Historical and Architectural Chicago Fireboat River & Lake Cruise
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Travel on a piece of history, learning Chicago fire history as well as Architecture! We travel on Lake Michigan and through the Chicago River seeing the sights. Perfect for Fire enthusiasts, families and everyone in between! Our flagship vessel is a retired Chicago fire boat, the Fred A Busse, Engine 41, which served Chicago from 1937 to 1981. Firefighter patches from around the world and memorabilia from Engine 41's time in service, adorn the walls inside the cabin.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Important Note: We only serve alcoholic drinks for travelers 21 years old and above. Minor travelers below 21 years old will be served non-alcoholic drinks.
Harbor Parking at 111 N. Lakeshore Drive. Access to parking in same intersection as harbor.
What To Expect
Chicago River
Learn about the Chicago river and the history surrounding it.
Options
Historical and Architectural Chicago Fireboat River & Lake Cruise
What‘s Included
Bathrooms available onboard
Cruise on a piece of Chicago history
Expert narration of Chicago's history & architecture
Light snacks available for purchase onboard
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase onboard
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
337 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A + history tour
1EagleFans,Jun 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A++ experience. Our guide, Cliff, was full of stories of the history of the city and its buildings and how the locks between the lake and the river work. The crew was gracious and friendly. 2 hours was just enough time to see it all. The fire boat history is also amazing.
Don’t miss this GREAT opportunity
Kathy D,Jun 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00What a great experience. The captain and staff were phenomenal. The information from Cliff engaging …… never a dull moment. I feel like I know more about Chicago and the architecture than most Chicagoians!!
Fabulous!
JS2022023,Jun 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fabulous! We loved this tour - and we've taken a few other Chicago boat tours before, and this one is outstanding. The Narrator was awesome - quite informative and a great presentation regarding both the boat and the skyline.
Great intro to the windy city
X1526SZjennam,Jun 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a great intro to the windy city. Went with some friends and a preschooler, and everyone enjoyed the ride. The tour guide Cliff was excellent - a nice blend of knowledge and humor. My kiddo enjoyed waving at all the other boats and people on the bridges!
10/10
ryanjU6539KZ,Jun 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic tour with friendly and informative guides.
Fire Boat 41 still making Chicago proud !!
James A,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00By far the best tour we have ever been on. Crew was amazing ! History of the city was wonderful ! Boat was amazing !
Great trip the weather didn’t cooperate with.
Karl D,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Unfortunately, it was too windy for the Fireboat to navigate the waters. The staff on the boat were very pleasant and disappointed that we couldn’t leave the dock. We were refunded the entire cost. We are hopeful that we can return the summer to experience the tour.
2 babes and a brew
Debra M,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Relaxing experience. People running the boat were very very nice. Could use a bit more information about architecture
Amazing!...
Sue S,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing! The staff was very helpful with small children. Very Informative about the history of Chicago, the architecural history along the river and waterfront of the lake. The tour is beyond 5 stars.
Top River sightseeing Trip
Sue M,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Was a brilliant trip full of information and history and going through the Lock was a great experience. Being on a boat that was also part of the Lake and River history made the experience even more enjoyable. Really got it all on this tour - history, architecture, and the Chicago Lake waterfront. Highly recommend this trip.
Related Experiences
Operated by Chicago Fireboat Tours