Marina City Tours and Activities
10,744 Reviews
The dueling main columns of Marina City overlook the Chicago River. Its scalloped “corn-on-the-cob” exterior, formed by undulating half-moon balconies, has made it instantly recognizable and a popular setting in movies such as Batman Begins, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and The Blues Brothers. While the historic buildings are largely residential—some 1,400 people call Marina City home today—visitors are welcome to the complex. You can head up to roof decks for 360 degree views of the city skyline, rent boats in the attached marina to explore the Chicago river, dine in restaurants like Smith and Wollensky’s Grill, catch a concert in the House of Blues, and even use the structures’ ice skating rink, swimming pool, and bowling alley.
Marina City’s 588-foot towers, designed by great Chicago architect Bertrand Goldberg, were the tallest residential structures and the tallest concrete buildings in the world when they were constructed in the early 1960s. Forty-stories of pie-shaped apartments, designed to emphasize city views, sit atop twenty stories of parking. Designed as a “city within a city,” with shopping, dining, office buildings, recreational spaces, and entertainment for its residents, the then-novel concept was part of a movement encouraging Chicagoans to return to downtown from the suburbs.
300 N. State Street, Chicago, Illinois
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Chicago Architecture River Cruise
6827
Cruise down the Chicago River to see the city's famous architecture on this boat tour. With commentary from your onboard guide, watch the spectacular skyline glide by, including more than 40 notable buildings like Navy Pier, the Wrigley Building, and the John Hancock Building. Cover all three branches of the Chicago River, passing the East Bank Club, the old Post Office Building and the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower).
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From
$44.69
From
$44.69
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
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90-Minute Chicago River Architecture Tour
1285
Discover the architectural gems of the Windy City from an ideal vantage point on a cruise down the Chicago River. Offered several times throughout the day, it’s easy to fit the leisurely excursion into your itinerary. Covering more than 130 years of architectural history, the tour is the perfect opportunity to see a huge area of the city without the hassle of taxis and public transit.
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From
$40.00
From
$40.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Chicago Night Crimes Bus Tour
108
Discover the ‘dark side’ of the Windy City thanks to this 2.5-hour, bus-based, nighttime crime history tour of Chicago. Explore the lives of notorious mobsters like Al Capone, Frank Nitti, Bugs Moran, and more as you explore infamous crime scenes like the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, learn about ‘The Enforcer’s Safe,’ and stop by local watering holes.
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From
$51.00
From
$51.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Chicago Crime and Mob Bus Tour
1090
Explore Chicago's gangster past on this mafia tour in a coach vehicle. Drive around the Windy City to see where Al Capone, The Untouchables, Hymie Weiss, and John Dillinger, among other thugs hung out. A history-savvy guide introduces you to some of the most storied locations of Chicago’s criminal past, including Holy Name Cathedral, Biography Theatre, and the site of the bloody St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. You'll be able to get out and pose for pictures in front of a historic courthouse, among other infamous sites.
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From
$46.00
From
$46.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Chicago Walking Tour: Modern Architecture
10
Embark on a walking tour of Chicago's more-recent architecture heritage with a 2-hour stroll highlighting the city's modern, postmodern, and international structures. Especially known for its architectural originality, Chi-town boasts everything from the elegant metal and glass tower of One South Dearborn to the Harold Washington Library, with its Beaux-Arts inspired exterior. Your guide will highlight these and other unique buildings, relaying background on their individual histories and construction en route.
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From
$30.00
From
$30.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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Chicago Lake and River Architecture Tour
554
Step aboard a boat for a comprehensive cruise that details the history of Chicago's architecture. Enjoy views of the Chicago skyline accompanied by architecture-focused commentary that points out each of the landmark buildings. As you cruise through Lake Michigan, snap photos of you and your party against the stretch of Chicago's 26-mile shoreline.
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From
$40.00
From
$40.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady
527
The Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady has long been the gold standard among all Chicago tour experiences, and is the only Chicago architecture boat tour led by highly trained expert docents. On this 90-minute cruise, you will enjoy an overview of historic and modern architectural styles including stories about the people who designed and built Chicago. No visit to Chicago is complete without experiencing this award winning tour, so accept no substitutes.
