The First Lady Architecture Tour is truly a must-do — the best and most inspiring way to see and photograph Chicago’s magnificent skyline and architectural gems. Cruising along the river offers breathtaking views and a deeper appreciation for the city’s creativity and history.
Our docent, Joni, was exceptional. Her depth of knowledge about Chicago’s architecture, history, and culture is remarkable, and she shares it through captivating historical anecdotes and touching personal family stories that bring the experience vividly to life. Even after the tour ended, Joni stayed to answer every question and offer more fascinating insights — a true testament to her passion and generosity.
Our family ranged from 13 years old to 90 years old, and it was impressive how this experience became a favorite for everyone. It’s rare to find something that delights all generations, but this tour did exactly that.
If you want to truly feel the spirit of Chicago — its innovation, resilience, and beauty — this is the tour to take. Absolutely unforgettable!
JM
John Motorca
Oct 24, 2025
This tour was amazing. The tour guide was very knowledgeable of every building and knew the history in great detail. Many great opportunities to take some great pictures. This tour was worth every penny. I gotta include the fact that the main strip (Michigan ave) was very very clean, and the flower decorations in flower beds were amazing. This city beats New York by a lot in cleanliness and police presence, at least downtown area. If you have not visited Chicago, you should and you should take this boat trip which is a must.
MH
Meredith Hays
Oct 21, 2025
The first/dark photo doesn’t do it justice—but we went on the 5pm tour, and this was our view towards the end of the night! Kent (tour guide) and Bob (captain) were great! Kent knows so much and did a great job of covering what he could without overwhelming the audience. I learned about different types of architecture, as well! It was great! Highly recommend this tour over the others—also, your ticket to this tour gives you a deep discount for the next 5-7 days to the architecture museum! Would do it again if I come with someone who hasn’t been here before!
LP
Lauren Palmier
Oct 15, 2025
We had a wonderful time on the “Gangsters and Twilight Tales” night cruise! My husband and I live in Chicago, but thought it’d be fun to go for the first time and take 2 friends from out of town. Andy was our guide, and he was wonderful - truly made the whole experience so enjoyable! He has a great personality for telling “spooky” tales and had great jokes - he definitely kept us all entertained! Give that guy a raise! We loved our time on the cruise and definitely recommend it to visitors and Chicago citizens alike!
While visiting Chicago, we decided to take the First Lady Architectural Tour—and it turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. Located right on the Riverwalk, the setting was beautiful and easy to access. The weather was perfect, which made the experience even more enjoyable.
Our guide (whose name I wish I could remember!) was phenomenal—so knowledgeable, engaging, and clearly passionate about Chicago’s architectural history. She brought the city’s skyline to life with fascinating stories and insights that made the 90-minute tour fly by.
The boat itself was spotless and comfortable, with both indoor and outdoor seating. The onboard bar was a nice touch, offering drinks to enjoy while cruising past some of the city’s most iconic buildings.
I’m so glad we did this tour, and it’s absolutely a must on any Chicago itinerary. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a local looking to see the city from a fresh perspective, this experience is well worth it.