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Chicago River, Chicago
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Things to Do in Chicago: Chicago River tips and photos posted by real travelers and Chicago locals.
Chicago River
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Chicago Chicago River ReviewsTips 1 - 10 of 59  
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Chicago River: Other boat tours-Chicago River/Lake Michigan
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  • Updated By Dabs on June 15, 2007
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  • 2 for 1 or discount coupons for Monday-Friday can be found at the tourism centers for most of the boat cruises I can think of nothing nicer on a hot summer day than being out on the water. If you are into photography, you might consider one of the earlier cruises if you are venturing on the Lake so the sun will be behind you when you are trying to capture that perfect shot of the Chicago skyline. Some people will tell you that the Chicago Architecture Foundation's Architectural River Cruise (see tip above) is the ONLY boat trip you should take it Chicago and while I thought it had the best narration for architecture geeks, if you just want a ride on the River or the Lake, the other options are just fine. I've been on the Mercury's River Exploration cruise that goes once a day at 3:30 and travels as far south as Chinatown (a few factual inacccuracies, not as much emphasis on architecture) and two Wendella river/lake cruises one of which encountered bad weather and the other where someone suffering from heat stroke cut it short. We also tried the Spirit of Chicago's dinner cruise and thought it was overpriced as the food was just average and drinks were not included. If you are just interested in the view, eat before/after you get on a boat and do one of the ones without food. My SIL loved the Windy, a tall ship sailboat, that was reasonably priced at $25 with no food or drink. I think she took the evening starlight cruise and was able to see the fireworks from Navy Pier (I think every Wed and Sat night, Memorial Day-Labor Day). The attached website has a nice overview of all of the cruise options in Chicago

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  • Address: Michigan & Wacker OR Navy Pier
  • Website: http://www.chicagotraveler.com/boat_tours.htm

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    Chicago River: Top 10-Architectural River Cruises
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  • Updated By Dabs on June 15, 2007
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  • Architecture cruise-Chicago River - Chicago
    Architecture cruise-Chicago
    River
    by Dabs
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    There are several companies in addition to the Chicago Architecture Foundation (Wendella, Mercury and Sea Dog are a few others) that offer tours on the Chicago River, I have tried two others (Mercury and Wendella) and I think this one has the best narration if architecture is one of your passions. If you are just looking for a nice boat ride and a little bit of Chicago history, you'll find better deals on some of the others during the week. Cruises are either on Chicago's First Lady or Chicago's Little Lady. The guide from the Architecture Foundation provided a lot of information on the architectural signifigance of the buildings along the river, interesting even for someone who lives in Chicago. Tickets are $26 (M-F) or $28 (Sat-Sun, holidays). The cruise lasts for 1 1/2 hours and travels the River south to River City, north to past the East Bank Club and out almost to Lake Michigan. In my opinion, it's best to do a cruise just of the Chicago River or just of Lake Michigan. In order to do both on the same cruise, you have to go through the locks between the lake and river which can take 10 or so minutes each direction. See my next tip for other options on seeing Chicago by boat

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  • Address: SE corner of Michigan and Wacker
  • Directions: Across the Chicago River from Michigan Avenue shopping district
  • Website: www.architecture.org

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    Chicago River: Chicago River Historical/Architectural Cruises
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  • By grkboiler on February 24, 2004
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  • Wrigley Building - Chicago
    Wrigley Building
    by grkboiler
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    A great way to see the city and learn about the history, architecture, and the Chicago River is to take a river cruise. Chicago From The Lake offers a great 90 minute architectural cruise that departs from River East Plaza at North Pier. Cruises leave every day on the hour from 9 AM - 4 PM, from the end of April to the end of October. Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors, $14 for children 7-18, and free for children under 6. It is wise to purchase them in advance.

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  • Address: 435 E. Illinois St.
  • Phone: (312) 527-1977
  • Directions: From Michigan Avenue - Take Ohio Street east to McClurg Court. Turn right on McClurg Court and proceed two blocks to Illinois Street. Turn left on Illinois Street. River East Plaza (North Pier) is immediately on your right. (taken from the website)
  • Website: http://www.cfl81.com/

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    Chicago River: the beautiful chicago river...
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  • Updated By willy_wonka on July 20, 2005
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  • the river - Chicago
    the river
    by willy_wonka
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    the beautiful chicago river winds its way through the centre of this mighty city, creating a kind of north/south divide. the river has some awesome buildings along it's banks, and these can be viewed on the many tours that are offered by boat. i am guessing the next time i go to chicago there will be changes on the river banks, as donald trump is building a new place there. im sure it will be another interesting piece of architecture on the chicago river!

