Things to do in Chicago: Chicago architectural river cruise

Chicago’s an incredible city. The shores of vast Lake Michigan on its northern edge make it feel like you’re in a coastal town. Its reaching skyscrapers assert the fact that you’re in a capital city. Yet it’s only from the river that you get a true perspective of what the Windy City really has to offer.

We were very dubious about taking the architectural historical river cruise. To me it sounded like the sort of thing mug tourists get sold.

But everyone we talked to – previous visitors, locals, ex-pats living there – they all said it was a must. We booked it through our hotel concierge, hoping for that final fuse of customer service and employee accountability would keep us safe from a rip-off.

The man at the concierge desk was just as enthusiastic about the boat tour. We went for the 90 minute architectural cruise with Chicago Line Cruises.

I have to say to everyone who recommended the trip: we’re sorry we doubted you. You were all exactly spot on. The cruise was incredibly interesting, the tour guide did an amazing job talking non-stop about the city throughout the cruise.

The boat was comfortable and the perspective you get of Chitown from the river is completely unique. We were surprised how far up the river the cruise took us. It goes up on the North Branch as far as Goose Island and as far along the South Branch as the River City condos.

There were so many highlights along the way, you’ll need to go on the cruise yourself to really appreciate it. But here are a few of the best things we saw.

Book your cruise through your hotel or by yourself online: chicagoline.com.

Want to know more about Chicago? Here are some other things we’ve written about:

Click here for access to our library of Chicago stories.

Where to stay in Chicago: The W Lakeshore.

Chicago cigar bars.

Images by Mrs Romance.