Website: ShorelineSightseeing.com
Locations:
- Tours depart from Navy Pier and Michigan Avenue.
- Water Taxis stop at Union Station/Willis (Sears) Tower, N. Michigan Avenue, Navy Pier, and Shedd Aquarium/Museum Campus.
- Commuter Water Taxis stop at Union Station/Willis (Sears) Tower, Michigan Avenue, and Erie Park.
Phone: 312-222-9328
Departures: Departure times vary, but most tours begin around 10 am and go through sunset. Water taxis run from about 10 am to 5 or 6 pm most days. Themed cruises and Fireworks cruises are available.
Admission: Lake tours are $8-$9/child, $17-$18/adult. Architecture tours are $18-$21/child, $32-$35/adult. Water taxis are $3-$5/child, $5-$8.
Parking: Parking is available at Navy Pier for $21 Mondays through Thursdays and $25 Friday through Sunday.
Bathrooms: There are bathrooms available on the larger boats. Most commuter boats do not have bathrooms.
Nursing: There is no designated nursing area. There is plenty of seating.
Handicapped/stroller accessibility: Water taxis are not accessible. I would not bring a stroller.
Food: There is a bar available on the tour boats that offers alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks.
Special events: Shoreline Sightseeing offers Firework Cruises, Sunset Cruises, Brew Cruises, Wine Tasting Cruises, and special event cruises throughout the summer. See the Special Events page for current events. Skyline also offers group tours and charters.
We paid: We received complimentary tickets for the Architecture Tour and complimentary refreshments. Our tickets would have been approximately $100 for 2 adults, 2 children, and an infant (free); our drinks would have been $7.
Our experience:
We took an architecture tour on a Saturday morning. Even though we’ve done a bit of everything in Chicago, an architecture boat tour was something we missed until now.
Our tour guide introduced himself and started off with some jokes; he was pretty entertaining. I was concerned that the boys might be too young to really appreciate the architecture part of the tour (which they were), but they were excited to be on a boat and had lots to look at so they didn’t get bored. I am not exactly an architecture buff, but I was surprised to find that it was actually fascinating. I’m not going to give away any of the interesting stories or tidbits here (you have to take the tour for that!), but it was really interesting and the view was great; I enjoyed it a lot. We lucked out and had really beautiful weather for our tour. I would suggest that you be sure to have sunscreen (maybe even a hat).
The bar and bathrooms were located on the lower level of the boat. There were chairs there, but everyone sat on the upper level of the boat for the better view.
Shoreline Sightseeing gave me two tickets and I’m sharing them with you! Enter the giveaway on the entry form below.
Disclosure: My family received complimentary tickets and refreshments. All opinions are my own.
Yay! We would love to take the girls on one of the tours – but with all the other stuff we have planned for summer, the budget is a bit tight! This would make great mommy/daughter day activity if I won.
This sounds like so much fun!!! My 4yo LOVES boats and would have an absolute BLAST if we win!!
This trip looked liked fun!!! I’m glad the kids seemed to enjoy themselves!!! Am thinking of trying with our kids this summer!
I would love to do this! We haven’t done most of the sightseeing stuff in Chicago yet and I think this would be a lot of fun.
This looks like so much fun!
Would be a perfect way to introduce Sweet Baby D to the city!
Iwould love these tickets. I have been wanting to take this tour forever, just too expensive for my wallet these days. THanks for the chance to possibly win.
Also I can’t figure out how to post a comment on Spoton for you.
This is a fantastic giveaway! My boys would love this!!
You took some great photos of the city! Sounds like you all had fun. We’re planning on doing this this summer.
Your entry form thing is broken. I’ve tried refreshing, doesn’t work.
neeeeeeevermind, it loaded. Sorry!
I’ve been wanting to do the architectural tour for years and have been wondering how to do it with toddler in tow. Thanks for the info!
This looks So fun and what a perfect day!
Looks like you guys had a great time! My husband and I are headed to Chicago for a couple of days next month, and this would make a perfect activity! Great giveaway.
This would be awesome!
This has been on our list of things we want to do!
We would love a staycatation on Chicago! Thanks for the opportunity to win 2 tickets!
I’ve almost done this a million times!
My son would absolutely love this!!!