Shipshape for summer
LAKE AND RIVER TOURS | Watery excursions from downtown bring boatloads of fun from food to fireworks
"The further you sail from the skyline, the quieter it gets, until no more city sounds -- sirens, horns, hustle and bustle -- just the peacefulness of Lake Michigan."
That's how Capt. Bruce Randall of the Tall Ship Red Witch, a two-masted schooner, sums up the beauty of taking one of the Windy City's many cruises, boat rides and sailing sojourns aboard everything from a ship, boat or schooner to sloop or speedboat.
You can hop aboard a river tour focusing on architecture and staffed by docents from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, take a ride on a speed boat or travel back in time aboard a replica of vintage tall sailing ship. For commuters, there are downtown water taxis and short boat rides with stops at strategic points in the Loop.
(Jim Frost/Sun-Times)
(Scott Stewart/Sun-Times)
"People are so tired of being cooped up all winter and as soon as the warm weather is here, they want to do as many things outside as they can," said Holly Agra, who with husband Bob owns Chicago's First Lady cruises.
"They like to come downtown, maybe walk around Millennium Park, Navy Pier or one of the museums. Then, they might be tired and want to rest, and a boat ride is perfect," Agra said. "They can sit down, relax and see the city. Our city skyline changes almost every year, so there's always something new to see each season."
A few things to consider: Many operate depending on the weather. Some require reservations, others do not. Prices and hours may change without notice. Make sure to call ahead.
Here are some of the highlights (details subject to change without notice):
ODYSSEY CRUISES, departs from Navy Pier: If you like fine dining aboard a large, luxury-plus ship (renovated for $1 million), this is the cruiseline for you. The year-round cruises are so posh that there is a dress code for dinner -- no gym shoes or flip-flops, tank tops or halter tops. Jackets are "recommended" for men.
But the dinner codes all seem worthwhile when you consider the menu, which includes Pacific rim lobster in butter and blend of sherry or garlic and dill marinated salmon roasted with a splash of Cajun spiced couscous and a tower of roasted ratatouille vegetables. Dinner prices range from $74.90 to $106.90. Prices and menu items subject to change without notice.
Dinner cruises depart at 7 p.m., Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday; 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 6 p.m. Sunday. A fireworks cruise leaves at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays and at 8 p.m. on Saturdays. Brunch, lunch and midnight cruises are available. Call (888) 957-2328; www.odysseycruises.com.
TALL SHIP RED WITCH, docked at Burnham Harbor in the Museum Campus near Soldier Field: "The Witch is a traditional topsail schooner and is a memorable experience for young and old," said Capt. Bruce Randall. "The ship was built in 1986 and is about 77 feet long, has two masts and six sails and is made of mahogany, cypress and oak. We also get our passengers involved -- they can steer the boat and help set the sails."
Times and prices vary. Reservations are suggested, but not required. The season typically runs through the end of September. Call (312) 404-5800; www.redwitch.com.
SEADOG SPEEDBOAT CRUISES, docked at Navy Pier: One of the best parts of the speedboat rides is listening to the engines rev up. Each boat is powered by two turbo-charged diesel engines, each producing from 700 to 1,200 horsepower. There are four Seadogs ranging from 70 to 80 feet in length and able to carry 125 to 142 passengers. Although the Seadog is a speedboat, it travels at only about 35 knots (33 mph). Tours include passage through the Chicago River locks and up the river to the Sears Tower.
Seadog's Web site prices for a regular lake ride are $20.95; $14.95 for kids 4 to 12. Seadog also offers narrated architectural river and lake cruises and fireworks rides. Prices and hours vary. Seadog operates through October. Call (888) 636-7737; www.seadogcruises.com.
SPIRIT OF CHICAGO, departs from Navy Pier: One of the best things about this luxury dinner cruiseline is that it runs year-round. It offers a variety of specialty cruises including gospel, music, history and Chicago Air & Water Show excursions. Prices and departure times vary.
