Reviews of Tours & Boats Architecture Tours. (Travel Agency) in Chicago (Illinois).

Tours & Boats Architecture Tours

0 Reviews

400 Comments

Travel agency

Boat tour agency

900 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States

Description

Information of Tours & Boats Architecture Tours, Travel agency in Chicago (Illinois)

Discover the opening times, the location, contact, popular times, photos and real reviews by internet users.

We still haven't received any review on this business.

Map

Reviews of Tours & Boats Architecture Tours

Regina Burnett

If you are visiting Chicago and want something awesome to do. Don’t skip out on this great attraction. Of course we picked the hottest day ever to go. Great thing about the boat we were on was air-conditioned at the bottom and then it was open at the top so whoever wants to be at the top and view the tour can whoever was at the bottom they serve drinks refreshments and it even has bathrooms. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and gave us a lot of insight on the different architecture in Chicago that we seen. This is a 5 STAR a must go!

Mickey Jay

Our tour guide was Hillary. We were extremely glad to have had her as our tour guide! She was very knowledgeable and funny and made sure to mention not just the building and what they look like but all of the cool fun facts and things people might not know. I feel that she made the tour a lot more engaging than any tour guide I’ve ever had. Will 100% be recommending to friends and family!

M L

The best boat tour ever! I and my friend were so happy that we did this. Definitely learned a lot while enjoying amazing views. I know there are tons of seemingly the same kind tour out there though, this is the one that you’d want to join as they offer further trip to the north and provide rich history&information. It’s 10 out of 10. Highly recommended!!

Jasmine Kaur

Excellent tours. The only thing is the pick up and drop off location is a bit disconnected from the other famous sites. But, the tour itself was amazing. We had so much fun. They have a bar downstairs and if you are hot you can go downstairs to get a drink and enough space for little ones to run around. The tour guide was amazing too.

sakshi shukla

For those coming to Chicago for real time learning experience about the architecture and designing of the city, please do plan the boat tour. The best time I had on boat learning about Chicago from the guide and enjoying the scenery. It was not boring at all, the guide lady was funny (named Hillary) and shared some interestingly facts. Photos doesn’t justify the beauty you actually witness through your eyes.

Matthew Lonis

They are a really great tour group with an incredibly knowledgeable and funny tour host. Someone said this tour was boring but I couldn’t disagree more. Maybe they just don’t like architecture or historical facts? Don’t expect a party cruise but that is not the point of the architecture tour. I highly recommend doing this tour at least once, but I’ll probably go back more than once myself.

Adrienne Arce

My mom and I played tourists the day we went and loved it!! If you’re coming to Chicago we HIGHLY recommend this company! Our guide was wonderful and she added fun and excitement to the tour!! What a fun day hanging with my mom!

Andrew Sanders

Where do I start, everything exceeded our expectations. The captains introduction had our entire group in tears from laughter. The guide was also extremely knowledgeable and had a great sense of humour. The tour in itself was also beautiful with lots of interesting tid bits and great views. This is a must do for anyone visiting Chicago!

rajiv shah

I’ve been on several boat tours and this one was the best. Our captain was funny, but most importantly our docent was extremely knowledgeable about the architecture and history of Chicago. This was the 90 minute tour and I brought my niece and nephew. They also enjoyed the history and storytelling.

Ellie Walton

Don't know much about architecture and want it explained in layman's terms while also being fun, funny and entertaining? This is the tour for you! Hillary made our tour so engaging throughout all 90 minutes, pointing out things that we would never have known to look for if walking the streets ourselves.

Michael Madrid

Fun, informative and breathtaking! Captain Joe and Emily were really nice and accommodating, but tour guide, Julia stole the show. She is a wealth of architectural knowledge with a beautiful voice and a great sense of humor! I highly recommend Tours & Boats. You’ll have a great time.

Siddarth Tegginamani

A good tour. If you get Zack as your guide, then this is the best tour. The energy and passion delivered is another level. Loved the whole experience. I hope you read this Zack. Keep up the great work.

M R

Informative, entertaining, a must-do for tourists and locals. David was an awesome guide! Chicago was officially voted to be the second most beautiful city in the world. See it from the vantage point of this tour. p. s. Some who have been to Prague tell me that Chi-town is really #1. 🙂

Sandra Hernandez

Tour was a good way to see Chicago buildings and architecture from the river. Very informative, speaker was knowledgeable. Enjoyed and recommended, specially if you are interested in photography, history, and architecture.

Eileen Rohan

Javier was a great tour guide! I had friends visiting in town so it was a fun activity to do. I feel like I’ve been on 1000s of these tours living in Chicago, but I learned new things on this tour! I also really appreciated how far the tour went, all the way down to Chinatown and up North as well! Usually you would have to book three separate tours to get all that information. Make sure you pack sunscreen and water, the sun beaming down will get ya! Would definitely recommend this tour.

Marisol Garcia

Had an amazing time! I’ve been on several tours similar to this but this one stuck out! Hillary did an amazing job. We had a blast ! Will recommend this tour to all my out of town friends that come while this tour is in season 😊😊 …

Casey Gehling

Hillary was a fantastic tour guide on our tour. The buildings were beautiful and we learned a lot about the architecture of Chicago. Highly recommend for anyone, even if you aren’t particularly interested in architecture. 10/10.

Ann Kharrat

This tour was super fun and educational. It was also just the right length, gave me a lot of info but wasn’t so long I felt it ran on. Would def recommend to anyone visiting!

Kori Jean

Absolutely loved this tour! It was intriguing, you get to view buildings and architecture you couldn’t see otherwise. The tour guide was funny, attentive, and very knowledgeable. The crew is very punctual & kind. I could not rave of them higher! PLUUUSS.. free parking!

Morgan Dixon (The L & T MD)

Thoroughly enjoyed this tour from it's roomy accommodations to the friendly and knowledgeable staff. This was my first time with this company and I was excited to see my beloved hometown - SKY TOWN - from a fresh perspective. Being a Southsider, I appreciated that they just didn't focus on the downtown area but also incorporated the importance of it being a city of neighborhoods. Excited to share this tour with others who might be visiting or even those who might have forgotten how fabulous our City truly is! Parking was reasonable $12 or less and it was not so hectic getting to it as other tours I've enjoyed in the past. Taking this tour at sunset was all the more special - amazing sunset views and then to end everything with all of the lights of downtown! So special! Worth every price!

Rosalea LeBlanc

My family and I did the 6pm tour and it was fantastic! Getting to see the views in the daytime and at night was really special. In the very beginning, the captain came out to greet us which I really enjoyed. Our tour guide, David, was super knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor. The weather was also wonderful, which was obviously out of their control, but I would imagine the tour would’ve still been great even with unfavorable weather because of the quality narration. I highly recommend this tour company!

Kelly Nicholas

What a fantastic way to see the city and learn about its history and architecture. Hillary was awesome, I loved every nerdy pun she gave and actually took away a lot of information. I appreciated knowing it’s a local, family run business we supported too!

iLose2Gain With Kesha

Had a great time on this tour. It was actually one of the best I've been to. It was very informational and she kept my attention the entire time. I would definitely recommend! Oh and they had a full bar!! Winning!

Hill, Sabay

This tour is amazing! You get a different perspective of Chicago from the water instead of the busy streets. The ride was smooth. The host was funny. The drinks were flowing. Good times all around.

Gladis Iglesias-Lopez

On Monday my wife was off work and I decided to take us both on the Architecture Boat Tour that we both have been talking about for years. We love our beautiful city skyline and all that the city offers. Our Tour was on an early afternoon an although it was a very hot day we sat on the top deck so that I can take plenty of pictures. They have the air conditioned botton sitting area but, I like the adventure of seeing everything up front and close so, I took the deck sitting area. they also, sell chips and drinks and T-shirts. The Captain was a very cheerful guy and welcomed all of us with a huge smile. The young lady that gave us the tour was very funny and very informative of all the buildings and their history in our city, we learned a lot and we laughed a lot with her funny jokes. She got the whole crowed involved and answered everyone's questions and in between the tour there is a short break for picture taking and streching your legs a bit. I know we both enjoyed the tour very much and we told all our friends and family member about the great time we had. My wife and I are thinking of taking another tour on Summer of George on a much cooler day. Thank you so much for the tour, keep up the great job. Gladis & Olga Lopez

Bushra Malik

Loved it!!! Saw a side of Chicago I had not seen before. The 90 minutes went by fast! The views of the Willis tower (Sears tower)and the feel of the apartments on the river were amazing! Weather was nice and I took the evening ride.

Regina Bostic

I took the Chicago Tour on a Saturday afternoon. We arrived early as instructed and got really good seats on the top deck. I received my tickets from Groupon but once I got to the website to book the trip they had a cheaper price on their website. I would start at their website first just to be sure. I did not bring sunscreen and should have. It was a cloudy day but I still got a tan. The staff was friendly the tour guide was amusing and entertaining. Chicago is beautiful. I really don't have anything negative to say.

Josh Garneau

This was a fantastic tour! The boat staff was courteous and attentive. The captain was engaging in his pre-tour speech. And our tour guide was ridiculously good! I've taken the tour on a few different companies, and she was absolutely the best. I would definitely do this particular tour again!

Sreya Saha

We took this architectural chicago boat tour today and it was truly worth it. We had a great time. A must do in Chicago and i highly recommend this family owned tour boat company. Our docent Hillary was very informative,knowlegable,funny and shared a lot of great additional stuff as well. It was well spent 90 mins for sure on a beautiful sunny weather. Our captain was funny too. It also had a bar with beer,cocktails and wine. Thank you for such a great experience on our first Chicago architectural boat tour. Definitely will come back in few years 🙂

Margaret Fullriede

Don’t let the starting point stop you from booking this boat tour. A plus is the free parking . Our tour guide, Billy was excellent. He was informative and funny. Didn’t know a women designed several of the new and impressive looking buildings in Chicago. You will not be disappointed.

A.J. Waterman

Awesome tour of Chicago! Hillary was our guide and seemed to know something about everything we could see, in addition to all the buildings. If you haven't been to Chicago before, this is a great way to see the city!

Jennifer Chung

Great architectural boat tour! Went around sunset time, basically giving us two views of the city: day and night, so got some awesome pics. Our tour guide Adam was a great storyteller as well!

Naomi Parfait

I highly recommend this tour. I was so interested and hooked on every word. I loved our tour guide, David, he was a wealth of information and had a great sense of humor. I think anyone visiting Chicago should take this tour on the water before doing anything else. When I was driving around the rest of the weekend, it made it easier to navigate and recognize buildings and streets. Very informative. Family run business. There is also a lower level where you can purchase drinks. This tour is well worth the time and money.

Mary Godinez

It was great trip on the Chicago River, seeing all the lovely, beautiful architecture buildings of downtown Chicago. The tour guide was wonderful. She was insightful, entertaining, funny and had a great speaking voice. The staff was great too, friendly and professional. The climate control area of the boat was nice and clean and roomy. The boat has AC on the lower deck which was lovely especially on a warm summer's day!! The top deck is not shaded but has plenty of seats to enjoy the sites! I recommend sitting on the upper deck!! Well worth the price of the experience!! Very kid friendly and family friendly atmosphere!

Michael Liebowitz

The boat tour was awesome learned a ton about the architecture of the city as well as some general history of Chicago. They even included a bit about some of the future architectural projects. We took the 5:30 tour and got some great pictures of all the buildings as the sun started to set. There’s a bar downstairs for all the drinkers and the tour guide really knows his stuff. It’s a must do when you visit and I will surely do it again.

Courtney Jones

I absolutely loved this tour!! I experienced the evening tour at 6pm so the city lights made it just that more special. Hilary was awesome, she was funny and knowledgeable. Captain was pretty great also. I will definitely do the tour again during the day when you return to see some of the things she discussed during the daytime version. I am also quite interested in the walking tour now as well! And the adult Capri Suns.... Excellent idea! You guys made my entire night perfect.

Christina Day

Despite the heat when we went last week, the tour guides made it worth every penny spent! The tour guide lady “tequila” (that was her reference name as most couldn’t pronounce her real name) was spot on! I had a blast and learned a lot about the Chicago River and the beautiful buildings that surround it! Will need to come back for St. Patties Day when the River is green!

Swaroop Singh

It was so much fun! Our tour guide Hillary was funny and informative. They also had a bar (which also had snacks) with pouches for the drinks which made it easy to hold. The sunny day made it the perfect day for a boat ride. If you go on this boat you also support a family business and you get to see the skyline that many other boat tours can't offer. The best Chicago architecture tour is this one! 😃👍

Jane Wolfenberg

Excellent tour delivered by Hillary. She was very knowledgeable, and her delivery kept you engaged and entertained for the entire tour. The entire crew was welcoming and lovely including Captain Ralph who was very personable. This tour goes further south on the South Branch of the river allowing you to see more than any of the other tours because of its dock location. The tour is run by a local family organization and their commitment to delivering an enjoyable experience is obvious. We thoroughly enjoyed our entire tour, a highlight of our visit to Chicago. It's a must do while you are here.

Chuck Freund

Took a tour this last Thursday and it was an awesome experience. All the staff from the people checking you in for the tour to the Captain were so helpful and engaging. Guide was super informative as well as entertaining. Even the young people tending bars were so friendly. Boat was awesome and provided an excellent view of the city. If anyone needed a break from the sun the lower part of the boat was air conditioned. We were staying in Chicago but it was great that there was a parking lot right near the boat with affordable parking. We will be back for sure.

Tamara Verhagen

This really is the BEST Chicago River architecture tour! It was nice to board at a location a bit away from other boats. The route the captain takes is perfect. But the best thing about our experience was the guide: so knowledgeable and easy to listen to. His talk had something that resonated with each person in our group-from first time visitors to Chicago residents who have taken tours before. Well done!

