wendella boat tour location

Tours & Attractions , Architectural/Cultural Tours , Boat Tours , Special Interest Tours

Wendella tours & cruises.

Located in The Magnificent Mile

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400 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago IL 60611

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• www.wendellaboats.com
• (312) 337-1446
• (312) 344-1190
• Women Owned

As Chicago’s original architecture boat tour, Wendella has been dedicated to serving Chicago’s families, visitors, students, guests and commuters for over 75 years. Family owned and operated for three generations, our mission is to provide you and your family with a safe, comfortable and affordable fun day on the waterways. Our experienced staff and expert tour guides, trained by Wendella’s in-house Education Department, work hard to ensure that you capture the true essence of Chicago’s past, present and future every time you step on board one of our vessels. Wendella offers our signature 90 minute Combined Lake and River Tour; the 75 minute Chicago River Architecture tour; the 45 minute Chicago Experience and our Chicago at Sunset Cruise. We also offer many specialty cruises including Wine Tasting and Fireworks. Taking Metra downtown? Ride the Chicago Water Taxi to Michigan Ave. Visit www.chicagowatertaxi.com for more information.

Wheelchair Accessible

Student Tours

Group Charter/Sightseeing

Complimentary Policy 2 per group of 20 or more

Average Visit/Tour Length 1.5 - 2 hours

Minimum Size for Group Admission Rate 20

American Express

Student Group Friendly

Reservation Cancellation Policy All tickets are non-refundable but are transferable to another time, date, or tour.

Reservations Accepted

ADA Compliant

Self-Parking Available Off-site

Food On-site OTHER

Open Seasonally

Family-friendly

Military Discount

Preferred Catering Providers

Largest Room, Reception Capacity (Standing) 280

Largest Room, Banquet Capacity (Seated) 280

On-site Audio/Visual Equipment

Complete Buy-out Available

Max Capacity, Reception Style (Standing) 1120

Max Capacity, Banquet Style (Seated) 1120

Max Venue Capacity 1120

Private Meeting Space Available

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Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady

Experience why we're the #1 rated boat cruise in Chicago, tickets are on sale now for the 2024 season!

Buy Tickets

Voted as one of the Top 10 Boat Tours in North America by USA Today readers for 3 years in a row and Chicago Reader's Best Tour for over 10 years ! Looking for the ultimate Chicago architecture experience? Buy a combo ticket for the river cruise AND visit the Chicago Architecture Center—you'll save $9!

For more than 25 years, the CAC's expertly trained docent volunteers have led the CAC River Cruise, sharing fascinating stories behind more than 50 buildings along the Chicago River. Hear how Chicago grew from a small settlement into one of the world's largest cities in less than 100 years. In just 90 minutes, you'll get the best overview of Chicago’s architecture and its history.

The CAC River Cruise is available in 4 languages: Continental French, Latin American Spanish, Japanese and Korean. To access these languages, please download the "Listen Everywhere" app in advance. Once you are on board the boat, the app will connect and allow you to listen in your selected language as the boat makes its way down the river.

*Continue your exploration with a visit to the CAC! Combo tickets include admission to the Center for just $5 (regular price $14). Admission is valid up to 7 days before or after your cruise.

*Please note that infant tickets must be purchased with a Priority or General Boarding Adult ticket. 

Evening River Cruise

The city's most popular tour is now offered in the evening. Serene and bathed in softer light, the city's architecture takes on a whole new life in the setting sun. Wind-down from the work-week by enjoying a cocktail with friends and family and experience Chicago's skyline on our luxury boats.

All departures lATER THAN 5:00 PM

• CAC Members please call 312.922.8687 or come to the CAC Box Office at 111 E. Wacker Drive to redeem your BOGO benefit. 
• You can buy a CAC membership over the phone and redeem your BOGO annual benefit at the time of your membership purchase.
• Each person must have a ticket, including infants and children.
• All tours depart rain or shine.
• Arrive 30 minutes prior to your cruise departure time. Allow extra time for traffic and parking in summer.
• Cruise guests board 15 minutes before departure time.
• GENERAL ADMISSION SEATING
• A full-service bar and snack bar are available onboard.
• Tickets start at $54.00 for daytime cruises, $59.00 for evening cruises. Upgrade your ticket for $5 to include Chicago Architecture Center admission. Your visit must occur within 7 days before or after your tour.  View the CAC's hours .
• Tickets may not be refunded or exchanged if you miss your boat. Allow extra time.
• Find more information, including available parking, in our FAQs

Interested in a tour for a group of 20 or more? Please contact our group sales team at [email protected] . Private rentals are available.

Directions to Chicago’s First Lady boat dock

See a map here  or enter 112 E. Wacker Drive into your GPS. Located at the northeast corner of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive, a black awning marks the boat dock entrance stairs that lead down to the river. If you have limited mobility, see these directions  for an alternative way to reach the dock.

