Reviews of Tall Ship Windy. (Travel Agency) in Chicago (Illinois).
Tall Ship Windy
600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
Description
Information of Tall Ship Windy, Travel agency in Chicago (Illinois)
Discover the opening times, the location, contact, popular times, photos and real reviews by internet users.
This place has a very good rate, they treat their customers well and you’ll feel welcome, super recommended
Map
Open hours of Tall Ship Windy
Sunday
10 am–7 pm
Monday
10 am–7 pm
Tuesday
10 am–7 pm
Wednesday
10 am–7 pm
Thursday
10 am–7 pm
Friday
10 am–7 pm
Saturday
10 am–7 pm
Reviews of Tall Ship Windy
If you love adventure, pirate stories and creating gorgeous escape experiences on the water, check out the Tall Ship Windy at the Navy Pier- you’ll have a blast. We did the Tall Ship Educational Sail which was surprisingly affordable for the experience and the length of the sail. The crew was super professional, have a great dynamic with one another and created a memorable, witty and beautiful experience for us. The ship is gorgeous and the weather was truly ideally foggy for being pirates for the day. It was a really beautiful experience for the whole family. They have various sail packages, including ones in the evening that would work as a fun date idea as well. *Just make sure your date doesn’t have motion sickness - or plan to support accordingly. 💙
I had an amazing time with my friend - the staff were very nice and helpful! The staff gets the guests involved with jokes and asking if anyone wants to assist with setting sail! They have a bar downstairs in the ship - I ordered the mermaid punch ! I recommend this experience - unlike the other ships this boat does have an engine but they switch mid trip to allow the wind to move the ship.
Had a wonderful time on the afternoon sail!! Options to participate in raising sails and a knowledgeable crew make the experience as educational as you like, plus fascinating Great Lakes pirate history with artifacts and a cannon! Our guide/presenter, Ruby, did an amazing job, too--all ages accessible, but witty and clever and engaging with lots of GREAT personality!!!
Booked the Air and Water show cruise, and although the weather was erratic causing significant delays for the actual show, the crew was extremely accommodating.
They went above and beyond to make sure that the cruise remained worthwhile by sharing unique facts about Chicago architecture and even sailed an extra hour than the allotted time. The tickets are a bit pricey but they do make sure you get worth for your money.
This was a really fun experience!! The crew was really engaging and we got to learn the history of pirates on the great lakes- which we didn't even know about! The barhand was fantastic and we had some great drinks!
A great way to see the skyline at sunset! Myself and 3 other girls boarded the Tall Ship Windy on a Saturday at 7PM. The sunset is beyond gorgeous at that time, and the boat has a nice sail, not overly rocky. If you like to drink they have a nice bar on the inside even set up with a few large tables just incase someone want's to sit on the inside, out of the wind. There's also a small gift shop area. The team is super interactive, Peter and Maddie were excellent.
For direction, It's very easy to find on Navy Pier, right past the Shakespear theater & across from Billy Goat Tavern.
10/10 recommend and will be going again. Do the VIP Tickets so you can pick your seat first as you get early access to the boat!
Our experience was piratelicious with Showtime as our cruise guide through the pirates of the great lakes. She was the best part of the cruise.
We did the 1 pm story telling trip
Well organized plenty of spac, clean ship, friendly staff.
The ship is easy to find, left on time. They get u involved in setting the sails which was fun
They have convenient store with drinks snacks beers cocktails and gifts. They take credit card.
The story telling part was nice, and informative.
I wished they played pirate music in the background but they didnt. However they played it as we were leaving the ship, so im not sure if it was a glitch or whats went on as it would have made it more entertaining, also I wished the crew were all in pirates custome. For that, they lost a star.
It was very nice experience all in all.
This attraction has the potential to be so much better. The ship ran by motor more than sails. The music was meh. They could totally to a pirate theme or any theme. Instead after 30 minutes you are bored and ready to get off the ship. The crew were very nice. I would love to see them update their sailing tour. If you need ideas let me know. I would also like to do a video interview review Tall Ship.
One of the best summer getaway in Navy Pier at Chicago.
Take note: choose the 7pm sailing time for great sunset skyline view
Loved it! Such a fun experience. Staff were very professional, ride was smooth and the view of the skyline and fireworks were amazing. I would definitely love to ride with them again!
The whole sailing experience was amazing. The crew was professional, attentive, and engaging. The scenery was beautiful, and it was nice to get away from the hustling city streets. Ticket prices were very reasonable. Would definitely recommend this get away for anyone visiting the city!
I went on the first sailing of the season, and had a fantastic time. You could see the experienced crew helping the new crew with various tasks but that just added to the experience. I love that they asked for volunteers to help raise the sails. They gave great training and explained why certain things were being done. The host on the mic was funny, friendly and helpful. I loved the pirate stories. The bar was well stocked and I liked the decor. I will definitely return
The Tall Ship Windy is indeed a beautiful ship, and there is plenty of seating for everyone on board. I was a little disappointed they didn’t really use the sails, the ship is largely motor driven. We went on the sunset sailing and the views of the city were absolutely beautiful. Look up when the Pier is doing evening fireworks so you can be up close. After the fireworks ended though the last 30 minutes were boring; there is very minimal crew engagement. They do play music, but the playlist is very random and doesn’t really match the setting. If we went without the fireworks, it wouldn’t be worth the money.
It was remarkable trip full of joy and beautiful sunset view behind Chicago’s skyscrapers. Definitely have to try during visiting Chicago’s most famous locations.
We went for a Wednesday night fireworks cruise. I've lived in Chicagoland all of my 60 plus years and have never seen such great views. The crew was friendly, helpful and funny. I will do this again.
Absolutely wonderful time. Was rained out the first day, but they allowed us to come back the next day and everything was spectacular. I got to hear sea shanties on a pirate ship! Also helped hoist the sails. Very fun.
