Our Reviews

We had a great time on the historical and architecture tour, the boat has plenty of space, friendly staff and well stocked bar! We got to see the city from the river, go through the lock and learn about the history of the boat and the city along the river. Would recommend!!!

Chicago Fireboat Tours Our family went on a tour with Chicago Fireboat Tours on Thursday, September 16th and it was a wonderful experience. The docent, a fella named Cliff was first rate and really made the trip even more enoyable. I highly recommend Chicago Fireboar Tours for anyone wishing to see Chicago from the lake and the river. Ken

Fireboat Architectural Boat Tour We've been on other architectural boat tours before and highly recommend this one. It's smaller and more intimate and our guide Cliff was superb.

Cliff and his team are incredible. I’ve never had so much fun on a tour boat. Seriously such a different experience compared to the typical boat tours. Highly highly highly recommend! Had an absolute blast

Fantastic. The boat is so cool, loaded with historical pictures & neat firefighter memorabilia. Great info shared by narrator, Cliff! The whole team is great! Going through the Chicago River locks is cool, architecture awesome! Would do it again for sure!

We went on a 3pm history and architectural fireboat tour and it was fantastic. We were checked in promptly when we arrived at 2:30 and were able to board at 2:45. We found seats at the front of the boat and ended up next to where the guide, Cliff, was speaking. Cliff was very engaging and incredibly knowledgeable - we learned a lot on the tour, more than I expected. We started off on Lake Michigan, went through the locks onto the river and then came back. Cliff chatted with us during the brief breaks and even shared some tips for us after finding out that we had been to Wrigley Field. During the tour, he told us about the city's architecture, Chicago bridge and fireboat styles, movies made in Chicago, a bit about Al Capone, the lighthouse, Navy Pier, fires fought by the fireboat we were on when it was in service, and more! The bartender Manny was also very nice and personable. The only downside was the number of people standing at the rail, which unfortunately blocked some pictures I wanted to take. Overall, I would definitely recommend the tour!

Fantastic! Fantastic. The boat is so cool, loaded with historical pictures & neat firefighter memorabilia. Great info shared by narrator, Cliff! The whole team is great! Going through the Chicago River locks is cool, architecture awesome! Would do it again for sure!

This tour was really enjoyable. Took the afternoon tour thru the lock and up and down the river. Sat in the back of the boat tn the shade around the small tables while friends were in the front for the open area to see better. Loved there was a choice for seating. Crew was fantastic. Cliff was incredibly knowledgeable about the sights in the city, pilots gave us a very comfortable ride and shared stories as we waited on the lock. Our deck hand ran around taking care of lots of chores while Manny made sure we all had our drinks keeping us hydrated with a fun quip or story. You guys"rocked" (pun intended). Thanks for a wonderful day!

Take the Fireboat for a Lake, Lock, and River Experience Loved this tour because it goes into the lake, through the lock, and down the river. The guides are very knowledgable and every seat is a great seat! There's outdoor seating on the front and sides, and the rear is covered. There's also bathrooms on the boat. Very comfortable, smooth sailing. It was at 2 hours for us because a holiday weekend and busy traffic for the lock system, but 100% worth it. Loved being on a retired fireboat and learned some fireboat fighting history.

Fantastic tour on the lake/River with amazing guide! We went on a 3pm history and architectural fireboat tour and it was fantastic. We were checked in promptly when we arrived at 2:30 and were able to board at 2:45. We found seats at the front of the boat and ended up next to where the guide, Cliff, was speaking. Cliff was very engaging and incredibly knowledgeable - we learned a lot on the tour, more than I expected. We started off on Lake Michigan, went through the locks onto the river and then came back. Cliff chatted with us during the brief breaks and even shared some tips for us after finding out that we had been to Wrigley Field. During the tour, he told us about the city's architecture, Chicago bridge and fireboat styles, movies made in Chicago, a bit about Al Capone, the lighthouse, Navy Pier, fires fought by the fireboat we were on when it was in service, and more! The bartender Manny was also very nice and personable. The only downside was the number of people standing at the rail, which unfortunately blocked some pictures I wanted to take. Overall, I would definitely recommend the tour!

