Chicago River tour: five cruises and how they differ

A river tour in Chicago comes in three shapes on this site, and the difference is where the boat goes rather than what it costs: four of the five sit between $39 and $50.

All three branches. Two cruises say they cover all three branches of the Chicago River: the 1.5-hour guided cruise at $45 and the skip-the-ticket-line cruise at $39, which runs 1 hour to 75 minutes. This is the classic Chicago River tour: towers on both banks, with a live guide or live narration on board.

River and lake. Two cruises leave the river through a lock and go out onto Lake Michigan: the lake and river architecture cruise at $45, through the Chicago Lock, and the night cruise at $50, through the Chicago Harbor Lock. Both run 1.5 hours.

Short and family-paced. The fifth is the 45-minute cruise with family-friendly commentary, at $28. The South Branch and Willis Tower are on its route.

The architect river tour Chicago visitors search for is sold here as an architecture cruise: four of the five carry the word in their names.

Two cruises add Lake Michigan to the river, and each passes through a lock to get there.

The lake and river architecture cruise, $45 for 1.5 hours, bills itself as Chicago’s only architecture cruise on both Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. It goes through the legendary Chicago Lock, with expert local guides, outside deck-top or climate-controlled seating, and a cash bar. Rated 4.7 on 2,234 reviews.

The night cruise, $50 for 1.5 hours, glides along the river and the lakefront after dark: the skyscrapers lit up, Buckingham Fountain’s light display, lively commentary, and a pass through the Chicago Harbor Lock. Rated 4.7 on 1,265 reviews.

Either one turns a Chicago River boat tour into a look at the city from the lake as well. Both are still a Chicago River tour: the lake is added to the river, not swapped for it.

Three of the five run 1.5 hours: the guided cruise, the lake and river cruise and the night cruise. The skip-the-ticket-line cruise runs 1 hour to 75 minutes, and the family cruise 45 minutes.

Ninety minutes buys the whole route: all three branches, or the river and the lake. Forty-five suits a tight day, children, or a first look at the city before you explore it on foot.

Prices follow length only loosely. The 45-minute cruise is $28 and the 1 hour to 75 minute cruise $39. The three 1.5-hour cruises are $45, $45 and $50. Every price here is per person.

Book the 1.5-hour guided cruise — $45 — for a first visit. It covers all 3 branches, it has run since 1935, and 9,647 reviews at 4.8 make it the best Chicago River tour on this site by the numbers.

Book the lake and river cruise — $45 — if you want Lake Michigan as well: the same price and length, through the Chicago Lock.

Book the skip-the-ticket-line cruise — $39 — for all 3 branches and about 40 landmark buildings in a little less time.

Book the night cruise — $50 — for the skyscrapers lit up and Buckingham Fountain’s light display, or the family cruise — $28 — for 45 minutes with children.