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Seadog River & Lake Architectural Tours

• Navy Pier - Museum Campus Chicago 60611 United States
• (888) 345-3880
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Price — $41.95

Departing from Navy Pier, this 75-minute narrated cruise is the best way to get up-close views of Chicago’s unique architecture and famous landmarks.

You'll Enjoy:

• A 75-minute cruise through the historic Chicago Locks and up the Chicago River
• Up-close views of all the famous bridges of the Chicago River
• Entertaining narration with amusing stories and facts on Chicago’s history
• Fascinating stories about some of Chicago’s most famous buildings including the Tribune Building, Willis Tower, Lyric Opera and the Merchandise Mart
• An exciting speedboat ride along the lakefront featuring views of Chicago including Buckingham Fountain, Grant Park, Chicago Harbor, Chicago’s Museum Campus and more

Additional Information:

• Seadog offers multiple departures daily from Chicago's Navy Pier
• Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult
• We recommend that guests bring sunscreen and water along
• Seats fill up fast, so plan your cruise today! If seats are available, you can also purchase tickets for the same day at our Seadog ticket booth located on Navy Pier
• Mon-Fri Closed
• Saturday Closed
• Sunday Closed

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875 N MICHIGAN AVE April 7, 2024 - May 6, 2024 The Magnificent Mile Association and SSA 76 invite you to experience the U.S. premiere of Spectrum by Mirari. This 4 week limited engagement experience is hosted by Hearn at 875 North Michigan Avenue.

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Experience a one of a kind fusion of light and sound at the plaza of 875 North Michigan Avenue. From April 7th to May 6th, immerse yourself in an interactive installation that delves deep into the phenomenon of communication. Read more

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Seadog Speedboat – Chicago Architecture Boat Tour

401 N Michigan Ave, Chicago

41.8897301, -87.622993675389

Take a thrilling Chicago architecture boat tour to discover the great history of Chicago’s towering skyscrapers with a thrilling Chicago boat tour.

Table of Contents

• Exciting, descriptive, professionally narrated 75-minute tour
• Cruise the lakefront, through the locks and along the river
• Exciting views and descriptions of Chicago’s most famous architecture, landmarks and history
• Thrilling speedboat ride on the lake

What’s the sound of 2,000+ HP when you begin? Learn when you’re riding the Seadog! The only tour to bring you across the locks and along the river from the lakefront. The Architecture Tour of the Seadog River & Lake is the best option to experience Chicago.

Seadog is the perfect way to experience the architecture of Chicago while crossing the river! The Seadog River & Lake Architecture Tour is your best choice to experience Chicago , the only tour to take you from the lakefront, through the locks and along the river.

From popular and simple to locate Navy Pier, depart straight. Includes passage to Sears Tower through the historic Chicago River Locks and up the Chicago River, an architectural river trip and a speedboat ride along the lake front.

Our professionally narrated tour is educational, fun and interesting:

• Learn when and why the flow of the Chicago River was reversed.
• Learn how Chicago architects pioneered skyscraper construction
• Learn why the beautiful Chicago lakefront is almost all parkland
• Learn about an $80 million dollar skyscraper construction mistake
• See and hear about the dozens of skyscrapers lining the Chicago River including the Sears Tower and the Tribune Tower.

You’ll also get a stunning view of the Chicago skyline from Lake Michigan with Seadog Cruises. And only Seadog completes the architectural tour with an exciting speedboat ride along the lake featuring Buckingham Fountain , Grant Park, lovely Chicago Harbor, Museum Campus in Chicago and much, much more!

Get your e-ticket and go riding on the Seadog River & Lake Architecture Tour to learn about Chicago’s renowned architecture in a fun and exciting manner!

Make your way to Navy Pier or Michigan Avenue for your cruise departure (depending on which option you choose). Board your riverboat and select a comfortable seat; the boat has a restroom and, on occasion, a full bar. As your guide, an architecture specialist, introduces you to the city’s highlights , pay attention.

