Chicago · ARCHITECTURE TOURS

The 15 Best Architecture Tours in Chicago

74 tours  ·  ★★★★★★★★★★ 4.8 average  ·  from $28

This is the city that rebuilt itself after 1871 and invented the skyscraper doing it, and the architecture tour is how it explains itself. These 15 cover the boats, the walking routes and the interiors, with what each costs, how long it runs and which one a first visit should take.

Architecture Tours

Chicago Architecture River Cruise - Getting on board at Navy Pier or Michigan Avenue
Architecture River Cruises, Architecture Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews

Chicago Architecture River Cruise

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1.Chicago Architecture River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15,756 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $39Our pick

See Chicago’s best buildings in about an hour with live guide commentary, pet-friendly boats, and strong value at $39.

“Such a great time!! Sam was our guide, and he was phenomenal. He told us the history of not only the buildings, but the city as a whole, and its relation to the nature it resides besides. Sam gave us historical and cultural context behind many architectural styles. He also had some great jokes. The cow puns… udderly hilarious. My friend and I are from Omaha (also called River City by locals), and we wish that our hometown had a river architectural tour like this.”

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Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Tour - What 90 Minutes Actually Covers on the Chicago River
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Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Tour

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2.Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 9,629 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $45

90-minute Chicago River architecture cruise with indoor and outdoor decks, expert narration, and standout views of the skyline’s best-known buildings.

“We had a great time. The guide we had was great and explained the history and other great information along the tour. A great way to see the city and get some history too”

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Chicago River: 1.5-Hour Guided Architecture Cruise - Entering at the right dock: where to check in near the Wrigley Building area
Architecture River Cruises, Architecture Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Guided, Tour Reviews

Chicago River: 1.5-Hour Guided Architecture Cruise

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3.1.5-Hour Guided Architecture Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 8,046 reviews · 1h 30m · from $44

A 90-minute Chicago River architecture cruise with expert storytelling, indoor warmth or open-air decks, and iconic skyline stops plus a cash bar.

“Our guide was first class with his knowledge and interpretation of the Chicago architecture. Combine that with the history and the ability to weave amusing anecdotes, and excellent diction made this a trip out of the ordinary.”

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Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady - What the First Lady Cruise Feels Like On the Water
Architecture River Cruises, Architecture Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews

Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady

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Chicago: Architecture River Cruise Skip-the-Ticket Line - Live Docent Narration, Not Just Points on a Map
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Chicago: Architecture River Cruise Skip-the-Ticket Line

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5.Architecture River Cruise Skip-the-Ticket Line

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4,325 reviews · 1 hour - 90 minutes · from $39

Skip the ticket line for a Chicago Architecture River Cruise with live docent narration on all 3 river branches, plus a cash bar.

“This was a great tour. We went in the 8pm cruise and we were able to enjoy a beautiful sunset and then see the buildings lit up. We also got to experience some perfectly timed nighttime features, like building projections and fireworks because of the time we choose. Our guide Brian was great; entertaining and clearly loves his city. Will definitely do this again.”

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Chicago River 45-Minute Architecture Tour from Magnificent Mile - Wrigley Building, Merchandise Mart, and Lyric Opera House in Real Time
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Chicago River 45-Minute Architecture Tour from Magnificent Mile

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6.Chicago River 45-Minute Architecture Tour from Magnificent Mile

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,924 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $28Best value

A 45-minute Chicago River architecture cruise from the Magnificent Mile, with live narration, great views, and indoor warmth options.

“This was such a fun experience even in the freezing cold! I went solo and didn’t feel out of place. The directions were clear, the tour started on time with plenty of seating and options for alcoholic/non alcoholic beverages. Great information and stunning views along the river 10/10”

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Chicago Lake and River Architecture Tour - Chicago River highlights: locks, skyline layers, and the on-the-hour fountain
Architecture River Cruises, Architecture Tours, Lake Michigan Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours

Chicago Lake and River Architecture Tour

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7.Chicago Lake and River Architecture Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,308 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $45

A 1.5-hour Chicago architecture cruise with live narration, Lake Michigan skyline views, and river landmarks from Wendella.