Laura Forrest

David, our guide, was extremely knowledgeable and entertaining. I highly recommend this tour. I learned so much and got some wonderful pictures! ❤️

Emily

Hillary led a fantastic tour! She was funny but informative. At architecture tour may not sound like the most thrilling thing when first presented but after doing the tour with Hillary I have to take my initial thoughts about an architecture tour back! It was super informative woth great views and very well led. She definitely knew what she was talking about but gave the information in an engaging way! I highly recommend the tour with her. To note, she says she only gives tours on Fridays.

Jacob Benson

Very affordable and fun experience, also learned some cool facts about chicagos unique architecture! Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and funny, margarita pouches were a fun idea too!

Michel Chahade

David, David, David! Amazing tour guide, I really think his Cloudinism architecture naming predicted is gonna catch on. I’m definitely using it now, as well as the predatorism!!!! Great job David!

Crystal Peralta-Jasso

I was visiting from Los Angeles and literally everyone that I asked what I should do in Chicago they all suggested this tour. I am so glad that I chose this boat as it ran very smoothly over the river and the bathroom was very clean and there was plenty of space on the lower deck for anyone who wanted to eat something or go to grab a drink. I stayed on the top deck because on my 3-week stay in Chicago I really just became overwhelmed with the amazing history of the city and this tour really solidified how amazing and industrious Chicago is. Our tour guide was wonderful I went on a Friday and she's always there on Fridays so I highly recommend her she's hilarious and has her own touring business as well but loves to come by for this tour because it's a small business family owned and you can feel the difference. I still find myself looking back on my photos of this tour just to reminisce on how beautiful the city is and how beautiful my time was there. It's a 10/10 for me, and I 100% would recommend this tour to everyone!

Darla Williams

We absolutely loved this tour. Our guide David was extremely knowledgeable and had a sense of humor. So glad we decided to experience this boat tour. It was neat to see the city from a different level. Learning about all the buildings and the history of Chicago was awesome. It's something we will never forget. I highly recommend taking this tour!!!

Amanda Armenta

BEST TOUR EVER!! I’ve been on several Chicago tours, but none compare. Hillary was the most funny and knowledgeable tour guide I’ve get come across. She was entertaining and engaging! The tour was beautiful and worth every penny. Make sure you go at sunset for the 6pm tour for the most romantic and beautiful views of the city!! When people come to visit I will be using their services again!

Otha Harris

The tour was very relaxing and informational. I live in Chicago and never saw or payed attention to any of these historical places. So it was nice to learn about this beautiful city I call home. The tour guide and the captain were great people. The Tour guide was funny. So it wasn’t a boring moment. I recommend this tour company to anybody wanting to relax or learn about the history of Chicago. A great place to take a date or family and friends.. 5 stars..

Stephen Raymond

The tour was everything I had hoped and more. Tour guide Dave was very detailed and informative and added a lot to the experience. As someone who lived in The Chicago area for a few years and never did this, I was glad we got to take it in on a family vacation. Would definitely recommend it to anyone, even the kids (13, 6, & 4) enjoyed it. Thanks to the captain and narrator for a great experience.

Emily Wood

Such a fun, well organized, and high quality tour! Our tour guide was awesome (I think his name was Billy?) - super knowledgeable and funny as well. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone that’s looking to learn more about the fascinating history of Chicago, look at amazing architecture, and laugh along the way. Also I didn’t know this tour is run by only about 8 people, so I felt good supporting a smaller company. I would give them more than 5 stars if I could!

Rida Zaidi

David was an awesome tour guide. Not to mention, the amazing views, cheap prices (GROUPON) and easy access to the city- located near printers row.

Mary Moore

Had a really great time. I learned a lot and was able to retain most of all the interesting facts because the guide made it so fun. Yes, you don't dock exactly on the Riverwalk, but they do a good job with getting large groups of people on and off their boat quickly. I loved that the guide was open-minded while talking about the architecture and the city's history, especially about DuSable.

Rebecca T.

The tour experience was so fun and interesting! This was my first time visiting Chicago, so learning about the history of Chicago through the architecture was the perfect way to get acquainted with the city before branching out to do our own things. The weather was perfect and the unimpeded view of the buildings from the water was spectacular. The tour guide, David, really knows his stuff and made the tour very fun and enjoyable. Those 90 minutes went by so fast! My favorite part was when we got to the boat turnaround next to Lake Michigan and felt the cooler air off the lake and could see the skyline from a distance. I also loved seeing how the buildings had “conversations” with each other over time and incorporated elements from neighboring buildings in their design! David also has the best recommendations for pretty much anywhere you want to go and see or do in the city.

Frances Slater

David was our guide and was terrific! No corny jokes just great information! Highly recommend this tour as it is very informative in both architecture and history of Chicago. The boat was very comfortable and sitting on the upper deck allowed good views all around. The only small downside is that it is a bit off the beaten path but was an easy 30 minute walk from city center (Palmer Hotel).

Tracy Ann Campbell

My friends and I love this boat tour so much, we go at least twice a year! Yes, we are from Ch-town and it NEVER gets old! We have been on every boat tour in the city and this one is hands-down the most enjoyable, most insightful and the most convenient! They somehow manage to find the most clever, quirkiest and downright knowledgeable docents who offer up information you won’t likely read in a guide book. I was born and bred here and every tour I learn something new, no joke. Splurging for a 90 min tour is key and if you can plan ahead and schedule one near dusk, you won’t regret it. The skyline at night is breathtaking. Anyone can point out buildings on a map, but to get the how and why of that building’s construction and its impact on the city over time, you need THIS TEAM of professionals. I must confess that we snuck in a third tour with them this year! (I need a season pass!) Loved every second of it. Don’t just stare at our beautiful skyline, learn fun facts about it over cocktails and Chicago humor!

Chris Curry

AMAZING TOUR!!! The guide was extremely knowledgeable and welcoming. We passed the other river tour boats during our adventure. I honestly felt sorry for them......I know for a fact they didn't have the same experience.

Thuy Pham

It was my first time in Chicago and I’m so glad our group booked this tour. It was an amazing experience touring and admiring the architectures of Chicago. I highly recommend booking with Tours and Boats. I would do this tour again in heartbeat. Last but not least, shout out to our tour guide, David. He’s a gem ~ So knowledgeable, charismatic, and humorous.

Kyle Messamore

Absolutely loved the tour. It was worth every penny, for the 90 minutes. Our tour guide Xavier was absolutely amazing. Gave great insight on the history of the area, and the history of the various architectural firms and architects. He also gave us information on the different styles and evolutions of the buildings. This is absolutely 100% THE BEST way to take in the architecture and history of the Chicago skyline! 10/10 would recommend!

Shawn Yee

Had a wonderful time on board the Summer of George for our architecture tour of Chicago. Boarding was pretty easy and located not too far from downtown - a short cab ride from our hotel. The guide was fantastic - a great story teller and provided lots of great stories and facts on Chicago and held our attention for the full 90 minutes. The boat is comfortable and staff super friendly. Kudos to the team on a great job. Keep it up!

Kimberly Nguyen

Hillary is an excellent boat tour host and really made Chicago come alive! She’s funny, witty, and made this tour extremely enjoyable. Highly recommend her tour!

iwonabana

We loved it! Very informative, delivered in a fun and interesting way. Lot to see from a different perspective: architectural and historical.

Jonathan Katz

Outstanding tour with the best host and captain you could possibly ask for! My wife and I love to travel and we typically prefer to “do our own thing”, avoiding tours as much as possible. When we booked our trip to Chicago, we knew we wanted to do an architectural tour to see and learn about the history of the city and it’s beautiful buildings. Not only did we learn a tremendous amount and see everything we wanted to, we had a phenomenal time doing it! Many tours can be super boring, but Hillary (our host and guide) was exuberant, funny, open to questions, and had insightful suggestions not just about when and who designed each building, but also which are open to walk through, what to look for, and why each building was designed in their own unique ways. 10/10, would tour again!

Susan Tracy

Took the Chicago Icons Past and Present tour and really enjoyed it. The docent (Bill) was excellent and very knowledgeable. I was born and raised in Chicago and had taken tours before but managed to learn new things about the architecture and history of certain buildings. The lace and area covered on the tour was perfect. I would definitely recommend this tour to friends and family.

Kristi Schnarr

The boat tour was amazing. The captain greeted us and had humor in sharing our itinerary. The tour guide was spectacular. He knew so much about all of the history related to the buildings. He was engaging and entertaining. Chicago is truly a remarkable city with many unique buildings!! This is a tour that I would definitely want to do again!

Samuel Kuntz

The Chicago city landscape is just fascinating. The coolest city skyline hands down in the US. Billy our guide was fantastic. Lots of knowledge. I was constantly entertained throughout the whole tour. He interjected the perfect amount of humor as well as pointing out a lot of history along the river. 5 stars for sure. Learned a lot, and enjoyed some great views. I would recommend you get there early to get a good seat on the boat. Very affordable and a great value for the experience you receive!

Dima Vinichenko

That was a great experience, thank you. Beautiful views, a lot of interesting stories, cool backgrounds of many buildings. Our tourguide Billi did a great job sharing his excitement about his city and made our tour really interesting and entertaining. And the boat itself is nice and comfortable. With a cool bar on the board. This company works hard to make their customers happy. Well earned 5 star review. Definitely would recommend those guys ! Booking another tour with them already, this time - at night!

Nhien Tran

This is a must-do in Chicago if you have not done so already. I’ve never been on a boat tour by another company so cannot say how this compares, but this crew is amazing. They are funny, entertaining, knowledgeable, and very engaging the entire time. I never felt bored. The tour guide gave historical background for the buildings and was very informative. She spoke clearly and loudly and was very funny. We usually travel for food and that usually seems to be a highlight over tours, but this tour was an exception! We loved it. Highly recommend this company. Their boat is clean, staff members are professional and intentional, and captains are personable and funny. If you’re able to find a deal on Groupon, it’s a steal! Just do it!

Joyce Banks

David gave the best tour! He is so smart! I do not know how retains so much knowledge about our beautiful city but he does. I enjoyed looking at our beautiful skyline while listen to him describe the history of the city. I never knew Chicago had so much to explore, even with loving here my entire life. He gives great tips for you to check out as well. I highly recommend this particular tour since they are a small family business. I look forward to going back many more times just to vibe out and enjoy the views a few times more.

Abbygail Meyer

I had a great time on the 90 minute architectural boat tour in Chicago! The boat was nice with enough room for all passengers and air conditioner inside along with a bar. The tour guide, Hillary was AMAZING!!!! She made the tour so much fun and educational. 10/10 recommend, not just for tourists, even for Chicagoans!

Rachel Nfodjo

Excellent tour! This was the highlight of our weekend. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about architecture and Chicago in general. You could tell that he loved his job. The boat captain and crew were also very pleasant and funny! Overall 10/10 would recommend.

Kerri Pruitt

My husband and I went on this boat tour while in Chicago. My husband has been on another tour before, but he said this was the best one. It was my first time and I had a great time learning about Chicago. The tour guide, David, was knowledgeable and fun. He really made it memorable. The captain is a funny gentleman and did a great job on the boat. They offer refreshments, but I didn’t get any. Overall, it was a great experience and one I’d recommend to anyone coming to visit Chicago.

Ed Q

We loved the experience. The views were amazing. Our tour guide Hillary was great. Her commentary was entertaining but still informative. The boat wasn't super packed like some of the larger tour companies we passed. You can also find some discounts if you look around.

Garrett Bowhall

I had a family visit, and they had never been to Chicago. We started looking into boat tours, and I admit that I mostly shopped on price. After finding a good deal with Tours & Boats, I started looking through their reviews. Honestly, every review raved about this company, its captain, and its tour guide. We bought the tickets, and we were treated to the best tour experience I have ever had in my life - ever. Our tour guide, Hillary, was possibly one of the greatest tour guides anywhere on the planet. I don't often leave reviews, and here I am, gushing about her. Just go get your tickets and see why. Enjoy.

Adam Leicht

A really awesome boat tour experience. Our tour guide new SO MUCH and I was very satisfied with everything after the tour. He was funny and took questions. The tour goes from the mouth of the river down past the big abandoned factory. I definitely recommend this tour to any one in the city.

Jantelle Jackson

If I could give this 10 stars I would!! The tour was absolutely amazing! Not only was it a nice day but our tour guide during the ride was so knowledgeable! He kept the audience engaged, informed us of so many different facts about Chicago and was overall a great person to learn from! I encourage you to book this your it was the best one yet!

Florent Perret

Pretty nice tour around Chicago on the river. Prepare yourself be wise it's pretty intense tour with a lot to learn about architecture. If you're into it you are gonna love it ! Chicago is very rich with his building inspired from different countries. And in the end you'll access to a beautiful view of all the buildings on the lake. This is definitely worth your money : it's around 40/50 dollars but you can pre book several days before for cheaper on Groupon :)

Amanda W

This was a great tour. Our tour guide Billy had great stories and information. I wasn’t bored at all and usually don’t have that long attention span. The captain was funny and entertaining also. Another plus was there was a bar on the boat with 2 amazing bartenders. The tour kept my teenager off her phone for over a hour which is rare these days. Highly recommended

Katja Livingston

Absolutely fantastic! Not only was our guide Hillary extremely knowledgeable and engaging, she could also have a stand-up show on the side! She was a blast and I had the best time. The company is a smaller family run operation and I was so positively surprised when they reached out to me weeks after my initial request for October dates to let me know they had opened up. Great service!

Lisa Schultz

Absolutely AMAZING tour! The tour guy is extremely knowledgeable about Chicago. The views that they took us on were breathtaking. The water looked so beautiful against the buildings. The ship you are on is so beautiful and they have a full bar downstairs. You can sit up on the deck or go downstairs with air conditioning. It is gorgeous. I highly recommend this tour. I will definitely do this tour again. Wait until you see the views of Chicago. The tour guy was so funny. I loved the whole experience.

