Chicago Seadog River & Lake Architectural Tour
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 15 minutes
Mobile ticket
Soak in unobstructed views of Chicago’s world-famous architecture from the water with an exciting ride on our Seadog River and Lake Architectural Tour! Sail through the Chicago Harbor Locks to the River’s iconic skyscrapers. Enjoy amusing and informative narration for a fascinating tour through the city’s architectural history as you pass the Civic Opera House, the Merchandise Mart, and the Willis Tower. Buckle up for a thrilling finale on Lake Michigan to top off this family and dog-friendly experience and cruise along the skyline at top Seadog speed!
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Coast Guard regulations require a photo ID for each guest to board
All cruises are weather permitting
What To Expect
Apple Michigan Avenue
Seadog Cruises offers the most fun and exciting ways to see the city
Tribune Tower
Views of world famous architecture
Options
Michigan Ave 75 Min Tour
75 Min Architectural Tour: 75 Min Architectural Tour (Michigan Ave) Boarding point is at River Esplanade (Chicago Riverwalk Near Michigan Ave)
What‘s Included
This ride also includes a short speedboat ride portion on the lake
Lakefront, through the locks, and along the Chicago River all the way to the famous Willis Tower
Scenic views of Chicago's famous buildings and unique architecture
75 minute Architectural tour and speedboat ride on Lake Michigan
Seadog is BYOB - bring your own drinks to enjoy on the water (no glass containers)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
273 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fun Family experience
Kate D,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Fun family experience. The tour guide Rob did a great job! We had 6 kids of different ages and they all loved it!
Speed boat ride in Chicago
ROMANA K,Jun 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was fantastic experience from the start to finish! We did the 7:15 pm ride and it was the best time to do it in June. It was hot during the day but for the 7:15 pm ride the weather was much cooler which felt great! We boarder and finished at the Navy Pier. The pier is great to walk, have drink and food and enjoy some live music! It is fun amusement place! First we went on the river to downtown which was awesome! So informative and spectacular to see all the buildings!!! Wow! To see the buildings from the river and considering that it was slowly getting to sunset hour, I would do it again in a heartbeat! The reflection of the sun going down on the buildings at different angles was incredible! After the river Seadog team took us on the speed boat on the lake when Sun completed its sunset! We went fast on the boat, water splashing, music playing and everyone was laughing and having so much fun! IT WAS the BEST THING we did in Chicago! Book your tickets for the 7:15pm only with Seadog Speed Boat! The time of the ride and the company matters very much for the experience. And the boat is smaller than the other ones from other companies so we were smaller group of people given great fun and informative experience from the Crew! Thank you SEADOG! We love it!😍
They canceled the tour at...
Lisa M,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00They canceled the tour at the last minute after we paid an uber to get there. No reason was given for the cancellation.
Family Fun on the Water!
S1507SLdavidc,May 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our family of 4 including 2 teenagers took the Seadog Architectural River Tour. Despite it being on the chilly side 2 days before June we thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Ryan was our guide and he did an amazing job as he was entertaining and informative and even took some great photos of us during the tour. I would absolutely recommend this tour for all ages. The city of Chicago has some incredible buildings and architecture and this is a great way to experience many of them.
Viator drop the ball🤔☹️
George Z,May 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00When I got to the venue, they didn’t recognize that I had a ticket! thank God, the guy let me on the ship and said we’ll work it out later.
Ryan was fun and very...
Jorie K,May 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Ryan was fun and very knowledgeable. The weather was perfect on top of it. Taking a fast trip at the end in Lake Michigan was the perfect ending!
Avoid “Skunk” as your host at all costs
jackiet116,May 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00“Skunk” was a horrible host of our Memorial Day family speed boat outing. As people that enjoy SpeedDog a few times each Summer for over a decade, I’ve never had a host that has been so crass or outright obnoxious. This started with breezing over the life vest instructions, which was particularly worrisome for the numerous parents on board with little ones. Kids were panics that they couldn’t see the life vests, and the host didn’t bother to tell guests where to find these on the boat. Instead he was more interested in making bad jokes about having 1 on board. Huge red flag. From there, offensive comments about the Navy being drunks and other offensive statements were even more tone deaf on Memorial Day. His continued jokes about his own suspended license and bad life choices just read as pathetic, not comedic at all. This trip would have been so much more enjoyable if he wouldn’t have been on board. At the end of they ask for applause and tips for the host. Almost no one clapped, which spoke to the idea that most families shared the same feeling my family had, as well as the rows in front of and behind me. What a disappointment.
Couldn’t find record of tickets
Lauren G,May 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00These tickets did not work. The City Cruises folks couldn’t find the record of purchase anywhere so we were not able to board
Sea Dog is our go to boat tour!
Global28082449217,May 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ryan was a great tour guide! Very knowledgeable and made it fun! He seems to love what he does and is passionate about Chicago, the architecture and its history. It was a pleasure being aboard!
Darrin was great!
JJ G,Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Informative and fun! Darrin was enthusiastic and super knowledgeable on Chicago’s history and architecture.
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Operated by City Cruises