See buildings designed by world-renowned architects like as Mies van der Rohe, Helmut Jahn, and Skidmore, Owings and Merrill along the picturesque path. The best vantage point for admiring the distinctive city skyline is from a riverboat. Pass past the John Hancock Center, the Willis Tower (previously known as the Sears Tower), the Wrigley Building, and the Lyric Opera House , among more than 40 notable structures.

Listen as your guide describes two key events that shaped the city’s architectural history . Learn how the advent of balloon-frame building revolutionized home construction and hear about Chicago’s spectacular recovery from the Great Fire of 1871. Chicago became one of the cradles of contemporary American architecture as a result of both of these events.

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Seadog Cruises Chicago

Accommodating groups of up to 125 guests, Seadog Chicago is not your typical boat cruise company ! With daily architectural cruises , speedboat tours and thrill rides, Seadog offers exciting adventures that go far beyond the standard.  

Seadog’s unique brand of excursions was introduced at Chicago’s Navy Pier in 1996 and has thrilled more than a million people ever since! A few different tour options are available and they usually run several times a day during peak season and on weekends.

Book a Seadog Cruise

Tickets for Seadog Cruises should be purchased in advance online. Tours often sell out. Booking is easy online. Online bookings show weekly availability including tour times as well as revealing tours that are already sold out. Pay for your tour in advance with a credit card and receive an email with all of the information you need about where and when tours meet as well as what to expect.

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Sea Dog Architectural Boat Tour - Chicago Line Cruises

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Sea Dog Architectural Boat Tour

My family recently took this tour. Everyone from the ages of 11 to 67 absolutely loved it. We saw a totally different view of the magnificent buildings along the Chicago skyline. What made the trip so terrific was the narration by a young man named Michael. He told us we could call him the professor. He spoke clearly and was very informed on his subject matter. He really made the tour interesting. I would definitely recommend the tour to anyone. My husband and I plan to take it again with friends.

Not really into architecture but this tour was recommended by a Chicago native as a must. It did not disappoint. The tour is filled with interesting facts, Chicago history and a variety of building shapes & sizes. I would recommend this tour but remember to bring along your sunscreen.

This tour went along the edge of the lake and up the river through Chicago. The guide on this boat, Victor, was very knowledgable and energetic. I would highly recommend it if you have any interest in history and/or architecture.

The River Cruise was GREAT!!! Perfect size for the boat and people - not too BIG like the other cruise lines. Good that they gave you water and lemonade with cookies on the 90 minute boat ride. Perfect size

Having already done a walking tour of famous Chicago architecture, we were afraid it might have been overkill to have reserved a river cruise the next day. But, it was definitely a good decision. We were able to see Chicago from a totally different and magnificent perspective. Our docent was wonderful, and very skilled in giving out information that could have been dry and boring in a light and interesting way. This was a highlight of our trip, and I would recommend it to anyone headed to Chicago.

"Al" was our boat guide and he was very informative and interesting! We toured for 90 minutes on a day which began hazy and cool and turned out to be sunny and warm, which was perfect since we were on the water. We were offered free cookies and soft drinks and it was an overall wonderful first experience touring in Chicago

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August 18, 2023 @ 11:15 am

Chicago Seadog River & Lake Architectural Tour

Please be aware that the content on this webpage was authored more than 6 months ago, so some information may be outdated or no longer accurate. Please visit our event calendar for information on current events.

Enjoy Chicago’s iconic skyline with an exciting architecture cruise on the Chicago River.

Departing from Navy Pier, this 75-minute narrated cruise is the best way to get up-close views of Chicago’s unique architecture and famous landmarks. Seadog offers fun for the whole family (and the dog, too!) with live narration along the city’s shore.

Enjoy the speed of Seadog afterward during a short speedboat ride on the lake!

