard Chicago’s Finest Fleet, featuring unobstructed sightlines and guaranteed seating on our open-air upper decks and full-service cocktail and snack bars in our climate-controlled interior salons. You’ll see why visitors and locals alike consistently name our tour the best way to see Chicago.

Experience More!

Complete your architecture experience with a visit to the Chicago Architecture Center, just $5 with a General Boarding Ticket and valid for up to 7 days after your cruise.

Or, treat yourself to a Priority Boarding Ticket, which includes exclusive early boarding period, skip-the-queue during general boarding, and CAC admission.

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General Boarding Tickets Start At

56.00

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Ticket Details

Priority Boarding tickets start at $69 and include exclusive early boarding period, skip-the-queue during general boarding, and Chicago Architecture Center admission.
General Boarding tickets start at $54. Include a visit to the Chicago Architecture Center for just $5 more!
Tickets can be purchased online, in-person at our dock during regular season hours or at the Chicago Architecture Center.
Avoid the box office by choosing "eTickets" or "Print at Home" as your delivery method.
Tour departures frequently sell out. Reserve your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.
Select "Will Call" to pick up your tickets at our dockside ticket office; bring your confirmation number.
Each person must have a ticket including infants and children.
Prices are subject to change.

General Boarding Tickets Start At

56.00

Ticket Details Buy Tickets

Full Schedule

Early Spring March 16 - April 17

Mon 10:00^am 12:00^pm 2:00^pm 4:00^pm
Tues10:00^am 12:00^pm 2:00^pm 4:00^pm
Wed 10:00^am 12:00^pm 2:00^pm 4:00^pm
Thu 10:00^am 12:00^pm 2:00^pm 4:00^pm
Fri 10:00^am 11:00^am 12:00^pm 1:00^pm 2:00^pm 3:00^pm 4:00^pm 5:00^pm 6:00^pm 8:00^pm
Sat 10:00^am 11:00^am 11:30^am 12:00^pm 1:00^pm 1:30^pm 2:00^pm 3:00^pm 3:30^pm 4:00^pm 5:00^pm 6:00^pm 8:00^pm
Sun 12:00^pm 1:00^pm 2:00^pm 3:00^pm 4:00^pm 6:00^pm

Schedule

2025 cruising season begins March 16th and extends through November 23rd.

See all seasons

Location

Located on Chicago’s Riverwalk

112 E. Wacker Drive, Chicago IL 60601

We are located at Michigan Ave and Wacker Drive, Chicago IL.

More Info

“I learned so much and left with a vastly greater appreciation of Chicago's stunning skyline.”
- Jennifer S. TripAdvisor, IL

Photo Gallery

What sets your tours apart from the others?
We are the only tour that partners with the Chicago Architecture Center to offer the official Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady. All of our tours are given by experienced, volunteer docents who receive hundreds of hours of training from the Chicago Architecture Center before guiding the river cruise tour.
How long is the tour?
Each tour is 90 minutes.
Is there food/drink available onboard?
Yes. All boats have a full service bar and small snacks onboard. Outside alcoholic beverages are not permitted.
Do I need to buy tickets in advance?
Advance reservations are recommended as many tours sell out during the busy summer season and on weekends.
Is there assigned seating?
All seating is general admission. There is enough seating for all guests to sit on our open air upper decks safely and with proper distancing measures in place. While seat numbers are printed on the tickets, you can ignore these as they are not valid.
Do I have to print my tickets?
You do not have to print your tickets. You can show your mobile ticket to our dock attendant with your smartphone, or you can have your tickets printed at the dockside will call window (be sure to bring a photo ID and your confirmation number).
Does the boat go on the lake?
No, the tour is only on the Chicago River. If you’d like to take a lake tour, please check out our sister cruise line Mercury, Chicago’s Skyline Cruiseline.
Are there restrooms onboard?
Yes, all the boats have restrooms onboard. There are also wheelchair accessible bathrooms on the Classic Lady, Leading Lady, and Emerald Lady. Please note: the restrooms close 15 minutes before the end of the tour for safety reasons.
Can I bring luggage onboard?
Due to security reasons, luggage cannot be brought onboard. There is not an area to store your luggage dockside either. We recommend having your hotel hold your luggage.
Can I bring a stroller onboard?
Yes, you can bring a stroller onboard. Children must be removed from strollers before boarding. Strollers will be folded and stored in the salon during the cruise.
Are there changing tables onboard?
The Classic Lady, Leading Lady, and Emerald Lady have changing tables onboard in the family restroom. The Little Lady, Fair Lady, and First Lady do not have changing tables onboard.
Are dogs allowed onboard?
Only service dogs are allowed onboard. Our sister company, Mercury, offers the popular Canine Cruise on summer weekends.
How can I get to your dock without using stairs?
There are two ways to reach our dock along Chicago’s Riverwalk without using stairs:
1. On foot via the ramp located on Wacker Drive at State Street.
2. Vehicle drop-off area on Lower Wacker Drive.
Visit our location page for more information.
Can I trade my tickets for a different date/time?
No, all tickets are nonrefundable and nonexchangeable.
Do you cruise rain or shine?
Yes, we cruise rain or shine. All the boats have two levels – the top deck is open-air, and the lower deck is an enclosed, climate-controlled salon. Each salon is surrounded by large windows so you can stay comfortable while still taking in the magnificent views. Tour commentary is broadcast over speakers on both levels.
Are the boats wheelchair accessible?
Chicago's Leading Lady, Chicago’s Classic Lady, and Chicago's Emerald Lady are wheelchair-accessible. These vessels cruise at the 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 5pm departure times. When boarding, guests cross two ramps and enter through a 36-inch-wide opening (doorway). Crew members will assist in guiding the wheelchair across the gangway. Please present yourself to our staff if you prefer to board before general boarding starts. Guests unable to climb stairs to the upper deck may choose to sit in the open-air bow or the enclosed, climate-controlled salon with large windows. For safety reasons, motorized scooters and electric wheelchairs cannot be accommodated. Guests who are able to transfer may use the company's manual wheelchair based on availability.
Visit our accessibility page for more information.

THE
ARCHITECTS'
CHOICE

Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady

General Boarding Tickets Start At

Ticket Details

General Boarding Tickets Start At

Full Schedule

Schedule

Location

Tour Details & Tips

Amenities

Photo Gallery

FAQ

THEARCHITECTS'CHOICE

Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady

General Boarding Tickets Start At

Ticket Details

General Boarding Tickets Start At

Full Schedule

Schedule

Location

Tour Details & Tips

Amenities

THE
ARCHITECTS'
CHOICE