Chicago Boat Tours Sightseeing Boat Tours

Table Of Content

• Photos From This Tour
• Architecture River Tour
• Learn About Our Group Discounts and More
• River Boat Tours
• Grant Park Secrets
• Columbia College Student Center

Please select a specific tour or cruise from the above list to view pricing and more information. Everyone should be able to enjoy our tours. There are enough seats for all guests to have a seat outside, so you won’t have to sit inside unless you want to. Indoor seating is available for those who wish to stay out of the sun or adverse weather conditions.

Photos From This Tour

Even if you’re not an architecture buff, you’ll enjoy learning about how Chicago’s construction goes hand in hand with its history. Enjoy commentary by our expert guides and discover the buildings that make up the famous skyline. We’re excited to take you on a journey through Chicago’s past. Welcome to Chicago River Boat Architecture Tours!

Architecture River Tour

The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Restrooms are located on the lower deck of each vessel; changing tables are also available in each restroom. There is no storage area on our dock, but guests may bring their luggage aboard keeping in mind it is subject to inspection. Nonprofit organization with tours, exhibitions,programs and events for all ages.

Learn About Our Group Discounts and More

Experience the glamour, intrigue and excitement of the bygone "Grand Hotel" era at the Palmer House. See recently restored public spaces and renovated guest rooms while learning about the history of Chicago’s oldest continually operating hotel. As we explore a venerable section of Graceland Cemetery, we’ll discuss the meanings of and changes to gravestone symbols and shapes, from Victorian times to the present day. Discover the history and architecture of Fort Sheridan, a former military base listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks.

90-Minute Lake & River Architecture Tour 02/26/2024 - Choose Chicago

90-Minute Lake & River Architecture Tour 02/26/2024.

Posted: Mon, 26 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

You can find out more information by visiting cruisechicago.com/private-events. All boats have a full bar available onboard, as well as local, Chicago-area snacks available for purchase. This classic tour aboard the city's most luxurious fleet, is a must for out-of-town visitors and Chicagoans alike. Wacker Drive into your GPS.Located at the northeast corner of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive, a black awning marks the boat dock entrance stairs that lead down to the river. If you have limited mobility, see these directions for an alternative way to reach the dock. Our Architecture River Tour takes you up and down the three branches of the Chicago River, providing breathtaking views of Chicago’s famous skyscrapers and landmarks at every turn.

While seat numbers are printed on the tickets, you can ignore these as they are not valid. Complete your architecture experience with a visit to the Chicago Architecture Center, just $5 with a General Boarding Ticket and valid for up to 7 days after your cruise. Now in its 83rd season, Shoreline Sightseeing operates Chicago's largest and most diverse fleet of cruise boats and water taxis with 11 major tour vessels and 7 water taxis.

Grant Park Secrets

90-Minute Lake & River Architecture Tour 03/11/2024 - Choose Chicago

90-Minute Lake & River Architecture Tour 03/11/2024.

Posted: Mon, 11 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Our Architecture River Tours depart from two docks, one at Michigan Avenue and the other at Navy Pier. No matter which dock you depart from, you’ll see all of the spectacular sights as you tour the Chicago River. If the date you want is not listed on the calendar, this means our boat is reserved for a private event. However, we do sometimes add new cruise dates or times if an opening becomes available, so please check back often. The only tour that goes all the way to the locks on the main branch, Chinatown on the south branch, & Goose Island on the north branch.

Columbia College Student Center

Architecture boat tours are one of the best ways to delve into Chicago’s history. You’ll see the different art styles on the buildings that line the Chicago River’s shores while expert guides explain how the city was rebuilt after the 1871 Great Chicago Fire. We offer 90-minute architecture tours that cover all three branches of the Chicago River, or you can book a private boat tour for your event that covers Chicago River and Lake Michigan. Our 90-minute boat tour on the Chicago River is our most popular choice! This tour goes in depth into the history of the Windy City’s architecture. We’ll pass by well-known structures like the Wrigley Building—a terra-cotta building inspired by the Seville Cathedral’s bell tower—as well as modern additions like Trump Tower.

About The Tours

Our sister company, Mercury, offers the popular Canine Cruise on summer weekends. Advance reservations are recommended as many tours sell out during the busy summer season and on weekends. Or, treat yourself to a Priority Boarding Ticket, which includes exclusive early boarding period, skip-the-queue during general boarding, and CAC admission. Interested in a tour for a group of 20 or more? Please contact our group sales team at Private rentals are available.