About our Boat Partner

We’re proud to partner with Chicago’s First Lady Cruises, operator of Chicago’s finest fleet of cruising vessels. Its boats hold up to 250 passengers and feature open-air upper decks, full-service bars, climate-controlled lower cabins and upscale marble and granite restrooms. Being onboard is sure to be an experience you'll never forget. 

Photos From This Tour

Upcoming Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady Tours

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Monday May 6

Tuesday may 7, highlights of this tour.

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Wendella - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Wendella Sightseeing Cruises

Providing exciting experiences to locals and visitors since 1935, the Wendella Sightseeing company is known for its signature architecture tours. As the original boat tour company in Chicago, Wendella provides a variety of daily boat tours throughout the summer season, and special occasions as well.

Wendella’s vessels have open topped viewing decks that are perfect for warm Chicago days. Most of the vessels also feature an indoor, climate-controlled lounge on the lower deck, offering speakers that allow guests to continue listening to live narration from the tour guide while inside.

Types of Wendella Sightseeing Tours

Some of the variety of tours guests may find available from Wendella Sightseeing may include:

River Architecture Tours

Navigating through the heart of downtown Chicago on all three branches of the Chicago River, a short architecture tour of just over an hour tells the story of more than 130 years of innovative architecture and unique heritage.

Lake & River Tour

Lasting approximately 1 ½ hours, Wendella has been offering this classic lake and river tour since 1935! Telling the story of more than 200 years of history, this tour explores the community, politics and social history. Begin with an up-close view of iconic architecture from the river, and then move through the Chicago Lock onto the waters of Lake Michigan. This will offer amazing views of Chicago’s 26-mile long skyline.

Sunset Cruise

Spend the evening on the calm waters, watching the sun set slowly behind the city’s skyline. A serene, romantic cruise lasts 1 ½ hours and is best enjoyed with a cocktail, glass of wine, or cold beer.

Chicago River Experience

A shorter, 45-minute experience may be available on weekends and holidays throughout the peak season of the summer. Grab hold of the energy of the city through the heart of downtown Chicago with a casual, family-friendly introduction to the history and heritage of the Windy City.

Fireworks Cruise

Celebrate two nights a week throughout the peak summer season with a two-hour, epic fireworks cruise. Guests will experience an unobstructed, 360-degree view of the fireworks right over the skyline from the peaceful waters of Lake Michigan.

Specialty Cruises

Throughout the season, Wendella Sightseeing provides special occasion tours for various holidays and festivities. These may include St. Patrick’s Day (complete with the green river), 4 th of July, Halloween, Beer & BBQ, Wine & Cheese and more.

What You’ll See on a Wendella Sightseeing Cruise

Points of interest on the Wendell Sightseeing cruise route may include:

• Tribune Tower
• Wrigley Building
• Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower)
• Buckingham Fountain
• Chicago Harbor Lighthouse
• and much more!

Wendella Sightseeing Services

Public tours run daily throughout the warmer season, and the vessels can also be privately chartered for groups. Wendella’s boats are perfect as an open-air venue for family events, school trips, corporate events and much more. Private chartering may include a water taxi for group transportation, or cruise vessels that hold up to 275 guests.

Wendella Sightseeing Timing

River and lake architecture tours are offered each day through the season, from March through December. Cruises may last from 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the specific booking and schedule.

Wendella Sightseeing Considerations

Information guests may need before booking a Wendella Sightseeing Tour:

• Tours depart from the Wendella Main Dock at 400 Michigan Avenue as well as the Wendella West Dock (located at the lower level of Kinzie and Rush).
• Wendella vessels feature restrooms and full-service bars (cash or credit card).
• Tickets may be purchased on the day of the tour at the ticket office, but booking online will ensure that spots are secured. Ticket sales close 5 minutes prior to tour departure.
• Tickets are not refundable but may be transferred to other dates and times.
• Guests should arrive 30 minutes prior to the tour time.
• Seats are not reserved and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Bags are subject to inspection.
• Children receive discounted admission and under 4 are free.
• Active military members, veterans, and students should inquire about discounts.
• Follow Wendella on Twitter and Facebook for promo codes opportunities.
• Wheelchair access is available from the Wendella’s Trump Dock and six of the vessels can fit a wheelchair and have ADA compliant restrooms. Call prior to booking for specific information.
• Hearing impaired guests may request a written narration script at the ticket office.
• Pets are not allowed but ADA compliant service dogs are welcome.
• All tours are weather permitting and schedule may change daily.
• School trips require 1 adult chaperone to accompany every 15-20 children for safety purposes.