My wife and I had the most magical experience aboard The Tall Ship Windy. Our captain expertly navigated us between the fireworks barge and downtown Chicago, ensuring we had the best view for the show. We were also lucky enough to experience a full blood orange moon shining out over the water that night. The crew were energetic and fun! I especially enjoyed talking with Nick who is an expert on Chicago architecture and was happy to answer any questions we had about the ship. Highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting this special city.
Crew was awesome, the weather was perfect and the skyline view breathtaking from the water. Family friendly and interactive. My grandson had the best time helping raise the sails and listening to pirate stories.
Had a great time, if you tend to get seasick I would recommend getting some dramamine. The main guy talking throughout the tour was very funny!
To be honest I just thought we were going sailing. I didn’t know there was a bit of a pirate show. (I didn’t read the details). But I played along and it was super fun! The staff was great and interactive. I loved that we could volunteer to help raise a sail or set off a cannon. How cool! Highly recommend!
Amazing experience. I’ve made it a point to stay away from Navy Pier but this experience was worth the trip. Def. going again soon. Crew is super friendly and the view is not bad either. They actually use the sails to…sail. Recommend 💯🙌🏼 …
Great experience all the way through. Loved the hands on aspect of raising and seeing the sails. Highly recommended!
Great weather and nice trip. We had three sails up and a very good tour. Highly Recommended!
Amazing experience. Must try in Chicago. Nice crew with full entertainment and full bar on board. If you’re lucky you may even get chance to put of the sails.
Tip: take the 7pm cruise so that you also get the sunset view.
The staff was courteous, trio was fun and engaging! Definitely recommend. I wish it was longer though.
What an Amazing experience! Beautiful ship, fun crew, experienced Captain, and gorgeous views at night! Great mix of people from 20's up through 50's! (Locals and out of towners) Everyone had a great time and highly recommend! You will not be disappointed!
Amazing trip. Great views of the city. Thought it would be a all motorized trip with sails, but nope, we cast sails and all. Worth every penny, plus they have a bar and snacks. Great boat trip. Highly recommend!
Great Experience! It was more on the pricier side, but really a great value. We took it for the Air and Water show for us and our kids, and, despite the hour plus delay before the show began, Nick kept us busy and showed us many fascinating points around the skyline and had an excellent sense of humor! The entire crew was extremely nice and friendly(especially the tall sailor with curly hair under a baseball cap and sunburned face that was next to us most of the time, I never got his name), and the sail was calm and relaxing.
But the highlight was the show itself and since we were the tallest ship out there we were used as the center stage by the planes and got some amazing really up close fly overs (it definitely helped that Captain Bruce was great at keeping us in the center of the "box").
Despite the late start we even got to stay out for MORE THAN 1 HOUR(!!) past our sail time so we could catch the entire show up till the Blue Angel grand finale!
Would for sure recommend, though you would have to wait a whole year for the "Air show sail" so grab a sail on any day.
Always nice to tour a city from the water. Sam was so enthusiastic and engaging - made the experience so much fun!
I've lived in Chicago for 5 years or so, and these are the best views (and pictures) I've had of the city. Thank you to the crew, you guys were super kind and knowledgeable, and I felt welcome on your boat!
Overall, the ride is extremely pleasant, there's a bar, and I would 100% book with them again.
I am a pirate now, the crew was extremely engaging and us customers got to raise the sails as well as engage in various stories, jokes and other activities. The pirate pub on board had delicious cocktails on menu and a few off menu that are amazing as well. The bartender was amazing, he had great recommendations and fun conversation too.
The sunset time and the ship in general were fabulous and we had an amazing time.
However, one note - I stood on line one hour before departure so my family and I could get a good spot to sit. We were the 3rd people to board and we got the seats with the view we wanted.. But then a group of 15 people boarded at the very end and came and stood right in front of us. They were drinking alcohol and being loud the whole time. I felt this was very unfair as it ruined the experience for me and my family. I wish the crew would be a little mindful of this and ask people to SIT somewhere instead of standing and blocking everyone else.
We had a wonderful time on Sat. 08/20/22 at the Air and water Show. Although the weather did not cooperate, the crew made it interesting and fun. The crew is very concern about everyone's safety. and they also extended our time to have a chance to view the Blue Angels, that we truly appreciated! This was our second cruise with Tall Ship Windy and I would highly recommend if you were visiting Chicago and Navey Pier.
Absolutely loved it. Staff was super awesome and involved. The drinks at the bar was on point. Nice and tipsy by the time we docked. If you're lucky and willing you can participate in helping along the sail out to the ocean. Went on the cruise right when the sun was setting so perfect views. Nice breeze. I was even able to help haul the line. Would definitely recommend.
Entertaining fun with the "pirate" crew. I enjoyed assisting with hoisting the sail above the fore deck. Great information about the skyscrapers that define the Chicago skyline. Beautiful ship, fun and friendly crew and an inspirational 360-degree view of Chicago's surfand turf.
The cruise was fantastic. The sound system is in need of help. The quality of the announcements was annoying to to the point that they were just sound and not words. This did not take away from the magnificent city I love and was raised in.
Our family had an outstanding time on the Tall Ship Windy with Captain Ralph and his crew. We went on the Pirate cruise and our kids, age 13 & 9, loved helping the crew raise the sails and learn about the pirate lifestyle. The weather was incredible also making for a great sail. Definitely worth every cent.
