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Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tour

Shoreline Sightseeing's award-winning Architecture Tours are led by knowledgeable, entertaining guides and showcase the city's rich architectural heritage, from hidden gems to world-famous facades. Enjoy the journey on a state-of-the-art tour boat. See more than 40 landmarks in the iconic Chicago skyline, including the Wrigley Building and Marina City, and hear stories of ambition, redemption and innovation that make the Windy City famous.

Chicago CityPASS includes:

Architecture River Tour — Ticket includes a 75-minute cruise with live narration.

Chicago C3 includes:

Architecture River Tour — Ticket includes a 75-minute cruise with live narration.

Guides on Shoreline Sightseeing's Architecture River Tour explain how engineers famously reversed the Chicago River’s flow in 1900, along with other details about the Windy City's history.

Shoreline Sightseeing operates 11 touring boats on the three branches of the Chicago River, with personable guides who tell the stories of the city's famous landmarks and history.

Highlights

  1. 01.

    Learn how the three branches of the Chicago River helped establish the city as a trading outpost for French explorers.

  2. 02.

    Celebrate Chicago's resilience as it became the "Second City" in the aftermath of the Great Fire of 1871.

  3. 03.

    See Chicago's innovative approach to fight gravity and reverse the flow of the Chicago River.

Shoreline Sightseeing's Architecture River Tour cruises past Marina City, providing a spectacular view of the famous “corn cob” towers, whose rounded balconies were designed to give every resident a private outdoor view.

Chicago showcases a range of architectural styles, from the Beaux-Arts period and art deco to modernism and contemporary high-rise design, most of which can be seen in this view near the State Street Bridge (formally known as the Bataan-Corregidor Memorial Bridge) on the Chicago River's main branch.

Visit Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tour with CityPASS®

CityPASS® tickets offer multiple great ways to see Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tour. No matter which you choose, you'll save.

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Advice for Visitors

Tips

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your reservation time.

Learn more on the CityPASS Blog about what you'll see on a Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tour.

Attraction Features

Amenities

Dining: Beer, wine, spirits, nonalcoholic beverages and light snacks are available for purchase on board.

Accessibility

Navy Pier is the best boarding location for guests with mobility concerns. Visit Shoreline Sightseeing's website for more information on services for guests with specific needs.

Parking/Transportation

Get information on parking for the Michigan Avenue location and parking for the Navy Pier location.

Offers & Upgrades

20% Off Water Taxi Passes

CityPASS guests receive 20% off Shoreline Water Taxi passes; show your CityPASS tickets at Shoreline ticket booths to redeem. Water taxis run primarily May-September.

Contact Information & Hours

  • Shoreline Sightseeing — Navy Pier
  • 124 N. Streeter Drive
  • Chicago, IL 60611
  • Right before the entrance to Navy Pier

Departure times vary seasonally; check the upcoming schedule when planning your visit.

  • Shoreline Sightseeing — Michigan Avenue
  • 401 N. Michigan Ave.
  • Chicago, IL 60611

Departure times vary seasonally; check the upcoming schedule when planning your visit.

Many of Chicago's 37 operational drawbridges date to the early 20th century, when city engineers perfected the trunnion bascule design, allowing roadways to lift efficiently for passing river traffic.

Read reviews from CityPASS® travelers.

Chicago CityPASS
Vacationing with a family of 5
We have purchased CityPASS now for three cities: Southern California, New York and now Chicago. We have a family of 5 and this makes planning so easy and affordable!! Not to mention not standing in line for tickets!!!
Chicago CityPASS
The CityPASS was the perfect way to plan our stay in Chicago. I was able to show my daughter my favorite places in Chicago, and a few others as well. The CityPASS provided a better price, and skipping to the front of the line was like icing on the cake!.
Wonderful week in Chicago!
After doing much research about CityPASS and other group admission passes of the like, I knew I had to get the CityPASS. Chicago CityPASS gets you into 5 of the top sightseeing places - with an upgraded admission!
Great Price
My family came to visit us from Colombia. It was their first time in the states and I wanted to make sure their first vacation was more than what they expected it to be. When I came across the Chicago CityPASS online I knew it was just what I needed to make their trip memorable.
CityPASS Saved My Vacation and Marriage
We used Chicago CityPASS recently and it was a not only a vacation saver but a marriage saver. My husband and I would typically argue about which way to go and what to do next. The CityPASS was easy to use and offered detailed information as well as discounts.
Chicago CityPASS is rated 4.7 out of 5 by 14617.
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Amazing This was our first time being in Chicago and the CityPass covered everything we had time to see. It was super easy to use and their notifications were great reminders. We also saved money and in today’s economy that is so helpful!!
Date published: 2026-08-16
Rated 5 out of 5 by from We shall return Easy and convenient made our trip hassle free. Great experience
Date published: 2026-08-14
Rated 5 out of 5 by from 100% worth it! We bought the CityPASS and we were not disappointed. All of the main attractions that we wanted to see was absolutely worth it! Chicago is an awesome city and we’d highly recommend ordering the full pass if you have the time to visit all the attractions!
Date published: 2026-08-14
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Loved It and Well worth it Bought CityPASS Chicago for vacation and was well worth it. Used all the options on a 5 day trip. Liked the upgrades and expedited access for some features. For instance used the Anne Frank upgrade. First time using a CityPASS and would be game to use again. Buying tickets for events was a breeze. Nice integration!
Date published: 2026-08-14
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Worth the Price CityPASS was extremely useful in seeing the major highlights at Chicago. The Expedited line also helped us save time!
Date published: 2026-08-10
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