Shoreline Sightseeing Cruises

Throughout the 30-minute lakefront cruise, a guide gives passengers a comprehensive synopsis of Chicago's history and points out important features of the skyline. The vessel heads north to the Hancock Center, east to the breakwater and the lighthouse and then loops back around to Shedd Aquarium and to Buckingham Fountain.

Visitors will also learn how the Streeterville neighborhood got its name and why the Chicago River runs backwards (out of the lake). The added attraction of this boat cruise is that the commentary given during the trip is printed in 15 languages, including French, German, Spanish, Italian, Greek, Polish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Hindi and Arabic.

Shoreline's one-hour architecture tour departs from Navy Pier and travels the Chicago River, viewing more than 40 structures, including work by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Helmut Jahn. The narrated tour gives an overview of Chicago's rise from the Great Fire in 1871 to become home of the school of modern American architecture.

There are also river taxis running between Navy Pier and the Sears Tower and harbor, taxis running between Navy Pier and Shedd Aquarium, from Memorial Day to Labor Day 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

For the Architectural Cruise or water taxi services, board boats at Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.). Skyline Boat tours depart from Navy Pier (east and west docks), the Shedd Aquarium (1200 S. Lake Shore Drive) and directly east of Buckingham Fountain (500 S. Columbus Drive).