Chicago River & Lake Michigan cruises | Location & boarding points
Chicago cruises boarding points and location
Address: 400 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States | Find on Maps
Tours that depart from here:
- 90-min Chicago River Architecture Cruise by Wendella
- 75-Minute Chicago River Architecture Cruise by Shoreline
- 45-min Chicago River Architecture Cruise by Wendella
- 90-min Chicago River and Lake Michigan Architecture Cruise by Wendella
- 90-min Scenic Sunset Lake Michigan Cruise by Wendella
Address: 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States | Find on Maps
Tours that depart from here:
- 75-Minute Chicago River Architecture Cruise by Shoreline
- 45-Min Lake Michigan Tour by Shoreline
- Chicago Architecture Evening Cruise by Shoreline
- Sea Dog Cruise on Lake Michigan
- Odyssey Lake Michigan Dinner Cruise
- Lake Michigan Dinner Cruise
- Chicago Lunch Cruise (Signature and Premier)
- Chicago Bottomless Mimosa Brunch Cruise on Lake Michigan (Signature and Premier)
- Chicago Sea Dog Fireworks Cruise on Lake Michigan
- Chicago Fireworks Dinner Cruises (Signature and Premier)
Address: 112 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, United States | Find on Maps
Tours that depart from here:
- Official Chicago Architecture Cruise by First Lady
- Chicago River & Lake Sightseeing Cruise by First Lady
- Chicago at Night: River & Lake Sightseeing Cruise by First Lady
- Chicago Haunted River
- Chicago Sea Dog Architecture Cruise
Address: 401N N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States | Find on Maps
Tours that depart from here:
- Odyssey Chicago River Architecture Dinner Cruise
- Chicago River Architecture Plus Premier Lunch Cruise
- Chicago River Premier Plus Bottomless Mimosa Architectural Brunch Cruise
- Premier Plus Fireworks Dinner Cruise on Chicago River
Address: 900 S Wells St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States | Find on Maps
Tours that depart from here:
- Chicago River Architecture Cruise
Getting to your Chicago cruise by public transport
By subway
Grand station: 521 N State St, Chicago, IL 60610, United States | Find on Maps
The closest subway station to your Chicago cruises and Lake Michigan cruises is Grand Station.
By bus
Multiple CTA routes along each of your departure points are located within a 5-minute walking distance, making it an easily accessible way to arrive at your boarding point.
Getting to your Chicago cruise by car
By rideshare/taxi
- During summer evenings, especially on weekends, you can face a lot of road traffic to reach your boarding points. Expect congestion around Navy Pier, Michigan Avenue, Riverwalk, and River Esplanade and plan accordingly.
- If you are not boarding around Navy Pier, then request a drop-off near the Chicago Riverwalk entrance instead of lower-level streets to avoid delays due to traffic.
By car/parking
- There are multiple parking garages available for those driving down to their departure locations for their cruises.
- Though, the garages closes can fill up quickly, especially on summer evenings, and the parking rates can also increase due to high demand.
- Ideally, public transportation is the most convenient and cost-effective way to reach your destination, and taking the subway can help you avoid most of the traffic congestion.
Accessibility for your Chicago River cruises
Most Chicago sightseeing and dining cruises can accommodate guests with limited mobility, but accessibility varies by operator, vessel, and departure location. Advance notice is recommended for wheelchair users on all cruises.
Accessibility features for cruises departing from Chicago Riverwalk
- ADA-accessible Riverwalk access is available via ramp, avoiding stairs to the dock.
- Several vessels can accommodate manual wheelchairs and offer accessible restrooms (subject to vary based on tour operator).
- Guests unable to use stairs may remain on the main deck or enclosed salon.
- Service animals are welcome (subject to vary based on tour operator).
- Motorized scooters and electric wheelchairs cannot be used onboard, though transfers to a manual wheelchair may be possible with advance arrangements. (subject to vary based on tour operator).
Accessibility features for cruises departing from Navy Pier
- Navy Pier itself is wheelchair accessible.
- Most dining cruises operated from Navy Pier offer accessible boarding and onboard facilities.
- Sea Dog vessels cannot generally accommodate manual wheelchairs, and speedboat tours are generally not wheelchair-accessible.
Accessibility features for cruises departing from Michigan Avenue
- The Michigan Avenue dock is not ADA accessible and requires navigating 62 steps.
- All boats can accommodate wheelchairs once guests reach dock level for Wendella Cruises.
- Some vessels feature wheelchair lifts providing access to lower-deck amenities and ADA-compliant restrooms (subject to vary based on tour operator).
- River architecture cruises departing from the Michigan Avenue dock are not wheelchair accessible because guests must use two flights of stairs to reach the dock.
- Service animals are permitted (subject to vary based on tour operator).
- Restrooms on most boats are located on lower decks and are generally not wheelchair accessible (subject to vary based on tour operator).
Good to know: Accessibility can be affected by water levels, vessel assignments, and operational conditions. Guests using wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, or service animals should contact the cruise operator before their visit to confirm the specific vessel assigned to their departure.
Frequently asked questions about Chicago cruise locations and boarding points
Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure for sightseeing cruises and 45–60 minutes before dining cruises. This gives you enough time to locate your dock, complete check-in procedures, and board comfortably, especially during peak summer periods.
Chicago cruises operate from several different boarding locations, even when tours are offered by the same operator. Always check your ticket confirmation for the exact departure point and boarding instructions before traveling to the dock.
No. Each cruise departs from a specific dock and boarding location. You must board at the departure point listed on your ticket, as vessels generally do not stop at other locations to pick up passengers.
Late arrivals may still be allowed to board if the vessel remains docked and boarding is ongoing. However, once the cruise departs, operators typically cannot provide refunds, exchanges, or reboarding opportunities.
Yes. Most cruise operators have ticket booths, branded signage, and staff members near the boarding area to help direct passengers. During busy periods, additional queue lines may be set up near the dock.
In most cases, mobile tickets displayed on a smartphone are accepted. Ensure your ticket barcode or QR code is accessible and your phone is sufficiently charged before arriving at the dock.
Small bags and backpacks are generally permitted, but large suitcases and oversized luggage are not allowed due to limited storage space onboard. Check with your cruise operator if you are traveling directly from a hotel or airport.
Yes. Severe weather, high winds, river conditions, or operational requirements may occasionally result in modified boarding procedures, delayed departures, or vessel substitutions. Operators will typically notify guests if significant changes occur.
Most departure locations have nearby pickup and drop-off zones, though exact locations may vary depending on traffic management and road closures. During busy evenings, arranging pickup a short walk away from the dock can sometimes reduce wait times.
