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    Chicago Fireboat Tours

    4.9 (68 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 11:00 pm

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    Chris A.

    There are many tour boat companies to choose from and we are so happy we chose Chicago Fireboat Tours! It was GREAT! Just being on a such an historic treasure of a boat. Not too big of a boat either so you can maneuver around it all for great views of Lake Michigan & the Chicago River. This was a Historical & Architectural tour. We learned so much from the speaker ( Cliff) about this great city. Stunning views. Plenty of memorabilia on the boat from it's storied past. Even a full bar ( and small bathrooms). Very fair price. Tour was just under 2 hours which went by quickly because it was fun. If there is one boat tour to do of Chicago, it's this one. Just grab an Old Style (beer), sit back, and enjoy.

    Alana E.

    The Chicago Fireboat Tour was one of the highlights of our trip. The captain and crew were all incredibly kind and accommodating. We loved the narration by Cliff, our tour guide--his voice is perfect for the job (think radio DJ!)--and we enjoyed a refreshing beer from Magic Manny, the bartender. Seeing the city's iconic buildings up close was truly magical. There was plenty of seating, including several tables toward the back of the boat for families who wanted to enjoy lunch during the tour. I highly recommend this experience--you won't be disappointed!

    Going through the lock
    Chris C.

    Took the family for an afternoon tour. Two teens and my spouse. Everyone enjoyed it. Smaller than other tour boats but it gives it a different feel which I appreciated.

    Panoramic views
    Andra T.

    If you want to spend a lovely afternoon and learn something about the architecture of the buildings in downtown this it's the best way. Take a sit ,relax and enjoy. It's nice cuz on the back side of the boat it's covered but unfortunately you can't hear very well because of the noise of the engine so in a hot summer day,that's the best spot if you don't come prepare with had ,sunscreen etc.:) There it's also a small lovely bar that provide snacks and drinks ,2 tinny restrooms service ,a lovely entrance where you can admire some beautiful and tragic moments in the history of firefighters and of course the front side of the boat that it's having chairs to sit and enjoy.

    Janae J.

    Loved the Chicago fireboat tour. It's a smaller tour boat than some of the others. My friend and I found them on Groupon the deal was super easy to use and book. We got there with plenty of time to spare before boarding. Austin the tour guide gave an awesome satirical history of chicago and the unique architecture and stories that makes up the city. Loved seeing the buildings from the vantage point of the river. I was glad I dressed warm because the wind gets pretty strong coming out back onto Lake Michigan! There were also refreshments to purchase at the bar but my friend and I just stayed in our seats the whole time except to move around a bit to take pictures!

    Carl B.

    Had a great time. Learned a lot about the area and architecture. Was pretty chilly out but the Irish coffee warmed us right up.

    At the dock.
    Dave L.

    This tour was one of the highlights of a recent trip to Chicago. We had a great time learning about the locks on the river, the river itself, Lake Michigan, Chicago parks, and the architecture. We arrived early, so we got our choice of seats. They have a little bar, so you can sip a cocktail, beer, wine, or soda while during your cruise. The boat is an old fire boat that has quite a history. It has been very well restored and modified for its current use. The pricing is very reasonable for the tour. I will definitely recommend this tour to anyone traveling to Chicago.

    Kyle B.

    Really enjoyed this tour. Was initially going to go with the Wendella which most people do. I like this one because the vessel is smaller, so not as many people like the Wendella and priced better. It was informative, fun, and you get some AMAZING views and pictures. Wasn't too happy that they don't accept Groupon on weekends and holidays. But got over it and purchased from them directly. Based on the experience, glad that we went with them.

    View from the front seats on our way back.  Assuming these retro objects on the deck don't work anymore, but they look really cool.
    Clojangles H.

    Loved this tour! Great architecture tour. Cool historic fireboat. Much better than the huge touristy boats. Small bar for beer, wine, soft drinks, water. Can sit outside or inside. Great staff. Veteran owned.

