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Take in the city’s magnificent architecture bathed in golden light as it begins its transition from day to night. Want a quick introduction to Chicago’s magnificent architecture? This 90-minute tour takes a comprehensive look at the city’s architectural history by viewing buildings in chronological order, from early skyscrapers to new supertall high rises. We’re proud to partner with Chicago’s First Lady Cruises, operator of Chicago’s finest fleet of cruising vessels. Its boats hold up to 200 passengers and feature open-air upper decks, full-service bars, climate-controlled lower cabins and upscale marble and granite restrooms.
A history of the Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady
Yes, it’s educational, but it’s much more than a floating classroom with incredible views. You’ll learn stuff without even realizing you’re learning stuff. And you can even have an adult beverage while you’re at it. The CAC River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady departs from the Michigan Avenue Bridge at Wacker Drive on Chicago’s Riverwalk just three blocks north of Millennium Park. Daily tours of the CAC River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady begin Friday, March 31.
Historic Treasures of Chicago’s Golden Age
In pursuit of the CAC’s mission to inspire people to discover why design matters, the CAC produces programs for children, students, teens and families. Programs proactively advance diversity, inclusion and representation in STEM fields and ACED careers, while field trips, award-winning publications and online tools expand the CAC’s reach into communities across and beyond Chicagoland. Chicago's Leading Lady, Chicago’s Classic Lady, and Chicago's Emerald Lady are wheelchair-accessible. These vessels cruise at the 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 5pm departure times. When boarding, guests cross two ramps and enter through a 36-inch-wide opening (doorway).
London Guarantee Building
That’s why USA Today’s 10 Best named the Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady the number one boat tour in North America. Complete your architecture experience with a visit to the Chicago Architecture Center, just $5 with a General Boarding Ticket and valid for up to 7 days after your cruise. Chicago's First Lady's fleet is available for groups of 2—250 to charter for your special events.
Take a tour aboard the Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise
CAC-certified volunteer docents share the fascinating stories of more than 50 buildings and 13 bascule bridges along the river, and the backstories of some of the iconic figures responsible for them. CAC-certified volunteer docents share the fascinating stories of more than 50 buildings and 13 bascule bridges along the river, and backstories of some the iconic figures responsible for them. In pursuit of the CAC's mission to inspire people to discover why design matters, the CAC produces programs for children, students, teens and families. Programs proactively advance diversity, inclusion and representation in STEM fields and ACED careers, while field trips, award-winning publications and online tools expand the CAC's reach into communities across and beyond Chicagoland. Join a highly trained and enthusiastic volunteer CAC guide for a river cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady, and get a detailed rundown of the city's numerous and world-renowned architectural styles! You'll hear the fascinating stories of the legendary figures who designed and built the infamous Windy City.
Please contact our group sales team at Private rentals are available.
Tour takers soak up the relaxed setting, and docents appreciate the unique opportunity to focus more on the stories behind the buildings and less on navigating Chicago’s busy streets. Perhaps most importantly, this tour has inspired Chicagoans and out-of-towners alike to explore the city’s history and vitality—and to understand the role of architecture and design in shaping it. The founders and early members of CAC knew that architecture tours were the organization’s most vital offerings. And CAC docents had stories waiting to be told about the Chicago River. During CAC’s early decades, however, the river was not the sparkling waterway winding through the heart of the city that it is today. Decades of industrial and commercial waste had left it highly polluted.
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Explore Chicago’s iconic architecture aboard TripAdvisor’s #1 rated boat tour of the city. The only Chicago River cruise partnered with the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC), Chicago’s First Lady Cruises offers visitors the city’s most engaging 90-minute architectural tour experience. Led by the Chicago Architecture Center's expertly trained docent volunteers, this 90-minute cruise reveals fascinating stories behind Chicago's majestic buildings in a way no other tour can. Because CAC had already been giving walking tours along the river, docents adapted this content to suit a river-going excursion. The first cruise CAC offered to members of the NeoCon convention caught a slight snag; the boat required that the bridges be opened, but arrangements had only been made to open each bridge once, turning that inaugural tour into a one-way river cruise. Even so, the tour proved such a success that it would soon offer multiple departures each week—now with bridges always accommodating round-trips for passengers.
Directions to Chicago’s First Lady boat dock
As the tour nears the turning point on the south branch of the river, you’ll see another river walk, although this one is more reminiscent of what Chicago looked like before de Sable and Fort Dearborn. Captain Julie Nerburn piloted us smoothly through the skyscraper canyon on the river’s now clean water (thanks to the EPA, one of the many factoids Joan detailed). They reversed the river to stop that filth from being dumped into Lake Michigan, where it would be piped right back into the city’s plumbing. Being a docent for the Chicago Architecture Center isn’t easy. It requires months of education and an intense passion for architecture, Chicago, and history. We are happy to offer free foreign language audio guides in Spanish, French, Japanese and Korean.
You can buy Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise tickets online at cruisechicago.com. Add $5 to your ticket price for admission to the Chicago Architecture Center. You’ll learn about those early years, and how a city rebuilt after it was reduced to its foundations. You’ll learn about the White City, and how it influenced Chicago’s architecture through the roaring twenties.
Chicago Architecture Center's River Cruises return Candid Candace chicagostarmedia.com - Chicago Star Media
Chicago Architecture Center's River Cruises return Candid Candace chicagostarmedia.com.
Posted: Fri, 31 Mar 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
TripAdvisor users rank the Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady as the city's #1 boat tour. A visit to the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) includes access to two floors of extraordinary exhibits. Admission is normally $15, but with the river cruise bundle, you get access for only $5! Have a magical experience as you cruise the Chicago River in the evening. You'll delight in breathtaking views as you discover the stories behind our glorious buildings.
You’ll learn which architects designed each building as well as its style. The tour guide will also give some background on the Chicago River itself, the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, and various engineering feats. A portion of proceeds from each CAC River Cruise ticket supports the CAC’s nonprofit educational mission.
Serene and bathed in softer light, the city's architecture takes on a whole new life in the setting sun. Wind-down from the work-week by enjoying a cocktail with friends and family and experience Chicago's skyline on our luxury boats. The Chicago Architecture Center is a non-profit organization whose goals include preserving and sharing Chicago’s architectural past. As such, their tours are led by volunteer docents who undergo a strict and intensive training program. Since 1993, more than 100 CAC-certified volunteer veteran docents have lent their expertise and unique perspectives to guests on the popular CAC River Cruise.
Its boats hold up to 250 passengers and feature open-air upper decks, full-service bars, climate-controlled lower cabins and upscale marble and granite restrooms. Being onboard is sure to be an experience you'll never forget. The city's most popular tour is now offered in the evening.
Chicago Architecture Center docents lead you on an entertaining and engaging 90-minute experience. Learn about the architects who created our city's magnificent buildings—and the stories behind them. Experience our renowned daytime CAC River Cruise in the glow of the setting sun.