Candace De Long

This tour was amazing. The next couple of days we were in Chicago we were referring to the buildings by the nicknames in this tour (like hot pocket, fidget spinner/flask among others). We would do this again in a heartbeat. You get a cool vantage point on the city and learn history in an entertaining way. This was probably the best tour we have done in a while. Spend the money. You won't be disappointed.

Michael Bailey

The tour was great. I have done other architecture tours in the city and this was by far the best. Our guide (I cannot remember her name 🤦🏻‍♂️) was absolutely fantastic and kept the entire ride entertaining while also doing a great job of explaining all that we were looking at. Chicago is a beautiful city and I highly recommend that you take a tour of it by river to really see the beauty it has to offer.

Laura Solomon

My partner and I took a tour on a hot and sunny afternoon. While I had taken a different tour many years ago, that one spent the majority of the time out on the lake. Both my partner and I had a tremendous time on this tour for a variety of reasons. We loved the various vantage points from which we could view the architecture of the city, but most of all we totally enjoyed our docent, Hilary, whose lively and informative commentary made the entire trip such a wonderful experience. What a treat. Thank you!

Douglas Aiken

Really enjoyable tour!!! Learned a ton and gained a great appreciation of the architecture of downtown Chicago, but also with done in a witty, colorful and extremely enjoyable way. I haven’t done one of the bigger sightseeing boats but the Summer of George (great name!) felt intimate and personal. Crew was terrific and hospitable, especially our tour guide Hillary. Recommend it for first-timers or even people who have done river tours before.

Jeff Robertson

We had such a good time on this tour. The crew was so accommodating and friendly, our guide was personable and knew so much about the history and architecture of Chicago. Her anecdotes were really clever and funny. The price was quite reasonable. Where else can you go with 4 people and be so thoroughly entertained for two hours for about $90.00? 10/10 would do again.

Steven Pegelow

The captain was really funny and tour guide Billy was outstanding. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who visits the city of Chicago. A lot of the construction is really unique and the history of the city is fascinating.

soleil armijo

The most awesome boat tour experience! The 4:00-5:30 is a perfect time to do this tour. You get full sun and the beginning of sunset so you literally get to see the buildings change color. Our guide Hillary was amazing! So funny, informative and engaging. Learned so much and appreciated her knowledge. I am confident all the guides are like this! Reasonable priced tickets with a bar on boat it was perfect. Highly recommend!

alexus rodriguez

I was blown away by this tour! I had many people suggest it to me. I was a little skeptical going into it, but I was so pleasantly surprised. Our tour guide was so passionate about Chicago, it’s history, and architecture. It kept everyone interested and she was also pretty much a stand up comedian haha! I highly recommend this tour company. It’s a small company which I think contributes to its high quality. Plus there’s a full bar on board and they pour nice and heavy ;)

Kristin Conner

Our tour guide and captain were the best! We learned some cool facts about the buildings and had a great time on the river!

Afrah

our tour was cut short by 30 mins but it was still fantastic. the tour guide was funny and we actually learnt stuff in a fun way

Candice Stigall

My family had a really great time and learned so much about architecture and the history of Chicago! Our tour guide was awesome...she seemed very knowledgeable and passionate. We enjoyed the beautiful views and would recommend.

Ari O

We went on Sunday morning and she was amazing! Funny, knowledgeable and professional. The weather was perfect so it just added to the experience. Grew up in Chicago and I knew little to no info that was shared during the tour; so it was definitely interesting! I recommend going on this day to be with her (so sorry I cannot remember her name), but she said she works Sunday mornings!

Henry Tsai

The tour was absolutely amazing. Great fun and lots of beautiful architecture. The captain and our guide, Dave, was great! Great sense of humor to keep things lively and interesting. He also had great recs too! Thanks for a great highlight of my trip!

Kaitlyn Roth

This tour was amazing! We were in town for a wedding and had the time to do a tour and I’m so glad we chose this one. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable about the history and architecture of Chicago, and answered all of our questions (including food recs). There is a bar downstairs for refreshments and a very clean bathroom inside as well. Definitely recommend!

Diana Roberts

I've been on several architecture tours here in Chicago, but I really enjoyed this one! It stands out against the others for its reasonable price, and for starting in a unique part of the river that the other tours don't always visit. The guide was knowledgeable, funny, and great about answering questions. My visiting family members had a great time on this tour. I highly recommend it!

tracie

This tour is an absolute must! It was my second time ever going, but a first for my dad. We did the 2pm Sunday tour with David as our docent, I hope I'm remembering his name correctly. He was quite humorous and knowledgeable about the history of Chicago and it's architecture downtown. It was also really cool to hear his insight on how architecture is evolving with his self named architectural terms like 'shadow lines' and 'cloudism'. I would recommend this tour again and again. Great work!

Caitelin McCoy

Hillary was an incredible tour guide. High energy, highly knowledgeable, and made sure we were all having fun while making architecture engaging. The tour offered incredible views of the city, and we came away learning so much more than we thought we would. As Hillary said when we began the tour, we left seeing the city of Chicago in a new and more informed way. 10/10 would recommend.

Vicky L

Hillary was our very funny, entertaining and knowledgeable tour guide. She provided context about the architecture and fun facts about Chicago. The boat had an open bar. The boat captain was also super nice to everyone on board. Take the 90 minute tour if you have the time. Definitely had a 5 star experience and I would highly recommend this tour to everyone.

John Doe

Great tour overall. Personal touches from Billy the tour guide. Would highly recommend this company/tour to anyone visiting Chicago. As an aside, I heard a tour boat from one of the bigger companies going by a day or so after our lovely tour with this company and it sounded like their guide was reading information from a note card. Billy engaged the crowd and made it such a great experience. 10/10!!

ulrike mengelberg

It was a fantastic tour. The Captain starts it off right with some great humor. The Docent Hillary really knew her stuff and was entertaining to boot. I moved to Chicago over a year ago and all my visitors want to go on an Architectural boat tour. I have been with several (6) different companies and this one is hands down the best one. All future visitors will go on this one.

Melissa Visek

First river tour and it was a beautiful day! Crew was fantastic. Geeked out every time Daniel Burnham or the World's Fair of 1893 was mentioned; I read Devil in the White City 3 times. Will definitely recommend and will go again on my next trip!

Xing RAO

Fantastic and memorable 90 minutes tour on 3 branches of Chicago River. Well organized with 3 segments and 2 break. Our tour guide Hilary is knowledgeable, nice, and humorous at times. She provided plenty of info on history, as well as technical aspects of 52 bridges and numerous high risers. Fantastic view from start to finish. Kids also learn V vs. U, royal wave, etc. Boarding is from a dock of an apartment building, which is walking distance from our hotel.

julnjen c

Had a family party of 9 on the 6pm tour in mid-July. Weather was perfect and the tour was completely on time with about 75% boat capacity. Both the captain and the primary tour guide (apologies for not remembering her name) were very witty. She was exceptionally energetic and polished in her delivery — so entertainingly educational and well spoken! We really wished we could’ve recorded and re-listened to all the details she spoke of. Tons of knowledge helping to make some sense of the countless buildings and bridges we were seeing. Definitely would love to hear this boat tour again and highly recommend it to all seeking an entertaining and educational experience!

SARAH RAVEN

Highly recommend this tour. Glad we booked with this company based on the reviews. Parking is easy and if pre booked at the garage parking is safe and good value. The tour was very informative and entertaining. We only visited Chicago downtown for a day and this boat tour gave us a great insight into Chicago's architecture and history. Billy our guide was very knowledgeable and kept us all interested and entertained. This tour covers all the canals of Chicago that I understand others don't. The price we paid was very good value with the discounts on offer by booking directly on their website.

Michelle Maar

We have never been to Chicago. Started our visit on this boat tour and it was the best thing to do ever! Hillary was the very best tour guide! Made the boat experience personal and fun. I would highly recommend this to anyone! It literally was amazing!

Roma Kuriyanov

The boat tour was awesome! Definitely recommend, so many amazing shots! I love Michigan Avenue is the most beautiful street in North America for sure!

Shirley Lim

I had a great 90 minute experience on this boat tour. David made our tour unforgettable with his vast knowledge on the fine architecture of Chicago. Tour guides can make or break an experience and David made ours great. His jokes landed at all the right moments and the entire group seemed intrigued by his every word. Thank you David!! 10/10 would recommend.

Stephen Zumchak

Wonderful tour!! Relaxing, entertaining and exciting all at the same time! So many unique and interesting buildings and their histories. Out tour guide, Hillary, was phenomenal!! Funny, extremely knowledgeable, creative. The tour was everything we could hope for!! Very highly recommended. A must-see on a visit to Chicago!!

Katherine Chan

Loved the tour! Hilary was so entertaining! I learned so much. It was easy to get to the location with very affordable parking right by the docks. Lots of room with great views from every seat. Would recommend to bring a wide brimmed hat (don’t recommend an umbrella) to shield from sun on sunny days. Took a late afternoon tour to avoid the strongest sun rays but still light enough for great photos and just in time for a nice dinner out after.

Katelyn l

Our group had a great time! It was my first time in Chicago and was excited to learn more about its history! Our tour guide billy shared many fascinating stories and made the trip a very fun time! My friend has done an architecture tour from another company in the past and said it was very dry and boring compared to this one.

Estefi Rubio

Absolutely wonderful experience. The boat was comfortable, the captain and guide were engaging, funny and so informative! Snacks and drinks were available for purchase and the view was priceless. 100% recommended! Bring cash for tips! These guys really do an extraordinary job, you will want to show them your appreciation ❤️

Mike C.

I highly recommend this group for the architecture tour. This is the first time I've been on this tour after a number of visits to Chicago, and it was a great experience. They were easy to locate and have their own parking lot which makes parking very easy if you come by car. Our tour guide was Hillary, probably one of the best and most entertaining guides I have had for any tour I've been on. She made it fun but I learned more than I expected. Food and drinks sold on the boat as well. Hoping to do this tour again next time I'm in Chicago.

Natalie Tartaglia

Better than I expected! We took the 10:00 a.m tour which turned out to be the best time of day. The weather was perfect at that time, not too hot as we were sitting in the sun. The tour guide Hillary did a great job of entertaining while giving interesting information. Highly recommend this tour because you get a great perspective of the city and its architecture.

Lashaun Price

Being a seasoned Google reviewer I always give my honest opinions of experiences. The architecture tour with tour and boats is such a fantastic way take away to see the city it is best historical and current state . I've taken this to her several times and also invited clients to come who have never seen Chicago in any form or fashion. This is the best tour On the Chicago river thank you to the captain and the prisoner who was very informative and fun.

Misha D Mills The Experience

I had troubles with booking. I called the number provided before opening and I didn’t leave a message but to my surprise once they open I received a call back. In the call I expressed my concerns and was able to get a spot on the boat before I left Chicago!!! I was so happy and appreciative of the great customer service. I highly recommend this tour as it was very informative, the boat is spacious and the views are amazing. If I had to complain about anything it’s the same complaint everywhere. Every cost!!! A bottle of water $3 really ?

Priya Christensen

Great tour! So cool to see the city from a different perspective while learning about its history!

Amy Bianchini

We had a great tour!! This was mine and my husbands first time visiting the city. Our guide, who was a Chicago native, was awesome and I felt like a learned a ton about Chicago. The boat has an open air deck and a lower deck where you can cool off and get some shade if needed. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting.

Gaurav Hegde

Amazing boat tour.the guide was knowledgeable and funny. Enjoyed it to the fullest. Highly recommended!

Matthew Beaver

You MUST do this tour. Our guide, David, delivered excellent commentary on the buildings and history of Chicago. You’ll get great pictures, better memories and a smooth ride on a river through the heart of the city. I really can’t emphasize how awesome this tour was. Definitely book with them!

Kameyia Van Allen

Booked this tour on a Saturday afternoon. What a great way to see the beautiful architecture of Chicago! The venue was a bit confusing to get to. However, once I finally located the site it was well organized and smooth sailing from there. Friendly staff and a great tour guide that was very knowledgeable and detail oriented. The boat was very clean and offered snacks and drinks in the bar area. I would definitely book this tour again while visiting Chicago!

Ashley Choe

My partner and I had the best time on this boat tour! We were expecting a monotone explanation on the different buildings but got an engaging, funny and super informative one instead. Hillary was a fantastic guide. It was windy so if youre going in late Sept and onwards suggest wearing a few layers/hat and warmer jacket!

Sunober Waseem

The captain and crew were amazing and very accommodating. The tour itself was interesting and a great way to see the city. Definitely recommend the evening slots, as the sun beating down earlier in the day gets a little intense but as it sets, it gets cooler and you also get some great light for photos and videos. The only area of improvement is around what to expect when you arrive. We and a few others were really confused as to where to find someone who works for the tour, as there was no one around, just a sign that says, "Boat Tours This Way" and pointed to a gated, seemingly private community dock with no other signage or staff. Instructions say to "check-in at red gate 30 mins prior to departure" but when we got there early and there was no staff to guide us if we're in right spot, where to wait for the vessel, and no red gate in sight. The attendants finally arrived, later than most of the tourists, and were rude with all the people that arrived early, asking us to back away from entrance and just being unhospitable and unpleasant in general. But the captain, crew, tour guide and the actual tour definitely made up for it.

Liv Facey

A good and thorough tour. My mother and I really enjoyed but it could have been a bit shorter especially in the heat. Also they told us to arrive 30 minutes early and didn’t set off for another hour and 15 minutes after that. They had us standing in the heat for 30 minutes before boarding, if you ask people to get there early to board than you should have us boarding as it’s not good for elderly people to stand that long. However I would highly recommend.

Jamie Hassos

This was a great tour!! The tour was informative, entertaining, and provided great value for money. Hillary was fantastic and was funny, knowledgeable, and approachable. There was a lot of detail, thought, and a strong ability to answer questions, welcoming all that came up. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Chicago!

