Chicago River's First Lady cruise is back—And she’s still the queen of tours

Last week, the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) River Cruise aboard First Lady kicked off its 2025 season; the premier architecture cruise returns for its 32nd season as one of the country’s “2025 Best Boat Tours,” being named so by Newsweek.

The 90-minute iconic cruise is one of Chicago’s largest tourist attractions each year, gaining several awards just last year, including being named #1 boat tour in the U.S. in 2024 USA Today 10 Best. The CAC River Cruise was also voted the 2024 Best Tour and Best Outdoor Attraction in Chicago Reader. 

According to a press release by the organization, more than 150 CAC-certified volunteer docents conduct 100 hours of training as well as 12 weeks of study about Chicago’s architecture to give knowledgeable and engaging tours about Chicago’s skyline. 

Guests aboard the iconic cruise have the opportunity to experience 360-degree breathtaking views along the Chicago River while learning the history of more than 50 downtown buildings, all of which are made of various architecture styles such as Art Deco, Neoclassical, Mid-Century Modern and Postmodern styles.

This season’s CAC River Cruise runs through Sunday, November 23 with various daily departure times. Tickets start at $56 and can be purchased online or in-person. For more information, visit the CAC River Cruise website.