Book a Wendella Sightseeing Cruise

Tickets for Wendella Sightseeing Cruise should be purchased in advance online. Tours often sell out. Booking is easy online. Online bookings show weekly availability including tour times as well as revealing tours that are already sold out. Pay for your tour in advance with a credit card and receive an email with all of the information you need about where and when tours meet as well as what to expect.

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Wendella Boat Tours

400 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, 60611, IL

• Infants 0-2
• Little Kids 3-6
• Big Kids 7-9
• Tweens 10-12
• Teens 13-17

Operating boat tours along the Chicago since 1935, Wendella is one of the oldest and most respected tours in the city. The Chicago River Architecture Tour, which lasts 75 minutes, begins at Trump Tower and travels along the three branches of the river with a guide highlighting Chicago’s rich architectural history. The Combined Lake and River Tour, the signature tour that is 90 minutes, begins at the Wendella’s Dock at the Wrigley Building and travels along the river and along the coastline of Lake Michigan. Sunset cruises, fireworks cruises and a shorter 45-minute River Experience cruise are also available. Passengers will see and learn about the Wrigley Building, the Centennial Fountain, the Civic Opera Building, the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) and Buckingham Fountain, among others. The tours offer indoor and outdoor seating and a cash bar, and travels daily between late April and end of November. Children under 3 are free and children under 11 are discounted.

Family Hotels Near Wendella Boat Tours

Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Downtown

Hampton Inn & Suites Chicago-Downtown

Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago

Hotel Palomar Chicago – A Kimpton Hotel

Hotel Chicago Downtown, Autograph Collection

The Westin Chicago River North

Family Attractions Near Wendella Boat Tours

Magnificent Mile

The Escape Game Chicago

Bike and Roll

Millennium Park

American Girl Place Chicago

Museum of Contemporary Art

Family Restaurants Near Wendella Boat Tours

Billy Goat Tavern

Portillo’s Hot Dogs

Ed Debevic’s

Gino’s East of Chicago

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Family | Travel | Adventures

A Review of Wendella’s Architecture Boat Tour in Chicago

• November 20, 2023
• Updated December 12, 2023
• In Illinois

Are you thinking about taking an architecture boat tour in Chicago?

If you ask anyone what to do when visiting Chicago, an architectural boat tour on the Chicago River is always highly recommended.

A boat tour is an easy way to see a large chunk of Chicago in a short amount of time. Plus, you get the added bonus of learning about Chicago’s history, like the Great Fire and the World’s Fair, and how it impacted Chicago’s landscape and skyline.

We took a boat tour with Wendella when we visited Chicago. We enjoyed the guide’s humor and her extensive knowledge about the city, buildings, and architects.

You have many options when it comes to Chicago River boat tours. However, we love that Wendella offers both 45 and 90-minute tours. And they are the only boat tour company that is open year-round!

The review below shares more about what to expect on a Chicago architecture tour with Wendella. Let’s dive in!

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we may receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

What to Expect on a Chicago River Tour

A Chicago architecture boat tour is one of the best ways to learn about the city’s history while also seeing a large chunk of the city in a short amount of time. It’s a great option if you only have one day in Chicago . But we think it’s worth doing no matter how much time you spend in the Windy City!

On a Wendella boat tour , the guides narrate the tour, sharing funny jokes and interesting stories about famous landmarks like the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), Tribune Tower , and the Wrigley Building .

The tour offers a fascinating look into the city’s evolution, from the Great Fire of 1871 that spurred innovative architectural rebirth to the groundbreaking designs that define Chicago’s skyline today.

Wendella Architecture Tour: A Review

Tour Options

Wendella offers several different tour options to suit your time constraints and interests.

Their  45-minute Chicago River Architecture Tour  provides a short yet comprehensive tour of the city’s skyline. It shares interesting facts about the various buildings along the Chicago River (and others nearby) while sharing information about the city’s history, including the World’s Fair and the Great Fire.

Wendella also offers two 90-minute tours.  The 90-minute   Chicago River Architecture Tour  is a more extended version of the 45-minute tour, giving guests a more comprehensive tour that navigates all three branches of the Chicago River. This is the most popular tour for good reason.

Wendella’s Lake and River Architecture Tour   is their original tour offering. It not only takes you on the Chicago River but also Lake Michigan. You’ll get to enjoy and learn about Chicago’s skyline as seen from the Chicago River. Then, you’ll go through the Chicago Lock and float out onto Lake Michigan for the best view of the city.

Prices for the Wendella Chicago Boat Tour

How much a Wendella architectural boat tour costs depends on the tour you take. These are the prices as of publication:

• The  45-minute archi t ecture tour  costs $12 for kids ages 4-12 and $27 for anyone 13 and up. Children under 4 are FREE but still require a ticket.
• Both  90-minute tours  cost $19 for kids ages 4-12 and $42 for anyone over 12. Children ages three and under are FREE, but still, you need to reserve them a ticket.