“This was a great tour if you are wanting to many of the buildings and the skyline from the lake. The guide was knowledgeable with the history and construction of the buildings”

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Chicago: 45-Minute Family-Friendly Architecture River Cruise - Your Boarding Day: Finding 400 N Michigan Ave and Settling In
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Chicago: 45-Minute Family-Friendly Architecture River Cruise

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Chicago: 1.5-Hour Lake and River Architecture Cruise - Wrigley to Wolf Point: How the Buildings Tell Time
Architecture River Cruises, Architecture Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Lake Michigan Cruises, Tour Reviews

Chicago: 1.5-Hour Lake and River Architecture Cruise

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Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Boat Tour - Where you board at 900 S Wells St, and how to get great seats
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Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Boat Tour

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10.Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,635 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $37

See Chicago’s architecture from the river on a 90-minute guided cruise, passing key towers, Chinatown, and Navy Pier, with AC and photo views.

“David was a great and knowledgeable tour guide! He gave just enough details of the skyline without being overwhelming or boring.”

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Original Chicago Architecture Interiors Tour: Dazzling Interiors - Your two hour route from 425 S Financial Pl to the Chicago Cultural Center
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Original Chicago Architecture Interiors Tour: Dazzling Interiors

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Chicago in a Day: Food, History & Architecture Walking Tour - Chicago Pedway: The Underground Shortcut Locals Use
Architecture Tours, Food, Food & Drink, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Chicago in a Day: Food, History & Architecture Walking Tour

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12.Chicago in a Day: Food, History & Architecture Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,153 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $100

Taste Chicago classics and see major architecture fast on a small-group Loop walk with the Pedway and Millennium Park’s Bean.

“Excellent Tour guide. David was so knowledgeable, patient and helpful. I was on a rolator David knew exactly where the elevators were located. By preparing for the locations, it made everyone comfortable.”

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Chicago River Architecture Tour with Small Boat Upgrade Option - Quick hits before you go
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Chicago River Architecture Tour with Small Boat Upgrade Option

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Chicago Architectural River Cruise - The Docent Talk: The Difference Between Pretty and Memorable
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Chicago Architectural River Cruise

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14.Chicago Architectural River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 804 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $50

90-minute Chicago River architecture cruise with live docent talk, 50+ landmarks, and complimentary coffee, lemonade, and soda.

“Our tour guide, Jim, was amazing & so knowledgeable about the history & architecture throughout Chicago.”

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Chicago City Tour with Architecture River Cruise Option - Start at Palmer House, then glide through the Loop and North Side
Architecture River Cruises, Architecture Tours, City Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Chicago City Tour with Architecture River Cruise Option

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15.Chicago City Tour with Architecture River Cruise Option

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 705 reviews · 2 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $49

See Chicago fast by minibus, then upgrade to a Chicago River architecture cruise. Expert guides, skyline stops, strong value.

“Great tour guide, very knowledgeable and fun. Small bus was clean and comfortable. It was very cold in January so this was a great way to see the city and highlights and get some good insight to places you may overlook.”

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New in Architecture Tours

★ 5.03 Hours Chicago Architecture Tour – Skyscrapers and Photo OpsFrom $1351 reviews
Roaring ’20s, Art Deco, and Gangsters Walking TourFrom $352 reviews
Architecture and Engineering Marvels Walking TourFrom $303 reviews
★ 5.0History and Architecture Guided Kayak TourFrom $643 reviews
★ 4.4Icons Guided Architecture Walking TourFrom $354 reviews
★ 5.0Private Chicago Architecture TourFrom $5395 reviews
★ 5.0Chicago’s Modern Skyscrapers Guided Walking TourFrom $356 reviews
★ 4.4Elevated Architecture Walking TourFrom $355 reviews
★ 5.0Private Chicago Architecture Walking TourFrom $2116 reviews
★ 3.5Private Frank Lloyd Wright Architectural Tour by Luxury VehicleFrom $3007 reviews
★ 4.0Private Architecture Tour – 3 or 6 HoursFrom $7806 reviews
★ 4.5Chicago Luxury Minibus City Tour and Architecture River CruiseFrom $498 reviews
★ 4.9Chicago Walking Tour: See Inside Art Deco MasterpiecesFrom $358 reviews
★ 4.5Small Group History And Architecture Walking Tour of ChicagoFrom $648 reviews
★ 5.0Art, Skyscrapers, Millennium Park & “The Bean”From $496 reviews

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