Toya Neely

What a fabulous way to get to know the city and the phenomenal architecture. Dave did such a great job explaining the architectural history and with a little humor as well. Captain Ralph did a bang up job navigating us up and back down the River. I would 100% recommend this experience. As a matter of fact it should be the 1st thing you do when you get into Chicago… do the early cruise as the sun hitting the buildings is quite magical, then go get you some pizza! We will absolutely do this cruise again and again each visit back.

Jeanne Pesce

I saw these boats tours going up/ down Chicago River. I took my 2 teenage sons and we were so impressed. Dave our tour guide was amazing. His knowledge of the buildings and their history was fantastic. I will definately book this 90 min tour again. THIS TOUR IS A MUST DO WHEN YOU VISIT CHICAGO !!!

Joannie Ivory

Captain was very friendly and welcoming! I even appreciate the jokes! Our tour guide was well informed about the history of Chicago and the architecture. I learned a lot! The view of the skyline was breathtaking. The weather was great and the open bar was a nice touch. I highly recommend this experience!

Raymond Schwarzkopf

While it was really strange booking and finding this tour boat, and the parking lot was a terror, it was worth the wackiness because the tour itself was SPECTACULAR! Hillary, our tour guide, was knowledgeable, funny, and engaging, and her presentation was an amazing balance of information, entertainment, and classroom management. Really appreciate her talents! The ship was clean and the crew was friendly and firm as they guided us to safely enjoy ourselves. They prechecked all passengers while we stood in line, which made boarding very efficient when we were given the "all clear" to board.

D. Majesty

It was a rainy day during the actual tour but, it was worth it. One of the best sightseeing in Chicago..

Mekola White

Billy was the best guide ever. He was very informative and really knew his history, he also was not boring at all he had a great sense of humor. The captain was great as well although I forgot his name. Grey bearded guy he was hilarious. I would recommend and I would also do this again with this team. Great job guys.

Gianneli Canda

Love this tour. We came out feeling so knowledgeable about the city and inspired with all that came with it. Our host was funny without overdoing it and you could tell how much she loved the city. If you have to do one tourist thing in Chicago, do this. Always gorgeous, always a great time.

Lisa R

Great trip on a beautiful day! We really enjoyed our tour on a super clear fall day. Our guide Billy was awesome and seemed passionate about Chicago architecture. It was fun seeing our beautiful city from the vantage point of river. Parking was convenient and everything was well organized.

Kelly Bergstrom

Well, for my first time on an architectural boat tour it was incredible. So many little nuggets of information that you would never hear anywhere else! Billy was amazing and his voice kept me awake and interested. We also loved the drinks in a bag! Thank you guys so much. See you again next time

Aristotle Chagares

Your Tour was fantastic. In the last 40 years I haven't taken a serious look at how wonderful Chicago is architecturally. Your Ship Captain & crew along with Hillary are gifted and so knowledgeable of our city. We will be taking another Tour next year with other members of our family. Thank you again for such a great experience.

Kirsten Walker

We had the BEST time on this tour! Everyone from the Captain to our tour guide were phenomenal! We also loved how this tour keeps things smaller and more personable. And, last but not least, we appreciated the depth of knowledge our guide (Tila?) had, as well as as her hilarious sense of humor. This is a “must do” in Chicago!

Siri Gypmantasiri

From the guide to our Captain and First Mate, the tour was full of friendly and cheerful team. Our docent was super knowledgeable, fun and filled our heads with history and stories. Personally, when I booked my ticket I didn’t book them at the right time and needed to change. I called their office and the person who helped me rebooked it and waive the fee to change times as a courtesy. That was so kind of her and just really made my experience with this team the best I’ve ever had. And I’ve been on a few boat tours in Chicago.

Samah Kamalmaz

Thoroughly enjoyed this architectural boat tour last Sunday. Our tour guide, Shaun, very knowledgeable, shared a wealth of information about the city and its architecture (with lots of humour) and answered all questions the audience had. If you're visiting Chicago, I highly recommend starting your visit with this tour to get an overview of the city's history and what buildings might be interesting to visit during your stay. I'd definitely take another tour with this crew when I visit again.

michael horowitz

Great trip. Should be one of the first things a visitor to Chicago does. We loved the tour guide-Hillary. Could listen all day. If I do it again I will enjoy a couple of cocktails too. This is a good way to support local businesses.

Michelle McDonald

This is a wonderful chance to get out on the river, relax, and to experience amazing views of Chicago. The city’s architecture is fascinating, and I’d have never known that without the boat tour. Our guide Javier was knowledgeable and delightful. This tour was a highlight of our weekend in Chicago. Highly recommend!

Jennifer O'Connor

So much fun!! The staff was funny and Hillary wax hilarious and so knowledgeable. I lived in Chicago for six years and never went on a boat tour. I’m glad I finally did. I love that this is a family owned small business. I would definitely recommend this tour to friends and family.

Elias Whiebe

I stayed in Chicago three days and was referred here by a friend. I will say hands-down this was my favorite activity of the trip. The guide was so energetic, fun and knowledgable. She brought so much joy to the boat. The speed at which we traveled was perfect. It never felt as if we were rushed to get another load of people on the boat. I was traveling with my mother who was also an architect and she was amazed at some of the facts she never heard in Chicago. if you are traveling in the area, I would highly highly recommend this agency. Not to mention, their prices were very good and they have a discount for service members. Alcohol was allowed to be bought on the boat. They had tours throughout the day.

Nancy Lemus

It was a great tour! The tour guide was very knowledgeable i believe his name was Steve? But overall good experience. There was parking next to it I would recommend coming 30 minutes before to ensure check in and getting a parking spot!

Judith Obiero

Me and my family had so much fun, the narrator was great, the view was even better...beautiful Chicago. It's a must go for everyone that love to travel

Xavier L-Bataille

A great experience from start to finish. As someone who has lived in the city for many years, this was my first time attending the tour and I was just as enthralled as the tourists sitting next to me. Not only was our guide fantastic, knowledge and ful of humor, but the views of the skylines from the river are simply magnificent. With the ability to purchase drinks on the lower level, as well as the close encounter with the underside of many of the city's bridges, this tour will surely keep you attention for the whole 90 minutes and leave you wanting more.

Rachel Irwin

This was an amazing and memorable ride I will never forget. The crew was amazing! Very knowledgeable on all the different types of architectural beauty of the Chicago skyscrapers. Funny and down to earth they made the 90 minute tour such a blast to be a part of. Highly recommend!

Patrice Featherstone

My friends and I took the 10 am tour with Dave Bagger last Saturday. The tour was amazing! So educational, entertaining, and informative. The drinks were on point and the ride was smooth. Weather was perfect. Couldn't ask for anything else!

Tiff Lara

I have been to a few different boat tours in Chicago, I enjoyed that this boat tour has different routes to show you. That was really enjoyable. I think the speaker system should be enhanced, it seems to be only in the back and it was difficult to hear at times. So I wish that was little better. The waiting line area was incredibly dirty so that was something I did not like to stand in while waiting for the tour. Overall, good tour.

Jen GUITE

This tour was amazing, and I highly recommend it to everyone! Our tour guide Hillary, was very knowledgeable and super entertaining! Being on the river was so much fun, and we learned a ton about the incredible Chicago buildings! We will definitely take this tour again next time we visit this awesome city!

Mary Beth Hull

This tour was so fun! I was expecting something that was probably more academic and dry, but they made it fun. I definitely remember more because of how it was presented. With this tour they didn't go out the locks and into lake Michigan. But they did go further with on the river than any others, and there's a cool bridge there. I'd definitely go again.

Heather Williams

My family was there for marathon weekend and this was the perfect tour to see the beautiful city!! We all loved it, including our 7 year old daughter. Our tour guide, Dave, was full of so much knowledge and was fun to listen to! Thank you so much for making it an enjoyable experience! I highly recommend!

Emily Roberts

This is the second architecture boat tour I've been on, and my favorite one! It was so informative, fun, and we were laughing the entire time! The tour guide who was also a teacher, I forget his name, was so awesome!!! He had small personal touches, but also such cool facts! I learned so much. Thanks again for a great time! I will definitely be back!

James J Foster

This is the best of three tours I've experienced! The greeting and boarding was very friendly and well organized. The tour guide did an excellent and entertaining job! We received excellent and very helpful instructions. Unloading was great as well! I'm ready to do it again!

Grace Berrios

What a great experience. Me and my grandma had an amazing time despite the cooler weather. It was lots of fun learning so much about the city I call home and to learn it from a true Chicagoan. I think we both appreciate and love city a little more now. Highly recommend.

Chandra Davis

Great introductory tour to Chicago's historic architecture and legacy. Tour guide was super informative and the boat crew was really nice as well. Perfect way to see the many sides of the city’s skyline. Highly recommend for tourists and residents!

Courtney Waters

We went on a Thursday afternoon tour. It was wonderful. The tour guide was witty and knowledgeable. The drinks were nice and refreshing. Would definitely recommend and go again.

A E

So. Much. Fun!!! We absolutely loved our tour guide and the whole experience was great. Public parking lot was a bonus because we didn’t have the headache of looking for a spot. We saw more angles than other tours due to the starting location. 10/10 would recommend choosing the Summer of George boat tour.

Danielle Bacchiocchi

Our tour was excellent - Captain Ralph and Hillary made it fun and exciting, rather than dry and boring. Even with the chilly weather, Hillary kept everyone engaged and was an incredibly knowledgeable about the entire area. I would definitely go again! It was also very reasonably priced.

Bob Hagerman

Billy did an awesome job. Very detailed and knowledgeable of all the buildings. A very good speaker. You can tell he loves his job This was one of our favorite tours. The captain and his crew were very friendly. You felt right at home

Margie Clark

This was an excellent sightseeing choice!! We toured with 7 for a bachelorette party and the views of the city were really from another perspective. The guide was incredibly knowledgeable about history, architecture and the City of Chicago. The captain was super funny. There is a bar on the boat (bonus!). A great trip overall....I can't wait to come back and bring my husband.

Emma Lee

I had a great time with friends on this boat tour! The guide was very informative and threw in a few jokes! The weather was beautiful and it was a fantastic activity! Great to do at the beginning of your visit to Chicago to learn about the architecture and history of the city!

Aliena Park

Everyone said this was a must do thing in Chicago and I absolutely agree! An amazing tour for all ages and not just architecture lovers. Our tour guide was informative and humorous. Truly great views of downtown as you ride down the river.

Fiona Shepherd

Hillary and the crew of the Summer of George were refreshingly sincere, informative, and engaging throughout the tour. I’m from Chicago, and while I was aware of various aspects of our history- I still learned quite a few things and even more about architecture:) It was so nice to show my partner (from New York) the city from the tour’s perspective. Only suggestion/requests: if the team could make an architecture tour series (maybe with various themes) to learn other aspects in depth we would take them all!! And please get a chip or card reader so more of us can tip (we were unprepared and had no cash). But thank you so much for a great morning well spent x

Jenny Martin

This was such a great experience for me and my large group. The tour hosts were amazing. Even if you know nothing about architecture, this is fun for all! So much history and knowledge about Chicago and you get to see the river and it's surrounding areas from a unique perspective.

Dan Long

One of the best tours in Chicago. Every person associated with this company was exceptional. From the helpful parking attendants, the pleasant crew, and the very knowledgeable guide. I highly recommend if you take any tour in Chicago take this one. You won’t be disappointed.

Diane Buss

I grew up in Chicago and had never taken an architecture tour on the river. My husband and I very much enjoyed the tour and learned a lot about the architecture and history of Chicago.We got to see buildings from a new perspective. The tour guide was knowledgeable and entertaining. Also, parking was convenient. It was a great afternoon!

Chanz Harris

Great boat, great tour, great tour guide! The architecture boat tour is an incredibly fun learning experience about the city of Chicago. Whether you're experiencing the city for the first time or have been living there for a while and never done it, it is a well worth experience. Going on the tour at night makes it an even greater experience!

Sybil Hickman

The Boat Tour was very enlightening and enjoyable, I learned things about Chicago that I never knew. The guide was very knowledgeable and he made the trip worthwhile. I was also able to take beautiful pictures of the different buildings and sites from the boat, I truly enjoyed myself as well as the guests that were with me. I will definitely do another tour, just to have fun all over again.

Jackie Diaz

Loved this architecture tour! I visited Chicago with friends during the summer and we had Hilary as our tour guide. She was very personable, funny, informative and made the experience a highlight of our visit. I couldn’t have picked a better company to do this tour with!

Karine Dungey

This tour was great. Our guide, Billy, was knowledgeable and told wonderful stories about the history of the buildings and the city. Parking is available and convenient for a fee right by the dock. Make sure you arrive early to get good seats. Thank you all, again, for the experience. 10/10 We would do it again.

Mark Graf

We are very happy we went on this boat tour. The Crew is exceptional. Our docent was Javier. He is extremely professional and has a great amount of knowledge about architecture and Chicago. His personality and sense of humor made for a fun and educational trip. Thank you all!

Beatrice Jones

Absolutely beautiful experience! This definitely made our trip to Chicago special. We went on 9/17 at noon. I forgot the tour guides name but he was amazing and so knowledgeable of the city it’s history and he made the tour special. Don’t hesitate, you won’t regret 😉 …

Vanessa Velasquez

I loved this boat tour! It was my first time doing one after living in Chicago my entire life and I’m so glad I went with this company. The ride was smooth, had a great selection of drinks and the bar, and our tour guide Hillary was amazing. Highly recommend!

Sarah Brown

This architecture boat tour was amazing. I was born and raised in Chicago and this was my first time taking the tour. I got to see things that I wouldn't normally see. The captain and your guide were both amazing! Very knowledgable and funny. It was very entertaining and would definitely do it again!

Shelli Fisico [Staff]

One of the best experiences we had while in Chicago this architectural cruise. The commentary was interesting, informative and funny! A must do while in Chicago. Why not support this family run business and have fun while doing it. You’ll take some incredible pictures and make some amazing memories.

j c

The tour was very informative and I loved it. The crew knew what the city so well and they showed us how much more beautiful the city of Chicago can be. I took the tour in the evening and the skyline was so beautiful at night with it being lit up. I would recommend it to anyone visiting and I would love to do it again.

