Wendella
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
About
Chicago, Illinois

Awards
Travelers' Choice
2023

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Tours and Tickets by Wendella
Travelers talk about
(191 reviews)
(250 reviews)
(179 reviews)
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

4.5
4,696 reviews
Excellent
3,680
Very good
697
Average
155
Poor
74
Terrible
91

Taylor B
Chicago, IL8,751 contributions
Aug 2022
If you ever have spent any length of time in downtown Chicago, by the Chicago River, on the Michigan Avenue Bridge, near the Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower, you must be familiar with the name Wendella. Since 1935, the Wendella Boat Tour Company has been offering river and lake cruises plus private boat rentals to one and all. It is a Chicago tradition. In fact, Wendella sponsors the original architecture tour, one for 45 minutes and another for 90 minutes. For tickets, stop at the ticket office at 400 North Michigan Avenue, at the Wrigley Building, at the Michigan Avenue Bridge. Tours run from 9 to 9 Sunday through Thursday and 9 to 10 on Friday and Saturday. It's the best seat in the house but be forewarned: it's always crowded, especially on weekends when tourists can't get enough of the Magnificent Mile and the Riverwalk. What strikes your fancy, the Chicago Sunset Cruise or the Chicago Fireworks Cruise on Wednesday and Saturday nights or the Beer and BBQ cruise on Thursday or the Wine and Cheese Cruise on Thursday? The daily architecture cruises are most popular, a great way to see the city and learn something about its rich history. Hey, looking ahead, Wendella also hosts a St. Patrick's Day cruise and a Holiday Fireworks Cruise on November 21.
Written August 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

nikki7250
Silver Spring, MD28 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
Took 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.
Written November 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

fozjon
Jaipur, India1,745 contributions
Oct 2022
we don't come to Chicago often but wanted to do a river tour. This is the one that was recommended to us. Very glad we did it on a surprisingly warm late October day. Our guide Dave may well work as a stand up comic in the evening, he kept us entertained and informed on the tour.
Written October 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Chris S
2 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
This 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.
Written October 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lisa
Omaha, NE3 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
I believe I heard them say there were 209 paying customers plus staff on the boat. We were squeezed into narrow rows on chairs. Hard to see details of the locks if you didn’t stand up. Even when the tour guide asked people to sit down so everyone could see, many people didn’t which made it harder for seated guests to see. It was hard to hear Phyllis, our tour guide, as people were talking loudly over her and there was no where to move away from the inconsiderate passengers since we were all wedged onto the vessel like sardines. Ms. Phyllis had a wealth of information about the buildings and basic architecture. It was just a shame she couldn’t be heard well. I get it that they are running a business & want to maximize profits with each trip out but, in my opinion, there was about double the number of passengers there should have been. Not worth it for the price they charge.
Written September 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

C7VetteCruiser
Sturgeon Bay, WI56 contributions
Jun 2021
The 90 minute river trip was excellent with a live informal and educational narration by a experienced guide. The sound system easily understood and heard. You will not experience a tinny recording blaring through a inferior sound system often encountered on tour excursions. Highly recommend.
Written June 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cynthia F
Delray Beach, Florida3 contributions
Jun 2022
We spent a long weekend in Chicago with our son/girlfriend in their 40s and we all agreed this was one of our favorite experiences. Top notch tour (we did the 7 pm) with an entertaining and informative guide. Everything from booking, departure, time on the river, to disembarkment went wonderfully. Many steps to board and walk up upon return. Look for the elevator if someone in your party is older or has trouble with stairs.
Written June 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

We3MeetAgain
South Bend, IN44 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
We had a fabulous time on the architecture tour. Great views of the city. We traveled from Michigan Avenue all the way down to Chinatown. Kenny the guide was so funny and fun and so knowledgeable about the history and the current events in and about Chicago. He added some funny jokes and interesting facts and kept us very engaged and entertained. My husband and I traveled with four teens who liked it as well. They have bathrooms and drinks/snacks available for purchase below deck.
Written September 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Comic Kids
1 contribution
Nov 2022 • Family
Excellent boat tour. John, the guide, was one of the most knowledgeable and quick-witted guides we’ve ever had on a tour. Amazing way to learn about the history of Chicago through its architecture. Highly recommend.
Written November 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Annmarie T
20 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Very knowledgeable guide and we learned a lot! Great way to see the city. Audio could have been better. We were close to the front and center but had to strain to hear the commentary at times. Also note that the tour did not seem super accessible - we saw many groups having to carry strollers up the stairs, or going slowly with canes, when getting off the boat.

We went end of March, dress warm!
Written March 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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