Weather permitting – we will exit out the break wall and head North to North Avenue Beach and then back south to the Planetarium and Burnham Harbor. All the while, offering unmatched views of our world-famous skyline, from the Sears Tower, the John Hancock, to the Shedd Aquarium, Aon Center and more. The ship is able to cruise up to 1 mile off of the shoreline.
Opened in 1916, the 1.5-mile-long recreational pier was the only one to combine freight and passenger docking facilities with public entertainment. For its Centennial Celebration in 2016, Navy Pier unveiled a new Ferris wheel, with climate-controlled gondolas for year-round sightseeing, along with a reimagined pier scape and enhanced visitor experience.
Jardine Water Purification Plant is the largest capacity water filtration plant in the world, drawing nearly one billion gallons of raw water per day from two of Chicago's offshore water cribs in Lake Michigan. Together with a second plant to the south, the facility serves nearly 5 million residents across Chicagoland.
Completed in 1970, the John Hancock Center is a 100-story supertall skyscraper located on Chicago's Magnificent Mile. The building's distinctive "X-braced" exterior and unique design make the Hancock an architectural icon.
With 83 floors and a height of 1,136 feet , Aon Center is the third tallest building in Chicago. Often, the top floors of the building are lit up at night with colors or patterns in honor of a certain season, holiday or event.
Known for its unusual facade, Crain Communications Center is popularly called "The Diamond Building" by Chicagoans and visitors alike.
When completed in 1989 as the regional headquarters for American Telephone & Telegraph (AT&T), Franklin Center was the tallest building constructed in Chicago in the final quarter of the 20th century. The distinct vertical lines in the design are reminiscent of 1920s architecture styles.
Willis Tower is the second tallest building in the United States and, upon its completion in 1973, was the tallest building in the world for nearly 25 years. More than one million people visit its observation deck each year.
Named in 1901 to honor president Ulysses S. Grant, Grant Park comprises landmarks such as Millennium Park (home to "The Bean") Buckingham Fountain and the Art Institute of Chicago. Every year, the park hosts local events such as Chicago Jazz Festival and Taste of Chicago.
Buckingham Fountain sits at the center of Grant Park, referred to by many as "the city's front door," as one of Chicago's most visited landmarks. Operating spring through fall, the fountain's impressive water show is often accompanied by color-light shows in the evening.
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. The lake has more than 1,400 combined miles of shoreline, making it a major factor in the success of cities like Chicago in the 19th century through today.
Adler Planetarium opened in 1930 to "inspire exploration and understanding of the Universe." Architect Ernest A. Grunsfeld, Jr. was awarded the gold medal of the Chicago chapter of the American Institute of Architects in 1931 for the building design, which features an impressive rotunda and art deco facade.
Opened in May 1930, the John G. Shedd Aquarium houses more than 32,000 animals at Chicago's Museum Campus. The building is recognizable from the water for its classical Greek architecture style.
Home to the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL), Soldier Field originally opened in 1924 as Municipal Grand Park Stadium. The structure was renamed in 1925 to commemorate fallen soldiers.
McCormick Place is the nation's largest convention center. Built in 1958, the center hosts widely celebrated events like the Chicago Auto Show, the International Home and Housewares Show and the National Restaurant Association Annual Show along with many others each year.