chicago river cruise first lady

Special Event Venues , Water Venues

Chicago’s first lady cruises.

Located in Loop

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112 E. Wacker Dr. on Chicago’s Riverwalk, Chicago IL 60601

Get directions

• www.cruisechicago.com
• (847) 358-1330

Chicago’s First Lady Cruises is the ultimate choice for private, upscale river and lakefront dining for your group outing. Available for private party rentals from April – November, yachts range in size to accommodate groups of 2-250. All vessels feature open-air upper decks, interior climate-controlled salons and full bars. Choose from creative and delectable menu offerings customized for your event from any one of our five professional caterers.

Impress guests with spectacular, ever-changing views from Chicago’s intimate riverfront and expansive lakefront. Take in a gorgeous sunset from the lake, revel in summer fireworks bursting against Chicago’s twinkling skyline and gape at larger-than-life skyscrapers towering above you. For an extra special experience, consider including a private docent from the Chicago Architecture Foundation to provide architectural commentary for the river portion of your event.

Private charter rentals available nightly and on select weekday mornings/afternoons. All yachts depart from Chicago’s Riverwalk. Contact our Charter Sales department at 847-358-1330 or [email protected] to inquire about your next event!

Single Use Menus

CDC Recommended Cleaning Procedures

Hand Wash/Sanitizer Stations

Mobile Payments Accepted

Social Distancing Guidelines Enforced

No Contact Services

Wheelchair Accessible

Student Tours

Technical Tours

Incentive Programs

Step On Guides

Group Charter/Sightseeing

Complimentary Policy Please inquire

Motorcoach Parking On-site

Group Policy

Average Visit/Tour Length varies

Group Capacity 250

Minimum Group Number 2

Maximum Group Number 250

Group Discounts Available

Minimum Size for Group Admission Rate 20

Miles from O'Hare Airport 17.0

Miles from Midway Airport 12.0

Miles from Navy Pier

Miles from McCormick Place 2.0

American Express

Student Group Friendly

Special Interest Tours Offered

Reservations Accepted

Concierge Service

ADA Compliant

Food On-site OTHER

Airport(s) Served ORD & MDW

Open Seasonally

Family-friendly

Buy-out Max Capacity 250

Preferred Catering Providers

Number of Meeting Rooms 5

Largest Room, Theater Capacity 250

Largest Room, Reception Capacity (Standing) 250

Largest Room, Classroom Capacity 250

Largest Room, Banquet Capacity (Seated) 125

Largest Room, Max Capacity 250

On-Site Catering

On-site Audio/Visual Equipment

In-house/Exclusive Caterer(s)

Complete Buy-out Available

Max Capacity, Theater Style 250

Max Capacity, Reception Style (Standing) 250

Max Capacity, Classroom Style 125

Max Capacity, Banquet Style (Seated) 125

Max Venue Capacity 850

Private Meeting Space Available

Max Restaurant Capacity 250

Private Dining Available

Group Breakfast Available

Entertainment

Box Lunches Available

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Chicago's First Lady Cruises

112 E. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60601

Architecture

Welcome aboard Chicago's finest fleet! Choose Chicago's First Lady and the Chicago Architecture Foundation to experience 90 minutes of amazing.

Discover the luxury of Chicago's Finest Fleet, complete with open-air upper decks and upscale interior salon decks. See Chicago's riverfront architecture described by CAF-certified volunteer docents and capture the beauty of over 53 significant buildings and bridges.

Upper-deck seating provides the best views and opportunities for great photos. You will cruise on all three branches of the Chicago River. Only Chicago's First Lady's fleet offers the style and comfort of open-air upper decks as well as climate-controlled salon decks complete with granite and marble restrooms as well as a fully stocked bar.

The Official Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise departs from the Chicago Riverwalk, just 3 blocks north of Millennium Park at the Southeast corner of the Michigan Ave Bridge at Wacker Dr. Cruises depart daily from the spring through the fall.

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Chicago’s Classic Lady

• Holds up to 250 guests (wedding max 200)
• $1,500 - $2,100/hour
• Extra-large upper deck
• Two full-service bars available

Chicago’s Leading Lady

Chicago’s first lady.

