Chicago River Architecture Cruise: Skip-the-Ticket-Office
Duration: 75 minutes
Bestseller
Chicago
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Top sights in Chicago
Wish you were there
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Top 10 things to do in Chicago
Chicago has it all and enjoys spoiling its visitors and locals alike with a wealth of culture, shopping, dining and entertainment possibilities. As Frank Sinatra sang so many times about this world-class city, "it's one town that won't let you down."
Wrigley Building
Built in the 1920s, the two towers of this iconic landmark on Michigan Avenue once housed the headquarters for chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr.
Michigan Avenue
The Chicago Water Tower on North Michigan Ave. was one of the few structures to have survived the Chicago Fire of 1871. Today, it's a gallery for local artists and photographers.
The Magnificent Mile
13-blocks of North Michigan Avenue comprise The Magnificent Mile. It offers retail therapy, a bevy of restaurants with international cuisine and examples of historical buildings.
The Loop
It's the district that mixes business with pleasure amid soaring downtown highrises. Take a seat at one of many eateries, stroll along the river or enjoy the nighlife revelry.
Chicago Picasso Statue
Controversy surrounded the unveiling of this 50-foot statue in downtown's Daley Plaza in 1967. Some regarded Picasso's Cubist artwork to that of a baboon or a giant insect.
Chicago Pedway
When the weather and traffic are bad, thousands of locals take advantage of this system of underground corridors and overhead bridges in a 40-block radius in downtown.
Chicago Cultural Center
First opened as The Chicago Public Library and Civil War memorial in 1897, the building is famous for its stained-glass domes. Cultural events take place regularly and for free.
Chicago Children's Museum
Dig for dinosaur bones, learn how the city's tallest structures stand, and manipulate the power of water. Parents and kids will give this hands-on museum an A+ by the day's end.
Chicago History Museum
From the original days as a fur trading center to what daily life is like today, visitors will learn all there is to know at the "Chicago: Crossroads of America" exhibition.
Science and Industry Museum
The largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere is the ideal environment for an immersion in science. The Omnimax Theater also shows fantastic films throughout the year.
Planning Your Chicago Visit
Chicago Children's Museum tickets and hours
Admission: $14
Opening hours: Monday-Wednesday from 10:00AM-5:00PM; Thursdays from 10:00AM-8:00PM; Fridays from 10:00AM-6:00PM; Weekends from 10:00AM-7:00PM. Thursdays from 5:00PM-8:00PM is Family Night and free.
Location: Navy Pier
Chicago History Museum tickets and hours
Admission: $14 with two audio tours. Kids 12 and under are free.
Opening hours: daily from 9:30AM-4:30PM
Location: Lincoln Park
Science and Industry Museum
Admission: $18 (adults), $11 (kids 3-11). Three different ticket packages are also available for $27, $32, and $36. Depending on the selected package, visitors may choose up to three extra museum features, such as the Omnimax Theater, which are not included in the general admission price.
Opening hours: daily from 9:30AM-5:30PM
Location: 5700 Lake Shore Drive
When should I go?
April through May and September through October are great months to visit. The weather is nice, prices are reasonable, and there are plenty of festivals to enjoy. Plus, the crowds are less than in the peak summer season.
Good to know
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- Language
- English
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- Currency
- USD ($)
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- Time Zone
- UTC (-06:00)
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- Country Code
- +1
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- Best time to visit
- Early summer and early fall tend to have pleasant temperatures, fewer crowds, and a great selection of events on offer.
Things to Do in Chicago
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What people are saying about Chicago
I’m Chicago born and raised. Took this tour with family who came in from out of town. I LOVED this tour. Our tour guide was AWESOME! I learned so much about our city. I’ve taken the Shoreline architecture tours but they weren’t as thorough. This was worth every cent. The views at night are spectacular! I felt safe during the ride during the pandemic
Not being familiar with the downtown area, trying to find a place to park was very hard. Finding the actual site of your boat was another bad experience. The steps were very difficult.....should have been made aware of the 70 steps to go down and then have to climb up.
Knowing a city trough it's food is a whole experience. Our guide Wallach, was able to show us the city while tasting its roots. It is a wonderful trip for lunch time tasting Chicago classics and iconic food. Love and recommend this experience to everyone!
First time going I defeated enjoyed thee experience maybe next time I’ll plan another cruise on a summer day it was kinda cold over all I enjoyed and will be doing it again
Love the food tour of the city of Chicago everything that we tasted was delicious and the guide was very informative about the history of Chicago and the foods that we ate
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