Kaitlyn Driver

We had the pleasure onboard this lovely Architecture Tour from the water on a perfect sunshiny day in Chicago! Excellent history behind the buildings and the city made for an awesome experience altogether! Family and adult friendly. Great way to appreciate the city of Chicago from different but impressive views! Bring your cameras, the shots are incredible.

Pinal Patel

I absolutely loved the tour! Our tour guide had so much personality and passion for what she did which made the tour even more exciting to be on. i forgot her name but it was the tall lady who was just under the height of her head touching the bridge. Awesome lady!

Keeli Strub

I took my family on the architecture tour on Saturday evening. The crew was professional and helpful. We completely enjoyed the voyage and especially loved the docent, David B. His love of the city, history and the buildings that line the river tour shined through. He was entertaining and interactive. I highly recommend a tour with this group!

Alexandra Acevedo

Our tour guide, Hillary, was great! She was funny and entertaining. The whole crew was nice and welcoming. The tour itself was amazing. My bf has lived in Chicago for years and had never experienced Chicago like that.

Simona Kalnes

We loved our family’s boat tour with “ The Summer of George”. Sean, our tour guide, truly knows his facts. He answered professionally to any questions the passengers had. The Captain is an hilarious character!!! I also had to change my date due to some change of plans, and customer service helped me out right away in timely manner!! These guys truly rock and would recommend the tour to anyone who enjoys a well guided tour.

Tekoa Stewart

This was a great tour. We took our friends from out of town but we learned some new things about the city. The docent kept everyone engaged, even the kids. We had 6 kids with us from 8-14 yrs old and they all had a great time. I liked that there was affordable parking and you start at a different location on the river from the other tours.

ben freeman

Great tour, worked really well if coming on the train to Union station as only a 15min walk. Very knowledgable and interesting points, some new ones from the last tour I went on so good to see they are continuing to research and update. Very hot for little kids, nothing the team could do but when we hid in the shade downstairs the speakers were really quiet so we couldn’t continue to hear from below. Consider looking at these. Otherwise great.

Maurice Dudley

The wife and I Totally Enjoyed the tour. We have lived in Chicago All our lives (55 and 52 yrs old) and neither of us had seen our city from that viewpoint. I don't remember our guides name, but she did a great job. I have Already recommended you guys to several people.

Kelley Kunkel

It was one of the best tours of Chicago we have had and we have been on several. Hillary was extremely knowledgeable and also brought a lot of humor to the trip. We would definitely take this again and will bring the rest of our family!

Roula Harfoush

Very informative and engaging! Love the tour; we had a great time exploring Chicago! 😍🛥The staff was very friendly and funny. …

Jason Forrest

Not exaggerating, this was the best tour I've been on. The captain was friendly and quite skilled at navigating some heavy water traffic. The bosun/tour guide was awesome; very knowledgeable and kept the conversation light-hearted. The crew was amazing and I highly recommend taking this tour, it's worth every penny and then some.

Troy P Stockman

We had an amazing tour today. Hillary (with 2 L's) did an awesome job in teaching us about the architecture and history of Chicago in ways we can understand and still laugh and have a great time. I have done Chicago River tours before, this is the best one!

Kyle Mark

This was an incredible value and can honestly say a must-see/do while you’re in Chicago. We went on a beautiful Friday afternoon and it could not have been more perfect - beautiful views of the river. What stands out though for Tours and Boats is that they have HIlary as a guide and she absolutely knows her stuff. She knows every detail about every building you would want to know about, but delivered the information to our tour group in a way that was easy to understand and digest. She should honestly be a college professor in Chicago architecture! I love hearing from passionate people and Hilary is absolutely one of those people! Would definitely ride again! 10/10

Bernadette Shepherd

Excellent tour!! The guide was extremely knowledgeable...she was a photographer by education with a love and passion for architecture.... Well spoken with just the right amount of humor...Our family of 5 enjoyed her tremendously!!Would highly recommend..Our tour was July 7,2022 at 6pm...

Katie Johnson, DC, LAc

We love this tour. We did it last year, and repeated it this year. The tour guide Hilary is the best; she is funny, very knowledgeable, and teaches about the architecture in a way that makes it interesting. Love this tour and I would highly recommend it!

Bevin McGahey

I cannot recommend this Tour enough. Our captain in our Guide we’re both amazing and funny. We will definitely be doing this again and recommending it to our friends who come to visit Chicago. If you’re going in the cooler months make sure you dress warm.

Steve Medel

I’ve done a few of these boat tours and this one was by far the best over all experience. The Tour Guide Billy was very informative as well as funny and that just made the time pass better, you could hear he has a lot of love for the great city of Chicago. Highly recommend.

Roberto Baeza (Dr. B)

The 45- minute architecture boat ride in Chicago made our Thanksgiving day even that more amazing.

Catecolamain

The tour was nice, but We would’ve like more silence. The speaker was funny and helpful, with a lot of nice information; however, listening for her for about 1 1/2 hour is too much for us.

Kendall Freeman

What a great experience!!! My group of four all enjoyed the tour! Our guide, Billy, was very knowledgeable about the architecture and the city. He was entertaining with a good sense of humor! Definitely worth the money!!

Mike Qaz

The tour guide Will was amazing. I have been going to Chicago for years and learned so many new facts. The views were spectacular and the boat was well maintained and piloted. The bar was well stocked, including alcohol in adult juice pouches. The drawback is that it is a mile away from most tourist locations in Chicago, but was priced to overcome this issue. I could not recommend this tour enough.

Jordan Teerman

Our architecture tour was absolutely phenomenal. Our guide, Tiela, was very knowledgeable, charismatic and funny. She was engaging and did an excellent job with her presentation. The captain was also hilarious and did a fantastic job. I would absolutely recommend taking this tour the next time you're in Chicago.

Gillian McGhee

My mom, dad, sister and I had an absolutely wonderful Sunday afternoon on the river with Tours & Boats Architecture Tours! It was a gorgeous sunny day, our guide was extremely knowledgeable and they even had a tasty non-alcoholic beer on deck that I could enjoy while my family imbibed! Would definitely book again!

Vitaliyouda Best

I took some family friends out for an evening boat tour, and what can I say: I was astounded by Chicago's history and architecture. David, our guide, is such an excellent story teller. As a local Chicagoan, he inserted personal stories from his and his family's past which helped me relate more with him. The boat crew is humorous. I enjoyed the your, and would recommend it to everyone, even if you are from the city.

Onilee Hansen-Mills

Wish I could leave 10 stars!! Absolutely amazing tour!!!! So much neat information about the city, the buildings and life along the river. Totally captivating for my Engineer husband. We would definitely do it again. So much to see!! Excellent tour guide.

Dominique St. Germain

Absolutely great tour with an entertaining guide. It was amazing to learn how Chicago was rebuilt after the fire and the Art Deco influences. Such a beautiful city with great history. I see why Chicagoans are so proud. This is definitely a must see on vacation or even if you live in the city

Stacy Streich

David was awesome and adds some killer joke’s in there. It was great for everyone and fun family activity from six years, ha/college, adults to grandparents. I look forward to are yearly trip next year as we had so much fun and they want to do it again! These are the guys to go with you will not be disappointed!

Lisa Selman

Captain Ralph + Tour guide Javier were so funny and informative! If you are looking for a fun way to learn about the city look this is the boat! I loved that we went all the way down to Chinatown! Has bathrooms, snacks, hot dogs, alcohol, air conditioned bottom level which also doubles as a run free zone if your kid has too much energy! Don’t sleep on this tour!!

Kara Hageman

The tour was amazing! The crew was very friendly and the guide was so knowledgeable! We've been to Chicago many times, and this tour definitely offers a different and interesting perspective of the city. We highly recommend it!

Amy Gould

My husband & I took this boat tour as part of an Anniversary weekend in Chicago. We have lived in the suburbs most of our lives, and go to Chicago several times a year. This was the most interesting and beautiful view of the city I think I have ever seen. I highly recommend this tour!

Michael Clarke

Having a beautiful day to take a boat ride down the Chicago River is always a hit. Combine that with learning about Chicago’s storied architecture and a tour guide who knocks it out of the park, we’ll, then you’ve made it to the next level. I can’t say enough great things about my experience on the Summer of George and the architecture tour on which she carried me. Our tour guide was quite knowledgeable and highly engaging. I highly recommend this tour.

TIC B.

This is the perfect way to explore the most iconic buildings in Chicago and you learn a lot about the architecture. Our tourguide was awesome, great sense of humour and very entertaining. She also knows her city and the buildings, no doubt about that. This is a really easy recommendation: go out there and take this tour, it is great!

Juan Trujillo

This tour was amazing. If you come to Chicago, you must do take an architectural boat tour. I wish I could remember the name of our tour guide. She was incredible. We had so much fun and she made our experience unforgettable!

Erika Crooks

Totally worth the money to go on this very informative boat tour. Everyone is friendly & helpful. Boat is kept nice & clean, including the bathrooms. Tour guide kept it light & funny, but gave tons of historical & current information. It was such a great experience & I highly recommend doing this boat tour.

chithra suresh

We took the tour with parents and we all loved it. It was a great experience for parents to see all the buildings closely and enjoy the Chicago skyline. The tour guide Mr. David was awesome with his informative explanation and wittiness. Over all we had an awesome time!

Barb A

Hillary was very informative and entertaining. Her way of presenting the buildings and their history was light and fun. We absolutely loved the whole 90 minutes and we were sad it had to end. There's so much to see and learn. This is my favorite way to see Chicago.

Rhonda Avant

Absolutely wonderful tour! Hillary did a fantastic job pointing out the architectural designs without boring those who might not have found it interesting! I love different styles of architecture so I was enthralled! I would recommend this tour for anyone visiting Chicago!!

Melisa Aponte

We had so much fun in our boat tour. We took the 6:00 pm tour and it was just beautiful. We got to see the sunset and the beautiful lights. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and so much fun. She really made the tour fun. I definitely recommend this tour and this company.

Martha Kasten

YOU MUST TAKE THIS TOUR. I AM SERIOUS. I had an Awesome time! Very informative but also entertaining- our guide Hillary was so engaging and funny, and she kept our interest the entire time. Great opportunity to take cool photos of Chicago's incredible skyline, too!

Eliran Zemach Jackson

The tour guide was excellent. Beside knowing her "Stuff", she also know how to explain the city in a fascinating way. We are from LA and every time we look at build, partner and I debating if it a Modernism or post modernism and how the building are "talking to each other" Recommended for sure!

Miguel Sargent-Rivas

Excellent tour. I have lived in Chicago for almost 3 years and had no idea about how wonderful and historic Downtown Chicago was. The tour guy was so knowledgeable, well spoken, and professional during the tour. Highly recommended. I'll take it again when I have out of towners visiting Chicago. Thanks again.

Eleanor Grosvenor

We had a great experience on the architecture tour with our tour guide, Billy. We learned so much and loved his stories!

Lokesh Alluri

Amazing tour and the guide was very nice to explain things in an interesting fashion. Just the sun was horrible at 4 pm

Sue Patterson

You guys were amazing! We bought a group of 9 tickets through groupon and didn't have the actual vouchers. You made sure we got on the tour. We loved it so much! I would recommend you over and over! Great tour! Great Customer Service!

Elaine Solana

Had a great time during this tour with my family. Host was informative and funny. We were lucky to go on an October, Sunday afternoon because the weather was fantastic - warm with a cool breeze and clear blue skies. It was really relaxing.

Courtney Carlton

Just wow!! The tour was amazing and the tour guide was very knowledge about Chicago architecture. She also was very funny and reminded me of Mrs. Maisel. I would highly suggest doing the 6:30 pm because we got to see it partially in the day and partially at night. Loved it. Worth it.

Deepti Patel

My first time taking Chicago architecture tour at 8pm and it was worth my time and money! Person who conducted is a few generations native of Chicago and he was funny and knowledgeable. It was a lot of fun and I highly recommend it.

Rudy

Everything we plan happened and it was great. Thanks for a wonderful day on the Chicago River. Wonderful photographic opportunity. The tour guide was excellent never missing a building or question and so many stories about Chicago history. Overall excellent day. Thanks again.

Jenn Raclaw

We have taken architectural boat tours with other companies before but this one was by far the most memorable! Billy was out tour guide and he was extremely knowledgeable about the building and shared stories I’ve never heard. This tour in particular took us farther down the river to the south than the other tours showing us the Ping Tom Memorial Park and the location of the 78th neighborhood. Excellent service, drinks and guide without the flash!

Ashley Stevens

This tour was a lot of fun! I’m not usually one to seek out tours but my mother in law suggested it and I’m glad she did. The captain and tour guide were comedic and really made the tour. It was fun and educational. Beautiful sites!!

AA93

Loved the woman who gave us the tour of the city. She made it really fun and she was funny. Had a good laugh. When it comes to learning new things I take a while if I know zero about whatever it is and she made it really easy to understand the buildings and the many layers to them and how to figure out when they were made and why and by who. It was just an overall great time. And if ppl were taking too long taking pictures standing in front of the sights she would let them know.

Luis Galdona

It was definitely one of the best boat tours I have taken. Hillary is hilarious and very knowledgeable. She definitely knows how to engage a large audience with factual information and jokes. Two parking lots next to each other, one charges $12 and the other $10 right at the location where you take the boat.

payal patel

We had Amazing time with this tour company. I have done other architectural boat tours in Chicago with other companies and I have to say this is the best one we've done so far. Hillary, our tour guide was so fantastic and so knowledgeable at the same time so entertaining. Take this tour you won't regret it:-) And ask for Hillary to be your tour guide!