Chicago Fire Boat Tour It was perfect! Such a great experience!

I was running late and they called me to see where I was, that’s pretty awesome customer service.

The best boat tour in Chicago! What a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours. Cliff and the entire team take you on an informative and relaxed cruise around Chicago. Highlighting historical moments, amazing architecture, and important landmarks of the Chicago skyline. We have been on other river tours, but this one is just on another level. The boat itself is a piece of Chicago history and will definitely remember the great tour and the people that run it!

Classic Chicago Fireboat w/Passionate Crew Wonderful, fun & informative tour. Everyone was welcoming & fun. Cliff did a great job narrating highlights with added stories of interest…some history & some fun tales. Denise & Eddy were lovely to talk with as well. The skipper handled the vessel beautifully on the lake, through the locks, & in/out of the river. We’ll be doing this again when next in Chicago. Thanks to all!

I'm a local and have done practically all of the architectural boat tours here. I like to do one every summer. This one was hands down my favorite and I wish I had known about it sooner. What I liked especially is that you get a tour of the lake + the river, which is uncommon. I learned a lot this go around and it's fun to experience the lock as well. It's a 2 hour tour for less $ than a 1.5 hour tour on the river based boats - "yes please!" The veteran and "docent" on the boat was well spoken and very knowledgeable and dare I say "cheery." It was an all around great tour and I highly recommend it. Also, it wasn't a crowded tour so plenty of space in late August.

The crew was amazing, the tour was informative and the atmosphere on the boat was incredible. Highly recommend!

Pick this tour! There are several options for river tours; I'm glad I chose this one! The retired fireboat is very cool, and the guide was great! Also, this is a veteran owned business 👍 Highly recommend!

We picked this hidden gem after seeing people packed like sardines on other boats. The whole crew was down to earth and friendly. Our guide, Cliff, was humorous and knew a lot about the city. I highly recommend supporting this veteran owned business.

Tour made me love Chicago more than before Beautiful day; right on time; great personable crew; the views of the buildings wonderful; our tour guide Chris is the best tour guide I've ever heard. Five stars.

So much fun! We thoroughly enjoyed this tour! Cliff was funny, engaging and full of useful (and trivial) knowledge. Entire crew is friendly. Highly recommend supporting this veteran owned business.

Colorado family visits beautifu Chicago Our family had an amazing time on the Fire Boat River and Lake Tour. I booked this particular tour because our son is a firefighter and I thought this would be a special treat for him. The crew was amazing! The seating was comfortable and the boat was spacious. A nice number of people, not too crowded. Cliff was our guide and he was fun and knowledgeable. He also gave a shout out to our son, which was a nice gesture. I would would recommend this tour. The price is similar to other tours offered. The boat is a cool piece of history and there was a bar, with a great bartender! Thank you Cliff and crew for a wonderful day!

This was a really nice tour on a boat that was just the right size.

No l servicio del tour esta súper bueno el tour por el canal del río y la explicación sobre la arquitectura de Chicago y sus edificios genial, vale mucho la pena seguir a estas personas y recomendarlos sus atenciones y servicio súper, y en el bar está Manuel búscalo el tendrá un atención adicional en lo que necesites

Great tour from lake and river We had a great time! Cliff, the guide was great, as was the rest of the team. Great option for seeing the city from both the lake and river

Fireboat tour was AMAZING! I HAD THE BEST TIME!!! I was not sure how it would go. We mostly went because my friend late father was a fireman. I mean everyone on the boat was fantastic especially our guy magical Manny, my friend had a boot because she recently had foot surgery and delivered her iced coffee to her. The tour guide cliff bell what a gem!!! He asked us if he could hear him okay and asked if we need to turn up or down the volume. We had a lovely chat with him he's informative and funny and also sings songs if you let him. The boat was perfect and intimate and not like those huge boats that didnt know most of the Chicago River lore with like hundred or more people. I cannot recommend this place enough they treat us so well and I would go back everytime I visit Chicago!