Amenities on Board a Wendella Boat Tour

Plenty of amenities are   available to you during your architectural river tour on Wendella.

Let’s get the most critical amenity out of the way first. Yes, there are  restrooms on board ! So, if you’re visiting Chicago with kids, you don’t have to worry about them needing to use the bathroom right after the boat leaves the dock.

If you get hungry or thirsty on board, there is a  full-service bar  serving soda, wine, local beer, and cocktails. They also have some  snacks  available for purchase.

Lastly, although we recommend sitting on the top deck for the best views of the city, the below deck is climate-controlled. So, if you’re visiting Chicago on a hot day or during the winter, you’ll be plenty comfortable on board.

Wendella Chicago River Tour Experience

You’ll have fun on a Wendella boat tour! Most people agree that the Wendella architecture tour is a  more relaxed experience  compared to other Chicago boat tours. The guides tell corny jokes (almost on par with the Jungle Cruise at Disney) while sharing exciting history and tidbits about the architecture in Chicago.

The  45-mi nute tour  will take you along the Chicago River, first heading west and south before turning around. You’ll get views of the buildings in the Loop, West Loop, and River North neighborhoods, as well as the Navy Pier.

Wendella’s  90-minute architecture tour  follows a similar route as the 45-minute, except it heads further south on the Chicago River and explores some of the north branch.

If you opt for the  90-minute Lake and River tour , you’ll experience a shorter tour on the Chicago River, but then you’ll go through the Chicago Lock and enjoy the view of the skyline from the massive Lake Michigan.

This  map  on Wendella’s website gives you an idea of where you’ll be along the river and lake.

The boat tour on the Chicago River was very  smooth . No big waves to cause rocking of the boat. Of course, if you’re prone to motion sickness, you may want to take medication or wear a patch prior to boarding. We did not do the Lake and River tour, but it is probably rougher out on Lake Michigan than the river.

Fun Fact: There are almost two dozen bridges that cross the Chicago River in the downtown area, alone. You’ll go under several of them while you’re on your architectural boat tour!

Tips for Your Wendella Boat Ride

• Arrive early:  They ask you to arrive 15-30 minutes before the tour to allow time to board. We arrived precisely 30 minutes before the tour started, and people were already in line. If you want a seat on the top deck, get there early.
• Sit near a speaker or close to the guide:  The guides share so many interesting facts and silly jokes you don’t want to miss them because you can’t hear them. They use a microphone, but with the sounds of the city, the wind, and other passing boats, it can be hard to hear everything.
• Dress warmer:  Unless it’s the middle of summer, you’ll probably be a little colder on the boat than you are walking around the city. Between the water and the breeze from the boat, it makes you feel colder, so bring a jacket in the fall and spring, and don’t forget a hat and scarf in the colder months.

FAQs About Architectural Boat Tours in Chicago

How much is an architectural boat tour in chicago.

The cost of an architectural boat tour in Chicago depends on which company you use. Prices for a 90-minute boat tour can range from $19-$30 for kids and $42-$50 for adults. A 45-minute boat tour is less expensive.

How long is the Chicago architecture boat tour?

The average Chicago architecture boat tour is 90 minutes long. However, Wendella offers 45-minute tours. Plan at least an additional 30-40 minutes before the tours for parking and waiting to board.

Is there alcohol on the Chicago architecture boat tour?

Every Chicago architecture boat tour offers a full-service bar with beer, wine, and cocktails.

Is the Chicago River tour worth it?

If you’re trying to see as much of Chicago as possible in a short time, the Chicago River tour is worth it. You’ll learn a lot of history about the city, see impressive buildings, and learn about the architectural style, all from the comfort of a smooth sailing boat.

Where does the Chicago Architecture Tour go?

Every Chicago architecture river tour follows the Chicago River. Depending on the tour and the tour length, you might navigate all three branches of the Chicago River. Some tours also go out on Lake Michigan.

Do Chicago architecture tours run in the winter?

Due to the unpredictable weather, many companies that offer architectural boat tours don’t provide them in the winter months. However, Wendella offers both their 45-minute and 90-minute river tours in the winter, typically on weekends and holidays.

Other Chicago Architecture Boat Tours

We loved our Wendella architecture river tour. However, if you’re looking for more options there are several companies who offer architectural boat tours in Chicago.

• Mercury Cruises’ Urban Adventure Cruise offered May – October
• Chicago Architecture Center’s River Cruise offered March – November
• Shoreline Sightseeing’s Architecture River Tour offered May – December
• Chicago Line’s Architectural Cruise offered spring – November

Wrapping Up Our Wendella Architectural Boat Tour Experience

We loved our boat tour on Wendella. We took the 45-minute tour, and it was perfect for our family. It’s a great option when you have young children or are trying to pack a lot of time in Chicago, especially if you only have one day to enjoy the city like we did.

