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Departing from Navy Pier, this 75-minute narrated cruise is the best way... Whether you’re a native Chicagoan, newcomer, or just visiting, a Spirit of Chicago brunch cruise is the perfect weekend outing. Bike & Roll Chicago allows guests to rent bicycles for a fun experience on the lakefront. Please select a free ticket for them to ensure admittance to the Odyssey Chicago River dining vessel. The Chicago Gourmet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner River Cruise is our Editors Choice for the best Chicago dinner cruise.
The 5 Best Chicago Dinner Cruises [2024 Reviews]
Soon enough, we were served the first dish of our 3-course plated dinner, along with plenty of complimentary coffee, hot tea, and iced tea. Once we were there, we were welcomed onboard by the amazing staff. The vessel is one of the smaller ones I’d been on in Chicago, but it was very well-maintained, pretty, and comfortable, with an open-air deck and climate-controlled interior deck. Once we arrived, we were escorted onto our vessel, receiving a personal greeting and having our photos taken by the ship’s photographer to keep a little memento before they led us to our private table.
City Cruises – Signature Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan
Savor a Halloween-themed afternoon tea at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago. A round up of fun events, exclusive deals and happenings along Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. Here's a few more nearby tours and experiences we have reviewed.
Explore Chicago By Land, Water Or Air
A brunch or lunch cruise may include a delicious buffet-style or plated meal, bottomless mimosas, picturesque views, and DJ entertainment. Some cruises include informational narration so you can learn more about the city’s iconic skyscrapers and landmarks as you enjoy your meal. City Cruises offers a wide variety of dinner cruises in Chicago, whether you’re looking for a casual daytime meal or an elegant evening out.
Premier Chicago River Dinner Cruise
Dinner cruises typically last two to three hours and include a fully stocked bar, creative cocktails, dancing, music or live DJ entertainment, and more. You’ll be dining aboard an elegant multi-level yacht with a climate-controlled interior and an outdoor observation deck where you can watch the sunset against the Chicago skyline. Enjoy picture-perfect moments as you sail past iconic landmarks like the Willis Tower, Buckingham Fountain, and the Adler Planetarium. Both Lake Michigan and the Chicago River offer stunning views of the city skyline, especially at night when Chicago’s most iconic buildings are all lit up. And there’s no better way to experience these breathtaking vistas than on a waterfront cruise. The iconic Chicago skyline can be appreciated from many aspects, but nothing is better than viewing it from the water, itself.
Odyssey Chicago River
Viewing the Willis Tower, Trump Tower, and many other iconic pieces of architecture was simply phenomenal while sipping on my cup of Joe and taking in the views. The unlimited coffee was a nice addition, and it was surprisingly fresh, which made a big difference to me as a coffee fiend. The glass enclosure was perfect as I know Chicago weather can get pretty intense without much notice, plus it allowed for fantastic views without obstructing anything. The ship passes under the bridge, goes out into Tokyo Bay and then loops back. Because Tokyo Bay is outside Yokohama Bay, we can also see the calm, hilly part of Yokohama as well as some factories.
Frequently Asked Questions about Odyssey Chicago River Premier Dinner Cruise
During the night cruise, the Ferris wheel in the Minato Mirai district is beautifully illuminated. The meals Royal Wing serves are “modern” Chinese cuisine. You can choose a buffet or several levels of courses (4600 yen–26,500 yen).
With a limited 15-person capacity, guests can expect an intimate setting to enjoy the sights and sounds of Chicago while indulging in a sumptuous meal tailored to their preferences. Celebrate a special occasion, host a group event or share a romantic evening aboard Spirit of Chicago. On these 30-minute speed boat rides, you’ll tear across Lake Michigan at up to 45 miles per hour while getting entertaining and informative commentary on Chicago. Recalling the handsome elegance of 20th century luxury yachts, our vessels are sure to make an impression.
The Chicago Riverwalk offers amazing views of the surrounding buildings, and as every single one has such history behind the unique styles, it’s that much more interesting. Odyssey’s Chicago River Experience extends the same elevated dining service found aboard our cruises from Navy Pier to a stunning new vantage point in the heart of downtown Chicago. When we were on the ship, a flute and piano duet were featured.
New Year's Eve Premier Plus Dinner Cruise on the Chicago River 12/31/2023 - Choose Chicago
New Year's Eve Premier Plus Dinner Cruise on the Chicago River 12/31/2023.
Posted: Sun, 31 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
The cruise offers a full-service bar with a selection of microbrews, cocktails, and wines for purchase. Guests can spot landmarks like the Tribune Tower and Willis Tower along the route. Perfect for corporate outings and special occasions, group cruises and private charters offer unforgettable experiences for up to 800 guests. The Fourth of July in Chicago is also a great time to catch a spectacular fireworks show on the water. You’ll find plenty of dinner cruise options that offer unobstructed views of the holiday fireworks, both on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. If you can pull yourself away from the view, you can enjoy a chef-prepared meal that comes either plated or buffet style.
Here are just a few of their signature cruise options that are guaranteed to create an unforgettable experience. Experience the magnificence of Chicago’s iconic architecture and skyline while indulging in a delectable 3-course meal aboard the Odyssey on the Chicago River. Guests on this 3-hour dinner cruise are treated to panoramic views of Chicago’s stunning architecture through the ship’s windows. Looking to do something a little different this year? A holiday is the perfect occasion for a boat cruise, whether it’s a daytime Easter brunch or an all-out New Year’s Eve celebration. These special holiday dining cruises typically include an elegant meal, full bar, music, dancing, and unbeatable city views.
The unlimited buffet was surprisingly delicious – I’m typically a bit wary of buffets as I feel like most of the food is unforgettable, but this wasn’t the case. Meeting on Grand Ave, it’s super easy to get to – especially if you’re already staying in the Loop or Miracle Mile! We were escorted onto the vessel, the Spirit of Chicago, by very polite, friendly, organized staff who genuinely paid attention and made sure we were all having a great time. Upon arrival, we were escorted onboard the ship and led to our table in the dining area which was nice to know we had a table reserved. The great thing about this cruise, is that you get to choose between a lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch option. Enjoy a lively day in Chicago starting with a one of a kind experience at Ed Debevic's.
The end point of the cruise conveniently returns guests back to the meeting point, completing a seamless and enjoyable experience. Shoreline Sightseeing’s water taxis are a great way to get around town. Starting in May and running through September, our water taxi service offers fast... With the ability to travel both the lake and river,... Enjoy Chicago’s iconic skyline with an exciting architecture cruise on the Chicago River.
Dinner is served with views of Chicago's breathtaking skyline and iconic architecture on one of several luxury vessels. Select from one of the specialty cruises year-round, which include live music, craft beer and live entertainment for families and special occasions. Plan to dazzle guests at your next special event with a private party on Lake Michigan. Step on board for some of the most unique sightseeing The Magnificent Mile has to offer, and set sail for an evening to remember. If you’re looking for something more casual, brunch and lunch cruises are a great way to go. You can sip mimosas while admiring architecture on the Chicago River or watch the sun sparkle off the waters of Lake Michigan.
This next tour is really similar to our first one, offering the option to select between brunch, lunch, or dinner. It’s also a bit shorter than the others at just 2 hours, making it super easy to fit into a busy schedule. I also appreciated that we had our own private table as opposed to sitting in crowded areas like many other tours involve. Our servers also introduced themselves and frankly offered much better service than the vast majority of upscale restaurants I’ve been to. Seamlessly combining delicious food with unparalleled views of the city’s skyline, the Chicago Premier Dinner Cruise on Lake Michigan is spectacular.
