Chicago Boat Tours
Mystic Blue
Mystic Blue cruises depart from Navy Pier and take you out onto the beautiful blue waters of Lake Michigan on a Lakefront Tour of Chicago. Mystic Blue cruises are extremely popular and considered one of the best Chicago boat tours Lakefront.
Chicago boat tours comparison of lakefront and river cruises rate Mystic Blue in the top. With adult prices ranging from $36-$123 there is a cruise for any budget. The various cruises run from 2-3 hours, and offer a breakfast, lunch, or dinner buffet.
On Mystic Blue cruises you can enjoy dancing to the DJ on late night cruises, while the famous Chicago Skyline floats by. You can also catch famous Chicago shows like Navy Pier's fireworks, or the Chicago Air and Water Show.
Mystic Blue is also available for private charters.
For other tours, check out our Chicago boat tours comparison of lakefront and river below.
Shoreline Sightseeing
Architecture Cruise on the Chicago River
Chicago is the birthplace of modern American architecture, and one of the best ways to enjoy the architectural feats that make up the Chicago skyline is on a boat on the Chicago River. Shoreline offers a number of architecture cruises, from the standard sightseeing river cruise to special architecture fireworks cruises or fantastic night architecture tours.
Skyline Tours on Lake Michigan
Shoreline offers many amazing tours on beautiful Lake Michigan, which depart from the Navy Pier - Chicago's #1 tourist attraction. Definitely want to check out Navy Pier, and hop on a Shoreline Skyline Lake Tour by day, at sunset or at night when the fireworks are putting on a show! This is the most memorable way to see Chicago!
Water Taxis
Water Taxis connect many of Chicago's top tourist destinations, so hop on one at the Michigan Ave Bridge, Navy Pier, Museum Campus or Willis (Sears) Tower. These are an awesome way to see the city from the water on a budget!
Walking Tours of Chicago
Not a boat lover? You can still get a great tour of Chicago with Shoreline Sightseeing on one of their walking tours!
Tall Ship Adventures
Tall Ship Adventures is one of our highest rated tours!
Tall Ship Adventures is a fleet of two sailing ships: Tall Ship Windy and Pianissimo. While the Tall Ship Windy is a larger, classic sailing ship, the latter, Pianissimo, is a small, modern ship perfect for private charters of up to 6 people.
The Pianissimo is one of Chicago's most luxurious and newest sailing boat charters, but the owners, your tour guides, are extremely knowledgable, experienced and provide the best possible time.
The Windy offers daily public Chicago boat tours, but can also be chartered for private parties. These are a fabulous idea for team building on a business trip, pirate-themed events or weddings and wedding parties!
Chicago travelers love the personal touch that Tall Ship Adventures offers. Do you want your tour to be a little more hands on? Guests can participate or sail the boat activel, receive instruction and coaching, or just sit back, relax and enjoy!
| Venue Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |
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Wendella Sightseeing
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Adult Price $25
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| 2. |
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American Sightseeing Tour
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Adult Price $25
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| 3. |
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Land and Lake Tour
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Adult Price $45
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| 4. |
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Chicago's First Lady Cruises
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Adult Price $16
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| 5. |
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Anita Dee Yacht Charters
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Adult Price $18
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| 6. |
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Red Witch Tall Ship
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Adult Price $95
Details
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One of the best way to see Chicago is by way of boat, and when you take one of the Chicago boat tours, you get all the best views, history, information and food the city has to offer! All of the boat tours in Chicago have so much to offer, so the hardest part is choosing the one that's right for you! This page provides a brief comparison of various Chicago boat tours and cruises which are available to Chicago Travelers. Get out of the hotel in Chicago and see everything that this beautiful city has to offer you! If you feel like you can't afford to see all these great things (yeah, the Windy City can get pretty pricey) think again! There are lots of great deals on things to do in Chicago, and even Chicago hotel deals that can save you big so you can see even more of the city while you're here!