What a fun, interactive, and informational tour. It was great to help set the sails and learn about the ship, as well as the history of Chicago's high rise buildings. What. Fun tour, it is always good to be on the water
I saw the Windy on another tour and realized that I wanted to ride on that ship. So, a few nights later my wife and I went for a ride for fireworks. I must say, that was the most magical moment we've had on a trip in years. The crew were friendly and funny, the captain was witty, kind, and steered the ship with more precision than a samurai with a sword (I figured he would like that analogy). By the end of the trip I felt an attachment to the ship and crew. Though we're only in Chicago for a few more days, I will make it a point to come back for another trip with the Windy and her crew. If you are in Chicago, no matter how busy your schedule, take the time to go on a sail with the Windy and her crew!
Best tourist attraction of chicago. It old ship that sails. It gives best view of Chicago. Around 1 hour ride. Thought sail I enjoyed the view and winds. You can buy beer on deck. Its from Navy pier. Must visit. The staff is friendly too.
Yes yes yes
Amazing
Omg how much we loved it
We went for the bout ride and it did not disappoint by any means so yeah we cant wait to come back and have some more fun and walk around here and watch the seagulls hahaha that was fun, they come really close to you sometimes
The boat was aesthetically pleasing. The staff was very nice and interacted well with the guests. I went on the architectural tour but I assumed the boat was going to travel along the shoreline. However, after departing from the pier the boat went out into the lake and just sat there.
Amazing Experience on a sailboat, Staff was so nice, actually came back and went again a few days later. Such a peaceful trip, with some fun facts thrown in. Take the trip, its worth it !
What an amazing experience, so much peace and a wonderful view of the City of Chicago, I would it love it too get on the sunset time, but the experience definitely got too repeat, everyone on board was very attentive.
We had SUCH an amazing time aboard Windy! Making views, crew, and company. The fresh sea air and pics were more than worth it ⛵️❤️
We went on the pirate tour with our in-laws and it was awesome! The emcee was very funny, the boat was great, and it was cool that they invite people to help with raising the sails. It would be great for kids our out of town guests. Its a great view of the city and a fun way to get out on the water
What a wonderful experience! We went for the fireworks cruise and it was magical. The whole captain and crew were fantastic. Highly recommend!
My girlfriend and I had an awesome time on the ship, they let us raise the sails and had drinks, the ship staff was polite and explained how the ships work, will definitely recommend, definitely come with your family.
We took our whole crew and had a great time! Kids got to lift the sails and the crew were happy to answer all of their questions big and small!
My family and I had a spectacular time on the Tall Ship Windy. All the crew members were so helpful and knowledgeable as well. We will definitely do it again soon!
There were so many boating options when I looked online, but too many of them wanted $150.00 +. Thankfully, I found Tall Ship Windy where our tickets were just over $100.00. The sail was around ninety minutes and was a great way to see the city from a distance. Highly recommend! I’ve been sailing in NY, SF, and now here in Chicago and it’s always worth the investment. Note: this boat departs from Navy Pier (arguably the worst place in town) but don’t let that stop you.
The best ship and crew!
Most beautiful 45 minutes you will have on a ship. Makw sure you don't use to much Rum, though. 😉 …
We had the most pleasant experience sailing with Tall Ship Windy. The crew was very kind, and answered all our questions. I would highly recommend it to everyone!
We had a great time today!! The kids got to help raise the sails, hear pirate stories and even help shoot the canon. Was a beautiful day and such a fun experience!!
Great view of the city skyline. The crew are professional and entertaining. Great way for novices to experience the joy of sailing. You can even help the crew raise sail!
beautiful night to enjoy the sail and the fireworks (the speakers were a bit loud which made it a bit uncomfortable to fully enjoy. ) Fun experience just be sure you are located a distance from a speaker
We had a good experience on board overall. The ship can really be powered on sail and wind. The crew asked passengers to help raise the sails, which was very fun. I just hope the it could go further into the lake. Would recommend this trip for tourists and ship lovers!
Awesome tour..! Nick is awesome guy, very friendly and talkative! he has given us very good architecture knowledge about windy city on windy ship😊! we did 3 diff types of boat but tall ship windy was fantastic! great tour with great guy!👍🏻 …
My friends and I did this as a Chicago Go Pass event and it was great! We called to ensure they were sailing as the weather looked rainy and to confirm availability. It’s very clear go pass users are same-day availability.
Got the ticket about 1.5 hours before sailing. Was fantastic! Crew was welcoming, they even invited us to help with the rigging! Ship seemed well kept and clean to us.
Music was awesome and added a lot of joy to the environment.
Best part? FAMILY OWNED!! Always love to support people who are so passionate about something they will invest heavily into it.
Have a good time!
Sam, Nick and the rest of the crew were fun and knew their craft! The views were fantastic, only bettered by the ships crew! Book it, bring sun block and enjoy
So much fun! The crew is so friendly and the ride is so relaxing. Such great views of the city. We went on a 7pm cruise and it was one of the best things we did. Even the teens had a good time. They let people help raise the sails. They were also very friendly with everyone.
It was a great experience, and the crew was awesome. Special thanks go to Darwin, super funny guy!
My group and I had the BEST time with our experience with Tall Ship while exploring Chicago. Beautiful way to view the city and such a relaxing adventure. Crew is professional and personable. You also cannot beat the price. It was one of the best highlights of our trip.
I absolutely loved the sailing experience!! The crew and captain are wonderful, knowledgeable, friendly people. The boat is old, and every little imperfections give it great character and charm. It was a cold day but it was a relaxing and enjoyable trip. Not sure what the bad reviews are about but we had a wonderful time. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication. ♡
Great time and even better crew. Wanted to give a special thanks to Gavin our on board bartender for the trip he made the best ship wrecks drinks and the captain.
Great little 1hr sailing trip to view the city of Chicago from the waters of Lake Michigan. Great onboard bar and a bit of participation in the sailing for a whole lot of chilled fun.
Great time .. would highly recommend it .. and definitely going back sometime .. the staff is amazing and keep you happy and laughing throughout the whole voyage...
