Accessible Drop-off Area

About Our Dock-Site Location

Our boats board at a Chicago River dock located down a two-level staircase, at the southeast corner of the Michigan Avenue bridge at Wacker Drive. Look for our blue awning. For guests who are unable to use stairs, there is a dock-level drop-off-only area below Lower Wacker Drive, adjacent to the Chicago River. Our crew is happy to help when you arrive to the dock level.

Guests who wish to avoid the stairway may use the ramp located near Wacker Dr. and Wabash Ave. The ramp provides access to Chicago's new Riverwalk. Proceed East and you will find our ticket office marked with blue awnings just beyond the Michigan Ave. Bridge underpass. An ADA ramp can be found at State St. and Wacker Dr. which will lead you to the Riverwalk Promenade. Once on the Riverwalk proceed east 2-blocks, past O'Brien's Riverwalk Cafe' until you see our blue ticket office awnings on your right just past the Michigan Ave. Bridge underpass.

Guests with Limited Mobility

The Chicago's Leading Lady ship is wheelchair-accessible. Tickets for tours on this ship can be purchased by selecting 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, and 5pm departure times.

Please allow extra time to locate our dock as tickets are date and time specific. As the newest member of our fleet she offers a wheelchair accesible family restroom.

When boarding the ship, guests cross two ramps and enter through an opening (doorway) that is 36 inches wide. Crewmembers will assist you in guiding the wheelchair across the gangway.

Guests who are unable to climb stairs to the upper deck, may choose to sit in the open air bow main deck of the vessel or the climate-controlled enclosed salon with large windows. For safety reasons, motorized scooters and electric wheelchairs cannot be accommodated aboard the ship. Guests who are able to transfer, may use the company's manual wheelchair. Our dockside staff will gladly monitor wheelchairs and scooters left at the dock during a tour. Staff members will gladly take tableside drink orders for passangers with limited mobility.

About The Mobility Access Drop-Off Area

This area is on the same ground-level as our dock, at the Riverside Gardens Promenade. Although there is a wheelchair accessible drop-off area, you may find metered parking payable with a credit card and a Systems Parking Garage adjacent to the drop off area. Guests using the Systems Parking Garage will recieve a discount for 4 hours or less with a validated parking ticket. Please remember to have your ticket validated at out ticket office. You will pass the garage on your way to the opening in the wrought iron fence and promenade path. Guests arriving by taxi will want to prearrange pick-up because no taxis are waiting for a fare on the lower lower level.

Directions to the Mobility Access Drop-Off Area

Please print these directions for your driver to refer to.

From Illinois Street or Grand Avenue, proceed southbound on Lower Michigan Avenue. Travel across the Lower Michigan Avenue Bridge. Go straight through the Lower Wacker Drive traffic light and when you reach the next traffic light, which is also a dead-end, turn left (east). You will then come to a 4-way Stop Sign. At that Stop Sign, turn left (north) and go straight until you see an opening in a black wrought iron fence, (daylight) and the River's edge. You will have passed the entrance to the Systems Parking Garage on your left as you look for the opening in the fence. Once your passenger has been safely delivered onto the promenade area, backtrack with your vehicle to the Systems Parking Garage (a blue sign), it will now be on your right side as you go back away from the fence. Park your vehicle and remember to have your parking ticket validated at our ticket office or by the bartender to receive a discounted rate if parked 4 hours or less.

What to Expect On-Board

Under Federal law, and due to special marine safety construction guidelines, USCG-regulated small vessels, are not subject to land-based architectural configuration requirements. Although we do our best to accommodate the disabled consistent with our vessel capabilities, staffing and the docking space which is publicly owned and controlled, we can do a better job with advance notice.