Chicago’s First Lady Cruises

Chicago’s First Lady Cruises is a river cruise company with a dock at 112 E. Wacker Drive on the Chicago Riverwalk, at the southeast corner of the DuSable Bridge at Michigan Avenue. The company is the official cruise line of the Chicago Architecture Center and carries the Center’s docent-led 90-minute architecture river cruise on boats with open upper decks, climate-controlled cabins and full bars. The fleet includes wheelchair-accessible vessels.

What to know

• The 2026 season runs March 15 through November 22.
• Architecture cruise tickets start at $57, with narration by trained volunteer docents rather than a script.
• The dock is down the stairs under a black awning; arrive 30 minutes early, since missed boats are not refunded.
• Adding admission to the Center’s exhibits across the street costs $5 with a cruise ticket instead of the regular $15.
• Charter and general inquiries go to (847) 358-1330, per the company’s contact page.