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What to expect on your Shoreline cruise

Chicago skyline with skyscrapers along the river, Illinois, USA.

✔️ Panoramic lake & river views

Tour guide speaking on a Chicago River Architecture Cruise with skyscrapers in the background.

✔️ Live expert narration

Cruise boat on Chicago River with city skyscrapers and Wrigley Building in view.

✔️ Beneath bridges, past landmarks

Guests enjoying drinks on Lake Michigan Skyline Cruise.

✔️ Open-air decks & indoor lounges

Things to know before booking your tickets

  • If your goal is to see the skyline and shoreline panoramas quickly, pick the 45-min lake Michigan tour. For a deeper architecture narrative with up-close river views, choose the 75-min Chicago river architecture cruise. For dramatic golden-hour and night scenes, the Chicago architecture evening cruise is the best choice.
  • All cruises depart from the Polk Bros Park dock at Navy Pier (near the west end) or the Michigan Avenue / DuSable Bridge dock. Please arrive at least 30 minutes before check-in and boarding.
  • Popular time slots; especially evening cruises, weekend departures sell out quickly, so booking early is recommended.
  • The cruises can accommodate guests with mobility needs if notified in advance. Particularly those departing from Navy Pier / Polk Bros Park can accommodate wheelchairs; service animals are welcome too.

All your Shoreline cruise options explained

Cruise boat on Lake Michigan with Chicago skyline in the background.

Lake Michigan Cruise

  • Quick and scenic cruises that take you straight out onto Lake Michigan for sweeping skyline views; perfect if you’re short on time or want a crisp lakeside perspective of Chicago’s tallest buildings.  
  • Some cruises offer recorded narration and a choice of indoor seating or open-air deck access.
  • Cruises typically run mid-morning through evening, roughly 9am-8:30pm (peak summer hours can stretch to about 9pm), with departures every 30-60 minutes; exact times vary by season and day.

Average duration: 45 minutes

Recommended experiences:

  • 45-Min Lake Michigan Tour
Chicago River with skyscrapers reflecting in the water, showcasing the city's iconic architecture.

Chicago River Cruise

  • Choose this for a rich architecture-focused trip along all three branches of the Chicago River; docents point out over 40 buildings, bridges, and engineering highlights while you cruise the river canyons up close.
  • Expect live, expert commentary and both covered salons and outdoor viewing decks.
  • Cruises typically run mid-morning through evening, roughly 9am-8:30pm (peak summer hours can stretch to about 9pm), with departures every 30-60 minutes; exact times vary by season and day.

Average duration: 75 minutes

Recommended experiences:

  • 75-min Chicago River Architecture Cruise

A glimpse of what to expect

Wrigley Building and Chicago River view on 90-minute architecture cruise.

Wrigley Building

Bright white towers with a clock face that shine over the river, marking the start of the Magnificent Mile.

Tribune Tower in Chicago with surrounding skyscrapers against a clear blue sky.
Marina City towers and Chicago skyline under a clear blue sky.
Merchandise Mart building in Chicago with river and bridge in foreground.
Chicago skyline with Willis Tower and Lake Michigan in the background, Illinois, USA.

Know before you go

Tour boat on Chicago River with city skyline and bridge in background.
  • Shoreline cruises typically run mid-morning through evening, roughly 9am-8:30pm (peak summer hours can stretch to about 9pm), with departures every 30-60 minutes; exact times vary by season and day.
  • Boarding begins 15-30 minutes before departure time. Arrive at least 30 minutes early to allow time for ticketing and boarding. Arrive early to secure the best seats.
Group on boat deck watching sunset over water with distant lighthouse.

Lake Michigan cruises depart and return from the Polk Bros Park docks at Navy Pier | Find on Maps

Getting there:

  1. By bus: Take the dedicated #124 Navy Pier shuttle from downtown or other frequent Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) routes that stop nearby; check real-time arrivals before you leave.
  2. By train: The Red Line (Grand) is the closest 'L' stop; it’s an easy walk east to the Pier (8-15 minutes). Metra riders can transfer or take a quick cab/ride-share from Ogilvie/Union.
  3. Car & parking: Navy Pier has on-site East & West garages and nearby commercial parking; rates rise during events; reserve ahead if possible.