Michael Murphy

Absolutely amazing and a must do for anyone visiting Chicago. The captain and the tour announcer were incredible, funny and extremely knowledgeable. It was so interesting to learn about the history of the buildings and Chicago itself. We thoroughly enjoyed this tour.

Beth Haynes

For the reasonable price, I honestly wasn't expecting a lot from this tour - a cool view of the city, a little history - but it was AWESOME! Dave was engaging and informative, with JUST the right sense of humor. 10/10 do recommend this tour!

Elissa B

We went on this tour on a whim and found this deal on Groupon. We went in without any expectations and we were blown away by our experience. The tour guide was knowledgeable and made this experience a memorable one. She was super engaging and funny. I learned many fun facts about the buildings and the history of downtown. I am excited to bring visitors on this tour in the future. We loved our experience and would recommend this tour to anyone who is looking for a great architecture tour.

Nancy Schaus

The boat ride was enjoyable and David was awesome. He was very knowledgeable about the building. He was also fun and kept the crowd entertained. He joked about the low bridges but I was afraid that he would hit one. The downstairs bar and restrooms were nice. I will recommended David and the boat ride to my friends.

Patricia Zakel

This tour was the highlight of my husband’s and myself, trip! Having several to choose from, I believe we chose the best! David narrated fabulously! He was informative and humorous at the same time! We highly recommend taking this tour, you won’t be disappointed!

Wayne Howerton

Hillary the tour guide was fantastic as well as the rest of the crew. Very much enjoyed all the beautiful building and info about them. This is not a boring tour lots of fun moments and beautiful sites along the way. Tour does take off from the parking area not a long walk. We walked after tour to State street and ate at Devil Dogs for a Chicago hotdog lunch. 🌭 it was a great stop. Tour is well worth it all 4 of us would recommend it. Got the tickets on Groupon which saved us a lot of money too. Enjoy!!

Monico Yadao

Hillary was an outstanding tour guide. She was informative, humorous, and enthusiastic. The crew was also helpful and professional. Lastly, the tour itself was beautiful and strategically organized, giving me access to parts of my city I never knew existed.

Margaret P

I had not done an architectural tour before and found that I thoroughly enjoyed it. Billy was a fantastic tour guide. He had a ton of knowledge and he shared it with us! I will recommend it to others and hope to go again soon.

Katherine Walker

The architectural boat tour with Tours and Boats was fabulous! Hillary was not only knowledgeable, but extremely entertaining. In addition to seeing the sights, we learned a lot of the basics about Chicago's history and buildings. I would highly recommend this way to spend 90 minutes when you visit Chicago.

Darryl Burrell

The tour was excellent, informative, interesting, entertaining, and aesthetic. The architecture was diverse and intriguing but what really sold it was Billy the tour guide telling enthusiastic stories behind Chicago and how the storied building came to be. He was the star of the show almost as much as Chicago itself. If you come to Chicago do this tour. If you live in Chicago do this tour.

Megan Howard

We had a wonderful time on the tour. Our guide and captain were both hilarious and very entertaining. We learned and saw much more than I expected and would certainly recommend this tour to anyone considering a boat tour in Chicago.

Yaminah Johnson

The ride and accommodations of the tour was fantastic! Great views of the city....and the tour guide and captain were awesome! They had drink specials and food for purchase that were not ourrageously priced. I enjoyed learning about Chicago's history and the way it was built! I have already reconmended the Architecture Tours to my friends and family and I will definitely doing it again! My friends and I were in town for my birthday and WE HAD A BALL!

candace kenney

This boat tour leaves from the south side of downtown (900 S. Wells) and we found this to be ideal! They have inexpensive parking right at the dock. (They need to make that information known on their website.) Not only was it a perfectly beautiful day to see the skyline … Hillary was an outstanding, knowledgeable, and entertaining tour guide! We learned, were dazzled, and blown away by so much interesting information. The boat was very comfortable…. Thank you for a great tour!

Vinit Shah

Amazing Architecture Boat tour. Highly recommend if you are in Chicago as a tourist. Tour guide was quite entertaining and have a good humor. A good story teller. We really enjoyed the tour and thank you so much.

Makenzee H

Hillary was the best tour guide!! She was funny, relatable, obviously very smart and knowledgeable about all the buildings. Me and my friends had a fantastic time and would absolutely go on another ride esp if we could score Hillary as our guide again!!

Brad Balaban

Boringly repetitive…but David (Docent) & Walter (Captain) were both amazing and hilarious. This was everything I’d hoped for. There’s a reason for all the five star reviews. Please tip them generously.

Kaitlyn Nicol

Hillary was the best tour guide! She was very informative in a fun way. Would have loved to go out on the Lake for a small bit, but had a great experience going up all sides of the river.

Scott E. Moody

Awesome tour! No better way to learn the history these magnificent buildings. We had a super funny and informative guide, a true ambassador to the city. To all the crew, thank you for a real good time.

Nancy Collins

Very enjoyable! The length of the tour was just right, & the knowledge level of the staff was superb! Lots of jokes & entertainment mixed in. Would definitely recommend if you love history &/or architecture. Or just like to be entertained & enjoy the ride.

Sooyeon Yeon

Dave is a great guide. It was a informative, fun tour. This tour is not the best seller boat tour in Chicago, so I was a little bit worried. But everything was perfect. I recommend this tour to people who wants background on the history and the architecture of Chicago. I will comback with my friends in a few months.

John Montgomery

Hillary was a great tour guide! She’s hilarious and made it lots of fun! The views of Chicago were stunning. I would definitely book this tour again for friends visiting the city.

Michelle Thompson

Fantastic tour, very informative and interesting with beautiful views. I get a little travel sick sometimes on boats but I was absolutely fine it's a very smooth ride. If you're thinking about taking this tour absolutely do it but wrap up, it gets chilly!

Adrienne Stout

Most fun 90 minutes you can have downtown in Chicago! As entertaining and engaging as it is informational -- Billy was a great guide, and the whole crew was welcoming and helpful! Would 100% recommend and go again.

Bruce Jewett

We thoroughly enjoyed the architectural cruise on a beautiful late summer evening. Tila was a wonderfully knowledgeable docent, had an entertaining personality, and we saw more buildings than I realized there were to see. I've been coming to Chicago for over 40 years! I can't believe it took me this long to get around to this cruise. It made this trip to town one of my favorites.

Jade Tsalas

This was an amazing experience, it was very informative while also being very fun. I had an amazing time, David our tour guide was very funny and explained things beautifully. I would definitely recommend for anyone to go on a boat tour it is definitely worth it.

Harsh Atit

Hillary was absolutely fantastic- hilarious, informative, and the perfect height to fit under all the bridges. I've had two other friends who have gone on tours with her and they have all agreed that she is amazing! Would recommend for anyone visiting.

Ariel Feldman

Fantastic boat tour! Hillary is an engaging, knowledgeable and hilarious tour guide, and she made the experience so memorable. Long after you forget the names of the architects and styles of architecture, you will still remember how much fun you had on the tour.

David Gill

The tour start point was a little out of the way but still easy to get to. Our guide Billy was a complete architecture geek and was interesting, informative and entertaining. Totally recommend doing this tour.

Olivia Cornejo

My husband and I had a really nice time on the tour. It was the first time for both of us. We learned things we never knew about our city. Our tour guide was amazing. Very knowledgeable. I forgot his name but I remember he said he was Irish :)

Dana Drobenak

This architecture tour was awesome! Both the captain and tour guide were welcoming and funny. Our tour guide had a wealth of information about the architecture and presented the information in a way that was fun and easy to understand. Such a beautiful tour, I would do it again in a heartbeat!

michael Golaski

The boat tour was an amazing way to see Chicago for the first time. While on the tour you can see the best parts of Chicago and learn more about the city’s most iconic buildings. Our tour guide was hilarious and gave us many recommendations to do after the tour had ended.

Angie Veach

Our family enjoyed the boat tour very much. Hillary was great - she was very knowledgeable and her sense of humor kept us engaged and we learned a lot. Highly recommend this architecture tour!

Dana Frischer

What an absolute pleasure. The boat was comfortable and immaculate. Our tour guide was so enthusiastic, entertaining and informative…we learned so much. We can absolutely recommend this tour to anyone interested in knowing the history and beauty of Chicago.

Heidi

Great tour. Billy, the guide, was personable and funny and full of really interesting Chicago trivia. I learned quite a lot on the tour and got to see some great architecture! Wear and bring your sunscreen for sure; the boat is not covered. The parking lot is abominable. Lots of potholes, hard to get out of. Definitely plan to arrive 45 minutes early, and watch out for Chicago traffic. We left 90 minutes before our tour and still couldn't make it on time from Skokie. Luckily, we were able to get on the next day by showing up an hour early to be third on the standby list. May wanna bring your own chair if you're gonna show up early and wait. There are two picnic tables, but those were both in use when we got there, and one was in direct sun. They'll announce where to line up at about 40 minutes 'til, but if you buy your ticket online, I wouldn't stand in line. That's just to be able to get on the boat in that order, thereby choosing your seats. But a lot of people move around once it's moving anyway, and the seats don't seem markedly different from each other.

Ross Forbes

Hillary was an excellent Docent/Tour Director. She was extremely knowledgeable, great personality, and made the architectural info come alive. Captain Ralph had a great sense of humor, and was an excellent captain. I would absolutely recommend this cruise line for future visits.

Michelle Craig

In Chicago for first time and wanted to see the city. This tour allowed for that in a unique way. Hillary was an excellent tour guide - very knowledgeable of the architecture of various buildings and the city itself. The captain and crew were friendly. Would recommend this tour to anyone visiting Chicago.

j reyes

First time in Chicago and was really impress with this tour. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable with the architecture and its wealth of history. She's a great access to this tour/company. Thank you for a great time!

Abby Noyes

So engaging and interactive. Could not have asked for a better tour and tour guide. I actually understood what she was talking about because she explained aspects of architecture and history relating to the buildings. 10/10 would recommend💜 …

Claire Lee

The Tours & Boats Architecture Tour was a wonderful, educational, and enjoyable experience. Tour guide Dave and Captain Ralph really made the experience exceptional. Dave was very knowledgeable about Chicago architecture and made it fun. The Air & Water show happened to be occurring simultaneously with our tour which was an added bonus.

Lisa Roberson

We had a great time. The staff was fun, accommodating, and professional. The guide was entertaining, and really knew a lot of interesting details about the different buildings and area. We would highly recommend this tour to anyone.

Cristina Acosta

I enjoyed this tour so much. David (tour guide from October 8th, 12 to 2) was knowledgeable and personable. He spread a passion for the architecture and the sights were wonderful! Will be going back again with family and friends who come to visit Chicago.

Lorna Timog

My kids and I enjoyed this boat trip in spite of the tremendous heat. The staff was very attentive, great tour guides, very entertaining and educational. You get the best for your buck! I highly recommend this tour.

Leslie Gutierrez

When friends found out I was going to Chicago they all agreed that I had to do an Architectural Boat Tour. I started to look around and there were so many to choose from. I’m truly happy that I found this tour. The crew was super friendly and engaging and my friend and I learned a few things! So if you’re looking for a fun and somewhat cheesy Captain and Crew check them out!

Andrew Jopp

My wife and I went on the 90-minute architecture boat tour and absolutely loved it! It was incredibly entertaining and funny, and we learned a ton! We booked after reading all of the positive reviews, and they were all spot on! It was easily one of the most entertaining tours we have done, and would 100% recommend this to anyone looking for something to do around Chicago!

Pat Rickards

Our tour guide Dave kept giving us information regarding all the types of architecture along the Chicago river. The weather was not very warm however Dave kept us focused on all the intricate details of every building along the way. He told different stories regarding people that had a hand on how the city was built and has become one of the great cities in the US. Thank you for a very interesting tour.

Pat Haymes

Had a wonderful time on the architectural cruise. Billy shared all kinds of information about Chicago & the buildings that as a life long resident I never knew. The time went so fast we were sorry when it was over. We will definitely do it again!!!

Deborah Vargas

Our tour guide Hillary was awesome, funny and knowledgeable. She made the 1.5 hr tour seem like only 30min and very memorable. The captain and boat crew were very friendly and helpful as well.

Nicole Sanchez

It was an amazing tour. The guide was super funny and nice, it was my first time in Chicago and this tour was the best thing I did when I went. Thank you so much for that great experience.

Zahra Sandberg

I’ve been on many architectural tours as I take anyone who is visiting me from outside of Chicago and this was one of my absolute favorites! Our tour guide was very informative, funny, and made it a great experience. Highly recommend!

Natalie Monreal

We enjoyed our boat tour so much. We felt like we learned so much and grew to appreciate Chicago and it’s unique skyline and history! We booked our tour for 6 pm and it was wonderful to be on the water at that time, the temperatures cooling and the sun setting.

Michelle Rebello

This tour with Billy as our guide was 100% awesome! He was entertaining and informative. I didn’t know that architecture could be so interesting and we gained a new appreciation for Chicago as a neat city as well!

Peggy Cornog

Thoroughly enjoyable experience all around. Boat was comfortable and full bar / snacks offered onboard were great. Tour guide knowledgeable and witty delivering just the right of history in combination with humor. 90 minutes was a good amount of time. Highly recommend.

Alice Klein

It was a wonderful and informative ride. I am a misplaced midwestern now living in the Houston area. I am Chicago born and raised and loved the Chicago spirit of the tour. Of course being able to laugh at ourselves a big part of it all! I loved it and would recommend it to everyone ! Thank you

Rachel Cazares

This tour was amazing!! I live here in the city, and I learned things about it I've never thought about and it made me see everything differently. The boat was nice and the staff were super pleasant and hilarious. The guide has to be the most knowledgable person about this there is, he was great!! Highly recommend!

Aamer Abdul-Jaleel

Hands down one of the best river tours i've done! The one at sunset is especially amazing and makes one realize how beautiful the windy city is! The captain and tour guide David did a phenomenal job -- initially thought 90 mins would be too much, but did not know where the time went. Very thorough and enjoyable commentary by David covering the historical architecture through modern day!

