Hello:

We are planning a weekend visit to Chicago and were interested in a lake or river cruise. Can anyone recommend a cruise company for about an hour cruise? We are interested in photography so we are looking for beautiful scenery and architecture. Also are there any cruises that go close to the Chicago Harbor lighthouse?

Here's a website with a summary of most of the boat tours in Chicago.

http://www.chicagotraveler.com/boat_tours

I would recommend one of the architectural river cruises that just does the river, I like the 90 minute tour given by the Chicago Architecture Foundation (Chicago's First Lady). If you choose one that does both the lake and the river, you end up spending a good chunk of your time in the locks in between the two both coming and going.

If you want to do the lake instead, I'd stay away from the Seadog which is probably going at too high of a speed for photos. But I think most of the lake cruises are too far from the shore for any close up photos, you can get great skyline pics though.

Kristi:

Thanks!

A year ago we went on a "combo" boat-- I think about 2 1/2 hrs.-Part architectural and through lock out in to Lake from which we came fairly close to the lighthouse (I got a great photo ).there was a dinner cruise out on the Lake but was a little expensive for us.
Take a jacket and head scarf...
I agree with Kristi about the Seadog...

Yes, I would skip the dinner/lunch cruises too, especially if you are interested in getting the history of what you are seeing as typically the dining cruises do not have commentary. And there are so many great restaurants in Chicago, why waste a meal on a mediocre meal on a boat?

We went out today on a Mercury Cruise that they only offer once a day at 3:30 that goes all the way south on the river to Ping Tom Park in Chinatown, most river cruises only take you to River City. I thought the narration was entertaining however I don't think it was entirely factual. I think this is Mercury's only river-only tour.

Past River City there isn't much development along the river but there are a couple of cool industrial bridges and the pagoda at Ping Tom Park.

It was in the 60s today but I was glad I brought along a fleece jacket. The temperatures on the river/lake can be colder than the air temperature.