Great tour...! Nick is friendly guy and has good knowledge about the Chicago. We did all different types of Boat tours but Windy Of Chicago is a something different experience...!
I was with friends, and it was an amazing experience! We all had so much fun, I recommend it.
Never been on a sail boat but very pleased I chose the Tall Windy. Crew was very polite & knowledgeable. Found out later that the ship is family owned which makes it even better. Definitely a calming and relaxing experience. To ride at night under the stars plus the fireworks was one of the ultimate romantic nights.
The staff and crew went out of their way to accommodate and reschedule us after terrible traffic delayed our arrival and made us miss our sail time. We rescheduled a sail 2 days later which ended up being so much better weather-wise than our initial day. The crew of the Windy was awesome, especially Captain Ralph. They were warm, friendly and professional. A winning combo overall. Highly recommend!
Incredibly fun experience! They ask for volunteers to help raise the sails. We went on a fairly calm day so I would describe the experience as educational and relaxing. I would imagine on a windy day it would be pretty exciting!! If you would like to get drinks on board, be sure to purchase drink passes before boarding.. A+++++ HIGHLY RECOMMEND
I was meeting my sister for the 1st time in 46 years. She was flying in from Tennessee. I wanted to show her the awesome views Chicago has to offer. I did the other boat tours before but wanted to try something different. I'm so happy that I went with the sail boat. Captain Bruce was awesome!! He has a great playlist!! The rest of the crew was very nice! I don't leave reviews. But I made awesome memories on this sail.I HIGHLY RECOMMEND GIVING THIS THIS BOAT RIDE A TRY!! Psst.... the drinks are well worth the cost!! Trust me you can taste the alcohol!! Thanks Windy City Sail!! I can't wait to come down and sail with you again with my friends next time!!
Awesome experience! The ship and crew are absolutely amazing! Great fun for the whole family.
Thanks so much for the enjoyable time with y'all. Crew was awesome and big thanks to captain Ralph!! Loved the view of Chicago at night!!!
I went on the tour with my family. The crew was professional and provided an opportunity for guests to learn about ships and help maneuver the vessel. My seven year old nephew assisted with the sails and his twin sister had a ball with the pirate stories. They were also serious about safety, which we appreciated. The only negative is if a person is disabled, and requires a wheelchair, they would not be able to board the ship. Luckily my mom has a cane and not a wheelchair.
Awesome boat tour. My children were able to help the crew raise the sails. The crew was fun. Beautiful views of Chicago.
I came with low expectations and was blown away by this attraction. We took the 7pm sail and were treated to sunset and night views of the skyline.
Best way to see the nightime skyline of Chicago, singing and dancing to silly music and downing some beers. Everyone was kind and pleasant and fun to be around.
The one thing I would have wanted to know was that you need to be flexible about when you sail. There are hints on the website, which prompted me to contact the company. They are very responsive but more positive than realistic about departure.
If you really want to sit at the front or sit by the captain and possibly steer, I recommend you upgrade to the preferred seating. There is an opportunity to raise the sails. This also could be a reason to seek first placement on the vessel.
The cruise features Irish music, pirate themes, and alcohol, something to consider if you have children or your music tastes run strongly in another direction. The historical side of sailing or adventure tails would be more my preference, with a limit of 3, maybe 4 songs so the program is more balanced. I also thought intentional quiet to just enjoy the sounds of the ship in the water would have been nice after we got underway. Just a moment to take it all in.
Overall, it's a really good experience and the people who own the boat are doing their best to accommodate everyone.
Great experience for both natives and tourists. Bonus points for being the last family owned ship at navy pier and one of if not the last family owned business on navy pier. Will be going back soon! Guests are able to help raise sails which is a cool experience! There is a fully functioning bathroom aboard as well as a bar with both alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks at a price that is very reasonable compared to the rest of navy pier.
The person guiding the safety brief/MC was very entertaining (Kaitlyn/Kathen{hard to hear behind the mask}) and the crew was very helpful and friendly as well as the folks at the booth.
I wouldn't count on getting tickets the day of! Plan in advance and it is worth it
We took our daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren for a sail on Windy. We had a wonderful time. It was very warm, so when the wind caught the sails it was very refreshing. The crew were very people friendly. They let the kids help pull the sails up. They loved it! We definitely have to do this again.
The guide was funny and the other members of the crew were very friendly in answering all the questions about the ship and the city. Had an enjoyable ride.
Went on the Tall Ship Windy tour of Lake Michigan on the 4th of July. My group had a great time seeing the sights from atop the ship! Staff were all very friendly and informative and did a good job of making sure everyone on board was safe. The drinks on the boat were pretty good as well. Thank you for a great time! :)
Yesterday was our 2nd time on the ship. It's very interactive, relaxing and fun. The views are phenomenal!
Amazing experience! Thank you Nick and the rest of the crew! We had such a blast!
I used the Groupon and got the free drink voucher. The crew is very experienced and engaged with the passengers. Very beautiful views of the lake and a smooth ride. Beware you can really feel the waves in the ship store 😅 …
We arrived about 40 minutes before departure for the fireworks cruise. The upper decks filled up before we boarded, but we had our choice of seats on the middle of the boat. We had an open air view of the city, which was gorgeous lit up in the night. The ship pulled up right in front of the fireworks, so we had a front row view. The show was only about 10 minutes, but the cruise was definitely worth it even if there hadn't been fireworks.
I had never been to Chicago before and when my friends and I met up there we decided to give this a try. It was THE BEST decision we could have made as a part of our vacation. The ship itself is beautiful, the crew is super friendly, and the views of the Chicago skyline were AMAZING. I would HIGHLY recommend and I plan on going again if I ever find myself in Chicago.
