Chicago on Lake Michigan in Illinois is one of the largest cities in the US and is, in fact, the third-most populated in the country, just after New York City and Los Angeles. Characterized by its bold architecture, the Chicago skyline is awash with imposing skyscrapers, with iconic buildings like the John Hancock Center, Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower), and the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower dominating the metropolitan horizon - the latter of which boasts an exterior collection of stones from other globally famed edifices from around the world, like Notre Dame, the Parthenon, St. Peter's Basilica, the White House, and, most recently, the Berlin Wall. Yet, aside from its striking building rising high from the sidewalks, what is Chicago known for?

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What Is Chicago Famous For?

The nefarious mobster history of Chicago also beckons the curious; home of notorious mafia magnate Al Capone, Chicago's prolific illicit shenanigans of the past make the city one of the most fascinating urban sprawls for tales of historic organized crime. Since the 1920s, gangsters are now a thing of days gone by and remain mere tales; Chicago has become renowned for less eyebrow-raising pursuits, although its status as a jazz music haven still remains intact (as does its seedy side, much like most metropolises).

Chicago museums, including the Art Institute of Chicago with its Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works, have solidified the city's place even more firmly under the noses of art lovers and history buffs. Foodies are also in for a grand time; Chicago is famous for belly-busting Chicago-style hot dogs, Chicago deep-dish pizza, and Maxwell Street Polish Sausage.

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Still, with all the sights, history, arts, and food to inhale in Chicago, one feature that's remained through it all is a wet one. An icon of the city throughout the centuries, the Chicago River is one of the city's most recognizable marks, opening up untold adventure and some of the best sightseeing Chicago has to offer its eager-eyed opportunists. It's a system of rivers and canals with a collective length of 156 miles and runs right through the city of Chicago, including its busy center.

Long ago, during the nineteenth century, the river used to be crucial in Chicago's development as a chief hub of the lumber and meatpacking industries. Access through the Illinois and Michigan Canals to the Des Plaines River and the Mississippi River system offered fantastic opportunities for shipping and trade and shipping across the Midwest. Today, although it sees use, the river is a premier tourist attraction providing superb adventures - but in the midst of all that's going on at any given moment, people will notice its azure hue, much unlike many urban rivers around the world.

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Why Is Chicago River Water Blue?

The Chicago river color is distinctively blue, resulting from its clay bottom, lake water, and algae. Its shade is a picturesque blue-green hue, which is at its brightest and most vibrant on warm, sunny days. Although Chicago weather doesn't offer much in the way of guaranteed heat and sunshine outside the summer months, exploring the river any time of the year still provides a special experience of discovering the top attractions in Chicago from the water - and that's where this Chicago river tour comes in, which might be among the best Chicago tours for tourists hoping to see the city's most famous sights in a short space of time.

As people cruise down the Chicago River, they'll get the exclusive chance to soak up sights of the city's famous architecture on this carefully planned boat tour. With commentary from a knowledgeable onboard guide, guests can get to know Chicago intimately and see it from a special vantage point many don't get the chance to experience. Watching the spectacular skyline glide by, including over 40 famed buildings, passed by on this trip, making it a superior choice for visitors wishing to savor the best sightseeing tours Chicago has to offer - especially those with only a couple of hours to spare.

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What To Expect On This Chicago River Cruise

Guests first make their way to Navy Pier or Michigan Avenue, depending on the tour option chosen, for their cruise departure. Next, they board the riverboat and can find a comfortable seat. A restroom and full bar are sometimes available on the boat, too. Once settled and ready to go, the tour guide - who is a Chicago architecture expert - provides an introduction to the city's famous landmarks. Along the scenic river route, tour participants will witness notable Chicago buildings designed by world-famous architects, including Mies van der Rohe, Helmut Jahn, Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill.

Tour participants get to marvel at over 40 impressive buildings on this top Chicago riverboat cruise; covering all three branches of the Chicago River, long-loved landmarks like Navy Pier, the Wrigley Building, the John Hancock Building, East Bank Club, the Willis Tower, the Lyric Opera House, and the old Post Office Building all make dramatic appearances on the route, to name just a few. As the Chicago scenery slowly passes by, the expert guide recounts the two major events that shaped the history - literally (architecturally speaking).

From the guide's seasoned narration, tourers learn about how the invention of balloon-frame construction transformed how homes were constructed, and they can get the scoop on the dramatic story of Chicago's rise from the Great Fire of 1871. Interestingly, these milestones together led Chicago to become one of the pivotal points of modern American architecture, revolutionizing design and construction for the following era.

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About This Chicago Boat Tour

  • Excursion Name: Chicago Architecture River Cruise
  • Price: From $46.87
  • Time: Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes

This cruise needs good weather to run. If it’s canceled due to poor weather conditions, the operator will offer customers a different date or a full refund.

The Main Benefits Of This Chicago River Boat Tour

  • Discover all three branches of the Chicago River with a guide well-versed in the city's legendary architecture
  • Enjoy admiring the city's majestic city skyline and architecture from a unique angle - on the water.
  • See more than 40 iconic Chicago buildings and skyscrapers
  • Discover the major historical events that shape the architectural history of Chicago
  • This ultra-flexible cruise runs over 20 times daily from Navy Pier and Michigan Avenue

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