Chicago River Architecture cruises depart and return from the Michigan Avenue (DuSable) dock at river level | Find on Maps

Getting there:

  1. By bus: Multiple CTA routes run along Michigan Avenue; use stops at Michigan & Randolph or Michigan & Van Buren for the riverwalk.
  2. By train: The boarding area is a 5-10 minute walk from Millennium Station (Metra) and close to CTA rail access (State/Lake / Jackson area entrances).
  3. By car: There’s no on-site dock parking; use nearby commercial garages.
Cruise boat on Lake Michigan with Chicago skyline in the background.
  • Indoor, climate-controlled cabins and open-air upper decks on most vessels.
  • Onboard restrooms and a full-service bar or snack options on larger boats.
  • Live, expert docents on architecture cruises; some lake departures use recorded narration.
  • Seating is generally first-come, first-served; arrive early for the best deck or window spots.
Guests smiling on Lake Michigan Skyline Cruise.
  • Sunset and evening cruises are extremely popular; book early for the best times. 
  • Double-check the boarding dock on your ticket (Navy Pier/Michigan Ave); different tours may use different departure points. 
  • Bring a light jacket or layer even in summer; it can get breezy on Lake Michigan and on open decks.
  • Wear flat, secure footwear for safe boarding and moving about the boat.
  • Binoculars or a zoom lens are handy for close architectural details and skyline shots.
  • Be courteous at railings and photo spots;  tours can get crowded at popular viewpoints.
  • Cruises depart promptly; late arrivals may not be accommodated.
  • Most Shoreline cruises are round-trip and return to the same dock they depart.
  • If you or someone in your party has mobility needs, Navy Pier departures are the most accessible.

Best time to go on a cruise

Chicago River with raised lift bridges and skyline during architecture cruise.

Time of the day

  • Morning : (9am–11:30am)
    Calmer waters and softer light; fewer crowds. Lake cruises are peaceful and great for relaxed sightseeing; river cruises give gentle reflections and clearer building details. Avoid mid-morning weekday windows if you want to dodge school groups.
  • Afternoon: (11:30am-4:30pm)
    Bright daylight for crisp skyline and architectural shots. This is a busier window; expect lunch crowds and fuller boats on weekends and in summer.
  • Evening / Sunset : (5:30pm–9pm, later in summer)
    Best for dramatic color and city lights. Lake tours shine at sunset and river tours are a sight to behold at golden hour and after dark. Evenings are popular; book early for the best rail or front-row views.
Chicago downtown skyline with Ferris wheel at sunset.

Time of the year

  • Late September-early November (Fall) top pick:
    Crisp skies, cooler air and fall color make this the best window for photos and calmer, more comfortable cruises. Boats still run frequently but crowds thin after Labor Day; ideal if you want great light and fewer people.
  • Late May-June (Late spring / early summer) great balance:
    Warm, pleasant weather and more departures than spring, but not as crowded as peak July-August. Good choice if you want long daylight and lots of schedule options without the fullest crowds.
  • July-August (Summer) most departures; busiest:
    Long days, widest selection of departure times and fireworks nights make summer the most popular season. Expect larger crowds and sold-out sunset/holiday sailings. Book early for weekends, sunset cruises.
  • November-March (Winter) quiet & practical:
    Cruises run less often and schedules are weather-dependent. However, the boats offer climate-controlled cabins so you can stay comfortable on cold days. Good for lower crowds and off-season pricing if you don’t mind shorter daylight and colder temperatures.

Frequently asked questions about Shoreline Cruise tickets

Can I bring outside food or drinks?

Outside food and drink are not encouraged; a full bar is available on many boats where you can buy snacks and beverages during the cruise.

Is seating assigned?

Seating is first-come, first-served. Boats have indoor climate-controlled salons and open-air decks, so arrive early if you want a specific window seat or a front-row deck spot.

What if it rains?

Cruises generally run rain or shine; boats have enclosed, heated/air-conditioned cabins to keep you comfortable; but captains will cancel or reschedule if conditions are unsafe.

Do tours operate in the rain?

In spring and fall, sailings depend on weather conditions, except for scheduled group commitments, which operate as planned. During summer, most tours run as scheduled, though weather may require adjustments. The captain has final authority to delay or cancel if conditions are unsafe. If a cruise is canceled due to weather or other reasons, refunds are issued for pre-purchased tickets.

What time are the Navy Pier fireworks?

Throughout the summer, Navy Pier fireworks are held at 9:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and 10:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

Are life jackets available on board?

Yes. The U.S. Coast Guard requires a life jacket for every passenger. They are distributed only in an emergency.

What is the boat’s capacity?

Depending on the vessel, capacity ranges from 150 to 260 passengers.