My husband and I took a combined lake and river tour with Wendella Boats in downtown Chicago and we are really glad we did. It was a 90 minute cruise for $24.00 per person. Some of the other tours we researched were $24.00 for a half an hour and they only went in the river. You can take some great pictures and the cruise is good for couples and families alike. Inside there is an air conditioned room with tables and chairs, you can buy drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and food. You can also bring your own food on. There is a Mc dee's in the Wrigley Building right next to the stairs that go down to the boat. That is the closest bathroom and there is also a bathroom on the boat. I highly suggest the combined tour for the best of both worlds.

This is the only river tour that goes out on the lake also. This was my first river boat tour, but others in our group have been before with a different company. They said they liked this one much better. The information was not so overwhelming and going out on the lake was a plus. Loved the Chicago skyline from the lake and the buildings were gorgeous.
Great tour, don't miss it

Just returned from Chicago on business. I decided to take two extra days to see some sights after debating whichof the city tours to take before I left home, I ended up booking the Walking Food Tour (which was great). However while I was on that tour I heard people talking about the Wendella boat tours and was disappointed that I didn't hadn't also pre-purchased a ticket. As soon as my food tour was over I hopped on the train and made my way back downtown and got to the river by 4:30 - I was fortunate enough to get a ticket on the 5:15pm Architectural 60 minute tour and what a pleasure that was. I was lucky enough to get Angela, "an actress with a passion for achitecture" as my tour guide, who amazed me with her knowledge and presentation. I would highly recommend this tour for anyone visiting this beautiful city.

We arrived in Chicago on Frdiay AM - staying at the Hyatt Regency on Wacker. We knew we wanted to do a river tour - a quick search on google and we were directed to Wendella's website and noted the next tour was starting in 15 mins. Only a 5 min walk from the Hyatt (the ticket office can be reached by going down the stairs at the Michigan Ave bridge over the river - on the wrigley building side (north / west). We grabbed out tickets and headed aboard - grabbed a couple beers at the bar then went up top. We found the bench seating along the sides very comfortable and it didn't restrict our viewing of any of the buildings. Our only complaint of the tour was the speed - they keep the boat going pretty quick - and as a result the tour guide talks very fast. For first timers to Chicago - would say this is a must do and Wendella is a quality company - everyone was very nice to us.