Awesome tour! Breathtaking views, friendly crew, boat with a history. Highly recommend

Great way to spend your first day in Chicago Super fun tour! Great way to see the river walk and learn about Chicago. Cliff was amazing!

Great time onboard Cliff was amazing! The tour was wonderful, and he was a wealth of knowledge. I only brought a light sweatshirt, and he offered me a crew jacket. However, being from Texas and 100+ degree heat, I was enjoying the chill in the air. We got stuck at the locks waiting for the fireworks barge, but no complaints here! More time on the boat... Yes, please!

Family Event Everyone was wonderful and so much fun!

Experience History and Fun Aboard the Bold Red Fireboat that Served Chicago I am so grateful to have chosen this boat tour! Even as a tourist the crew made me feel like I am a part of Chicago history aboard the fireboat. The historical value and excitement of waving spectators made it an unforgettable tour. As I walked off the boat I felt a fondness and appreciation for the vessel that is hard to describe, you just have to feel it. This excursion should be put at the top of your “things to do in Chicago” list.

Unique and fun Took a group of out-of-town friends on the noon tour. After easy check in and free group photo, we sat at the very front. The smaller size and history of the boat were very relaxing and intersting. Since the boat is docked on the lake, you first get a great view of the skyline, then enter the lock for a trip up the river to the Kinzie Street bridge. Friendly bar and additional seating in back. Narrator Cliff does a wonderful job combining history, trivia, and humor. The friendly crew make this a great option to the bigger tour boats. Use the nearby DuSable Parking Lot, hidden under the overpass.

An informative, fun, and unique tour experience! In an oceans worth (or Lake Michigans worth, as it were) of river tours, this particular group offers the unique experience of touring the architecture along Chigago River on an historic vessel- one of the cities own retired fireboats! This veteran-owned, veteran-ran company provided an experience that was one of the highlights of my multi-day visit to Chicago.

Informative, fun, and unique tour experience Was one of the highlights of a multi-day leisure trip to Chicago! Our tour guide, Cliff, was extremely informative and engaging. He called out items of note for those seated at the bow and the stern, no one in the crowd felt left out. The cost was comparable to other tours, but with the added historical significance of the tour vehicle and the business being veteran ran and veteran owned, the Chicago Fireboat Tours was an easy first choice.

Amazing tour. So glad we found this one. The information provided was interesting and shared with personality. Well worth the cost. Thank you for a great time!

A Chicago gem! What a wonderful tour! So much information about architecture and Chicago history. Cliff was a phenomenal tour guide, so knowledgeable and fun! Ten stars for him! Will definitely be booking one of the sunset tours in the future!

Fun tour w/great informative guide Great overall experience. Loved the vintage boat. The guide was very informative with all his enthusiastic description of the various buildings, sites, and Chicago history. Especially loved the experience going through the lock. Highly recommend this tour!

Architectural tour Fantastic tour! Cliff's commentary was interesting and funny. Got a free flyover from the airshow as a bonus! Highly recommended!

Great experience We had a great time. The crew was very friendly and the guide was very informative.

Such a great experience! Packed of historical information that I think many overlook or don’t bother to learn about when visiting Chicago! Great staff! Thank you from Indiana!

5⭐️ Cliff and his crew were excellent! Beautiful boat, less ‘touristy’ feeling & lots of great history with splashes of humor. 😉 (Ask Cliff about the Dave Matthew’s incident) 🤪 The meet up location was a bit confusing but luckily they reached out to us to see where we were. Very grateful for their customer service. 😁 Thank you! 💌

Please determine your price This is a wonderful tour and the guide was absolutely fantastic. However, we started on a confused and disappointing note as I was asked to pay an additional $15 after having fully paid on Trip Advisor. No explanation, I was just told I had to pay an additional $15 for my family of 3 to board the boat. Not sure if this was Trip Advisor's or boat's mistake, but hope they will get it together and not embarrass another customer as happened to me.

Amazing view of the fireworks! Great variety of classic rock. Good mellow vibe.