The tour was fascinating; we learned a lot about the history of Chicago and the city’s different architectural styles. It was the perfect way to see a lot of Chicago in a short amount of time.

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Lauren is the visionary behind Where the Wild Kids Wander. She is a travel enthusiast who lives outside of Philadelphia. For more than a decade, she's been hitting the road, exploring the nooks and crannies of the United States alongside her family. Her passions include visiting big cities and small towns and trekking through nature's trails. She loves sharing those adventures with fellow travelers.

Tour Schedule - 5/2/2024

Chicago Water Taxi

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• Ogilvie / Union (West Loop)
• Michigan Avenue

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Ticketing options, one-way ticket.

Valid for one ride between any two CWT dock locations.

*Half price One-Way tickets available for Senior Citizens. Must purchase at the Ogilvie/Union or Michigan Ave Dock. * One Way Tickets are free for active duty military and children ages 3 years old and younger.

Weekday Commuter Ten Ride Pass

Valid for ten one-way rides between any two dock locations for one rider. Perfect for commuters. Rides do not expire and can be used in subsequent years. Ten Ride passes cannot be used by groups.

All Day Pass

Valid for unlimited rides on one calendar day.

Some Vessels are Climate-Controlled

Restrooms on board, some routes are ada accessible, bring your bike / luggage, food welcome (no outside alcohol).

* Not all amenities included on all vessels

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Explore the city of Chicago from the Chicago Water Taxi. The Chicago Water Taxi connects several Chicago neighborhoods with various dining, sightseeing and shopping attractions. Looking for a guided architecture tour or Lake Michigan cruise? Wendella offers an expansive variety of tour and cruise options.

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7 things that might surprise you about the Chicago Architecture Boat Tour

Tourists aren't the only ones that love chicago architecture boat tours -- locals do, too, by francie swidler • published august 1, 2023 • updated on august 4, 2023 at 7:44 am.

There are plenty of ways to take in the sights, sounds (and smells) of Chicago, but you don't necessarily have to be on land to do that.

And you don't have to be a tourist, either.

Watch 24/7 free news online with NBC 5 Chicago’s stream

In fact, one of the most beloved ways — among locals and visitors alike — to experience city is by journeying across the Chicago River and Lake Michigan while a tour guide talks about buildings and regales you on the untold story of Mrs. O'Leary's cow.

In other words: a Chicago Architecture Boat Tour.

"As you're going up and down the Chicago River and on Lake Michigan, you're seeing the city’s evolving architecture, which is changing every year" said Andrew Sargis, director of sales and marketing for Wendella Tours and Cruises .

Wendella, billed as Chicago's "original" architecture tour, in 1935 gave its first architecture tour of the city from a wooden diesel yacht out on Navy Pier, Sargis said. Now, upwards of 20 architecture tours are offered daily, with more on the weekends. On average, Wendella tours see roughly 100,000 passengers each month over the summer, Sargis said.

And though the majority of guests on any given Wendella architecture tour are tourists, Sargis said, locals take them, too.

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"I was surprised when I first started, we get a lot of repeat locals," Bobby Scheffle, a Wendella tour guide told NBC Chicago. "And always there's a lot of local people that come on when they have guests visiting them in town. They like to show off the city this way."

Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter here.

But there's something else about the experience that makes it so very Chicago.

"I think it is really unique to experience the city from a boat on a river, because we think about other big cities in the United States -- there aren't many that have a river that go right through downtown," Scheffle said. "You feel like you're in the city, you hear the noise, and you see the buildings and all that."

Whether you're taking the ride for the first time or the 50th, bringing out-of-town guests out for a memorable activity or just itching to be a tourist in your own city, here are seven things to know about the Chicago Architecture Boat Tour.

Will weather stop a tour from running?

Wendella's architecture tours run year-round, Sargis said, although "weather is a factor."

Weather events like ice on the river or significant snowfall can impact operations, Sargis said, but they typically don't, since the Chicago River -- a federal waterway -- must remain navigable year-round.

While Wendella's boats do have climate-controlled indoor lounges, tours during the winter may run at limited times. But rain, snow, extreme heat or wind, unflappable Chicagoans still show up.

"We went on drizzly day a few years ago," Kathy Rambo wrote on NBC Chicago's Facebook page. "There were only about 10 of us on the boat!

And most often, the tour will run — rain or shine — so don't hesitate to bring a raincoat.

"I have certainly [given tours] under thunderstorms and downpours, and I've gotten drenched sometimes," Scheffle said. "I've never had a tour get canceled because no one bought a ticket. There's always someone wanting to come out here in the rain or the cold."

What's the best time of year (or day) to go?

It depends on when exactly your favorite time of the year is, and what you're hoping to see.

For Sargis, it's late summer. "There's this point of time in September when the weather is beautiful, but there's not that summer rush."

