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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.

Distance from Michigan Avenue docks: 10 minute walk (0.4 miles)
Distance from Chicago Riverwalk docks: 11 minute walk (0.5 miles)
Distance from Chicago River Esplanade docks: 15 minute walk (0.6 miles)
Distance from Navy Pier docks: 20 minute walk (0.9 miles)

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.

From Michigan Avenue docks: Michigan & Hubbard (Wrigley Bldg.) (300 ft.)
From Chicago Riverwalk docks: Wacker (Upper) & Stetson (0.1 miles)
From Chicago River Esplanade docks: Columbus & North Water (0.1 miles)
From Navy Pier docks: Navy Pier Terminal (170 ft.)

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.

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Timings

Plan your visit

Architecture cruises