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From
$56.00
From
$56.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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45-Minute Chicago River Architecture Tour from Magnificent Mile
141
Get a front row perspective on the exquisite buildings that line the Chicago River during a 45-minute architecture cruise. Hear live commentary about the history and architectural heritage of Chicago on this family-friendly tour, which highlights landmarks such as the Chicago Riverwalk, Michigan Avenue Bridge, Wrigley Building, and Willis Tower. Sit on the open-air top deck or the sheltered bottom deck for the ultimate view of Chicago.
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From
$23.00
From
$23.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More
Chicago Urban Adventure River and Lake Cruise
117
See the the Second City from the water with a sightseeing cruise along the Chicago River and the Lake Michigan shoreline. Take in towering skyscrapers and spot the gargoyles that live on to of the city’s historic buildings. Hear stories about the city’s history and culture as you pass Chicago landmarks, museums and iconic buildings. Capture unforgettable images of the city skyline from Lake Michigan, and get a unique look at Chicago that’s perfect for all ages.
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From
$39.00
From
$39.00
45-Minute Chicago Architecture Boat Tour from Chicago Riverwalk
43
Enjoy unparalleled views of the Chicago skyline—and glimpse many of the city’s top landmarks—on this architectural boat tour. Pick from multiple convenient departure times, and hop aboard the open-air vessel right off the Chicago Riverwalk. As you trawl the Chicago River, spy skyscrapers and historical marvels from the Willis Tower to the Wrigley Building, and learn all about the Windy City’s world-famous architecture from your guide’s narration.
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From
$23.00
From
$23.00
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
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Ugly Buildings Tour
21
Chicago is the architectural capital of the country and has so many tours profiling these wonderful, beautiful buildings. Hiding around these architectural masterpieces, however, are UGLY BUILDINGS. This “educational roast” teases these buildings and creates a conversation on what makes a building pretty or ugly. These opinions are all subjective, and participants are encouraged to share their perspectives whether or not they agree.
IMPORTANT NOTE: There are jokes about Trump Tower along with the person it is named after on this tour. There is also one swear word used, because it is an important part of a story. If you don’t think you would find these kinds of jokes funny, I recommend choosing any other architectural tour.
There are so many stories and perspectives on Ugly Buildings I have not previously been able to share on any other tours. I am really excited to have you along for this experience that is unlike any other tour in Chicago!
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From
$30.00
From
$30.00
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Regular temperature checks for staff
Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
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Your Way or the Highway: 2-hour Customized Private Walking Tour in Chicago
18
Enjoy a private 2-hour walking tour with Belgian-American tour guide Leentje. She will introduce you to the city she calls home since 2014. Every tour is different and custom-made. Tours are available in English, French, or Dutch.
Focus can be on public or street art, architecture, food, and much more!
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From
$200.00
per group
From
$200.00
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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Chicago Walking Tour: Connecting Past and Present
1
This lively overview of Chicago architecture explores iconic buildings from the 1890s to present. We'll compare and contrast a wide range of buildings with varying architectural styles and see how older structures connect to new skyline additions.
On this tour, we'll make seven stops in downtown Chicago where we can compare the histories and styles of buildings located within sight of each other. The tour features 19th-Century Commercial, Beaux-Arts, Mid-Century Modern and Postmodern buildings, as well as the latest in architecture from Frank Gehry, Renzo Piano and Adrian Smith. At each stop, we’ll look at the connections between the past and present and discover what inspires design today. The tour culminates with a visit to Millennium Park, where world-class art and architecture combine, creating a unique urban fabric.
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From
$30.00
From
$30.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Chicago Ghost Hunt: Ghosts of the Chicago River
Let’s Roam is the #1 app-led scavenger hunt company. Walk to all the best landmarks and hidden gems, answering trivia questions and solving challenges. Work with your team or compete against them, as you learn new facts and create memorable experiences. Let’s Roam Scavenger Hunts are great as an everyday activity, or for bachelorette parties, birthday parties, corporate team building events and more! Each player chooses an interactive role, with challenges varying by person.
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From
$12.31
From
$12.31
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