There are other times that Chicagoans may want to consider, too.

"St. Patrick's Day Celebration when they dye the river, and any Wednesday or Saturday night [over the summer], watching the fireworks over Lake Michigan , especially if you're local" Sargis said.

During the summer months, Wendella's tours run start as early as 9 a.m., with the day's final tour not ending until 10 p.m. or 11 p.m., Scheffle said, "so if you want to come for a ride to see the city lights, you can come late, and it's also beautiful, just a little more difficult to see the colors on the buildings if that's what you want to see."

Laura Pubins, who lives in a suburb outside of Chicago, agrees.

"My favorite one was when we were on a boat at sunset," Pubins wrote to NBC Chicago on Facebook. "It was an awesome new view of the city."

What's the most photogenic spot on the tour?

For Sargis, it's "anything out on Lake Michigan," with the skyline in the background.

On the river though, there's one moment that captures the city best, Scheffle said, no matter what time of day you're taking the trip.

"The best place to take a photo on the 90-minute river tour is when we come up the south branch from Chinatown," Scheffle said. "That's the best place because you get the whole skyline from the south. It's really beautiful."

For locals though, it may not be what you're looking at, so much as how you're looking at it.

"You're looking at [the city] from underneath," said Chicago resident Nick Pappas, 55, who recently found himself on a 90-minute river tour. "It's just a different perspective on the river that you don't get on the street level. As amazing as that sounds, you're only, like, 20 feet down, but it gives you a whole different perspective."

What does the training for a tour guide look like?

According to Sargis, all Wendella tour guides are trained in-house -- and the spots are competitive.

"There's high demand," Sargis said, of the position. "There are more people that want to be tour guides than space available. It's certainly a popular job, and people want to do it." While the tour guide of any given architecture tour isn't made public, many people do request certain ones for private events, Sargis said.

For the tours, there's a general script, with highlights that must be mentioned, Sargis said. But improvisation, along with sharing personal history is encouraged, too.

"All of the tour guides have their own experience in the city, and will add parts of their history in it," Sargis said. "We have a tour guide that is a retired police officer, and he will interject anecdotes form his career. We have a tour guide that's a Vietnam War Veteran, and when we go by the Vietnam War Memorial, he will always discuss the importance of it to him."

For Scheffle, the training included joining multiple tours a week for two weeks and flashcards.

"For a while, I, just drove Uber and Lyft," Scheffle said. "And then, I remembered that I really liked Chicago. I like learning fun facts about it. And there are people in the city that have that as a job -- to tell people fun facts about Chicago and I started looking into tourism jobs in the city."

What's the most common question tour guides get?

Believe it or not, it's not always about The Great Chicago Fire , or Mrs. O'Leary and her cow, at least on Scheffle's tours.

"My favorite thing on the tour that happens is probably when little kids ask questions," Scheffle said. "The common question that a kid will ask, because I talk about the tallest building, second tallest building, third tallest building, a lot of times a kid will ask what's the shortest building in Chicago? Which I don't have a good answer for."

Are you supposed to tip your guide?

"It's up to the discretion of the client," Sargis said. "I would say a lot of our passengers do tip our tour guides."

What's the absolute best part of the tour?

Sure the tour is photogenic, and the city's history is fascinating. And though some may go on the tour to find out what buildings are new, others prefer to think about the old.

"My favorite building to talk about is probably the Board of Trade building," Scheffle said. "Just because I remember walking by it much younger and always, I remember, really being impressed by it, thinking was such a cool big city building."

For a local on the tour, the memories are nice. But a day out on the water in Chicago is just hard to beat.

"It's great. I don't have to work," said Pappas, who has lived in the city for 55 years. "Every time, it's a little treat to go down the river."

Video editors Ivonne Ramirez and DS Shin produced and created the video for this story.

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Moscow Boat Tour

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Description

See all the gems of historical and cultural center of the capital in short time and without traffic jams or tiresome walking.

Depending on the itinerary and duration of the Moscow River boat trip, the tour can be 3 or 5 hours.

Highlights of the tour

• St Basil’s Cathedral;
• Stalin skyscraper on Kotelnicheskaya (Tinkers) embankment;
• The Kremlin;
• “House on the Embankment” Stalin skyscraper;
• Monument to Peter I;
• The Central House of Artists;
• Christ the Savior Cathedral;
• Gorky Park;
• Moscow State University;
• Russian Academy of Sciences;
• Luzhniki stadium;
• Novodevichy Monastery;
• Kiev railway station;
• Europe Square;
• Moscow City Hall;
• Government House;
• Expocentre Exhibition Complex;
• and other famous sights.

You will learn about the different epochs of the city from the foundation in 1147 till Soviet times of 20 th  century.