It is such a great experience! I live in Chicago and I love taking my family on this. And when friends visit the city, I always recommend them to go on the Windy City tall ship. We took our friends that flew in and they absolutely loved it and want to come back again and sail.
Worth the money for VIP tickets to get to board first and get good seats &Carmen was very enjoyable to talk to during the ride! :)
Great quality and value!! Gave everyone a chance to be involved in the sailing experience. Helped each guest feel appreciated and at home. T was our first time and we WILL be back! Can't wait to share with rest of our family!
My friends and I had a reservation for this ride and we arrived 2 minutes late exactly. The ship was still in the dock and they didn’t allow us to aboard. They saw that we ruining all along the pier and they were so rude. We know we were Two minutes late literarily but it was very disappointing to see that they could help us because the ship was still there. So.. we lost the money. Today was 4th of July and everything were crowded, so they couldn’t do anything else and they treated us very rude at that time.
After all, I have to say that we stayed there for 2 hours waiting to see if we could do the trip at the next time even though they said they were sold out. And at that time they could help us and we finally did the trip on the boat.
The experience was amazing and we had a very good time in the sailing boat. The staff of the boat are so nice and kindly.
So, at the end I can say that you should do this trip on the boat if you go to Chicago. It is amazing. You only have to be sure to arrive on time because they leave on time literarily.
We were lucky to have missed the rain that was supposed to hit Navy Pier. The entire staff was very friendly. Those customer service was excellent too so we’ll informed and polite.
The drink Mermaid 🧜♀️ was yummy!
Don’t forget to tip!
The only thing I disliked was the music selection 😅
My 11yr old grandson had fun raising the sails, and steering from the helm. I enjoyed the scenery and quietly sailing along on the wind. The price was right (compared to other attractions here). This was money well spent and super A+ for kids.
Best family vacation experience we had. Crew was friendly and fantastic, and the views were amazing. Would definitely do again!
Worth every penny. Lovely day on the water watching the Blue Angels. Crew kept us informed as to where the jets were coming from. Turns out one of the crew was monitoring Blue Angels radio frequency. The jets were using us as a marker! One of them even buzzed us at relatively low altitude. A great experience!
Liked it! Whoever the DJ who was playing songs was awesome! Maybe 20 to 30 minutes of education about Lake Michigan, Navy Pier could be interesting to add to the tour and beneficial for international travelers??? Interaction of pulling lines/ropes was good. Definitely good for first timers to Chicago
We just took a cruise on the The Tall Ship Windy and it was awesome! Reccomend you try this adventure when you are in Chicago!
I don't understand the bad reviews, all of these bad reviews are just people showing up late or fabricating lies against this business. Tall ship windy is one of my favorite things to do in Chicago. Staff is always upbeat and know exactly what they are doing, I trust them wholeheartedly. The ride itself is amazing. Thank you guys for the great time!
There are times in ones life when you meet people that just click with you. The first time I boarded the boat, it was marvelous. The crew was so energetic and fun. I was in love with this experience. We chartered the boat for our wedding... then COVID. Instead of canceling we postponed the event. The management and crew was exceptionally understanding and when we finally did sail, it was magical. The experience is one I will never forget and the best day ever.
The ship and staff were amazing. It was my favorite out of 7 that I have taken. Great Works!
Really pleasant way to spend time on a lovely lake
Staff very friendly
Good opertunerty to sail on a 4 mastered schooner
We took the pirate tour on our vacation last week with 5 adults and 2 kids. Our preschooler wasn't tall enough to go on the fore and aft decks but she was kept engaged by the story telling on the main deck, and could see over the sides if someone lifted her. The tour is rain or shine, so be prepared for the weather. They had the canopy up on the main deck so we stayed dry from the sprinkles. The crew was very personable, the stories were enjoyable, and I found the drinks and snacks they had on board to be fairly well priced (considering it is a tourist attraction). I would definitely recommend this to others.
Registration was easy. They are located right on Navy Pier, so there is a lot to do in addition to the cruise. The crew was friendly and educated. The views from the lake at sunset were incredible!
We took the pirate days cruise and the entire experience was amazing. There were pirate stories on the main deck and quiet on the other decks. We booked for the 11 o clock and barely missed the ship due to coming in on the South Shore and getting lost on the walk there. The staff was nice enough to move our group of 10 to the 3 o clock cruise. We really appreciated it!!
The ship is absolutely gorgeous and well maintained. I love that it is a true sailboat, not engine operated. Bar is adorable and makes amazing drinks. The staff made the entire experience though. Patrick and another gentleman (ginger, cant remember his name), was absolutely wonderful. Answered any questions we had about the city, talked to my mom and I almost the entire trip, and made us feel very welcome. If we dont end up booking another trip for today, we definitely will in the near future.
Good time! The crew is friendly and the drinks are cold and a good variety. Would definitely do it again!
Sit at the front of the boat toward the dock side for best views. They HEAVILY favor the dock side of the boat for views of the fireworks and skyline. The VIP line went straight to the best spot not sure If they were informed or it was a coincidence. Know that the sails( they are down during fireworks it's just the ropes) will obviously impare your view slightly of the fireworks. Bring a sweater or jacket it gets chilly. If you cant sit dockside sit facing that direction. Wednesday fireworks sailing.
Great hour on water, smooth ride, crew is very friendly,, educated and funny. Definitely recommend
My wife & I had a great time aboard The Ship Windy September 12th 2021. That was our 1st time on a sail boat. Great sail, good vibes, good music and good host. See you again next year Tall Ship Windy.
I highly recommend taking this 75min cruise! Ruby and Rich, Mates on the Tall Ship Windy, were so much fun to spend time with! I will be back before summer's end!! Thanks everyone!!
Beautiful views of Lake Michigan and pirate history on the Great Lakes! Ruby did a great job telling her stories.
Truely a wonderful experience! The crew is quite interactive.
