The Chicago River Architectural Lunch Cruise offers a unique way to explore the city’s iconic skyline. Guests can enjoy a narrated tour highlighting architectural gems like the Willis Tower while indulging in a 3-course meal aboard the Odyssey. With a menu featuring classics like chicken, salmon, and short ribs, this cruise combines sightseeing and fine dining for a memorable experience. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this cruise provides an opportunity to appreciate Chicago’s rich history and architectural beauty from a new perspective.
Key Points
- Cruise along the Chicago River with a unique perspective of the city’s iconic skyline and architecture.
- Enjoy a 3-course lunch menu featuring salad, entree options, and dessert while learning about notable buildings through onboard narration.
- Convenient meeting point with nearby parking, and tour concludes at the original location.
- Wheelchair accessible and service animals permitted, with public transportation options available.
- Non-refundable tour with pricing information and a straightforward cancellation policy.
It's also worth checking out some other tours and experiences nearby.
Overview and Experience
The Chicago River Architectural Lunch Cruise provides travelers with a unique perspective of the city’s iconic skyline.
Guests will cruise down the Chicago River aboard the Odyssey while enjoying a 3-course lunch, including salad, a main dish (such as chicken, salmon, pasta, or short ribs), and dessert (cheesecake or sorbet).
An onboard narrator shares insights about notable buildings, including the Willis Tower and the opera house.
This tour offers an engaging way to see the city from the water and learn about its impressive architecture.
Meeting and Logistics
To begin, the meeting point for the Chicago River Architectural Lunch Cruise is 455 N Cityfront Plaza Dr, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Convenient local parking is available at 219/225 E. North Water Street, lower level for Odyssey Chicago River.
The cruise ends back at the original meeting point.
Group size is limited to a maximum of 15 travelers per tour.
Accessibility and Amenities
The Chicago River Architectural Lunch Cruise is wheelchair accessible, and service animals are allowed.
It’s located near public transportation, and the surfaces are wheelchair-friendly.
During the cruise, guests can enjoy a 3-course lunch, including coffee or tea, with gratuities included. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.
The tour provides a unique perspective of Chicago’s notable buildings from the water, with onboard narration about the city’s architecture.
Pricing and Cancellation Policy
The price for the Chicago River Architectural Lunch Cruise starts from $116.04 per person.
The tour is non-refundable, and no refunds are offered for cancellations. Confirmation for the tour is received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.
Given the non-refundable nature of the tour, it’s essential for customers to carefully consider their schedule and commitment before booking.
The pricing information is clear, and the cancellation policy is straightforward, allowing customers to make an informed decision about their purchase.
Reviews and Feedback
Customers have left around 30 reviews for the Chicago River Architectural Lunch Cruise, resulting in an overall rating of 4.2 out of 5. Positive comments highlight the quality of the food, attentive service, and enjoyable experience. Guests praised the excellent staff, cleanliness, and informative narration about the city’s notable buildings. However, some negative experiences were related to booking issues and customer service problems. To address these concerns, the company may consider improving communication and streamlining the reservation process. Despite a few hiccups, many reviewers recommended the cruise and expressed interest in future dinner options.
| Positive Feedback | Negative Feedback |
|---|---|
| Food quality | Booking issues |
| Attentive service | Customer service problems |
| Enjoyable experience | – |
| Excellent staff, cleanliness, informative narration | – |
Unique Architecture and Sights
As passengers embark on the Chicago River Architectural Lunch Cruise, they’re treated to a unique perspective of the city’s renowned architecture.
The narration highlights notable buildings like the iconic Willis Tower and the striking opera house.
Cruising along the Chicago River offers an unparalleled view of the city’s skyline and landmarks.
Passengers marvel at the distinctive styles and innovative designs that have shaped Chicago’s urban landscape.
The architectural tour provides a captivating experience, allowing guests to appreciate the city’s rich history and architectural heritage from the comfort of the Odyssey cruise.
Dining and Cuisine
Aboard the Odyssey, passengers savor a delectable 3-course lunch during the Chicago River Architectural Cruise.
The meal begins with a fresh salad, followed by a choice of entrees – chicken, salmon, pasta, or short ribs.
For dessert, guests indulge in decadent cheesecake or refreshing sorbet.
Complementing the meal, coffee and tea are included, while alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.
The dining experience allows travelers to enjoy the stunning architecture and landmarks along the river from the comfort of their table.
The high-quality cuisine and attentive service enhance the overall cruise experience.
Planning Your Visit
How does one get to the meeting point for the Chicago River Architectural Lunch Cruise? The cruise departs from 455 N Cityfront Plaza Dr, Chicago, IL 60611. Nearby parking is available at 219/225 E. North Water Street, lower level for Odyssey Chicago River. The cruise ends back at the original meeting point.
| Meeting Point | Parking | Return |
|---|---|---|
| 455 N Cityfront Plaza Dr, Chicago, IL 60611 | 219/225 E. North Water Street, lower level for Odyssey Chicago River | Back to meeting point |
The cruise accommodates a maximum of 15 travelers per tour, and it is wheelchair accessible with service animals allowed. Public transportation is available near the meeting location, and the surfaces are wheelchair friendly.
Here's a few more nearby tours and experiences we think you'll like.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Is the Cruise Duration?
The cruise duration is not explicitly mentioned in the given information. However, it can be inferred that the tour lasts for the duration of the 3-course lunch, which typically takes 1-2 hours to complete.
Can I Bring My Own Food and Beverages?
Passengers are not allowed to bring their own food and beverages on this cruise. The cruise includes a 3-course lunch with coffee/tea, and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase separately.
Are There Any Age Restrictions for the Cruise?
There are generally no age restrictions for the cruise. Children of all ages are welcome to attend. Some cruises may have specific policies for minors, so it’s best to check with the operator before booking.
Do I Need to Make Reservations in Advance?
Yes, reservations are required in advance. The cruise has a maximum capacity of 15 travelers per tour, so it’s important to book your spot ahead of time to secure your place on the tour.
Can I Take Photos During the Cruise?
Yes, passengers are generally allowed to take photos during the cruise. The tour operator encourages capturing the architectural landmarks and unique Chicago skyline views from the water’s perspective.
Not for you? Here's more of our most recent tour reviews happening neaby
- Curbside Sedan Transfer From O’Hare/Midway to Downtown Chicago
- Departure Private Transfer: Chicago to OHare Airport ORD in Luxury SUV
- Private Painting Art Splash Experience
- Private Sedan Transfer From Chicago Downtown to Midway Airport
- Private 4-Door Mercedes Limo Transfer From or to Chicagoland Airport and Suburbs
- Curbside SUV Transfer From O’Hare/Midway to Downtown Chicago
- Private Transfer: Midway Airport MDW to Chicago by Luxury SUV
- Self-Guided Chicago Scavenger Hunt: Chicago Loop
- Chicago Airport (MDW) to Chicago – Round-Trip Private Transfer
- 2 Hour Private Chicago Soul House Tour
- Chicago In A Day With A Local
- 3 Hours Chicago Architecture Tour – Skyscrapers and Photo Ops
- Pasta Making in Chicago
- Chicago Airport Transfer: OHare Airport ORD to Chicago in Luxury SUV
- Private City Tour 6-10ppl
Sum Up
The Chicago River Architectural Lunch Cruise offers a unique combination of sightseeing and fine dining. Guests can admire the city’s stunning skyline and iconic architecture while savoring a delicious 3-course meal. With a narrated tour and menu options to suit various tastes, this cruise provides a memorable way to experience Chicago’s rich history and architectural beauty.