Moscow River

Moskva river has the form of a snake and is the main waterway of Moscow, consisting of a cascade of reservoirs. Within the city, Moskva river is 80 km long, 120 m - 200 m wide and up to 14 m deep. The narrowest part of the river is the Kremlin area in the city center, and the most extensive is around the Luzhniki Stadium in the south. 

Bridges in Moscow

Undoubtedly, bridges and embankments are among the most scenic spots and main attractions of Moscow. Plus, they are so romantic.

• Bolshoy Kamenny Bridge –  Great Stone Bridge –  is the main bridge of Moscow . The first stone bridge was constructed here in the 17th century.
• Patriarshy Bridge  is one of the youngest pedestrian bridges, built in 2004. The bridge connects the iconic Christ the Saviour Cathedral with funky Bersenevskaya embankment, extremely popular place among locals for its trendy art galleries, cafes and panoramic views. Patriarshy Bridge used to be a shooting location for ex-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's New Year speech to the nation.
• Borodinsky Bridge,  erected in honor of the 100th anniversary of the glorious victory in the Battle of Borodino (which every Russian kid knows about), a fierce legendary battle during the Russo-French war of 1812.
• Bagration Bridge  one of the  pedestrian bridges with most picturesque views of the Moskva River with its numerous upper-level observation platforms. The bridge was erected to celebrate the 850th anniversary of Moscow city in 1997.
• Krymsky Bridge  used to be in Top 5 Europe’s longest bridges some 100 years ago. The bridge got its name after the ancient Krymsky ford which Crimean Tartars used to invade Moscow in the 16 th  century.

Embankments of Moscow

Moscow river boats 37 embankments, the most popular being Kremlevskaya, Sofiyskaya, Pushkinskaya, Vorobyovskaya and Kolomenskaya.

You can get the most spectacular views of the Kremlin from  Kremlevskaya and Sofiyskaya embankments.

• Pushkinkaya embankment  is the most romantic in Moscow. It meanders along Gorky Park and Neskuchnyi garden and is rich for all kinds of entertainment as well as cozy nooks, including Olivkovy beach, the famous Zeleny theater as well as a pier for river cruisers.
• Vorobyevskaya embankment  is part of Sparrow Hills nature reserve. This place opens a beautiful panorama of the river and city from the observation deck and is considered to be the place for taking serious decisions in life.
• Embankment in Kolomenskoye  Museum-Reserve has a special charm due to its peculiar geographical relief. The boat trip around Kolomenskoye would be the most peaceful in your life.
• Taras Shevchenko embankment  is popular among photographers for its modern Moscow City skyscrapers. Highly recommended for your night boat trip.
• Embankments of Moscow are the pride of the capital. A distinctive feature of each of the promenades is its architecture and beautiful views. In addition, almost all the embankments of Moscow have a rich history and a lot of notable buildings.

Different epochs

Taking a walk along the Moskva River by boat, you will witness the architecture of Moscow from different eras and styles. Archaeological studies indicate that already in the XI century there stood a fortified settlement on Borovitsky hill, which is now called the Kremlin. Little fortress could not accommodate all the residents of the rapidly growing city, and the Grand Duke ordered the construction of a new Kremlin, larger than the former.

Boat trip around Kolomenskoe Park

Moscow river boat trip starts from the pier Klenovy (Maple) Boulevard and provides reat views of Nicholas Perervinsky monastery.

Nicholas Perervinsky monastery was founded at the time of the Battle of Kulikov (1380). The monastery, got its name from the surrounding area – “Pererva”, which can be translated like “tear off” and because of the location –  here it abruptly changed its course, turning to Kolomna, standing on the opposite bank.

Nowadays Kolomenskoye is State Art, Historical, Architectural and Natural Landscape Museum-Reserve, which doors are open to everyone who wants to get in touch with the ancient history of Russia.

Take a break from the big city hustle in the shady parks and gardens of the Kolomenskoe Museum-Reserve. Don’t miss a wonderful Church of the Ascension and Tsar Alexey’s Palace in Kolomenskoye!

