Featured Events
Spring Break on the Lake
Fireworks Cruise, Saturday, April 11th
Join Shoreline for a 60-minute fireworks cruise as Navy Pier celebrates spring with a special fireworks display as part of "Game On" at the pier. The cruise will depart Navy Pier on Saturday, April 11th at 7:30 pm with fireworks beginning at 8:00 pm.
Advance tickets available online.
ST. PATRICK'S DAY CRUISE
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Cruise on the historic (and green!) Chicago River and enjoy traditional
Irish fare while docents highlight the role of the Irish in shaping
modern Chicago. Includes traditional Irish Buffet and a cash bar.
Two departures—pre and post parade:
10:00 am–11:30 am and 2:00 pm–3:30 pm
Cruises take place on an open-air vessel with no climate control.
Departs
Tickets $15 – $29. Tickets are available online or by calling 312.222.9328 or at the dock if space is still available.
Memorial Day Weekend Tours and Fireworks Cruises
May 23–24
Summer is actually… finally… just around the corner!
We're ready to celebrate with a full schedule of
Architecture Cruises, Skyline Boat Tours and
Water Taxis, plus our famous Fireworks Cruises.
Special Memorial Day Fireworks Cruises will be
depart Navy Pier Saturday, May 23rd at 9:30 and Sunday,
May 24th at 8:45 pm.
Celebrate Bastille Day on a Shoreline Sightseeing Luncheon Cruise
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Shoreline Sightseeing will offer a special Chicago River Luncheon Cruise in celebration of Bastille Day on Tuesday, July 14th. Passengers will enjoy a traditional French lunch plus a presentation by one of Shoreline’s professional and entertaining docents highlighting the role of the French community in the history, architecture and culture of Chicago. Here’s an advance peek at the classic French menu – Coq au vin, roasted red fingerling potatoes, haricort verts, French bread, salad maison, dark-chocolate mouse torte and fresh berry fruit torte! Bon Appetit!
The 90-minute cruise departs Ogden Slip at Navy Pier at 12:00. Tickets are $40; cash bar available.
Independence Day Fireworks Cruises Now on Sale
Lake Fireworks Cruise — July 4, 2009
Approximately one hour cruise on Lake Michigan with an amazing view of the patriotic fireworks display. Fireworks are scheduled for 9:00 pm. Boat departs at 8:15 pm from Navy Pier West dock.
$30 all ages.
River Architecture/Fireworks Cruise —
July 3, 2009 and July 4, 2009
These 75-minute tours feature an Architecture Cruise plus spectacular holiday fireworks viewing from Shoreline’s Ogden Slip dock. A cash bar is available on board. Fireworks are scheduled for 9:00 pm. Check your ticket confirmation for departure details.
$45 all ages.
...Reserved tickets are required for these very special occasions.
Skyline Boat Tours
for Taste of Chicago
June 26th to July 5th
Shoreline Sightseeing, an official sponsor of the Taste of Chicago, will run Skyline Boat Tours daily from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm during the festival. Tours depart from our Buckingham Fountain dock directly across Lake Shore Drive from the Grant Park Taste site. A Skyline Tour is the perfect mid-day “Taste Break” or an great way to wrap up a day or evening of sampling the city’s culinary treats!
Tickets are available at our Taste of Chicago booth at Congress and Columbus or at our Buckingham Fountain dock.
Venetian Night Fireworks Cruise
July 25, 2009
Chicago’s Venetian Night celebration features a dazzling lighted boat parade plus one of the largest fireworks display of the summer set to a customized music soundtrack. Enjoy this magical night aboard a special, 75-minute Shoreline Venetian Night Fireworks Cruise. Special Shoreline Fireworks Cruises from Navy Pier let you enjoy this magical night (but, due to harbor traffic restrictions, the boat parade-of-sail is not visible from this cruise). Boat departs at 8:15 pm for the 9:00 pm Fireworks.
