Chicago River & Lakefront Boat Tours
On a Vintage 1937 Fireboat
Chicago’s Award-Winning Experience Designed for Your Next Team Outing
Treat your team to a unique experience unlike anything they’ve done before. Step aboard a restored 1937 fireboat for a private ride on Lake Michigan, then through the Chicago River. Every detail is covered, including food, drinks, and onboard entertainment for groups of 20 to 125.
As Seen On
Every Option Feels Overdone or Overpriced
You’ve already looked at private yachts. They’re massive, expensive, and built more for flashy parties than team connection. You’ve checked restaurants and rooftops too but nothing feels fresh or easy to pull off.
Your team doesn’t want to:
- Sit through another overpriced dinner with office small talk and no energy
- Squeeze into a packed bar that feels like every other Thursday
- Be told a Cubs game is a “team building” activity
Over 400 Five Star Google Reviews
Nicole E. 5/09/2026
A perfect historic afternoon! The Fireboat tour is the perfect history tour of Chicago on a historic vessel. Cliff is super knowledgeable and Manny is the man for a great drink while cruising Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. What a great way to spend the afternoon! Thank you! read moreread less
418tracyt 5/09/2026
Fireboat Architecture Tour is the best! We really enjoyed this tour and Wood recommended highly. Cliff was great. Knowledgeable and entertaining. Everyone who worked on the boat was super friendly and enjoyed a fantastic tour of Chicago, beautiful views, and we learned a lot! read moreread less
Jonathan P. 5/09/2026
Recommend Fireboat for Chicago River Tour There are many architectural boat tours offered in Chicago, but we are so glad we went with the Fred A Busse Fireboat tour. The staff/crew was exceptional, especially our tour guide, Cliff. One thing that made this preferable was the size of the boat. The smaller boat prevented us from having to share the experience with 100 other people that you would get from some of the other companies - making it more intimate and allowing for more interaction with the crew/guide. We also preferred was that the Fireboat ports at the lake front as opposed to the river walk. This way, you start and end with a panoramic view of the Chicago skyline. The tour was right around 2 hours, which was the perfect duration for our group of 4 adults and 2 young kids. read moreread less
ngoilan 5/04/2026
Fantastic lake/river tour in Chicago I am so happy that my out of town visitor suggested a river boat tour and that we chose Chicago Fireboat Tours. It was the highlight of our time together. Our cruise lasted almost two hours (great value for money!) and took us along the magnificent Chicago lakefront and past some amazing riverfront architecture. Cliff, our guide, was full of facts and fun and could not have been more engaging. He and Manny made our day. Whether you're a native or a visitor, don't miss this tour! read moreread less
Alex C. 5/03/2026Fantastic Tour! Cool boat, great bartender, and Cliff crushed it as a tour guide with a perfect mix of jokes and education. I wish I had done this tour on my first day visiting Chicago so I had a better understanding of what I was looking at walking around. Hard not to notice the different types of buildings afterward. Would 100% recommend this tour to anyone thinking about seeing the city from the river and lake, or looking to pick up a little history about the area.Well done crew!!read moreread less
Mira B. 4/28/2026An amazing time! Mr. Cliff, the tour guide, is fantastic and is hilarious. There were only 5 people on the tour myself and my mom included so it felt like an intimate and special experience. Support these folks!! P.S. my furry best friend & kitty daughter, Miss Aurora, was treated like a VIP.read moreread less
Katt P. 4/21/2026
You have to take THIS boat tour!!! Thank you to all the crew of the Fred A Busse! Cliff was our tour guide and he sure knows his Chicago history! He is the perfect guy for the job -he is so engaging and well spoken! We thoroughly enjoyed our time with him and our bartender Manny was excellent as well. I would recommend this crew to EVERYONE looking to take an architectural boat tour. read moreread less
Patrick M. 4/20/2026Top notch experience! The crew was knowledgeable and entertaining. Cliff our guide knew a tremendous amount about Chicago history and architecture...plus he was quite funny in his presentation. The fireboat is nostalgic and an amazing part of history in itself. Manny the bartender is a great dude and quick with his service. As a life long Chicago resident I was a bit skeptical on what I would see or learn, however the tour ended up being amazing. So much so that I plan to do it with family again this summer!read moreread less
Erin Z. 4/15/2026This is my new favorite version of the architecture tour! The boat is a real decommissioned fire boat decked out with memorabilia and of course a bar. The guide was so funny and kind (and they even called to help us find the parking lot/waited an extra couple minutes before departing). Guarantee the other tours would never. Highly recommend taking this tour next!read moreread less
Host Your Team’s Outing on the Chicago River
Everything is handled in advance, from the food menu and bar, to onboard setup that supports team presentations. You’ll have one point of contact, a smooth planning process, and an experience your group will actually be excited about. It’s easy to book, easy to get to, and makes you look like a pro.
Meet at the Dock
Board directly from our conveniently located dock in DuSable Harbor, your team can arrive easily and skip usual marina logistics.
Cruise on a piece of Chicago history
Enjoy skyline views, cold drinks from the onboard bar, and a boat that’s entirely yours.
Be the Office Hero
Walk away knowing you nailed it. It’s not easy to surprise people in this city, but you just did.
A Standout Experience That’s Easy to Book
We’ve hosted hundreds of corporate groups right here on the fireboat. You get one clear price, a central location, and a setup that takes the pressure off your plate.
- Outings range from 2 to 3 hours dock to dock
- Menu, drinks, and onboard setup included
- Flexible space for socializing, presentations, or just enjoying the ride
- Fully covered in case of rain, open-air when the weather’s right
- Convenient location on Chicago’s Lakefront
Starting at $3,600 for your group of 60
Frequently Asked Questions
What if it rains?
The boat is fully covered and enclosed, so your group stays dry and comfortable no matter the weather.
Do we have to meet somewhere far out of the way?
Centrally located between the Museum Campus and Navy Pier, it’s easy to find and a short walk off the Riverwalk. Plenty of parking available and convenient bus drop offs.
Is it going to feel too stuffy or too casual?
Neither. The setup strikes the perfect balance—laid back enough to enjoy, elevated enough to impress.
Is the boat shared with other groups?
No. When you book, the entire vessel is reserved exclusively for your team.
Can we have a custom drink or menu request?
Yes. We regularly accommodate special requests and work with you to get the details right.
Can someone speak or give a short presentation on board?
Absolutely. We’ll have space and onboard setup ready if you want to share a few words with your team.
I Didn’t Set Out to Do This, But I’m Glad I Did
I started my career in insurance, but I’ve always felt drawn to the water. After getting my captain’s license, I came back to Chicago and met Ray (also a Navy vet) on the dock.
And it was just, one of those moments. Everything seemed to click and we’ve been running this fireboat together ever since.
What makes this special for us isn’t just the boat or the views. It really is the people.
We get to host teams, hear their stories, give them a break from the usual and share this gorgeous city with them.
And this year, I’d love the chance to welcome yours aboard.
Erich Totsch
Co-Founder, Team Outings Coordinator
Chicago Fireboat Tours
Don’t Wait Until Dates Fill Up
Prime time for team outings (especially Thursdays and Fridays) books fast. Even if you’re still finalizing numbers, starting the conversation now gives you options later. We’ll hold space, answer questions, and make it easy to lock in something great.