tlf18

a bit confused. heard great things about this tour, but am i correct in realizing there's several of these?
the "main" one seems to be thru Architecture.org, but another one thru the Chicago History Museum is offered at chicagoline.com.

i imagine there's several others.

so which is "the best" (ha ha, typical Fodor question huh)
is one the original/real deal and others pale immitators or are they all good?

thanks.

JJ5

The answer to your question has been argued on past threads. The one given by the Chicago Architectural Foundation is fine and the one I would rec.

A gentlemen said that the docents at the CAF did not have the depth of information that his private tour did.

I also did a long post on the difference between the RIVER cruise and the Chicago tours OUT ON THE LAKE. People think they are the same thing.

CAF Chicago River Architectural cruise is about 90 minutes and does NOT go out through the locks but down the River. Some think it is too deep in detail, others crave more detail, and others think it is just right. I could do it again next year and every year.

I also love their walking tours and their el ride tours. See their web site for more info and reservations.

tlf18

thanks JJ. you've helped me out on all my threads.

i imagine most of the tours are similar and all of them are decent, but since so many people have mentioned "the architectural boat tour" and how great it is, i figured i should make sure i went on the right one and not some weak immitation.

bagsarepacked

I just took the one that is offered thru the Chicago History museum.
The conceirge at the hotel we stayed at said it is said to be the best.
We found it to be very informative and enjoyable.
This one went down the River and was very very in depth.

FainaAgain

I took the one easiest to find The departure place, I mean. Off the Navy Pier.

Bobmrg

I'll tell you, it's hard for someone with a quirky sense of humor to read posts about "in depth" water tours without breaking into howls of laughter.

bagsarepacked

Bob!
Good catch. Never caught that when I wrote it. grin

tlf18

hmmm.... i guess i'll go with the one from architecture.org (they call it the "official" one), but i'm still open to suggestions and/or further discussion of the differences.

bagsarepacked

I am sure that either tour is good.
I chose the www.chicagoline one from a recommondation from the hotel conceirge (sp?) desk. It is also put on by the Chicago History Museum which was always my favorite one.
Complementary Starbucks coffee, muffins and lemonade were a nice touch.
I was also sort of impressed and surprised that there was not a Tip jar present on the boat. Seems like most tours I have ever taken have a jar as you exit. Thought that was sort of classy and professional.

andrews98682

There's a good one from navy pier. Half the tour is on the river, the half is a speedboat ride on the lake.

MelissaHI

Hello from Chicago! I literally *just* did the Wendella 'Original' tour, which goes out to the lake. It SEEMS like a deal at $20 for 90 minutes, but I thought the one through the architecture foundation was way better. the 'original' tour seems to be very basic.

tlf18

okay now i'm thoroughly confused. thanks everyone!

just kidding. i think i know what's up. that "combined river/lake" tour from wendella sounds good, but seeing as someone just took it and considered the architecture.org river tour "way better," i'll have to stick with that one.

JJ5

tlf18 - I know you will look at your own OP posts. Just want you to know, that this weekend the Chicago History Museum at 1601 N. Clark St. is re-opening and will be super to see when you are here. If it rains or something else gets changed, consider it.

This weekend it is free, but at $12 it is a steal even with admission. I will probably go there the morning of the day I go to see "Pirate Queen". They have really nifty interactive 5 senses of Chicago and the signs, street cars, and much else from my childhood.

tlf18

thanks for the tip. we'll try.
hoping to hit the Institute and the Photography museum. quickly. i know we'll be cheating ourselves to rush thru, but with a grand total of only 30 hours in the city (including eating and sleeping) we dont have much time to linger.

i'm formulating a tentative itinerary (or 2) and will post them in a new thread for all you helpful chicago peeps to critique.

hawaiiantraveler

Aloha Melissa !! Bon Woyage.....it's off to Paris

Aloha!