• Holds up to 150 guests (wedding max 100)
• $1,400 - $2,000/hour
• Formal salon sitting area

Chicago’s Fair Lady

• Holds up to 125 guests (wedding max 100)
• $1,300 - $1,900/hour
• Upper deck perfect for dancing

Chicago’s Little Lady

• Holds up to 80 guests (wedding max 60)
• $1,200 to $1,800/hour
• Popular for intimate gatherings
• Open-air upper deck
• Holds up to 6 guests
• $2,000 for 2 hours
• Premium beverages included
• Perfect for VIP occasions

Chicago's Emerald Lady

• The newest member of our fleet!

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Chicago's First Lady Cruises

• 112 E Wacker Drive Chicago 60601
• (847) 358-1330
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Price — $46.29

We can't wait to welcome you aboard beginning March 2023! Chicago's First Lady Cruises is the official cruiseline for the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) and offers 90-minute Architecture River Cruises.

Safety is our #1 Priority. 

Click here to learn more about our enhanced protocols.

Along with the renowned CAFC River Cruise, we will offer new ways to safely enjoy the outdoors, including the 90-minute Lady Grebe Chicago River Experience and a dockside, floating rooftop bar ! 

The Official Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady Cruises is the city's number one cruise based on TripAdvisor reviewers. This must-do tour is led by CAC-certified volunteer guides - called docents - and highlights 53 historic and architecturally significant sites that line the Chicago River.

Specialty architecture river cruises include the beautiful Evening Cruises and a summer weekend 9am Photography Cruise. Conveniently located within walking distance to Magnificent Mile hotels, Chicago's First Lady Cruises offers a fleet of luxurious vessels with upper-deck seating for all and a climate-controlled salon deck for inclement days. The yachts are also available for private charter rentals every evening and for daytime charters on select weekdays.

• Mon-Fri Closed
• Saturday Closed
• Sunday Closed
• Accepts Credit Cards
• Private Parties
• Wheelchair Accessible

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Discover Chicago’s legendary architecture on the award-winning Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady Cruises.

Chicago is legendary for its architecture and, as the only cruise partnered with the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF), we provide the best architecture tour experience. Highly trained and passionate volunteer docents provide a detailed narrative of Chicago's various architectural styles and the stories of the people who designed and built our city.

The relaxing 90-minute daily Chicago river tour features indoor and outdoor seating, a full service bar aboard each vessel and is consistently recognized by locals and visitors alike as the best way to see Chicago. A portion of each ticket supports architecture education provided by CAF.

+1 847-358-1330

303 East Wacker Dr., Suite 1550 Chicago, IL 60601

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Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise Aboard Chicago's First Lady

When you tour the work of great architects with CAC, proceeds help to inspire the next generation of great architects.

Buy tickets

“Such a wonderful experience. Megan was very knowledgeable and her love and passion for her city made me fall in love with it too. Highly recommend.” - Michelle F

“Wonderful way to see the City and appreciate the history and architecture of the city. Thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend.” - MessinaFamily11

“A truly fantastic tour. Our guide was knowledgeable and fun, and it was a beautiful night on the river. Would highly recommend if you would like to see a new view of the city!” - Mia T

See the city, inspire the future

Led by the Chicago Architecture Center's expertly trained docent volunteers, this 90-minute cruise reveals fascinating stories behind Chicago's majestic buildings in a way no other tour can.

Learn about the architects who created our city's magnificent buildings—and the stories behind them. And only with the CAC, your River Cruise ticket helps fund education programs to inspire the next generation of architects.

This classic tour aboard the city's most luxurious fleet, is a must for out-of-town visitors and Chicagoans alike.

Tickets start at $53.85.

Get More Info

EVENING CRUISES AVAILABLE

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.

VISIT THE CENTER

For the ultimate Chicago architecture experience, take the river cruise AND visit the Chicago Architecture Center—you'll save $9!

NOW IN 4 LANGUAGES

Continental French, Latin American Spanish, Japanese and Korean translation available via the "Listen Everywhere" app.

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