While many Chicago cruise lines are corporately owned and designed with lavish amenities like on-board meals and in-house DJs, this cruise line offers a refreshingly simple, non-corporate and decidedly "unslick" presentation. Family-owned since 1935, the captain and narrator offer interesting tidbits on the city with dry one-liners. These low-key and no-frills cruises are an entertaining alternative to their competitors. Several different tours are available, and the boats offer partial cover. Cash only.
Website: wendellaboats.com
Phone: (312) 337-1446
Cross Streets: Between E Upper Wacker Dr and E Illinois St
Closed now
- Sun 9:30 AM - 8:00 PM
400 N Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60611 ·509.69 mi
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Amenities
- Family friendly
Reviews
tripadvisor
This was an excellent way to spend 90 minutes. The boat was large and comfortable, the guide was good, and this is simply a great way to see the heart of the city.
MoreI haven't done this tour in years and was pleasantly surprised with how it has improved. The guide is amiable, funny, and very animated in conducting the tour. The Wendella boat is sturdy and clean. The only problem is the limited food offering with coffee served only through a thermos and over the counter pre-packed foods.
MoreI took my mom and a family friend our for her birthday July 1st. We enjoyed. Easy location to find and convenient parking. The parking area needs a lot of work but great location. The tour Guide was great and it was a perfect day for the tour. Tours and Boats - Architecture Tour - Chicago River City Marina900 South Wells Street, Chicago, IL, 60607
MoreTook an afternoon Architectural Tour. The boat left very right on time and returned very promptly in 90 minutes, which is great when you’re on a schedule. The tour goes up and down the river a couple of times, which gives the tour guide a couple chances to give more information on different buildings. There is a full-service bar and restrooms on the bottom level of the boat. The bottom level is also enclosed, which provides a great location to warm up if you take the tour on a colder day. The tour guide was funny, friendly, and interesting and had a ton of good information. The only downside was that we sat on a bench on the side of the boat and the tour always seemed to be directed behind us, so we had to keep turning around the whole tour. Definitely recommend sitting in the main seating section in the middle.
MoreThis and the other times were all overbooked. Only seating left was below deck on one side. The tour guide spoke consistently about buildings on the other side and would point to buildings that we could not see. Very disappointed in the number of people they booked for the boat. Oversold. Go to shoreline. They do not oversell the boat which enables you to choose where you are most comfortable to view the trip.
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