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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 (60 minutes Nov. 2 - spring) with live narration.

Chicago C3 includes:

Architecture River Tour — Ticket includes a 75-minute cruise (60 minutes Nov. 2 - spring) 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® Tickets

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

Compare All Chicago Tickets

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 14693.
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Worth it. Easy to purchase, easy to use, great covered attractions.
Date published: 2026-10-31
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Amazing experience CityPASS was awesome. We had an amazing time in Chicago and saved significantly. It is easy to use and the options were delightful. I would purchase it again in a flash. Thank you!
Date published: 2026-10-30
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Enjoyable I enjoyed being able to visit multiple sites at the reduced price that you provided and your people were very helpful
Date published: 2026-10-28
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Génial mis à part le 360 Très pratique permet de payer en avance avant de prendre l'avion et de choisir les activités au fil du séjour sur place. On a pas mal de choix, nous avons choisi 5 activités. Parfois il faut se mettre d'accord, j'aurais aimé faire le musée de l'art mais les ados préféraient le planétarium ou le Chicago 360 nous nous sommes mis d'accord sur le Chicago 360 même si vous avions déjà fait le skydeck. Alors le skydeck vraiment c'est à faire c'est génial et tout à fait faisable si l'on est sujet aux vertiges. Nous l'avions fait à 9h30 du matin c'était Royal il n'y avait personne nous avons pu prendre le temps de prendre des photos sous tous les angles le personnel est très compréhensif. Nous avons donc décidé de faire le 360 de nuit c'est 19h. La tour est un peu moins haute mais dans un quartier opposé du skydeck ce qui permet de faire d'autres photos surtout dans notre cas de nuit avec les lumières. Ça c'était chouette mais... Mauvaise surprise lorsque nous avons voulu faire ce que nous pensions la véritable expérience que l'on peut voir sur internet du 360 avec les vitres qui bougent en fait se trouve être une expérience à part s'appelant tilt moyennant 14 dollars par personne en plus.... Nous étions un peu déçus même si nous avons pu prendre de belles photos mais je en sais pas si je sachant nous aurions choisi cette activité... C'est un peu l'arnaque quand même...
Date published: 2026-10-27
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Well Worth The Money We thoroughly enjoyed our CityPASS in Chicago. There were 4 of us adults and we were able to save a lot of money and see a lot of sites using this during our vacation week.
Date published: 2026-10-25
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