Beautiful Informative Cruise This was a great 2-hour cruise which included the Chicago River, the river locks and Lake Michigan. Staff was friendly, organized and helpful. They explained the boat layout and assisted people with boarding as needed. We left the pier on time. Boat was full but did not seem overly crowded. Seating was open or covered - your choice. Cliff, our narrator, was outstanding. His presentation combined in-depth knowledge with genuineness of delivery. Not boring or rote. The cruise covered history, maritime info and architecture. As a lifelong Chicagoan, I thought I knew a bit about landmarks and past events along the route, but I learned a lot!

Fire boat It was a great experience. I have done other architecture cruises before . This one was by far the best .

Fun, different Chicago boat tour! Had a great tour with the fireboat crew. We've been on the Wendella Architecture Tours, which are excellent. This one is fun because we actually went through the locks, twice. We heard different stories about different buildings and learned new historical facts about Chicago. Nice bar on the boat, too. Definitely recommend!!!

Excellent Excellent. You get the lake, river, the locks, a bar and a great time!!!

Best Tour of Chicago Absolutely wonderful tour all around. The boat is amazing and the crew was fantastic. We learned so much about the area and history, with lots of laughs from the amazing Cliff. Magic Manny the bartender quenched our thirst the entire time. Great seating options with sun and shade, and plenty of space to walk around the boat. It was our first time to Chicago so we highly recommend this tour to get a great view of the city and learn about the architecture of the amazing city. We loved going thru the lock and river, as well as getting the skyline view from Lake Michigan. 10/10!! Read more about - Historical and Architectural Chicago Fireboat River & Lake Cruise - https://www.viator.com/tours/Chicago/Historical-and-Architectural-Chicago-Fireboat-River-Cruise-F-Sun/d673-447367P1?m=65553&nid=VR.64886b75-af2c-4a61-a47c-82bcdb6c64f9.VT_EMAIL_TRV?mcid=56757

How can this be anything OTHER than 5 stars???Wonderful tour of the harbor and Chicago river, replete with anecdotes told by an engaging and funny host/tour guide. Plenty of seating on board, it never felt crowded.We enjoyed every minute and this is a MUST DO in Chicago!

Great trip We had a great experience. Cliff, the guide, was very knowledgeable and made us laugh. It would be nice to be able to get the parking within the website.

A must ! If you’re into history, water, and architecture, this tour is for you! Pro tip: arrive early to get a spot at the front of the line so you get prime seating instead of being squished. The guide was knowledgeable, the views were gorgeous, and the whole experience was an absolute 10/10!

Great experience The staff were friendly and very knowledgeable about the city , the fire boat and provided an interesting tour.

Don't miss this tour boat This was such a great tour on the water, you see so much more of Chicago doing this ride. Very cool ,experience, if you dont do this one you've missed the boat,lol ..

Amazing way to see the city This was an amazing tour and the perfect way for us to end our trip to Chicago! The guide was a great storyteller and we learned a lot about the history of Chicago. It was so cool to see the city from the river. Highly recommend! 10/10

Great way to see Chicago! Excellent way to spend an afternoon in Chicago. We thoroughly enjoyed our guide, Cliff. He was very knowledgeable but made the tour interesting with his delivery and the stories he told. The boat was also perfect. It was relatively small compared to some of the boat tours in the city. We only had about 15-20 people on the boat. We all had seats but could stand up to get a better view or walk around very easily. We would definitely recommend this activity for anyone coming to the windy city.

Great tour! Great tour! The guide, Cliff, was amazing.

Absolut Empfehlenswert! Ein super Erlebnis für jeden, der Chicago besucht. Man bekommt wirklich viel und verständlich erklärt. Ein sehr sehr guter Guide! Super tolles Erlebnis! Danke!!!!

Personalized experience on a historical vessel Uncrowded vs the “cattle boat” tour experience and so cool to be on a historical vessel that is part of Chicago history. Highly recommend. Great bar service and conversations with the crew. Support our veterans and choose this tour!

Awesome experience. Highly recommend

Made me love Chicago We had a wonderful time and the guide was delightful. Highly reccomend

Must Do! Awesome. Very fun and informative. I highly recommend.