Boat Tours FAQ

The cruise departs multiple times daily, March-November.

The CAC River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady is 90 minutes long.

All tours are given by CAC-certified volunteer docents. Docents receive hundreds of hours of training about Chicago’s architecture and its history. They are storytellers and Chicago experts.

The tour includes Chicago's most famous historic and modern landmarks, including Willis Tower, Navy Pier, the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, Merchandise Mart, Lyric Opera, 333 West Wacker, Marina City and many more sites. More than 50 buildings are discussed on the tour. See our Buildings of Chicago to learn more about these buildings.

Because tours frequently sell out, advanced ticket purchase is recommended, especially on weekends, on holidays and for twilight tours. You can purchase tickets for the boat tour in person, via phone (CAC members) or online through Ticketmaster.

Box Office: CAC, 111 E. Wacker Drive

Chicago's First Lady dock: Southeast corner of Michigan Avenue Bridge at Wacker Drive. Look for the black awning at the stairway entrance.

Phone: CAC members can contact the CAC Call Center 312.922.TOUR (8687) to purchase tickets or redeem your BOGO benefit. You can purchase a CAC membership via phone, at which time you can also purchase CAC River Cruise tickets.

Online: Ticketmaster (fees and surcharges will apply).

Will call tickets for the CAC River Cruise can be picked up from the will call window at Chicago's First Lady boat dock on the day of your tour. The Chicago's First Lady dock is located at the southeast corner of Michigan Avenue Bridge at Wacker Drive. Look for the black awning at the stairway entrance (if using a GPS, enter 112 E. Wacker Drive). We recommend arriving at least 30 minutes prior to your departure time.

Refunds and exchanges for ticket purchases are not permitted. Please double-check your dates and times before making a ticket purchase.

Yes! CAC members get a two-for-one discount on CAC River Cruise tickets to use once a year. To make a reservation using your member benefits, call us at 312.922.TOUR (8687) or visit the CAC box office at 111 E. Wacker Dr. Learn more about becoming a member.

This member benefit must be redeemed at least 24 hours prior to your desired departure time. It can only be redeemed at CAC (either by phone or in person) and cannot be used at the Chicago’s First Lady boat dock.

We are unable to offer special rates for senior citizens at this time.

This experience is not recommended for children under the age of 12. All passengers on the CAC River Cruise must purchase a ticket regardless of age; we offer a discounted ticket for children and infants ages 3 and younger.

Please meet at the Chicago’s First Lady boat dock at least 30 minutes prior to departure. The dock is located at the southeast corner of Michigan Avenue Bridge and Wacker Drive. Look for the black awning at the stairway entrance (if using a GPS, enter 112 E. Wacker Drive).

By Public Transportation (CTA)

Michigan Avenue buses stop near this intersection.

The closest CTA train transit stations are State & Lake (Red, Brown, Green, Orange & Purple Lines), and Clark & Lake (Blue Line). In each case, after exiting the station, walk east to Michigan Avenue, cross over to the east side, then walk north to the river/Michigan Avenue Bridge. Do not cross the bridge; look for the black awning at the southeast corner. Visit CTA's website for routes and schedules at www.transitchicago.com.

By Car

From the Kennedy (I-90) and Edens (I-94) expressways, exit at Washington Street (past the Ohio Street exit). Turn left (east) on Washington Street to Michigan Avenue. Turn left (north) on Michigan Avenue and proceed to E. South Water St. Turn right (east) on E. South Water St. and the parking garage entrance is the first driveway east of Michigan Ave., on the north side of E. South Water St. (address is 233 N. Michigan Ave.)

From the Eisenhower Expressway (I-290), continue eastbound into the city (the Eisenhower turns into Congress) to Michigan Avenue. Turn left (north) at Michigan Avenue. Left turns are not permitted at Michigan Avenue, so cross over Michigan to the turning circle, bearing left and double back to Michigan Avenue, now turning right to head north. Continue north on Michigan Avenue until you reach E. South Water St. just south of the river and proceed as above.

From Lakeshore Drive, take the north or south exit at Wacker Drive and continue westbound. Turn left (south) on Michigan Ave., then take the first left on E. South Water St. The parking garage entrance is the first driveway east of Michigan Ave., on the north side of E. South Water Street.

The closest parking garage is located at 111 East Wacker Drive. CAC guests and members receive a discount on parking at this garage for up to 4 hours. You can receive a validated parking sticker at the Center box office or the dockside CFL River Cruise box office. The parking garage is open 24/7.

Several other public parking garages are available in the River North and Loop neighborhoods. You can also book convenient and affordable parking in advance through SpotHero, the nation's leading parking reservations app.

To reserve your parking spot, visit the Chicago Architecture Center SpotHero Parking Page.

Please refer to Chicago First Lady's website for more information about accessibility: www.cruisechicago.com/accessibility

By Car

Chicago’s First Lady has a dock-level, drop off-only area on lower Lower Wacker Drive, adjacent to the Chicago River. The closest parking facility for this area is located up one level at the Hyatt Regency Hotel at Lower Wacker Drive and Lower Stetson Street (discounted parking is not available at this location). For discounted parking options, see above.

To access the dock in a vehicle:

From the south, west or southwest

• Take Lake Shore Dr., Roosevelt Rd. or Congress Parkway to Columbus Dr. Proceed north on Columbus Dr.
• After crossing Randolph St., stay to the center onto Lower Columbus Dr.
• Turn left to travel west on S. Water St. and go down again to a second level. Note: S. Water St. is the second light after Randolph St., and is opposite a parking garage entrance.
• Turn right to travel east on Stetson St. and proceed to the opening in the black wrought iron fence.

From the north or northwest

• From Illinois St. traveling east, proceed south to Lower Michigan Ave.
• Travel across the Lower Michigan Avenue Bridge. Drive straight through the Lower Wacker Dr. traffic light and when you reach the next traffic light at a dead end, turn left to travel east.
• You will come to a four-way stop sign at Stetson St. At the stop sign, turn left. Proceed north until you see an opening in the black wrought iron fence.

By Taxi

If you decide to arrive by taxi, please share the above directions with the driver. We recommend that you arrange for the same driver to pick you up after your cruise because you will not be able to hail a cab at the dock level.

By Foot

To access the dock by foot without using the stairs:

• From Wacker Dr., use the ramp located at State Street to descend to the river level.
• Travel east and pass under the Michigan Avenue Bridge to reach the Chicago's First Lady dock and ticket window.

The Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise Aboard Chicago’s First Lady uses a PA system in all areas of the boat to ensure guests can easily hear the commentary.

Yes, there’s a full-service cash bar on all Chicago's First Lady Cruises vessels, serving a selection of beverages and snacks. We also encourage guests to bring their own individually-wrapped food on any boat tour.

Due to federal heightened security requirements, we are unable to allow luggage or strollers aboard any of our boats.