Best architecture tour near Wrigley Field

Question

I am going to a Cubs game at 1:20 on Wednesday April 9 and would like to go on a river cruise after that if possible.

Are there any architectural cruises that depart near Wrigley field? I would buy tickets the day of because I do not know what time the baseball game will end. I will only be in town for the day so I want to get in as many fun things as possible.

Answer

It sounds like you’re planning a fun day in Chicago, combining a Cubs game with an architectural tour of the city! While there aren’t any architectural river cruises that depart directly from Wrigley Field, there are plenty of options that are easily accessible after your game. Here are some details to help you plan your post-game architectural cruise:

Wrigley Field is located in the Lakeview neighborhood, which is a bit farther north from the downtown area where most architectural cruises depart. However, getting to the downtown area after the Cubs game should be relatively quick via a short taxi ride, Uber, or public transportation. The cruise companies typically operate in the Loop area along the Chicago River, just a short trip from Wrigley Field.

Here are some great options for architectural river cruises near the downtown area:

Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise – This is one of the most popular and informative architectural tours in Chicago. It departs from the riverwalk located at the southwest corner of Wacker Drive and Michigan Avenue, which is about a 15-minute drive from Wrigley Field. The cruise offers a deep dive into the history of Chicago’s iconic skyline and architecture. The tours run every day, but it’s best to check the schedule for availability and consider booking your ticket in advance.
Shoreline Sightseeing Architectural Cruise – Another great option is Shoreline Sightseeing, which offers a variety of river and lake tours. Their architectural cruise is highly rated and also departs from the downtown area, located at the Chicago Riverwalk, which is easily accessible by Uber or taxi from Wrigley Field. They have several daily departures, so you can likely find one that fits your schedule after the Cubs game.
Mercury Chicago’s Skyline Cruise – Mercury offers a slightly different experience with their skyline cruises, which also include an architectural focus. They depart from the dock located near the Michigan Avenue Bridge, around 15-20 minutes by car from Wrigley Field. The tours are very engaging and include a detailed commentary on Chicago's unique architecture. Again, it's best to check their schedule ahead of time to confirm availability.

Since your Cubs game starts at 1:20 PM, it could end around 4:00 PM or later, depending on the game length. Given that most architectural cruises are about 90 minutes long, you may want to look for a departure between 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM. To maximize your time, I recommend checking with the cruise companies directly for availability, or considering a taxi or Uber to make sure you can arrive on time.

If you don’t have time for a full architectural cruise, consider taking a shorter walking architectural tour, as there are several options that are closer to the game and allow you to explore the city’s iconic buildings without heading all the way downtown.

Overall, the Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise or Shoreline Sightseeing would be your best bets, but you’ll need to plan a quick trip from Wrigley to downtown to catch the cruise in time.