My daughter has motion sickness....not with these great folks! They kept her focused and she got to enjoy everything as well!
They enjoy their time with you and share experiences too! Pirate stories .......awesome! It was a perfect Chicago day made even better by this excursion! Thank you!
Excellent sailing experience! The crew was very nice and they let guests help raise the sails! It was also a great architecture tour, providing history if the buildings and city. I definitely recommend!
Although the weather was cold and started out pretty rainy, it did clear up and turned out to be an amazing time! The night was pretty foggy and it made for a neat atmosphere for the firework and spirit cruise with ghost stories! The people that work on this ship really enjoy their job and you can tell! I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for things to do in Chicago!! Great way to end any night!
We had such a wonderful time on the Windy! Thank you for having a nice, family run business that makes everyone feel at home. We loved spending time with your crew member, Misty. She was engaging, funny, kind and you really could tell she loved her job! Can't wait to sail with you all again soon!
We totally enjoyed the experience! The educational tour was fun and informative! The entire staff is friendly and helpful! Highly recommended!!
Great experience and loved when we were under sail power only!
Went on the fireworks cruise for the first time and had a great time. The fireworks were amazing and the ship is really unique and fun. They have a bar with lots of different drinks and they have a performer on board that sings pirate songs. Really great atmosphere and unique experience. I definitely recommend it over the cheaper ordinary lake cruises.
We went out on the July 4th fireworks tour. We had a great time! Very friendly and accommodating staff and great Captain. We had such a good time we went back out the next night when the lake was not so crazy to enjoy the skyline. Thank you!
Ok so 20 of us went on the Tall Ship Windy Pirate tour. Buying the tickets was a piece of cake. We purchased them ahead of time, not at Navy Pier. The day began as a windy, cloudy cold day but it turned out to be spectacular weather for when we set sail! #lucky! We purchased drink coupons before boarding because you get a deal, $8 instead of $10. Drinks were $7-$10 on board.
Anyways, we did the pirate tour, mainly because with timing and a dinner reservation we had, it made more sense. I would say overall, the pirate tour is better for kids. The crew did an awesome job making it interactive. Kids and adult guests could help raise the sails. The lead "pirate girl" did not stop talking the ENTIRE TIME...ok she stopped for maybe 10 minutes, but man talk about exhausting. I'm a teacher and I feel her pain. She stayed in character the whole time and did an awesome job. Honestly, our group didn't care about the pirate stories, but the kids seemed into it and she even got our uncle in on some of the story telling and it was hilarious! It's a nice boat ride. I get motion sick REALLY easily and I was fine, however the laze was really smooth that day.
Would I go again, ehhh I don't know. I would like to do the architect tour, but like I said our group chose the pirate tour because timing worked out better for us. It was a great job by the crew, they also said its a family owned company which is always a plus :)
Dave the Pirate was an amazing and hilarious storyteller. Great fun for kids and adults alike! We'll worth the price of admission and easily better than the other cruise options. We went on the 7:30 cruise and watched the sun set behind the skyscrapers. The return trip was magical!
What a unique and fun experience!!! The crew was knowledgeable, friendly and entertaining! Perfect way to experience the skyline of Chicago! Thank you Tall Ship Windy for wonderful memories!
One of the most underrated tourist attraction of Chicago. The Tall ship windy is a must visit place when you're in Chicago. Especially in the summers. I guarantee some excellent pictures when u are on this sail ship. 95 mins of unadulterated fun. Go there with your gang and have a wonderful time. Patrick on the ship was a really wonderful host. A real cute and a handsome fellow too. Thank you Patrick for the wonderful time and moments.
My wife and I went around mid-day and it was beautiful out on the water. You get far enough from the city to see the skyline well. The crew was friendly and enjoyed their jobs. It would have been nice to sail a little more, we stopped a couple times to sit still...otherwise it would have been 5 stars. Great experience overall
It was lovely and the crew was very pleasant. However, I was expecting more entertainment during the cruise.
Wow, what a fun time! We enjoyed a beautiful view of the fireworks with a really fun staff!
Had a wonderful sailing experience & would definitely sail again!
What a fantastic way to enjoy the water! We did the pirates show and it was very fun, relaxing, and educational! The weather was beautiful on this day so it made for an even better time out on the water! Highly recommend this if you need something to do!
Heading out onto the lake aboard the Tall Ship Windy is worth every penny. I went for the first time during the Wednesday night fireworks show - you literally get *the* best view. The crew is knowledgeable and helpful. It's just a beautiful ride!
It was fun but the captain Bruce was very rude to an older asian couple who was asking him some questions about the ship. He only stopped being rude when he noticed the group I was with staring at him and seeing he was making us and the couple uncomfortable.
Amazing time! This was my first time on a boat and i can't wait to do it again. Not to mention they have a bar and you can get plenty of good photos while touring the lake. Definitely recommend!
I was looking for something fun to do at Navy Pier, and FOUND IT! We had a great time on our short Skyline Cruise! So worth it! Thank you crew!
Awesome 😉😃😍, perfect weather for sailing ⛵ …
Went out last night after they 'convinced' us to try as we were walking by -
Great time - over an hour on the water went by fast and got some great pictures of the skyline at night.
Would recommend it - simple and relaxing.
Wife & I enjoyed the lighthouse cruise. Interesting stories, and I got to help hoist the mizzen sail, which was pretty epic. It would be nice if more of the crew were dressed the part and got into the entertainment, but the solo story teller is an entertaining guy. Got a great discount on tickets through one of those internet deals. Parking at Navy Pier, however, is really expensive if all you are doing is a 75 minute boat ride ($21 flat rate), so I would recommend spending more time there and getting more for your parking money.
