Chicago at Night: River & Lake Sightseeing Cruise by First Lady

About this experience

Chicago at Night: River & Lake Sightseeing Cruise by First Lady is a sightseeing cruise along the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, taking in the city's skyline after dark. The route passes some of Chicago's most celebrated architecture, including the Willis Tower, Tribune Tower, and Marina City, with the illuminated waterfront providing a clear view of the downtown grid from the water. Guests spend roughly 75 minutes on board, with a narrated commentary covering the history and design of the buildings along the route. The cruise travels from the river out onto Lake Michigan, offering open-deck and covered seating. Tickets cover the narrated cruise and vary by seating tier, with departures running on a seasonal evening schedule. For more to do on the water and beyond, see the full range of Chicago attractions.

Highlights

• Cruise through the Chicago River and Lake Michigan at night on a 90-minute guided journey featuring illuminated skyline views, live commentary, and guaranteed outdoor seating.
• See Chicago’s city lights from both open-air upper decks and enclosed climate-controlled lower decks, with cruises operating comfortably in all weather conditions.
• Listen to engaging stories from your guide while sailing through the Chicago Harbor Lock, where the boat rises into Lake Michigan before returning to the river.
• Relax with onboard amenities including restrooms, free stroller storage, a full-service bar, snack options, and early boarding support for guests with limited mobility, while children under 4 ride free with a ticket.
• Upgrade to Priority Boarding for early access and the best choice of seats before general boarding begins, whether you prefer open-air or enclosed viewing areas.

What is included

• 90-minute guided evening cruise on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan
• Local guide onboard
• Live commentary
• Access to the open-air upper deck and enclosed lower deck
• Restrooms onboard
• Full-service bar and snack bar (available for purchase onboard)
• Free stroller storage
• Wheelchair accessible restrooms on select vessels
• Children under 4 ride free
• Priority boarding with skip-the-line access (as per option selected)
• General boarding (as per option selected)

Not included

• Food and beverages (available for purchase onboard)
• Gratuities
• Parking

Cancellation terms

These tickets cannot be cancelled or rescheduled.