Cruising Daily Now – September 4 75-minute cruise Various Cruising Times from 11:15am – 7:15pm Ages 3 and under: free Dog: free

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City Cruises – Seadog River and Lake Architecture Tour

600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

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Everything about tourist attractions

Chicago architecture tours – tickets, cost, hours, duration, departure address

The skyscrapers and buildings of Chicago have helped shape American architecture.

Legendary architects from different periods have contributed to building the iconic skyline of the Windy City.

There are many ways to explore and learn about the architecture of Chicago.

This article covers everything you must know about buying tickets for the Chicago Architecture Tours.

Top Chicago Architecture Tours

# Chicago River Architecture tour # Chicago Architecture tour on Michigan Lake # Chicago Architecture Center’s walking tour

Table of contents

What to expect, where to book tickets, how do online tickets work, chicago architectural cruises ticket prices, chicago architecture tickets, chicago river architecture tour, chicago architecture tour on michigan lake, chicago architecture center’s walking tour, chicago favorite foods guided walking tour, speedboat architecture tour, chicago architecture center’s bus tour, best chicago architecture tour companies, shoreline sightseeing, shoreline sightseeing’s tour timings, review of shoreline sightseeing, wendella sightseeing, wendella boat tour timings, review of wendella sightseeing, chicago architecture center, chicago architecture center’s tour timings, cac tour departures, seadog cruises, seadog architectural tour timings, review of seadog cruises, how long do the chicago architecture tours last, boat tours during rain, boat tours in winter, chicago explorer pass architecture tour.

Take a dive deep into the modern architectural and cultural marvel that is the city of Chicago by opting for a Hop-On-Hop-Off bus tour, a Chicago River Cruise, a Speedboat cruise, or a Walking tour.

Sail down all three branches of Chicago on a cruise equipped with a bar and see the legendary landmarks of Chicago such as the Wills Tower, John Hancock Building, Tribune Tower, Buckingham Fountain, and more.

Step on the outer deck and feel the cool river breeze while you explore the beautiful city without the hassle of traffic or congestion.

Opt for a speedboat ride and see the city views with a thrilling ride that tears through the water, throwing water sprays all around.

Take the walking Art Deco tour and be led up close to mesmerizing Chicago buildings and their architecture, reading their motifs arising from a union of Cubism and the ancient architecture of the Middle East.

Visit Chicago’s most beautiful attractions, such as Millennium Park, and enjoy classic Chicago specialties like deep-dish pizza, hot dogs, and Italian beef sandwiches.

Be led by an expert guide on all tours who will entertain you with stories and insights about Chicago and the attractions you come across.

Use the evergreen Hop-on-Hop-off bus tour of Chicago to explore the best of Chicago from the unique vantage point of a big bus, getting on and off at the many convenient stops throughout the city.

Tickets for the Chicago Architectural Tour  are available online and at the attraction.

Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the attraction.

When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the ticket counters. 

Because Chicago Architectural Cruises sells limited tickets, they may sell out during peak days.

Booking early helps avoid last-minute disappointments.

Visit the ticket booking page for Chicago River Architecture Cruise: Skip-the-Ticket-Office , select the preferred date, time slot, and number of tickets, and buy the tickets immediately.

Once you purchase tickets, they get delivered to your email address.

There is no need to get printouts of the ticket. 

Show the e-ticket on your smartphone at the entrance and walk in. Please carry a valid ID with you.

For Chicago River Architecture Cruise: Skip-the-Ticket-Office , the general ticket for all ages above 13 costs US$51

Kids between three and 12 can gain access at US$29

Infants under three are not charged anything.

For Chicago: 45-Minute Family-Friendly Architecture River Cruise , the general ticket for all ages above 13 costs US$28

Kids between four and 12 can gain access at US$13

Infants under four are not charged anything.

For Chicago: 75-Minute Architecture Cruise by Speedboat , the general ticket for all ages above 13 costs US$60

Kids between 3 and 12 can gain access at US$48

For Chicago: Art Deco Skyscrapers Walking Tour , a ticket for all ages costs US$30.