Christie Wihebrink

We had a great time and learned so much. The tour guide really knew what he was talking about and told us a lot of facts and kept us entertained the whole time. It was great that they offered drinks and hot dogs during the tour.

rosa Sanchez

This was our first time on this Cruise and we has a great time. The tour guide “Elenor “ was very knowledgeable and made the hour and a half ride so entertaining, educational and fun. There are many companies that offer the same type cruise but if you want a good time use this cruise line.

Joe Fabris

Great tour of places I've only viewed from a distance in my 70+ years living in NW Indiana. I use a cane as I am very unsteady after an operation. Staff was very kind and thoughtful. Good tour.

Brennin Kelley

My boyfriend and I had such an amazing time on this tour. The boat is beautiful, the staff is kind, and Hillary is a super fun and insightful tour guide. She explains information in a way that makes you understand why a building was built and it creates a deeper, more meaningful sort of tour. Learning how buildings “communicate” and talk with each other through different architectural styles was a such a cool, new perspective. I can’t wait to bring other friends on this tour because Hillary mentioned she does not use a script and each tour is unique. Support small businesses and take this tour!

Maria “MariFer” Salgado

I have lived here for many years and seen downtown Chicago tons, but yesterday on the boat tour, it felt like I got to see it for the first time. It was such a great experience! My husband and I loved it very much and will recommend this boat tour to everyone.

Lisa Konove

Really wonderful tour. This is the second time we have booked with this company. Hillary gave us a full 90 minutes of information, humor, stories. My daughter had taken the tour in July with her and was so hoping to have the same guide. We are history, museum and architecture nerds so we were in 7th Heaven. Mahalo.

Juan Santiago

Well I just have to say this was the best boat tour we've had, my wife and I and family really enjoyed it and it was educational learning about all artitechal buildings in on the river and downtown Chicago. It was interesting to learn about Chicago and filming locations of the movie Batman. All people working on the boat did such a great job and had a sense of humor and had us all laughing with enjoyment on a perfect beautiful day. They also made sure everyone was safe and comfortable for the tour. I would tour again and highly recommend this artitechal boat tour. Thank you for making our day special.

Arlyn Sorto

The architecture boat tour is an absolute must when you’re visiting Chicago! It was honestly breathtaking. I’m so happy I did it because I got amazing pictures. 15/10 would recommend!

Pratima Basnet

This was my third time taking the architectural boat tour of Chicago. However, a first with this particular boat tour agency. We got the tickets in Groupon, which was a steal, and the weather also worked out in our favor. The icing on the cake was our tour guide. Her impromptu way of illustrating everything about those beautiful buildings with such ease showcased how seasoned she was at her job. Her comic timing and attaching previous tour stories made it a very engaging and learning experience. Another plus of taking this particular tour is the length of the boat tour itself. They don't reduce the time, which had happened to me before when my boat tour was cut to 45mins. This tour also includes a glimpse of the Chinatown area, which others don't, as far as I know. Overall, the Tours and Boats Architecture tour is highly recommended and completely worth your money.

Shania Chatterjee

Loved the Tour!! Very informative and fun. The boat was clean with comfortable seating. Bar was good as well. Overall highly recommended when you are in Chicago!

Patty Parrish

Everything about the operation is 5 star. Details for location and parking are clear and detailed. Ralph, the captain, is funny and capable. Xavier, our guide, was very knowledgeable, open to questions and humorous!. We had a gorgeous day so we were up top but there is a large interior below where you can enjoy warmer views and purchase snacks and beverages including alcohol.

d0lphinangel

I thought it would be nice to be on a boat to see the city, but boring to hear about architecture. Well, I was very wrong. The tour was NOT boring! Our guide, David, was informative and entertaining. My friends and I enjoyed our time and would go again.

Martha Castillo

Not only was our tour guide was very knowledgeable and shared unique facts about the city but also entertaining. We did the tour with two kids and they treated them kindly. They didn’t want to sit outside because of the sun. Lol so the staff made room so they could sit by the window and be able to see the buildings from inside the boat which I appreciated.

Jaci Gehling

When we started planning a trip to Chicago, my 15 year old son really wanted to do this tour (he is studying architecture at school). These tours are always recommended online and get great reviews so I started researching different companies. Tours and Boats gets excellent reviews and they had a Groupon so I decided to go with them. Before I bought the Groupon, I sent them a message and asked if they were still doing tours in mid October because their schedule didn’t go out that far. They wrote back promptly and said they do tours in October but didn’t have their schedule set yet. They said that they would put me on their email list to let me know when they added their October schedule. “Yeah, right,” I thought to myself but I went ahead and bought the Groupon in August. To my surprise, they did email me twice to let me know they had added to their schedule. This was very convenient and I appreciated their customer service in this regard. The day of the tour was a bit chilly but we bundled up and it wasn’t bad. Our tour guide was Hillary and she was fabulous. She was very engaging, informative, and funny (she is a stand up comedian). My whole family of 4 (my boys are 13 and 15) really enjoyed this tour and ranked it in the top 3 of our favorite things we did in Chicago on our long weekend (Wrigley Field tour and Chicago Crime bus tour also made the top 3 if you are wondering).

Debbie Bosi

This is our second tour with Vallerie . It was entertaining and informative. She interacted with the crowd and we had plenty of laughs. We had a group of six, and we were all smiling getting off the boat. Such a good time. We highly recommend. We took the 6 PM tour on Friday, September 23, 2022.

Sydney Jacobsen

We had a great experience on the Chicago River architecture tour. Our tour guide, Hillary, was amazing - very knowledge, friendly, and fun! Taking a tour on the river is my favorite way to introduce visitors to Chicago, and this experience did not disappoint!

Tiara Buchanan

I’ve been living in Chicago for a year now, but am so glad my partner and I went on this tour! Billy did a great job at engaging with us, and he was incredibly knowledgeable. Everyone I met was very kind as well. Thanks for all you do!

Arlena Hay

Hillary (our guide) has a really fun way of teaching things in a way that is memorable. She can roll with anything and I love the improv nature of the tour. I'm a Chicago resident and have wanted to go on a boat tour for a long time - so glad I did and so glad it was this one!

Marika Czan

Awesome experience!!! Clean/big boat, easy on/off. Great captain, awesome tour guide, and fun bartender. Very positive and super informative tour! We took the 6:00p tour and got to see daytime details, sunset, and nighttime view (😎). …

Jennifer Polasek

Normally I would have passed on an Architecture boat tour of Chicago, BUT every "must-do" list recommended one and I found a great deal on Groupon. I can honestly say I would have missed out had we not taken the Summer of George boat tour! We had such an unexpected great time and it was definitely a highlight of our trip. Dave was so knowledgeable and very funny!!It was so interesting to learn about the different styles of buildings, the history of Chicago and the people that built it. It added to the remainder of our trip, when walking through the city looking at all the details of the buildings that surrounded us. We paid so little for our tickets through Groupon but if we came back again we would happily pay full price. Side note: we loved the "adult Capri suns"!!

L F

Very informative and well worth it whether you’ve taken it before or it’s your first time. A great way to see the different neighborhoods and from a different perspective. The docent David and the boat crew were friendly and helpful.

Anindit Karmakar

Hillary was so so amazing at narrating the architectural history of every building! Not a single moment was boring. Very well tailored for non-architecture geeks. Haha. Definitely recommend to anybody traveling to Chicago!

Wayne Robinson

Just what we needed after running the Chicago Marathon the day before. Being able to sit and not move for 90 minutes was just what the body needed. The Captain and guide, Hillary, were entertaining and informative. I would highly recommend this tour.

Patty Landy

The ride was smooth and enjoyable. Friendly captain and staff. Our guide was a true Chicagoan and gave a great history of the city and types of architecture. Easy parking to boat. Would go again!

Jordan Richey

By far the best tour I've been on. The tour Guide. Was very knowledgeable. You could tell he was passionate about this city and the group. Highly recommend this specific tour to anyone visiting the city.

Timothy Brubaker

This tour was so much fun. We went on a Saturday in late October. Our guide was very knowledgable and witty. Enjoyed the entire experience -- even after living in Chicago for decades.

Ada Cabrera

Hillary was an amazing tour guide! She was funny and full of knowledge! I learned a lot from this tour and thoroughly enjoyed the trip! I would definitely recommend and come back!

David Pickett

We really enjoyed the architecture tour on Summer of George! Our docent David gave us a bunch of great knowledge and all the staff on the boat was very friendly and personable. Would definitely go again :)

Sandra Clark

This was an excellent tour! Very informative and fun! We learned a lot of interesting facts from our tour guide Billy. Beautiful view from the river. Margaritas were good too.

Chloe Balzer

One of the hilights for sure of my trip to Chicago! I strongly recommend going. Our tour guide, Hillary was very knowledgeable, funny, and interactive. She clearly loves what she does! Don’t forget to tip them!

Tom Kunkel

We've taken several boat tours, but this was by far the most entertaining and educational experience we have had. Hillary definitely knows the Chicago architecture with amazing detail, and with her sense of humor, it was fun to learn. We will absolutely take this tour again and bring family and friends. Ahoy!

Alan Bunting

We was really looking forward to this boat cruise and it was excellent. My friend from England came on the boat tour with me and it was awesome. David was talking about everything we wanted to know about the tour he was excellent. Would highly recommend this boat tour. Thank you Alan.

Alexis Vosnos

The boat tour was amazing! I am from the area, and i learned so much. Our tour guide, Hillary, was both hilarious, entertaining, and so insightful. Definitely a must if you are visiting the city!!

Heather Gunter

Great informative tour! Our tour guide was awesome!! He went out of his way to make sure we made it to the tour! This tour is great at covering so many things we would have never seen! Highly recommend!!!

Kathryn Que

Docent David and Capt Ralph were awesome!! Fantastic knowledge of the buildings and fun stories/jokes along the way!

Michelle Freidel

SkyView boat tours at 900 s Wells St did and amazing job of covering much of Chicago's architecture in 90 minutes. The captain was great, but the doucette was phenomenal!!! Hilary made the tour fun, engaging, and memorable. I will always thing of skyscrapers now as talk cakes with varying degrees of frosting thickness🤣 . You will not regret taking the time you enjoy this lovely tour!

Margaret Lauer

We enjoyed an excellent tour with Hillary today. She is extremely knowledgeable, and even more impressive she makes it fun to learn the history of Chicago and the different styles of architecture. Best tour!

Kathy Siegenthaler

The b I at tour was great! We especially like our guide who had great information and presented in an interesting and often humorous way. Also the route which went farther south than I've been before was great too.

ZOMGALLY

This was one of the best tours we have ever been on. Hillary was hilarious and kept the tour funny, captivating, and interesting. Will def so this tour again when family comes to visit us in Chicago.

Kevin Utu

The staff and presenters were very knowledgeable and accommodating. I’d recommend the tour at night because it makes it that much better. I appreciated the discount for healthcare workers and my wife and I enjoyed our time on the boat.

Arielle Shander

My boyfriend and I absolutely loved it! We saw Chicago's most beautiful buildings and learned some interesting facts about the city. Our tour guide, Dave, was very funny, too! If you're in Chicago, this activity is a must!

Libby Eggert

We had the 6pm tour with Hilary! It was awesome, she was great and hysterical. Definitely recommend (get the Groupon!). The only thing weird is it doesn’t dock at the Riverwalk in downtown area, but this was a much different tour and I got to see a different part of Chicago than the tours usually take you on as a result! Seriously, can’t recommend enough if you’re looking for a way to get to see a lot of Chicago. Logistical stuff was all super easy.

Shirley Bdeir

Got a great deal of Groupon. Tour guide was great! Funny and very informative. This one lasts 90 minutes, so it was longer than other boat tours I’ve previously been on so we got to see a little bit more beyond the river.

Bev Anderson

It was our first time in Chicago. What a beautiful city! This boat tour was awesome as our guide Hillary did a fantastic job. This was one of the favorite things we did while there.

Ken VanDerWey

I had not been on the tour in maybe fifteen years. Of course many things have changed along the river over the years. I think this tour was the most informative and interesting. The guide did an excellent job.

Jack Wilson

Tila, our guide was incredible! She was so entertaining and exceptionally knowledgeable. It was a perfect evening for seeing the beautiful sights. Highly recommend taking this tour. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!!

Nadine B

Billy was a fantastic tour guide! I brought two friends who had never been on this architecture boat tour before and we all had such a blast together learning more about the city. Viva La Summer of George!

Jeraldine (Din)

My trip was around 6-7:30pm and that was a sight to see and it was a perfect timing on a sunset. Our captain Ralph knows how to introduce himself and make us comfortable and our tour guide Hilary was friendly, informative and quite a comic. She knows how to entertain and show us the beauty of Chicago.

joni Wilkinson

We really enjoyed the architectural tour. There was a wealth of information on how Chicago’s variety of architectural styles came to be - which was exactly what I was after. The boat was comfortable and the guide was amusing.

Mel Sawyer

I’ve been on several river/lake tours in Chicago and this was my favorite! The tour guide provided some cool facts I hadn’t heard before and was fun to listen to. Highly suggest this tour!

Pat Riffe

Our docent was very knowledgeable about our lovely architecture & city. The boat was tidy, cocktails were good - we had hot chocolate with Bailey's Irish Cream & an Old Fashioned, and it was on time. Highly recommend!

Rebecca Himmelfarb

We had such a great time. Hillary is engaging, funny & really knowledgeable. The ride was comfortable and a great way to see the city. HIGHLY recommend!

Anna Van Dyck

Was very informative and entertaining with Hillary as our guide. Captain cracked alot of jokes. You had to wait in the stoned parking lot which was not in the shade. Plus we had to move out of the way for cars trying to get out. Overall it was a great tour and experience. 👍🙂 …

Cat Pearson

Took a week long trip to Chicago and took this tour among other touristy things... And I must say our guide Hillary made this the best thing we did all week. It was incredibly educational and informative. The views of the city from the river are so beautiful. If you're considering options for architecture tours, let this review steer you in the correct direction. Take this one.