What a great ride on the lake, took the evening trip and the skyline looked beautiful
I've been on that ship twice, and it was wonderful both times! The first time I got to blow the cannon and help raise a sail, and the second time I got to help with a sail again! The crew is so happy and engaging, stories are told, they have activities, tell fun facts that keep me (and other people, I'm assuming) interested, and, well, it's just such great fun! Two of my friends got tied with a rope (voluntarily, just keep reading) and they had to figure out how to untie themselves from each other without ripping, severing, breaking, or damaging in any other way, the rope.
Family-owned, great business :) And if you start feeling not-so-good, you can go in by the munchies and sit....you don't even realize you're on a boat.
Another great thing, is that everyone uses the proper, technical terms for the different boat areas, commands, ect, and they tell you what it means so that you can sound (and BE) educated :) It was such a fun time! I hope I can go again sometime.
I came here with my gf Saturday 4pm.
The hosts on the ship were funny and had some good pirate stories. However, it was too cold, despite the blankets they gave us, and we ended up ducking inside the ship to stay warm.
75 min cruise, need to arrive 15 min early for safety orientation.
As an out of state tourist, this was the best experience I had in Chicago! Nick was hilarious and was very entertaining! I enjoyed the crew members too! This was a very relaxing event for me.
We participated in the Pirates of the Inland Sea and it was a blast. Sails were raised, cannons were fired, and pirates were singing. Our storyteller Nick was very engaging and we learned many interesting bits about piracy in the Great Lakes. My only complaint is that if you have toddlers, they are not allowed to go to the top (aft/fore) decks due to safety concerns. I wish this was stated more clearly on the webpage.
The family thoroughly enjoyed the night-time sail. Beautiful view of the city at night. The boat wasn't as crowded as I expected. Everyone had a place to sit.
Great experience!
This was great! I was expecting that it would be some boring tour of just pointing out buildings, but it was way better than that! The "pirate" guide we had was incredibly funny and just over all amazing! Would definitely go again and recommend it to my friends! I nearly went on Seadog, thank gosh I didn't (Not saying its bad just saying I would probably prefer this over Seadog)
First time to Chicago and we LOVED the Tall Ship Windy. My 14 yr old son loved the pirate stories and helping with the sails. Very relaxing and educational. We did alot of activities and this was one of our tops!!
Was so fun to bring the family during father's day. The captain was hilarious and the feeling of being on an old pirate ship was a little goofy but fun. Great tour guide and really informative.
We took the 7pm sunset cruise, and wow was it amazing! The staff was friendly, the drinks were yummy, and the views were STUNNING! We thoroughly enjoyed this ship!
I went on their Pirates of Penzance show. If you go definitely do the dusk show. You'll see the sun setting. The live show is entertaining. Get in line early. I bought the silver tickets and the two of us were seated on one of the boxes, on the right. Get that seat because you'll be in the middle of all of the scenes. The actors are talented. The pirate captain was pretty amazing as he navigated all around, and top!, of the ship.
What a fun experience. The crew is fun and upbeat the entire time. They really go out of their way to show you a fun time. Masks were always worn. Drinks available on sailboat as well.
It was fun raising the sails. The views were great. The ride was very relaxing. The staff were all very nice.
The ship is alot of fun. You can actually have the experience of putting a sail up. The tour guides have small jokes and there are multiple adventures like architectural and the true pirates of the great lakes.
Went for the Spirit Ships and Haunted Harbors sail. We listened to chilling stories at the backdrop of Chicago's night skyline as the sun set and the night took over. The lake gets cold so ask for a blanket if you did not bring an extra layer. The stories are masterfully told and different every time!
This is the best family ship ride we have ever been on. Awesome crew. Great laughs, great with kids. And they booze. Thanks Windy. We make it back to Chicago, we will be back.
Absolutely amazing/expert crew and team & Great views with good price !
Great crew, great ship and awesome experience! I would definitely recommend!
It was a great day for sailing, warm and sunny. The crew was great
! I will use this service again in the near future with my children.
Taken this cruise twice. Love it. Crew was exceptional both times.
Family business, very nice crew, interesting idea to entertain the kids while we admire the Chicago skyline. It has an store inside for snacks, good drinks and gifts.
we had so much fun on our sail, the views were incredible and the crew made us feel safe
We had an amazing time!!!!! Everyone was so friendly. And it was such an enjoyable time. The crew did a great job and Nick was entertaining!
Wonderful trip! Beautiful view of the City skyline!
The sunset/ nightfall view of the city is spectacular!!!
The crew is wonderful! So friendly and interactive!
My husband and I had a great time! The crew was engaging, knowledgeable and patient. We would go again👍🏻 …
On time departure, just as stated , great crew !! Had a great time!!
Saw the fireworks from the ship on Saturday night. Fantastic! Best time ever. Crew was so friendly and interactive. Would recommend to all!
Awesome experience for both the adults and our six year old grandson. The crew are so knowledgeable and answered all our questions patiently. Would highly recommend and look forward to doing again.
This was a great experience. What I like best was the announcer!!! He did a really good job making us laugh!!! It was fun
Had a great time going out on Lake Michigan. Very relaxing and enjoyable experience with fantastic views of the city skyline.
They were very helpful, and they do give you an opportunity to help bring the sails out, and take them back in. They will tell you exactly what to do, and when to do it, and what not to do. That was more fun than the talk about the buildings that made up the skyline.
Windy is the best "tour" boat on Chicago. Quiet sailing, great crew and a great ship with the best views in the world.
Fireworks cruise was totally worth it!! I suggest you upgrade to VIP especially for the fireworks. We will be back!!
This was a great experience. The crew were exceptional especially Austin with his pirate storytelling. He was so entertaining. You have to experience this.
It's o.k. but overpriced. Ride around barely in the lake and hear 2 pirate stories. Yawn. Woulda gave less stars, but storyteller was excellent. And you can buy beer.
