lakefront

water sports and boat tours

Dive deeper into the waterfront excitement with water sports and boat tours.

Paddle through tranquil forest preserves, spot native wildlife, and rediscover the city from the Chicago River on Urban Canoe Trips. Reel in salmon, trout, perch, and small mouth bass on Sport Fishing Trips with Captain Al Skalecke. Or unwind with a daytime or nighttime pleasure cruise featuring the Chicago skyline.

Introduction to sailing

See yourself manning one of the white sails that dot Lake Michigan’s blue expanse during Introduction to Sailing, which teaches you to handle a modern keelboat. This 3-hour on-the-water session is capped off with a complimentary cookout.

architecture river cruise

Cast off in a fine open-air vessel, Chicago’s First Lady, Chicago’s Little Lady, or Chicago’s Fair Lady for a unique river view of the city’s renowned architecture. Admire more than 50 marvels of modern and historic architecture, and hear the tales of how they came to be during the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s Architecture River Cruise. If you
prefer, climate-controlled indoor seating is available; beverages and snacks are available for purchase.

combined lake and river tour

Cover the waterfront on Wendella Boats, The Combined Lake and River Tour. Begin on the river for various perspectives of the architecture, then move to the lake to behold a panoramic view of the city’s celebrated skyline.

Cruise the lakefront as the sun goes down, and watch the skyline become a brilliant array of lights during Chicago at Sunset. After this relaxing trip, enter Monroe Harbor for a front-row seat to the Buckingham Fountain Water and Lights Show.

air and water showcase

Start with a 90-minute river and lakefront boat tour, add a 1,000-foot ride in America’s fastest elevator, mix in a historical audio tour, and top it all off with 360° views from the highest open-air viewing platform–and you have the new Urban Adventure Package. Mercury, Chicago’s Skyline Cruiseline, and the John Hancock Observatory have teamed
up for this one-of-a-kind, family friendly air and water showcase.

wildlife sanctuaries

Ever wondered what pit stops birds make during migration? Well, for about 300 migratory species, Chicago’s lakefront— designated by the National Audubon Society as an “Important Bird Area” due to its location along the bird migratory flyway— is a stopover between summer and winter homes.

Spot a great blue heron, a redwinged blackbird, or a horned owl at one of the Chicago Park District lakefront bird and butterfly sanctuaries or nature areas.

Montrose Point Bird and Butterfly Sanctuary

An internationally recognized 10-acre bird haven, the Montrose Point Bird and Butterfly Sanctuary (immediately south of its namesake beach) includes “The Magic Hedge.” This 150-yard expanse of shrubs and trees attracts loads of migratory birds including many species of warblers, thrushes, sparrows, purple martins, and woodpeckers.

Sidebar

Key to Icons

	Free
	Kid Friendly
	Wheelchair Accessible

boating

Sport Fishing Trips with Captain Al Skalecke
7 am–Noon or 1–6 pm
Captain Al Skalecke’s Charter Boat Fleet
Burnham Harbor
1559 S. Lake Shore Drive
312.565.0104
(reservations required); about $150 per person based on group size

Introduction to Sailing
Through October, Tuesdays 5:30– 8:30 pm
Chicago Sailing B-Dock on the North end of Belmont Harbor
3600 N. Recreation Drive
773.871.SAIL (7245)
$95 per person

boat tours

Chicago Architecture
Foundation’s Architecture River Cruise
Through Sunday, November 23; Times vary
Southeast corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge at Wacker Drive
312.922.3432
www.architecture.org
(advance purchase recommended in-person: CAF ArchiCenter Shop,
Chicago’s First Lady Dock ticket window, Hot Tix, Ticketmaster) Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays $30;
Mondays–Fridays $28


The Combined Lake and River Tour
Daily, April– November, Times vary

Chicago at Sunset
Daily, Saturday, May 24– Monday, September 1; Times vary
Wendella Boats
Northwest corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge at Wacker Drive near 400 N. Michigan Avenue
312.337.1446
www.wendellaboats.com
$12–$25 per person

Urban Canoe Trips
Through Sunday, Oct 12
Friends of the Chicago River
312.939.0490
www.chicagoriver.org
$25–$40 per person
Downtown Canyons/Loop
Trip Departs from 1501 N. Magnolia Avenue; North Branch Trip departs
from West River Park; 5100 N. Francisco Avenue

Urban Adventure PackageDaily, through Wednesday, October 1, Times vary Mercury, Chicago’s Skyline Cruiseline
Riverside Gardens at Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive (Southeast corner)
312.332.1353
www.mercuryskyline
cruiseline.com
adults $30; children 3+ $13; children under 3 FREE

bird and butterfly sanctuaries

Montrose Point Bird and Butterfly Sanctuary (“The
Magic Hedge”)
Montrose Avenue (4400 N.) at Lake Michigan
312.742.PLAY (7529)

 

Other resources

• Centerstage Chicago
• City of Chicago Tourism
• Metromix