Chicago Architecture Center Tickets

The tour was awesome. Although the ticket office could not find our reservation they honored our email with no fuss.

Always learn something new about our great city from one of the docents who do a fabulous job sharing their knowledge!

I'll first begin by stating that there was a blizzard when six of us went on March 16, 2025. Four adults and two 12 year old girls. Since the snow was very wet and extreme high winds, it was... Show more

I'll first begin by stating that there was a blizzard when six of us went on March 16, 2025. Four adults and two 12 year old girls. Since the snow was very wet and extreme high winds, it was nearly impossible to sit up on top where one is able to see the buildings. So we had to sit below where we only saw the bottom of the buildings and the water. If we wanted to hear, we had to sit underneath an ancient speaker that has never been upgraded since the boat was build in the 60s. So, it was extremely frustrating that we got absolutely nothing out of the experience. I did say something to one of the bartenders and he angrily sent me to one of the deckhands. The deckhand just said the speakers are turned up all the way and any complaints need to go to the tour guide. I think his name was larry or walter. This tour gide, when were were sitting by the speaker had nothing interesting to say (i just watched the WTTW special on the Chicago River and i'm a life long chicagoan) and he just had the "old chicago" way of talking, like "da bears". The worst part of the experience was when there was 13 minutes left of the cruise (which barely made it to Navy Pier) we tried to go to the bathroom and it was locked!!! They nastily stated that the law requires them to shut the bathrooms down 15 minutes prior to arrival to dock. Well, why wasn't this stated ANYWHERE except five minutes after the cruise left the dock??? The bartenders? Nope. Maybe a sign? Nope. Maybe on the door? Nope. It was excruciating to hold it (and for young girls). So, i tried to file a complaint. but everyone at the ticket booth had nothing to say, except handing me a post it note with the director of sales email address. So save your money, and do another cruise as there are tons of them in chicago! the $56 per person was a waste of time and money.