    Bessy T.

    book this for your visiting friends/family around @chicagofireboattours Lakeshore, Chicago This was a fireboat that ran for 45 years. Starting in 1936. Owners were in the navy and are starting a nonprofit to train veterans to work these tours and unique historical boats in Chicago, isn't that cool? They'll have a navy boat coming up, so stay tuned! It's $45 for 2 hours in the lake + river for a sunset tour. Firework cruises and architecture Tours also available

    View of city
    Victoria V.

    It was a lovely night. My son and boyfriend loved the whole experience since it was their first time on a boat

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    3 years ago

    My wife and I went on a tour with these guys last year. Fantastic time and consummate professionals. I would highly recommend these guys!

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    3 years ago

    Great tour. Very informative. Especially since we only had a few days in Chicago. Can only recommend!

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    5 years ago

    Fabulous evening of fireworks on the lake! Great historic boat and fabulous friendly crew! Definitely a must do!!!

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    7 years ago

    Cpts Matt, Ray and Eric were great. Matt gave a great tour. Very informative and entertaining. We had an awesome time.

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    Page 2 of 2

    Ask the Community - Chicago Fireboat Tours

    Review Highlights - Chicago Fireboat Tours

    Nothing better than an historic boat run by Navy veterans with a sense of humor and great Chicago back story.

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    First Lady - Such a great trip!

    First Lady

    (512 reviews)

    The Loop

    The tour itself was great, and our guide was knowledgeable and did a wonderful job. We also had a…read moregreat experience with the bartenders. Unfortunately, the accessibility side of the experience could use some improvement. We had someone in our group with a disability, and it wasn't very clear how to access the boat or where the accessible route was located. We did find the ADA information on the website afterward, so we recognize that we could have looked into it more beforehand, but it does take several clicks to find and could be made much more visible. The wheelchair-accessible ramp is also about two blocks away, which can be especially difficult for someone using a cane or with limited mobility. When we asked the staff on the dock for assistance getting down, we unfortunately didn't receive much help. Overall, we enjoyed the tour itself, but clearer accessibility signage, more visible information, and a little more assistance from staff would have made a big difference. We noticed that the sightseeing tour across the water had very clear handicap-accessible signage, which might be something worth considering.

    We took the First Lady architecture tour while visiting Chicago with friends, and it was easily a…read more10/10 experience. The guides do a great job bringing the city's history and architecture to life, and the views from the river are unbeatable. One tip: even in the summer, bring a sweatshirt. It was a cool day, and I ended up heading downstairs for a while to warm up. Also, don't skip the bar. The drinks were surprisingly good and made the cruise even more enjoyable. A must-do if you're visiting Chicago.

    Shoreline Sightseeing - Chicago Fire Department near Navy Pier

    Shoreline Sightseeing

    (1.9k reviews)

    Near North Side

    A river tour is a must when visiting Chicago! We decided to do Shoreline Sightseeing, and it was…read moresuch a great experience. We were nervous because my mom gets motion sickness easily, and we weren't sure she'd be able to enjoy the tour. Thankfully, the water was calm enough, and she absolutely loved it! The views were beautiful, and we learned so many fun facts about the city along the way. Definitely recommend adding this to your Chicago itinerary!

    This tour was on the top 10 list of our things to do in Chicago. I researched all the boat…read morecompanies that offered the Chicago architecture boat cruises and Shoreline Sightseeing came out hands down #1 for us in tour length, type of cruises, accessibility and in price for what you got. Best deal. Our tour guide was happy, energetic, and very knowledgeable about Chicago because he was born and raised there. We chose the 75 minute, 4pm Chicago River tour and it covered a lot! We never lost interest and learned about Chicago's history. It is well worth it! Our Architecture River Tour boat departed from the dock at Navy Pier. We learned that their boats are the most accessible at this location. Their boats can accommodate wheelchairs up to 30-inches wide. Your wheelchair must be able to navigate a ramp with a 2-inch step at one end. I needed one that was kind to my knees. Best to call them for more details. They were very helpful whenever we called them. Their boats are both double-decker and single-level boats, and there is generally no protection from the sun, rain, or wind. There is a small bar on the main level. Restrooms are located on the lower deck, which is accessible only via stairs from the upper deck. Enjoy! It's amazing!

    Chicago Fireboat Tours - boatcharters - Updated September 2026

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