Monasteries and temples

• Novospassky Monastery
• Founded in the 13th century on the site where now is located the Danilovsky monastery. After a few decades, in 1330, Ivan Kalita moved the monastery onto the Borovitskii hill of the Kremlin. However, in the 15th century, Spassky Monastery again moved, this time to a more spacious place on Krasnoholmskaya waterfront.
• Church of St. Nicholas in Zayaitskom
• Erected in the middle of the XVIII century in baroque style. The building survived after the 1812 fire, but the utensils were destoyed. Parishioners collected donations and restored the temple on their own. In Soviet times, it was closed and re-opened only in 1992.
• Cathedral of Christ the Savior
• The church was originally erected in honor of the victory over Napoleon and was being under construction for long 44 years. Notoriously demolished in 1937 to be a giant swimming pool under open sky. The current building was constructed in 1990s. It is the tallest and one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world.
• The temple was built in 1679-82, during the reign of Tsar Fedor Alekseevich, in late Muscovite Baroque style and can be characterized as bonfire temple. Each gable is a symbol of a heavenly fire.
• Novodevichy Convent
• The most famous concent and monastery in Moscow, presumably founded in 1524. Novodevichy’s status has always been high among other monasteries, it was in this monastery where the women of the royal blood, the wives of Tsars and local rulers of Moscow were kept in prison as nuns.
• St. Andrew’s church  (male acts as Compound Patriarch of Moscow)
• St. Andrew’s church stands right on the slopes of the Sparrow Hills, on the way down to the Moskva River, on the territory of the Nature Reserve “Sparrow Hills”. The monastery is small in size but is very cozy. It’s situated in a quiet courtyard surrounded by temples, fruit trees and flowers.

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow river cruise.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

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Great boat and great views - Moscow River Boat Tours

• Europe    
• Russia    
• Central Russia    
• Moscow    
• Moscow - Things to Do    
• Moscow River Boat Tours

I got a nice luxury boat. It has good restaurant inside too. Boat tour is around 1.5 hours. The... read more

I would recommend the Moscow Sightseeing River Cruise. Definitely great value for a two hour... read more

Great boat and great views

We chose the first class lounge on the boat and were treated excellently by the staff on board. The meal and wine we selected were superb and the service excellent. The surroundings and furnishings on board were very fine.and most comfortable. If you want a memorable evening that gives you the best views of Moscow take the first class option and enjoy the service and fare offered..

The "Zoshima Shashkov" was our boat, and we booked the cruise through "Express to Russia" i have been in touch with them, did hear back, but no explanation as to why we were treated so poorly, and there were others who had booked independently who were treated the same. very clean boat, but so disappointing, I would not advise any one to book independently as we did, customers who booked as a group seemed to be well catered for and really looked after, we were left to fend for ourselves.

I cruised around 8pm. , I think you can see the light and feel relax. You can order vary kind of drink and food. I think seafood has some smell but spagetthi menu is ok. Draft Beer is sour, I dont know why? Alcohol price is pretty high .

Nice trip, especially the early night cruises with the sunset. Specially with this boat company was that you could (and should) bring your own drinks with you

This wonderful trip had been on my bucket list for years, and had been something that my (late) husband and I had begun to look at prior to his life ending illness. Fortunately for me when I enquired I found that this cruise still had a 'special fare for 1 week'. It was, 'waiving the single supplement'. This made me decide on the spot to go ahead with plans and I used some of that 'saving to upgrade my self into a cabin with a balcony'. It was also made easier because it was almost 9 months prior to my leaving date. I was collected from the airport and from the moment I stepped on board there was absolutely nothing that I could fault with the journey. On day two of the River Cruise I slipped in Moscow in the rain and broke my arm. The ship's management arranged for me to attend a medical clinic, where it was decided that I could continue my journey with my arm immobilised and having regular checks at St Petersburg and London (which was all part of my extendedUK/ European tour but of course not all on the Cruise). The entire staff on board were amazing and helped me with the 'little things' - tying up shoe laces, helping me put on a jacket and kitchen staff cut up meat on my plate. (I just couldn't manage any of these items). I only paid for 2 extra trips whilst on board, with all the included ones (at least 1 every day) being not only beautifully scenic, but historically interesting as well. If I decide to travel on another River Cruise, I will defintely be looking to book with Uniworld..

As part of Dinner in a congress in Moscow, we visited the Moscow River and a cruise with a dinner on the go, along with live musice and fire-works had been pre-arranged. It was a most pleasing experience and we enjoyed the top deck, with live music adding to the impact. We could easily and convincingly appreciate all the important land marks without having to go to the trouble of getting stuck in traffick for hours. The food was served as a multi-course dinner and the quality was excellent. However, the staff on duty had no match... so courteous and so polite... and efficient. We enjoyed the event to the fullest and the end of the cruiser actually was felt like a saddening turn. Anyway, overall it was a great and very enjoyable experience.

More Information

We want your experience to be the best it can be.

Wendella is located at 400 N Michigan Avenue at the historic Wrigley Building. Wendella has four dock locations that extend west from the Michigan Avenue (DuSable) Bridge to Wabash Avenue.

Accessibility

We understand that our guests desire unencumbered access to our facilities and vessels, and we do not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. There are currently no access regulations for small passenger vessels, but we have made a concerted effort and reasonable accommodations to make our docks and vessels accessible where practicable.

Safety & Security

Wendella continues to set the standard for the Passenger Vessel Industry through our commitment to providing a safe and secure environment for our guests and personnel. We meet or exceed all federal, state and local safety requirements for U.S. Coast Guard-inspected passenger vessels, their passengers and crew.

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