For Chicago: Favorite Foods Guided Walking Tour , the general ticket for all ages above 13 costs US$80

Kids between four and 12 can gain access to US$70

Infants under four are not charged US$10 for participation.

For Chicago: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus , the general ticket for all ages above 13 costs US$49

Kids between three and 12 can gain access at US$36

Depending on your tastes and preferences, you have the option of booking a Chicago architecture tour on a boat, bus, speedboat, Segway, etc.

Or if you love walking, you can explore the city on foot as well.

We explain all the different types of Chicago Architecture tours available –

Architecture tours by boat

Tourists can choose from two types of Chicago Architecture boat tours.

You can book a scenic boat trip along the Chicago River or book a Lake Michigan tour.

This is a 75-minute boat tour best for those who want to understand the city’s architecture.

You will cruise along the Chicago River to discover architectural gems among the city’s renowned landmarks.

A local guide shares stories and anecdotes, keeping the atmosphere lively.

The boat passes more than forty buildings and sails under historic bridges.

The tour is available in English and Spanish.

Ticket Prices

Adults ticket (13+ years): US$51 Child ticket (3 to 12 years): US$29

Infants under three are not charged any fee.

If you want more of a joy ride with a little bit of Chicago’s architecture thrown in, you must book this tour.

During this 40-minute classic tour of Michigan Lake, you get to see Chicago’s shoreline and its iconic landmarks.

Adults ticket (13+ years): US$13 Child ticket (4 to 12 years): US$28

Infants under four are not charged any fee.

Walking tours

Many tourists prefer a Chicago Architecture walking tour to understand the architectural marvel of Chicago.

We have identified two of the best walking tours in Chicago.

During this 90-minute tour, you will explore the lobbies of five opulent Art Deco skyscrapers on the banks of the Chicago River.

Chicago Architecture Center, the city’s best authority on architecture, trains these guides.

This tour is wheelchair friendly.

This ticket also gets you access to the Chicago Architecture Center exhibits .

Ticket Price (All ages): US$30

This comprehensive three-hour tour allows you to see some of the most iconic sites, such as the Millennium Park, Magnificent Mile, Wrigley Building, and more.

You will get to sample some of Chicago’s most famous dishes, including the deep dish pizza, the beef sandwich, and the Chicago Hotdog, and can also opt for a craft beer.

You will be led by an expert guide.

Adult ticket (12+ years): US$80 Child ticket (4 to 11 years): US$70 Infant ticket (up to three years): US$10

If you want to cruise on both the Chicago River and Lake Michigan and explore the architectural marvel of Chicago, look no further than the Chicago Architecture tour by speedboat.

Besides the buildings, you will also pass through the historic Chicago Locks and sail under numerous bridges on the Chicago River during this tour.

Seadog Speedboat is an open-air vehicle.

Adults ticket (13+ years): US$60 Child ticket (3 to 12 years): US$48

Chicago Architecture Center, the city’s leading authority on architecture, offers the Chicago Architecture tour by bus.

During this three-and-a-half-hour tour, you will cover approximately 48 km (30 miles) of the city.

Being an extraordinary architecture tour, it is available only on Saturdays.

This tour also includes access to the Chicago Architecture Center.

Adults ticket (13+ years): US$49 Child ticket (3 to 11 years): US$36

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Some tourists prefer to know about the architectural tour operator before booking their trip.

They have heard or read positive reviews about a tour operator and want to book their tour.

This section details the top five Chicago Architecture boat tour providers –  Shoreline Sightseeing ,  Chicago Line Cruises ,  Wendella Sightseeing ,  Chicago Architecture Foundation , and  Seadog Cruises .

Shoreline Sightseeing has the city’s largest fleet – 11 boats and six water taxis, and dozens of architectural guides, making it one of the most popular tour operators.

According to TripAdvisor, Shoreline Sightseeing’s architectural boat tours are usually the most booked in the whole of America.

