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Chicago River
Boat Rental
Cruise through the heart of the city with the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, and Marina City rising on both sides. Just your group, your timeline, and Chicago at its most cinematic.
Through the Urban Canyon41°54′ N 87°38′ W
- 4.9★from 1,071+ reviews
- 175,000+guests on the water
- 12,000+charters
- 23 vesselsUp to 13, 49 & 125 guests
Why Cruise the
Chicago River?
The Chicago River puts you inside the city in a way no street-level view can. You’re surrounded by architecture, the buildings rising straight from the water on both sides, drawbridges overhead, and the whole urban canyon framing the sky above you.
You’ll pass landmarks that have defined Chicago’s skyline for over a century: the gothic Tribune Tower, the white terracotta of the Wrigley Building, the corncob towers of Marina City, and the glass curtainwall of the modern additions that have come since.
This is a private charter on your schedule, not a public architecture tour with strangers and a fixed script. It’s the experience architecture lovers and first-time Chicago visitors both remember longest.
Where Does the River Cruise Start?
River charters depart from our river dock at River North Marina, 600 W Chicago Ave, and cruise east through the heart of the city toward the lake.
Want to start or finish somewhere else? Pickups and drop-offs can be arranged at docks along the river. Book your boat first, then reply to your confirmation email with the dock you’d like.
What a River
Day Looks Like
Step aboard at the dock and your captain takes you east through downtown. Put your own music on through the boat’s Bluetooth system and watch the city rise on both sides, drawbridges overhead and the landmarks close enough to touch.
Morning light is beautiful on the river; late afternoon is gold. Either way, it’s the city at its most cinematic.
The river is the perfect start to a full day. Once you’ve seen the city from the water, push out to the Playpen on Lake Michigan, drift to Monroe Harbor at golden hour, and cap it with Navy Pier fireworks.
The Details
- Starting rate
- From $285/hour Check live pricing →
- Typical charter
- 3–4 hoursSeason March–October, subject to weather
- Your group
- Vessels for up to 13 guests 49 guests 125 guests
- Departure
- River North Marina (600 W Chicago Ave)Pickups at City Winery, Pizzeria Portofino, Naia, and Island Party Hut docks
- Captain
- Our 13-passenger bareboat charters require guests to hire a separately licensed captain (after checkout, you review our vetted list and pay your captain directly), while all larger yachts include a licensed captain and crew.
- Pairs with
- Push out to Lake Michigan the same day See the Playpen →
Starting vessel rates are not an all-inclusive total. Captain fees, river pickup and drop-off fees, packages, taxes, and other applicable charges depend on your booking.
Boats for the River
Up to 13 guests37ft · Sea Ray
Sundancer
31st Street Harbor
Ask about swimming when booking
From $285 / hour
Up to 13 guests46ft · Sea Ray
Express
31st Street Harbor
Ask about swimming when booking
From $310 / hour
Up to 13 guests48ft · Sea Ray
Sundancer
31st Street Harbor
Ask about swimming when booking
From $335 / hour
Up to 13 guests50ft · Sea Ray
Sundancer
31st Street Harbor
Ask about swimming when booking
From $350 / hour
Up to 13 guests52ft · Sea Ray
Sundancer
31st Street Harbor
Ask about swimming when booking
From $395 / hour
Up to 13 guests56ft · Sea Ray
Sundancer
31st Street Harbor
Ask about swimming when booking
From $420 / hour
Up to 49 guests57ft · Power Catamaran
Montauk
River North Marina (600 W Chicago Ave)
Ask about swimming when booking
From $1,000 / hour
Up to 49 guests72ft · Chris Craft
Sophisticated Lady
Burnham Harbor
Cruising & socializing · no swimming
From $1,350 / hour
Up to 125 guests78ft · Power Catamaran
Amalfi
Burnham Harbor
Ask about swimming when booking
From $1,600 / hour
Eat & Drink
on the River
You’re already floating past some of the city’s finest waterfront dining. Tell your captain and make a stop.
City Winery on the Riverwalk sits between Dearborn and State Street: a proper wine bar with outdoor river seating and the kind of slow afternoon energy that pairs perfectly with time on the water. Pull up, have a glass, keep moving.
Pizzeria Portofino at 317 N. Clark does something genuinely rare: boat docking directly at the restaurant. The Lettuce Entertain You spot serves hand-stretched Neapolitan pizza and coastal Italian wine right on the riverfront. Dock, eat, reboard.
To end the cruise somewhere special, Naia is the most exciting restaurant to open on the river in years. A sprawling Greek-Levantine dining room at 300 N. LaSalle, with pergola-covered riverfront booths, an oyster bar, and a Top Chef Greece-winning kitchen, spanning nearly a full city block of waterfront. They partnered with Downtown Docks specifically so guests can arrive by boat.
How much does a Chicago River boat rental cost?
Vessel rates start at $285 per hour. Your total depends on the vessel, date, duration, captain arrangements, any river pickup or drop-off, and any required packages or fees. Check live availability and your full booking total at checkout.
Check live pricing →Where do Chicago River charters depart from?
Our river dock is at River North Marina, 600 W Chicago Ave. Pickups and drop-offs can also be arranged at the City Winery, Pizzeria Portofino, and Naia docks, and at Island Party Hut.
How do I book a river pickup or drop-off?
Book your boat first, then reply to your confirmation email to say you’d like a river pickup, drop-off, or both, and we’ll handle it from there. All pickup and drop-off bookings are charged to the client; those payments go directly to external docking services.
Book your boat →Can we stop for food or drinks on the river?
Yes. Tell your captain and make a stop. City Winery on the Riverwalk, Pizzeria Portofino at 317 N. Clark, and Naia at 300 N. LaSalle are all on the water.
Or have catering on board →How many people can go on a Chicago River boat rental?
Choose from vessels with capacities of 13 to 125 guests. Smaller groups are welcome, too. Your group must stay within the booked vessel’s passenger limit.
Browse the fleet →How long is a Chicago River charter?
Most groups book 3–4 hours, which leaves time to push out to Lake Michigan the same day.
Is this an architecture tour?
No. It’s a private charter, not a scripted public architecture tour. There’s no guide or set commentary; your group sets the pace, the music, and any stops along the way, with the landmarks rising on both sides.
Is a captain included?
Our 13-passenger bareboat charters require guests to hire a separately licensed captain (after checkout, you review our vetted list and pay your captain directly), while all larger yachts include a licensed captain and crew.
Add to your day on the River
Book your Chicago River boat rental, or plan the day with us.
Let us plan it with you.
Want catering, or a pickup or drop-off somewhere other than our dock? Reach out and we'll plan as much of your day as you like.
- Catering Food and drinks waiting on board
- Custom pickup & drop-off River docks, restaurants, anywhere off our route
- Full-day planning We map the whole day, start to finish