I went on a double date for the architecture tour and had a wonderful time :) the pirates are hilarious and it was well worth the money with a groupon!
Very good tour. Zack and Gilligan, and the rest of the crew were very entertaining and informative. Real crash course in architecture.
The hosts were funny. They knew alot of interesting facts & stories. Even my teen enjoyed the humor. Had a great time.
Today My son and I had the most pleasant experience sailing and crew very friendly and did a great job
I would highly recommend it to everyone!
Thank you
We rode the Tall Ship Windy on 7/23/2021 for our 33rd Anniversary and we had a great time!!!
Beautiful view and ship. Kind and fun crew, maybe it needed a little bit more of touristic guidance or information about surroundings, little expensive but it was a nice experience
Fun experience on a working sail boat. Crew was entertaining. Focus of information is sailing and the great lakes, not Chicago.
Very nice time, took our grandson for his birthday! Great views, staff was nice, pirate stories too!
Fun group..
It was interesting seeing the sales go up.
The views of the shoreline were spectacular.
Highly recommend going on the latest skyline tour. The sunset and view of the city are amazing. The crew was friendly and informative!
It was everything we expected and hoped for! Had a great time and they didn't let our daughter's hand being in a cast prevent her from helping to raise the sail.
Great experience a must do attraction. Crew was great and very informative to the questions we had.
We went for a family outing for my mother-in-law's birthday and the whole family loved and enjoyed the experience together ❤
Great time to see the city sky line. Relaxing and chill.
Lovely boat, very cool to experience it in action. Very nice and entertaining crew. Did I mention a bar on board?
Pretty good sail boat trip. Not much of a tour, just a loop into Lake Michigan and back to the dock.
Nice ship, great crew, and good view. The stories are worth hearing but you can sit back and relax.
my family and i are from atchison kansas and we took a tour on the tall ship windy and it was worth doing the crew was great and they had the kids on deck help with the story telling my three kids were given the chance to steer the ship while we were out on the open water and also fire the cannon pirate dave was excellent with the kids and all the passengers i think if you want a cool ride this is the one to take my son tristian now want to be a pirate and thank you pirate dave for letting him wear your hat
What a great experience- my whole family had a wonderful time! Thank you Captain Gerry for making even our little girls feel welcome!
Architecture tour with Splice was awesome! Laughed and Learned a lot about the city. Definitely recommend!
Pretty cool experience getting to hoist the sails and cruise around at the end of navy pier. Will recommend
The staff were fun and informative and the scenery was stunning. Would do it all over again and highly recommend it to everyone.
Austin was a one great guide!
My daughter and I had a blast. She actually helped hoist the sail! Incredible crew!
Great experience! Fantastic crew!
Nice long boat ride
Such an amazing experience! The crew were hilarious and so much fun!
Must try tour in Chicago. Friendly staff.
Perfect!!! Friendly, knowledgeable, funny staff... It was a beautiful sail!!
It was just fantastic!! Very nice experience, 100% recomend.
What a fun ride at sunset. The entire staff was very professional and made the trip a joy.
Amazing! So good to be back after so long . Happy sailing on the high seas
Love the interaction from the staff with kids and adults. Very fun group.
Excellent boat ride, can’t wait to go again!
My family had the best time. The kids said it was the best part of our weekend.
One of the highlights of our trip to chicago! A must do!!
Great trip! Fun day out on the Lake!
We have the most amazing sailboat trip ever!
Nice way to get out on the lake and see Chicago from a different perspective. I little touristy, but still fun.
It was amazing ! I will come back.
So calming.
Captain and crew were great!
Specfreakingtacular!!! Sailboat and fireworks are a natural combination!! Also, hit the bar and try the "Shipwreck"!
You want the closest view of the fireworks this is it! Great time worth every penny.
Amazing experience. The crew is friendly, and the ship ride the wind!
A perfect sail by a well trained crew and first rate skipper.
Why are there only 5 stars? This place needs 10. Only complaint was that it was too short.
Would like a more diverse crew and music offering.
I'd rather go on an excursion that actually moves on the water!
Awesome crew and experience 😎 …
Enjoyed our time aboard. Zack was great. 2k17
Just a beauty!
Really good experience, friendly staff and great service.
Fun crew, striking cityscape, and learned new things while enjoying myself.
Excellent way to see the Chicago skyline! Highly recommend!
Amazing crew!! I'm coming back just for the crew!
Excellent experience and very friendly staff!
Excellent spot on the pier, perfect for some time with yourself.
enjoyed a wednesday night fireworks cruise :)
Best boat ride up at Navy Pier
One of the best experiences I had in Chicago!
Good for one time experience
Wonderful time with friends and family
It was the most boring boat ever :)
Great experience!
Great tour, great crew!
Fun cruise great crew
Stunning!
Great way to spend a day on the lake
Fun place
Loved it.
Wonderful trip!
Great experience and love it
Great for family.
Nice big pretty good
Amazing night view
Cool!
Highly reccomend!!
Beautiful and fun
a unique place.
Fun staff.
Spectacular!
(Translation) A spectacular experience sailing on this sailboat. Teamwork and coordination. Congratulations to the entire Windy team. A ship... to sail! And to have a great time!!!
(Original)
Una experiencia espectacular navegar en este velero. Trabajo en equipo y coordinación. Felicidades a todo el equipo del Windy. Una nave... para navegar! Y para pasárla muy bien!!!
Es war schön, und ich würde es jedem empfehlen.
(Translation)
It was beautiful and I would recommend it to anyone.
(Translation) I would like to be there again the atmosphere is excellent
(Original)
desearia estar ahi de nuevo el ambiente es excelente
(Translation) A great place to take photos.
(Original)
un sitio estupendo para hacer fotos.