Choose one of CAC’s acclaimed architecture tours, from a selection of our guests’ perennial favorites. Whether this is your first trip to Chicago, or you’ve lived here your whole life - this boat tour is a phenomenal way to see the city from its most memorable vantage point. Boarding begins minutes prior to scheduled departure time. A visit to the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) includes access to two floors of extraordinary exhibits. Admission is normally $15, but with the river cruise bundle, you get access for only $5! Learn more about the CAC at architecture.org.

This 90-minute tour takes a comprehensive look at the city’s architectural history by viewing buildings in chronological order, from early skyscrapers to new supertall high rises. This classic tour is a must for out-of-town visitors and Chicagoans alike. Chicago Architecture Center docents lead you on an entertaining and engaging 90-minute experience. Learn about the architects who created our city's magnificent buildings—and the stories behind them.

For more information, please see our detailed guide here. However, please note that it is possible for the parking lot to fill up early, and we are not responsible in the event that you are unable to find a spot. For this reason, we recommend arriving early so that you can find alternate parking, should the need arise.

Go inside the lobbies of Art Deco masterpieces built in the heart of Chicago’s financial district during the Roaring '20s. Learn how Art Deco reflected the era’s fun-loving optimism with lavish materials and geometric ornament. Explore Chicago’s green spaces and learn why well-designed parks and outdoor recreational areas are essential to the city. We recommend groups arrive 30 minutes prior to the tour time for a better chance of getting seats together. Chicago's First Lady's fleet is available for groups of 2—250 to charter for your special events.

Avalon Waterways Cruise Reviews 2024 UPDATED: Ratings of Avalon Waterways

Table Of Content

• Royal Suite
• Avalon River Cruises
• Airlines
• Avalon Waterways introduces new “Short & Suite” river cruise itineraries
• 10 of 1,090 Avalon Waterways Cruise Reviews
• Avalon Waterways Cruise Reviews
• Wake Up to a New View

Your local guide on a river cruise can be a bit of a gamble; the quality can vary, depending on whom the line hires. Because Globus employs guides for its tour business as well as its river cruises, the company is often able to get the best for Avalon Waterways in an area because they can offer them the most consistent employment. No two travelers are alike—so Avalon would never expect you to enjoy the same cruise experiences as everyone else. Whether you like to paddle a kayak or paint a canvas, each day on an Avalon river cruise is an adventure of the mind, heart, or heart rate if you prefer.

Royal Suite

Departures are from Lisbon, with land travel/bus transfers to Oporto/Leixoes. Avalon Alegria has scheduled two different itineraries - a classic 7-day roundtrip cruise from Oporto (visiting Regua, Pocinho, Aregos) and a 10-day cruisetour itinerary inclusive of three nights (hotel stay) in Lisbon. Avalon Waterways itinerary options are categorized into 3 classifications (CLASSIC, ACTIVE, DISCOVERY) allowing customers to tailor their cruise according to personal preferences, special interests, and activity level. The DISCOVERY programs target specific interests (like painting workshops and cooking classes) themed on the region's culture.

Avalon River Cruises

The narrowness of the locks on European rivers means that river ships must be built to be very narrow — too narrow to have cabins that are both spacious enough to be comfortable and have balconies at their ends. As I am seeing on Avalon Alegria and have seen when sailing many other Avalon vessels, the Panorama Suites typically have small seating areas next to the walls of glass. When the glass wall is slid open, you have the feeling of being on a balcony even though it's not a balcony, as you can sit in the seating area at the edge of the now-open wall. The Avalon cruise company became known worldwide with its unprecedented fleet expansion (see in the itinerary section / at least one new ship per year). The reason for so many newbuilds is Avalon's parent company Globus Group.

Airlines

It's the highlight feature of a cabin type that is perfect in just about every way. At 200 square feet, Panorama Suites are larger than most standard cabins on European river ships. Avalon Waterways cruise prices also Include city tours and excursions (with a local guide), but these visits and their features are subject to change (a substitute will be offered). All Avalon cruise rates in our articles are per passenger (double occupancy, airfare not included). Avalon shares the flavors of the world with the freshest local ingredients prepared by our talented chefs and served in your choice of venues on board. Our Avalon FlexDining® approach to onboard dining experiences has tossed out the idea of restrictive seating times in limited settings.