With their state-of-the-art tour boats and well-trained guides, Shoreline Sightseeing presents the story of Chicago’s architecture in the best possible way.

If you are traveling with your family or want a laid-back excursion, look no further than Shoreline.

Shoreline Sightseeing’s tours  start from Navy Pier and Michigan Avenue, and both have the same timings.

The first tour sets sail by 10 am, and the last tour sets off at 5.45 pm.

There are eight other timings you can choose from – each 90 minutes apart in between these two slots.

If you want a tour with a Spanish guide, you have only one option – the 9.30 am tour starting from Michigan Avenue.

Shoreline Sightseeing departures

Shoreline Sightseeing’s boats depart from two places – the Navy Pier and Michigan Avenue.

While booking your ticket, you can decide where you want to start their architecture tour.

Navy Pier: Shoreline’s boat boarding line is at Navy Pier’s Polk Bros Park. Their Navy Pier’s address is 600 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.

Watch out for greeters in bright orange.

Michigan Avenue : This boarding line is by the Chicago River at 401 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago IL 60611. Head towards the East of du Sable Bridge (Michigan Ave. Bridge) and on the North Shore of the Chicago River.

Look out for tour operator’s folks in bright orange.

Shoreline Sightseeing has a high rating of almost 5 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor and 4.8 out of 5 on GetYourGuide.

Even though Shoreline Sightseeing offers a family-friendly atmosphere, a good chunk of reviews come from couples suggesting that the tour works out best for families and couples.

Most of the reviewers felt the tour offered was either ‘Excellent’ or ‘Very Good.’

Many of the reviews contained the terms ‘great tour’ and ‘highly recommend this tour’ to describe their experience.

Note: If you want to save money on Shoreline Sightseeing’s architectural tour of Chicago and other City attractions, check out Chicago Go Card

Wendella Sightseeing was the pioneer of Chicago’s architectural tours.

Wendella Sightseeing offers two flavors of architecture tours – the river-only tour and the river & lake tour.

This operator takes you through the heart of the city on all three branches of the Chicago River, even as the expert local guide enthralls you with stories on 130 years of design innovation.

Their ships are all climate-controlled boats, and you won’t have to worry about rain or wind.

The best part is the full-service bar, which serves snacks and a selection of beers, wines, cocktails, and soft drinks.

Wendella Sightseeing’s river tours  start as early as 10 am and go on till 9 pm during peak seasons.

The most popular Wendella boat tour is the one at 12.15 pm. Because both indoor and outdoor seating is available, tourists don’t mind the overhead sun.

The other favorite time slots are 3 pm, 4 pm, and 5.45 pm.

If you want to book a Wendella Sightseeing boat tour on both the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, your options are 10.15 am (most popular), 1 pm, 2 pm, and 4.45 pm.  Book Chicago River & Michigan Lake tour

Wendella Sightseeing’s departures

Wendella Sightseeing boats set sail from their Michigan Avenue Docks located in the heart of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile.

They have two docks (look at your voucher to know where your boat will take off from).

Main Dock : The Main Dock is located at 400 North Michigan Avenue at the NorthWest corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge, which is now called the DuSable Bridge.

This dock is on the Chicago River, at the base of the Wrigley Building, made of white marble. It is also known as the East Dock. Directions

Trump Dock : Trump Dock is at 401 N Wabash Avenue, on the west side of the Wrigley building on the Chicago River. It is also known as the West Dock. Directions

On Tripadvisor , Wendella Sightseeing has a high rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Even though the tour operator doesn’t differentiate, more couples seem to be booking this tour, followed by families and groups of friends.

Many of the reviewers used the terms ‘great tour,’ ‘great boat,’ and ‘guide was very knowledgeable’ to describe their experience.

The guides also came in for praise for the interesting facts they shared about the Chicago buildings.

Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) was earlier known as the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF).

This is why the architecture tours offered by Chicago Architecture Center are also often referred to as ‘CAF tours.’