Venetian Night combination Fireworks / Architecture Cruises
Celebrate Venetian Night with an evening River Architecture Cruise which includes fireworks viewing aboard our boat from Shoreline’s Ogden Slip dock, all for just $45 per person. 75-minute cruise departs at 7:45 pm; a cash bar is available on board.
...Reserved tickets are required for these very special occasions.
Make a Difference
Join Shoreline in supporting the Wounded Warrior project on a special August 12th Cruise
Shoreline, in conjunction with Adaptive Adventures, is hosting a special event for the Wounded Warriors project on August 12th from 7–10 pm on the Bright Star leaving from our Ogden Slip dock and Navy Pier.
Join us for an evening cruise to welcome and support a group of recently injured military to kick-off a multi-day Adaptive Sports Camp and the Chicago Air & Water Show. All proceeds benefit recently injured military personnel.
Ticket Donation $100
(All Proceeds Benefit Recently Injured Military Personnel)
Evening Cocktail and Fireworks Cruise
includes Food, Open Bar, Live Music and Special Guests.
Celebrate Labor Day Weekend with Shoreline
Get in the holiday spirit with Fireworks Cruises on both September 5th and Sunday, September 6th. These will be the final fireworks display of Navy Pier’s summer season and they should be spectacular!
On Saturday night we'll also offer our 75-minute combination Architecture / Fireworks Cruise.
Shoreline’s Oktoberfest cruises are a highlight of Chicago’s fall season!
Saturday October 3
This year the 90-minute River Cruises are scheduled to depart from Navy Pier at 12:00 noon, returning at 1:30. Cruises include traditional lunch of brats with all the trimmings plus German background music and docent commentary on Chicago’s famous architecture as well as the role the German community played in shaping modern Chicago. It’s a fun outing for the entire family.
Tickets $45 for adults, $42 for seniors, and $30 for children
Fall Fireworks Cruises begin Sept. 18!
Celebrate the fall season on a Shoreline Fall Fireworks Cruise. Enjoy a dramatic, starlit Lake Michigan tour and the special fall Navy Pier fireworks displays. The special 45-minute cruises set sail at 8:30 pm on Friday and Saturday evenings from Friday, September 18th through Saturday, October 31st. Themed fireworks displays catch the spirit of fall in Chicago — and that includes Halloween displays beginning October 2nd!
Special fall fireworks cruise pricing: $15 adults, $14 seniors, $7 children on Saturdays, and $1 less on Friday evenings!
Fall Water Taxis
Water Taxi service continues on the Chicago River until the end of October. Service hours are from 11 am-4 pm; service hours and dates may be extended if weather allows. Docks served are Navy Pier (Ogden Slip), Michigan Avenue (401 N. Michigan), and Sears Tower/Union Station (200 S. Wacker Dr.)
Going to see Cirque Shanghai this summer?
Consider the Navy Pier All Day Fun Package, which includes a voucher for a Shoreline Skyline Boat Tour as well as other fun activities. Complete information is available through Navy Pier.
Architecture Cruises Keep Running!

Architecture Cruises run through November … and beyond! The crisp days of autumn (and those of extra-early spring, too) can be some of the best for seeing the world-class buildings along the Chicago River. Our River Cruise page has updated daily schedule information.
Shoreline's other services will return in the spring!
What people are saying about …
Shoreline’s Architecture Cruise
"This is a must if you are a local Chicago resident or an out-of-towner/newbie."
"Overall, I recommend this to Chicago visitors. In one hour, you'll get a proper introduction to this gorgeous city."
—Shoreline Architecture Cruise Review on Yelp
"Best Architectural Tour In Town—This was the best Architectural Tour we have ever taken. The tour guides are amazing and animated."
—Citysearch review
Listen to our experienced guides as you cruise the Chicago River. Shoreline
lets you choose up to 12 cruise-times each day. Our custom-fitted vessels
offer fabulous views of Chicago's historic buildings and world-class new architecture.