Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
•
Service animals allowed
•
Public transportation options are available nearby
•
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
•
For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
•
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
•
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
•
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
•
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Become our Lokal Curator
Are you ready to turn your hobbies into a business?
Discover the fascinating history of Chicago from a whole new perspective — on the water! This 120-minute Guided History Tour along the Chicago River brings the city’s past to life through captivating stories, iconic landmarks, and little-known facts that shaped the Windy City into what it is today.
• Chicago’s transformation from swamp land to industrial hub to the modern metropolis it is today • The dramatic story of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and how the city rebuilt stronger than ever • Tales of Chicago’s most infamous gangsters and Prohibition-era legends • The groundbreaking 1893 World’s Fair and the inventions it introduced to the world • The incredible reversal of the Chicago Riv...
Highlights
2 hours
Offered in English
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
2 hours
Offered in English
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
What's Included
Coolers and Ice
Local Knowledgeable Guide
Drinks, but you are welcome to bring any drinks you want (no glass please)
Snacks/food, but you are welcome to bring any onboard
Meeting Points
Departure
Sweet Home Gelato
Our Water Plaza location is situated along the Chicago Riverwalk between the LaSalle and Wells bridges. A staircase located at the northwest corner of Wacker and LaSalle provides access from the street. The check-in office is next to Sweet Home Gelato.
Return
BYOB Chicago River Guided History Tour
(4) Reviews
Chicago
About
Discover the fascinating history of Chicago from a whole new perspective — on the water! This 120-minute Guided History Tour along the Chicago River brings the city’s past to life through captivating stories, iconic landmarks, and little-known facts that shaped the Windy City into what it is today.
• Chicago’s transformation from swamp land to industrial hub to the modern metropolis it is today • The dramatic story of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and how the city rebuilt stronger than ever • Tales of Chicago’s most infamous gangsters and Prohibition-era legends • The groundbreaking 1893 World’s Fair and the inventions it introduced to the world • The incredible reversal of the Chicago Riv...
Highlights
2 hours
Offered in English
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
2 hours
Offered in English
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
What's Included
Coolers and Ice
Local Knowledgeable Guide
Drinks, but you are welcome to bring any drinks you want (no glass please)
Snacks/food, but you are welcome to bring any onboard
Meeting Points
Departure
Sweet Home Gelato
Our Water Plaza location is situated along the Chicago Riverwalk between the LaSalle and Wells bridges. A staircase located at the northwest corner of Wacker and LaSalle provides access from the street. The check-in office is next to Sweet Home Gelato.
Return
Itinerary
1
Chicago Riverwalk
The Party Barge is a unique way to cruise the Chicago River and lakefront. The boat features a u-shaped bar, surrounded by bar stools. The boat is equipped with a head (bathroom), charging ports, additional seating at the bow and coolers with ice. All cruises are BYOB, 120 minutes long and depart from the Chicago Riverwalk (between the LaSalle Street and Wells Street bridges).
2
Battle Of Fort Dearborn
Off the to the south side of the river we will see the site where the first American settlement, Ft Dearborn, once stood.
3
558 W De Koven St
This was the site where the 1871 Great Chicago Fire started.
4
West Kinzie Street
In 1992 a hole formed under this bridge which lead to the Great Flood, shutting Chicago down for a whole week!
5
300 N State St
These buildings built in 1964 are considered the pivot point from Chicago's Industrial Age into the Residential Metropolitan it is today.
6
108 N Streeter Dr
Learn about the reverse of the Chicago River how that has formed the city over the last century.
7
Navy Pier
Here we get to learn about the World's Fair of 1893 and the inventions we still use today that were introduced here.
8
Chicago Riverwalk
In the late 1800's Captain Santa set up shop on his sail boat the Rouse Simmons to sell Christmas Trees every winter at this corner of the river.