Links are provided to allow you to confirm cruise details regarding boat departure times, credit card acceptance, menus, etc. You can also view more choices and descriptions of selected cruises by visiting the Chicago Sightseeing Cruises, Tours & Private Charters or Chicago Fireworks Cruises pages. All information is subject to change. Be sure to check with the Cruise Company to verify cruise types, pricing and hours/dates of operation. Price ranges typically indicate differences pertaining to day of week. Prices generally do not include taxes, fees, or gratuity. Some cruises are summer only, and in general cruise schedules are limited in the cold months.
Chicago boat tours comparison or lakefront and river tours:
INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP Chicago boat tour comparison list:
- Navy Pier
- Chicago boat tours Lakefront & Dining
- Year-Round
- 2-3 Hours
- Plated Dinner, Plated Lunch, Buffet Brunch
- Live Entertainment, Moonlight Cruises, Charters, Fireowrks Cruises
- $46-$168
- Navy Pier
- Lakefront Sightseeing, Architectural Tours
- April-October
- 30-75 mins
- Wet 'n Wild Charter, Fireworks Cruises
- $19-$37
- Navy Pier
- Lakefront Sightseeing, River Architectural
- April-November
- 30-60 mins
- Concessions
- Fireworks Cruises
- $14-$32
- Various Locations
- Water Taxis
- May-August
- $3-$13
- Navy Pier
- Chicago boat tours Lakefront, Dining
- Year-Round
- 2-3 Hours
- Buffet Dinner, Buffet Lunch
- DJ, Singing Servers, Cabaret Lunch, Gospel Lunch, History Lunch, Charters, Fireworks Cruises
- $35-$125
- Navy Pier
- Chicago boat tours Lakefront
- April-October
- 45 mins
- Concessions
- Fireworks Cruises
- $15-$25
- Navy Pier
- Chicago yacht tours Lakefront
- Private parties and charter tours
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner tours available
- Alcohol served
- $36.90- 88.90 per passenger
Adventure Sea Tours - Luxury Yacht Valara VI
- Burnham Harbor
- Private event yacht
- Chicago yacht tours Lakefront
- Various times and packages available
- Dinner and alcohol served
- $43- $126 per person
Mercury Cruisline
- Riverside Gardens
- Urban Adventure, Wacky Pirate Cruise, Canine Cruise, Lakefront Fireworks, Sunset Cruise, Supernatural Cruise
- May-September
- 60-120 mins
- BYO Drinks/Lunch
- River and Lakefront Cruises
- $23-$28
Chicago Line Cruises
- North Pier/River East Plaza
- Chicago River boat tour Architectural
- April-October
- 90 mins
- Coffee, Soft Drinks & Cookie included
- Historical Cruise
- $36
- Michigan Ave
- Chicago boat tours Lakefront, Chicago River boat tour Architectural
- April-November
- 1-2 Hours
- Concessions
- Sunset Cruise, Fireworks Cruise
- $22-$25
PRIVATE CRUISE CHARTERS Chicago boat tours comparison of lakefront and river tours:
Go Sailing Chicago
- Private Charter for 6
- 3 Hour min
- $150-$225 per hour
- BYO refreshments/snacks
Kanan Cruises, Inc.
- Private Charters for 50-400 persons
- 2-4 Hours
- $44-$98 per person
- Live DJ, Soda/Juice Service, Open Bar, Live Music, Live Pianist, Hors D'oeuvres, Snack Buffet, Lunch/ Dinner Buffet
Cruise Chicago
- Private Charters up to 200 guests
- 2 Hour min
- $775-$1,275 per hour
- Customized Catering & Bar Packages, Live DJ or Live Band, Custom Décor ~ Accommodate private charters of all kinds
Sophisticated Lady
- Private Charters up to 49 guests
- 3 Hour min
- From $108 per person
- Various theme or custom menus
ATTENTION TOUR BOAT OPERATORS: Send us your updated tour information so that we can provide your current boat details for the current season. Send the specific changes to us at support (at) ChicagoTraveler.com. Thanks.