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  • Directions: cuts down the center of downtown, East to West
  • Website: http://www.chicagoriver.org/

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    Chicago River: Chicago River
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  • By grkboiler on February 24, 2004
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  • Frozen Chicago River - Chicago
    Frozen Chicago River
    by grkboiler
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    The Chicago River is an engineering marvel, believe it or not. In the 1800's sewage and waste were dumped into the river, which flowed into Lake Michigan. Lake Michigan was and still is the major source of water for Chicago and surrounding areas. With rainstorms, the river would backup and overflow into the lake, which polluted the drinking water. People started to die from diseases, so in 1900, a canal called the Sanitary and Ship Canal was finished and allowed for control of the flow of wastewater. It is controlled by locks at the mouth of the south branch of the river. This gave Chicago the first river in the world that flows backwards. The river also gives Chicago more moveable bridges than any other city in the world, and a part of the river was actually straightened in the 1920's. Another interesting fact is that the river is dyed green every year on St. Patrick's Day, although we joke that it is green all the time.

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  • Address: Start at the Michigan Ave. Bridge @ Wacker Dr.
  • Directions: cuts down the center of downtown, East to West
  • Website: http://www.chicagoriver.org/

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    Chicago River: Chicago River
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  • Updated By micas_pt on February 1, 2004
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  • Chicago River - Chicago
    by micas_pt
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    Chicago River baths (divides) Chicago city. It is said that Chicago had 52 moveable bridges, making it the city with the highest number of that kind of bridges. Today, it "only" has 45 moveable bridges, but still it is considered to be the first in that rank. In St Patrick's Day the River is coloured green with some chemical products (apparently non damaging for the fishes who live in this River).

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  • Directions: Cuts down the center of downtown, East to West
  • Website: http://www.chicagoriver.org/

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    Chicago River: Take a cruise on the river with CAF
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  • Updated By shrimp56 on April 6, 2004
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  • Chicago River - Chicago
    by shrimp56
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    This view of the river is looking west towards the area known as River North [near the Merchandise Mart]. . The best way to see the river is from a boat -- I'd recommend the Chicago Architecture Foundation tours.

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  • Directions: cuts down the center of downtown, East to West
  • Website: http://architecture.org/river.html

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    Chicago River: Architectural Boat Tour
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  • Updated By Etoile2B on May 5, 2004
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  • A view of the Loop from the boat. - Chicago
    A view of the Loop from
    the boat.
    by Etoile2B
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    When in Chicago you must take one of the Architectural boat tours down the Chicago River. There are many different boat tours to choose from. Most of them launch from Navy Pier and follow similar routes along the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. I highly recommend taking the cruise that leave from North Pier (most of the boat tours leave from the tourist-y Navy Pier). What makes this tour different is that the docents are professors of Architecture from the University of Chicago - which makes for an extremely informative trip. The tours only run from April through November due to the weather. Make reservations in advance - especially if you're planning to go on a weekend or in the Summer. These boat tours are extremely popular and fill up fast when the weather is warm. All cruises are 90 minutes long and cost $26 for Adults, $14 for children 7-18 (Seniors are $24 and children under 6 are free).

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  • Address: North Pier - 435 E. Illinois Street
  • Phone: 312-527-1977
  • Website: http://www.cfl81.com/

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    Chicago River: The Architecture Along the Chicago River
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  • Updated By zrim on February 9, 2003
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  • Wrigley Building - Chicago
    Wrigley Building
    by zrim
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    Chicago has the most interesting architecture of any large American city. There are Chicago architecture cruises that you can take on the Chicago River. Otherwise get yourself to the river which is at the far north end of the loop or conversely at the south end of N. Michigan Ave. Walk around and look at the Wrigley Building, the Tribune Tower, the Merchandise Mart etc. The best thing you can do for free in the town.

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    Chicago River: Boat Trip
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  • Updated By IrishFem on June 16, 2005
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  • Chicago River - Chicago
    Chicago River
    by IrishFem
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    I am sure a lot of people think this is such a touristy thing to do. However l always take either a boat trip or a bus tour in a new city to get my bearings correct. I really enjoyed this trip. You got to see all the amazing buildings and got some good photo ops without anyone being in the way.

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  • Directions: cuts down the center of downtown, East to West
  • Website: http://www.chicagoriver.org/

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