The CAC provides beautiful Art Deco walking tours of Chicago.

The CAC Art Deco tours start at 10 am or 2 pm, depending on the day selected.

The tour lasts for 90 minutes

Chicago Architecture Center’s tours instruct you to arrive 10 minutes before departure at 30 N LaSalle Street and have your confirmation at hand.

The docent will check your name off a list of attendees. Get Directions

Watch out for the blue awning marking the stairway entrance.

Since Seadog Cruises specializes in thrill rides, their architectural tours in Chicago come with a twist – they happen on speedboats.

The speedboats make it an exciting learning experience for all age groups.

However, if you are elderly with back or neck problems or pregnant, this tour isn’t for you.

The  Seadog Speedboat architectural tour  has morning and afternoon options.

If you prefer a pre-lunch tour, you can book the 11.15 am or the 1.15 pm architectural tours.

If you prefer afternoons or evenings, there are three times you can opt for: 3.15 pm, 5.15 pm, or 7.15 pm.

Seadog speedboat departures

SeaDog boat tours sail from Navy Pier’s Dock Street, located at 600 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago IL, 60611.

You can’t miss Seadog’s speedboats just below the Ferris Wheel and across from the Grand Staircase. Get Directions

Seadog Cruises is rated 4.5 out of 5 on Tripadvisor .

Families, couples, and groups of friends reviewed the Seadog River and Lake architectural tours highly.

Many of the reviewers used the terms ‘extreme thrill ride,’ ‘a lot of fun,’ and ‘super fun’ to describe their experience.

If you would prefer a quiet and informative architectural tour, this isn’t for you.

Most popular Chicago architecture boat tours last around 60-90 minutes, and walking architectural tours usually last around two hours.

The duration of Chicago architecture tours depends on many factors, such as – the mode of transport (regular boat, speedboat, walking, etc.), the route to be followed, the number of buildings in the itinerary, stoppages, is it the river cruise or lake cruise or both, etc.

The minimum duration of any architectural trip is usually one hour.

Usually, tours depart rain or shine.

Some boats are covered, and some aren’t.

You may have to brave it and continue with the tour if it’s a drizzle.

However, the captain’s word is final in severe weather.

If he/she says that it is unsafe to continue and cancels the tour, all guests are refunded.

TripAdvisor is full of reviews of tourists who enjoyed their architectural boat ride (or walking tour) even though it was raining.

Even though winter is a great time to travel in Chicago (no crowd, lower prices, etc.), it is not the best time for architecture boat tours of Chicago.

The river freezes over every winter with a sheet of ice on it, making it dangerous for the boats to venture out.

This is why most tour boats get parked in the dry docks by Thanksgiving.

A few boats are listed as all-season tours, but we don’t recommend that because the weather won’t be conducive to being on the water.

If you are in Chicago during winter, the best option is the Chicago Food walking tour .

Our second best will be the three-and-a-half-hour Chicago architectural highlights by bus .

Did you know that with the Chicago Explorer Pass, you can book a Chicago architecture tour for free?

Chicago Explorer Pass is a discount card that can get you around 40% discount on top Chicago attractions, including Shoreline Architecture River Cruise, 360 CHICAGO, Skydeck Chicago, Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus, and 20 other attractions.

Since the card is valid for 30 days, you can pace your sightseeing.

You can skip the ticketing lines in all the attractions and thus save yourself a lot of time.

Popular attractions in Chicago

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This article was researched & written by

Barkha Tiwari

She is a holidaymaker comfortable with vacations on sandy beaches or breaks where she is skiing in the snow. She mixes up her holidays with the right amount of activity and lazing around and believes that both are needed in the right amount to experience the world’s cultures and destinations. Favorite Cities: Prague, Budapest, Munich, Florence

Edited by Rekha Rajan & fact checked by Jamshed V Rajan

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Architecture Lunch Cruise Chicago River | City Cruises™

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