Consistently rated the best tour in Chicago — a docent-led architecture river cruise.
The Chicago Architecture Center's River Cruise is regularly voted the best tour in the city, and for good reason. A trained CAC docent walks you through 90 minutes of Chicago's skyline from the water, telling the stories behind the buildings along all three branches of the Chicago River. It's the single best way to understand why Chicago architecture is world-famous.
Good to know: Departs from the riverfront downtown. Ticketed — book ahead, especially on weekends. Bring a light jacket; it's cooler on the water.