Anthony Abraham

Awesome tour. Very informative and fun and our tour guide, Billy was hilarious and very knowledgeable about all the buildings and Chicago history!! Highly recommend this tour as the first item on your Chicago visit list!

Vivian Rhoads

Knowledgeable, friendly guide that literally narrated the whole 90 minutes of the tour. Great value too - cheaper than other tours but I feel I did not compromise in quality at all. I recommend!

Annette Egan

We had a group of 7 and everyone really enjoyed it! The captain was funny and skilled. Our narrator, Dave, was really great! Funny, EXTREMELY knowledgeable, and easy to understand. We'd take this cruise again.

Amy Campos

I have done twice a boat tour in Chicago and this was by far the better one. Our tour guide kept us captive, paying attention, learning, and having fun as Hillary is very funny. I super recommend. This tour ir longer than others and we go to more spots.

Alexis Smith

Despite the wind, I really enjoyed this tour. It was a great experience for the price and the tour guide was very entertaining and knowledgeable! I would definitely recommend for tourists and locals alike. I will definitely be taking this tour again in the future.

Rituja Mahajan

The Chicago architectural tour is a must! There is so much more to those beautiful buildings which we only know when we take the tour. And the stunning view of the buildings from the river! You don’t wanna miss.

Sencia Kim

Hillary, hands down, best tour guide for Chicago. This was my second tour, and she is now my new favorite. She is an excellent storyteller and if you happen to land on a boat with her, consider yourself lucky.

Timothy Haver

The captain and crew were all very professional, good humored and more than competent. The tour guide, Hillary, was not only excellent with her knowledge of the architecture and it’s history, but presented it in a most delightful way. Kudos to the crew of “The Summer of George!” You represent Chicago well. I will be back!

Nkeiruka Nnam

Had a great time seeing all the beautiful architecture around Chi town. Our tour guide David is not only so knowledgeable but has a great sense of humor too. Awesome experience

Frank Navarro

Very fun tour, amazing sights and info. Tila was informative and funny. I would suggest this for tourists and locals. I'm born and raised in Chicago and I learned a lot of things I didn't know. I came with my 2 children 16,12 and they really enjoyed it also

Natascha Buschmann

Hillary was absolutely incredible- so knowledgeable and enthusiastic about sharing that knowledge in a way that was fun and easy to digest. We had the most amazing time, the views were spectacular, and most importantly we genuinely learned so much! I will honestly never look at architecture the same way again!

Karin Manning

Our tour guide David, was very informative and engaging. We learned without it feeling like school. The length of the tour was great and we appreciated seeing more of the river than a lot of the other tours offer

gretchen jacob

We loved the tour! The docent was very knowledgeable and funny; perfect combination I’d say. I’ll definitely choose this company next time I have a guest in town. Thank you for a wonderful afternoon.

Paula Grayson

This was the BEST boat tour of all I have experienced in Chicago. I have a lot of visitors and have taken different tours using other companies. Captain Ralph and our guide Billy we’re excellent! I’d give 6 stars if I could.

Ozelle Tungpalan

Very informative and fun tour of Chicago! Our tour guide Hillary was the perfect mix of informative with passion for the city of Chicago! If you’re thinking about trying, do it— and request her. As of May 2021, she does tours every Friday. Would definitely do this again!!

Vicki Gibbons

Wow! We were blown away by this tour. David was so informative and you could tell he was stoked about architecture and loved his job! Would recommend: 10/10.

JANE ABAD

It was my First Chicago Trip with Family and Tours & Boats did an amazing job!! Very informative. We had an amazing experience. I took 2 more boat tours with other company but tours & boats architecture tours excel. Very friendly staff.

Kim Mech

Had a great Architectural Tour with Hillary. She was fun and knowledgeable and made the tour so enjoyable. Highly recommend this group when you go to book a tour!

R Shammah G-mail Account

This tour was worth every penny! Our tour guide used really good analogies to help everyone understand and enjoy useful information about Chicago and its history. Get there early! To have your choice seat!

AdrienneD

It was a perfect fall day in Chicago and the tour was thorough, amusing and enlightening! David did a great job of translating his passion for architecture into an outstanding docent experience! Well done !

Laura Yoder

We had an absolutely great and wonderful time on this tour!!!! Great tour guide and everyone on staff was very friendly and welcoming. The weather was perfect and the sites were beautiful. We will be booking again come Spring.

Devin Babineaux

We did this tour on our trip to Chicago in early October & we are so glad we did! It was a blast, we learned a lot & it was great to get to see the city from the perspective of the river! Highly recommend this company & this tour!

S Leigh

Most definitely recommended. Hillary was informative but most importantly entertaining. I wasn’t sure how I’d like a 90 minute tour but I was pleasantly surprised and it could have even been longer.

Gina Clark

My husband and I had an awesome experience! The staff was great. The tour guide was knowledgeable and full of energy. I loved it ! Thank you for reminding of my how my city was, is and always will be!!!

Sarah Maillet

We had an awesome time doing the evening boat tour. Hillary is an amazing tour guide and she made the tour fun and interesting. We plan to go back once it’s a bit warmer and do the tour again.

Georgianna DeCosmo

Do the tour!!!! It was awesome to learn all the history and see the views from the water. Our guide was awesome and made it a really fun experience. Will definitely do every time I’m in Chicago!

Kimberly Chavez

We had a wonderful Thursday night tour experience with this company. Location is great and makes parking and waiting in line super accessible. Our guide Tila was super knowledgeable and charismatic. All around fantastic experience!

Heidi Given

This tour was one of my favorite parts of our Chicago visit. I loved hearing about the history of the architecture and city. The guide was knowledgeable and entertaining.

Charisma Henderson

Great tour! Our docent, Billy, was knowledgeable and engaging. Would highly recommend. And take the tour at sunset if you can! So beautiful!

LaDonna Jackson

This was my 1st Chicago architecture tour since I moved to Chicago less than a year ago and it was the best day. The speaker was so so good and informative. I would recommend this tour for sure!

Glenn Scott

this is one of the best outings we experience during our time visiting Chicago. I would highly recommend it to any folks. We took the nighttime tour because of our schedule. Hillary was wonderful.

Kaleigh dietz

My friends and I spent the weekend in Chicago for my birthday and this was one of our activities. This boat tour was literally everyone's favorite part of the trip!! Captain Ralph was so funny and Dave's sense of humor and his knowledge of Chicago Architecture is unrivaled. This boat tour has to be your top priority when planning your next trip to Chicago.

Melissa McGlynn

I am a Chicago native, and I work in the Loop. Seeing downtown and hearing about Chicagos architecture and waterways history breathed life into my love and appreciation for this city. My partner who came on this tour with me is from Colombia - he loved it just S much as I did - maaaybe even more! Dave conducted the tour and he was amazing, I’d listen to it all over again and again!

Ojaswini Chhabra

Really fun tour! Everyone who runs the tour has a great sense of humor. Did not expect to laugh this much on a architecture tour. Quite informative at the same time. 10/10 would recommend.

Peter R.

Great for a Groupon deal (and ironically sails right by the company's hq). Dave was knowledgeable and funny. He came across as authentic and passionate about his city despite probably doing the same tour a thousand times. Don't be put off by the trashy parking lot while you wait in line.

Draeson Marcoux

Wonderfully entertaining captain and host. Clearly very knowledgeable and personable. Couldn’t have hoped for a better experience. This is definitely the most efficient way to see a ton of downtown Chicago and learn about its history.

David Epstein

Highly recommend! Informative, fun, entertaining - great crew. Our guide was fantastic. We feel fortunate that this tour was our choice amongst all the competitors!!

Kevin Obis

This tour is a perfect way to show people the beautiful architecture in Chicago from a different vantage! We were on the Summer Of George and Hillary was funny and informative, would definitely go again next time I’m in town!

V'nai Vazquez

Amazing to hear the tour guide have so much knowledge and fun tidbits about the buildings, their builders, and the history of the different eras and influences! Definitely would recommend if you’ve got the time to relax and take it all in!

Bo Song

Hillary was the best guide! She made it so interesting, engaging, and fun! The tour was probably the highlight of my chicago trip! This would definitely be an experience I would recommend to everyone and would repeat if I visit chicago again!

Rudy Gostischa

I’m 75 years old and didn’t think I could learn much but I was wrong. First I learned how nice people could be. I’m a disabled veteran and was treated like royalty by the staff and crew. Then I learned a lot about the buildings and architecture and bridges surrounding the Chicago River. If you are not careful you could lose your head going under some of those low bridges. Not only would I recommend a river tour but I would suggest you take it with Tours and Boats. You will have a good time and be educated and entertained at the same time.

Evelyn Margolin

The starting location was great with lots of parking available. The boat was clean and comfortable. The docent was entertaining and knowledgeable. We toured 3 parts of the river and the lake. The night views are spectacular.

Harsimrat Kaur

Chicago is a place to be.....Hillary is the best guide anyone can have. Visited on Friday, loved every minute spent on this boat. Absorbed a lot of information about Beautiful city Chicago. Lots of heritage preserved.

Luke Mostoller

The tour was filled with so much information. It exceeded my expectations. The crew were also humorous and accommodating. I recommend this tour if you are visiting Chicago.

Mark Reimschisel

A great tour of the Chicago architecture treasure along the Chicago River. Hillary did an amazing job with the crew as we enjoyed the afternoon presentation. Highly recommend.

Dina Rosin

Had a great time on this river architectural tour! Loved that we saw north and south of the riverwalk area as well. Our tour guide was amazing. Overall a great experience!!

Lori Arbuckle

This trip was amazing! The captain was funny! David the guide was very entertaining and a wealth of knowledge!! This tour went several places I hadn’t seen before on other tours - I would recommend!!

Kalyani Singh

Cool expansive tour with a lot of new details about the city. The views are amazing and the tour guides are great. The boat isn't too big so it's perfect to enjoy the tour with the fellow tourists....

Carlos Villar

Great tour and very informational. Our tour guide David was insightful and kept the tour entertaining. I’d recommend doing the boat tour the first day in town so you know what buildings to go see while you’re there.

Brandon Wright

Hillary did a very good job. Her knowledge of the city was impressive and she was fun throughout the tour. Me, my wife, and nephew had a great time.

Hitesh’s Shirt

Fantastic tour! I finally understand why people rave about the architecture tour here. And, Hillary was AMAZING - highly recommend going on a Friday if you can for her to emcee.

Kevin Grubb

Such an excellent experience. Fun, interesting, funny, informative. The guide was the perfect mix of hilarious without being overbearing and so knowledgeable of all the nuances and history etc. Great for our whole family.

Gus Hamdan

Excellent service and knowledge of history and architecture of Chicago. Javier was funny, witty and very cultured. The captain had a great sense of humor. Will definitely recommend and repeat it

Sara Solovey

I am from Chicago originally but have been gone for about 20 years. I always assumed that one of these cruises would be super expensive, and cheesy and boring. This tour was the opposite!!! Sooooo much has changed along the Riverfront! The "art student" lol tour guide we had was funny and topical without being cheesy. The info was super interesting, and not at all boring. With that said, it's not so loud that you couldn't just tune it out and enjoy the ride if you want! My boat was pretty close to full yet there were no long lines for the bar or rest rooms. Drinks were reasonably priced, I had a domestic beer it was $6. It is a little walk from the "main" Riverfront area, but it IS walkable, or Uberable if you're not feeling a 25 min walk. But I think it was definitely worth it for the reasonable price and I absolutely loved it. It was a great time. Highly recommend.

A.N. Love

I absolutely loved the tour and the guide. I learned so much and me, being a history and building buff (Meaning I love building structures), would definitely do this again. Thank you George for an amazing ride!

Keval Parekh

Tour was good and we had a great time. Staff was friendly. Onboarding process was smooth and location was easy to find. Our pick was to take 6pm tour so that we get to see both the views - Day light view & Night light view in the dark

Ali Anwaar

The architecture tours was beyond all my expectations! The crispy and spontaneous humour accompanied by one of the finest skylines in the world is a sight to behold. If you're going to Chicago and you have the time, DON'T MISS IT!

Brandi Preston

It's been a decade since my last river tour so it was nice to see some of the newer buildings pointed out, plus I love all the vantage points this tour offers. Our guide was talented and knew her stuff but the script barely allowed for a breath and felt like a long, run-on sentence -- plus the references to cubs/sox rivalry, Oprah, batman, dmb kinzie st bridge debacle etc seemed tired and groan-worthy, but that may only be because I live here. Highly recommend this if you're a tourist or a local hosting a visitor who wants a quick overview of the buildings/Chicago history!

Sandra Santiago

Fun. Interesting. Family friendly. Great for couples. Can't beat this experience. Our guide was very knowledgeable. If you're not sure about going on this tour, this is your sign to do it!

Precious Listana

One of the best tour guides I’ve ever had! Made Chicago feel so much more home now that I know bits of history about different neighborhoods. Highly recommend!

Emily Sorensen

First time we have ever been to Chicago and this is a must do! We are from St. George so riding on the Summer of George felt meant to be. Everyone was wonderful and hilarious and the information I learned has left me in awe of the human capabilities. Get online now and book your boat tour!!!

Ziomara Pagan

Tour was nice. The boat isn't very family friendly if you have Littles as they don't allow strollers which would be totally fine, but they don't have changing tables either leaving you to change baby on your lap if anything happens. Hard to hear the tour guide over the speakers. The Groupon was worth it but if I did it again, I'd most likely look at other options. Also not handicap accessible.

david goodman

The tour guide was very informative and the made the tour guide fun with her humor and her knowledge of Chicago . One of the best tours I have ever taken , found the tour on Groupon and also there is parking for only $12 per day where the tour starts . Close enough you can walk to Michigan blvd from the parking lot

Contact

Photos