Best Architectural River Cruise in Chicago?
 

We would love to take a river cruise to enjoy the city scape. What would you consider to be the best architectural river cruise (I'm assuming they go out of Navy Pier). Should we go day or night? If we go at night, is it easy to catch a cab back to our hotel or are they hard to come by. We are open to any suggestions. Thanks so much :)

OK! I can answer this one! Yesterday, we took the Shoreline Architectural boat tour. Wow! It was 60 min. for $20 each. Our guide was Kevin, I think ask when he gives tours, he does a mean blues harmonica. He was fabulous! He made the tour. I wanted to go again!
This tour took off from the Navy Pier, and right near the entrance, on the south side. We left on the 5:30 tour. The sun was just right on the buildings.

We also did the Shoreline 30 min. lake tour. It was good, but not a 'live' guide. Bring a jacket! It was 80 degrees on Michigan Ave, but the Lake is windy and cool. This tour was $10? We went towards evening, like 6.

There are tons of cabs at Navy Pier. There is a free trolley which we took took, and was fun, but you might have to wait for it. Cabs are everywhere. Be very specific where you are going, because we had a few cabbies "playing dumb" to add time. Have your addresses handy, and watch the meter. We had one cabby, we weren't watching, and he told us, "6.60" and nothing was on the meter. The next day, we did the route in reverse and it was $3.50. So...be aware.

There are bikes to rent on the Navy Pier, we didn't do them this time, but it looked fun.

Have fun in Chi-town!

If you are interested in cruising the Chicago River you want this one:
http://www.architecture.org/river.html
They only run during the day. Good if you are interested in history or photography. Note that this tour does NOT depart from Navy Pier, but from the (southeast?) corner of Michigan and Wacker Dr. You go down the steps to the boat. We almost missed our appointed tour because we reported to Navy Pier. I can personally vouch for this one - it was worth the time and money.

There are other cruises which show you the Chicago skyline via Lake Michigan. If you want a romantic sunset or evening cruise this might be your choice. Perhaps someone else can fill you in on these.

I love the Chicago Architecture Foundation tour, if you are primarily interested in great views of the city from the river combined with a great historical/architectural narrative. The CAF guides are great.

That said, all of the boat tours are fun. The ones that leave from Navy Pier often include time out on the lake, which is a great way to get a view of the entire Chicago skyline.

The water taxi from the Museum Campus to Navy Pier is a short, fun way to see the skyline from the lake, but there's no guide. But if you are taking the CAF tour and want to go out on the lake, it's worth checking out. The water taxi also runs on the river, from across from the Sears Tower down to Navy Pier, but again, no guide/narrative. It's just a quick boat ride down the river.

Have a great trip!

Maggi is "right on"

just did the seadog tour last weekend, it was narrated, and you get a bonus speedboat tour at the end up and down the lake. I dont know if you have kids but it was fun for them. Also we had a 2 for 1 coupon in the entertainment book. Also on their website is a coupon.
Susan

In your opinion, is it necessary to book the Chicago Arch. Foundation Cruise online or can I wait until I get there to get tickets? Do you know if they offer discount tickets anywhere or should I incur the online fee and just get the tickets and pay full price? Thanks!

I'll be in Chicago this weekend. How far in advance do you recommend making reservations for the architecture.org river tour? Can I wait until Thursday when we arrive, check the weather forecast, and ask our hotel concierge to make reservations?

I think the best place to purchase the tickets is the day before (to insure the time you want) at either the launch area, or at their souvenier store on the bottom level of the John Hancock Building.

You avoid paying the "extra" charge. A fantastic tour. Highly recommended. Take your cameras.

Curious

Another vote for the Chicago Architecture Foundation boat tour--very knowledgeable guides make these tours special. They know the buildings and the architects and the significance of the architect's work and they make their commentary interesting without resorting to "cute" stories.