Douro River Cruises Aren't Just About Wine - Cruise Critic

Douro River Cruises Aren't Just About Wine.

Posted: Fri, 29 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

So dream on before you drift off in a bed with the dreamiest views in river cruising. Innovation and technology - in 2011, Avalon introduced the Panorama ship - industry's first Suite-class riverboat. On Avalon's "suite ships", ~80% of all staterooms are in Suite categories, sized 1/3 larger than the industry's average, with slide-opening wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling windows, window-facing beds for a unique river cruising experience. In designing its Panorama Suites on river ships without balconies but with stellar views through walls of glass, Avalon has bucked the trend in river cruise cabin design — and in just the right way. This is CruiseMapper's page that reviews and lists all Avalon Waterways river cruise ship itineraries, destinations, and ports of departure.

Avalon Waterways Avalon Passion Cruise Reviews (2023 UPDATED): Ratings of Avalon Waterways Avalon Passion - Cruise Critic

Avalon Waterways Avalon Passion Cruise Reviews (2023 UPDATED): Ratings of Avalon Waterways Avalon Passion.

Posted: Fri, 15 Sep 2023 20:24:06 GMT [source]

All-inclusive cruising

Besides the bed placement, Avalon's floor-to-ceiling French balconies that open the width of the room are also a differentiator. It's a view I wouldn't have if I were lounging in bed on most other river ships in Europe — at least, if I had my back to the headboard. All affected Avalon river cruise and cruisetour bookings received a full (100%) monetary refund, including on prepurchased through Avalon Waterways packages and services.

10 of 1,090 Avalon Waterways Cruise Reviews

It's been a key differentiator for Avalon since the cabins began rolling out in 2011. That was the year Avalon unveiled its first Suite Ship, as the line calls vessels with such cabins. The 102-passenger river vessel is sailing up Portugal's famously lovely Douro Valley, and I'm being treated to an ever-moving scene of rolling hills, vineyards and centuries-old towns. In 2019, the company introduced the so-called FlexDining on all boats in the fleet.

Avalon Waterways Cruise Reviews

Choose from options like a breezy al fresco lunch at the Sky Grill, an elegant four-course dinner in the glass-walled Panorama Dining Room, or a more casual culinary setting in the Panorama Bistro. Whichever table setting you choose, you’ll savor local flavors as well as the familiar favorites you love. One of the big differences between the Panorama Suites on Avalon's Suite Ships and the cabins on the river ships of some competitors is that they don't have balconies. That allows the entire wall facing the outside to be turned into one big glass panel. In 2024 the company introduced the newbuild boat Avalon Alegria which is deployed year-round on the Douro River in Portugal.

ACTIVE programs target more energetic passengers and include options like guided jogging tours, cycling, hiking, paddling. CLASSIC programs are based on lectures (history- and culture-themed) and walking tours guided by professional local experts. On Avalon's Suite Ships (the name it has coined for the majority of its European river fleet), most cabins have beds that face the window, not the wall. On an Avalon cruise, you can lie on your bed while still enjoying the scenery, which makes the cabins a more pleasant place to spend your time. It's an innovation that is now being copied by some competitors and has been implemented by Avalon on some of its non-European riverboats. Still, many river lines design their river ships with balconies attached to cabins despite such limitations, as they believe it's what customers want.

So, go ahead, pick up a paintbrush, a paddle, or the perfect vintage. On that count, Avalon's Panorama Suites, with their view-facing beds and walls of glass, have delivered mightily since they first began debuting in 2011. While not every cabin on Avalon vessels in Europe is configured this way, a large portion are. Avalon calls these view-facing cabins with walls of glass Panorama Suites, and they can make up roughly 80% of the cabins on many of the line's vessels. It's not just the view-facing beds in Avalon cabins that win my adoration.

Founded in 1928, the Globus group of companies manages over 30 businesses in the fields of tourism and aviation, offering annually over departures on over 300 unique itineraries. Avalon does include quite a bit in its fares, such as wine and beer at lunch and dinner, Wi-Fi and at least one shore excursion per day. However, you will pay for gratuities at the end of your cruise, special excursions and drinks outside of mealtime.