New this summer is a Fun in the Sun Cruise, which boards at 3 p.m. Fridays and features music, complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cash bar. The cost is $28; $18 per person for the bar. Also featured is a happy-hour Lakefront Cruise boarding at 6 p.m. on Thursdays and featuring live music, a light buffet and cash bar. The cost is $55. Call (866) 211-3804; www.spiritofchicago.com.
CHICAGO'S FIRST LADY, docked at the Riverside Gardens on the lower level and southeast corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge and Wacker: If you enjoy architectural history and Chicago tidbits, this is the cruise to take. The 90-minute tours feature commentary by docents from the Chicago Architecture Foundation on more than 50 significant buildings.
Tours on the cruise line's four vessels run daily and depart every hour. Tickets are $26, Monday through Friday; $28 on Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Prices vary. Tours run through Oct. 28. Limited tours are available Nov. 2-18. Call (312) 902-1500; www.cruisechicago.com.
MERCURY CHICAGO SKYLINE CRUISELINE, Riverside Gardens dock: Mercury has a 90-minute Urban Adventure Cruise of the river and lake with daily departures between 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. A weekly Canine Cruise also is one of the many Mercury highlights (dogs and their humans depart at 10 a.m. on Sundays through Sept. 30.).
Mercury also offers a variety of themed tours such as a Supernatural Cruise and Venetian Night cruises. Departure times vary. Tickets range from $20 to $39. Call (312) 332-1353; www.mercuryskylinecruiseline.com.
TALL SHIP WINDY departs from Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand. "Because we sail with the winds, every trip is different," said a staff member of the family-run business. "One of the best things about us is our crew. We're very much hands-on and we talk to our passengers."
The four-masted schooner is 148 feet long and holds 150 passengers. Ninety-minute cruises run daily, weather permitting. Themed rides are also available. Hours vary. No reservations accepted, except for special cruises. Tickets are $27; $20 for seniors (60 and older) and kids under 12. The schooner offers trips through mid-October. Call (312) 595-5555; www.tallshipwindy.com.
WENDELLA CRUISES, docked at 400 N. Michigan: The best part of Wendella is its variety. Consider:
• The Water Taxi runs seven days a week through September (longer depending on weather). Stops include the river and Madison, La Salle/Clark and Michigan Avenue. Hours are 7 a.m. to 6:43 p.m. Tickets: $2 for a one-way; $15 for 10 rides; $4 for an all-day pass; $40 per month.
• A daily 60-minute narrated Chicago River Architecture Tour also is offered. Daily tour hours are 10 and 11 a.m. and 1:45, 3:45, 5:15, 6:30 and 8:15 p.m. tickets: $22; $20 for seniors 62 and older; $11 for kids under 11.
• The narrated Lake and River Tour highlights Chicago's history and architecture. The daily 90-minute tour, which goes through the Chicago Harbor Lock, features daily tour hours: 10:30 and 11:45 a.m. and 1, 2:15, 3, 4:30, 6, 7 and 8:45 p.m. (subject to change without notice). Tickets: $22; $20 for seniors 65; $11 for kids.
Wendella also offers themed tours such as a Wine Tasting Tour, fireworks and a Chicago at Sunset ride. Call (312) 337-1446; www.wendellaboats.com.
MYSTIC BLUE CRUISES CHICAGO, departs from Navy Pier: Critics say the silvery-blue, 650-passenger Mystic has the largest picture windows of any ship at Navy Pier. The 160-foot-long Mystic offers brunch, lunch, midday dining option and dinner, year-round.
The four-course dinner cruise prices range from $54.90 to $79.90. Mystic offers fireworks dinner cruises priced from $73.90 on Wednesdays and $79.90 on Saturdays. Call (888) 330-4700; www.mysticbluecruises.com.
SHORELINE SIGHTSEEING, docked at Navy Pier: Shoreline offers several rides: A one-hour Chicago River Architectural Cruise departs from 10 a.m. to about 7 p.m. daily. The cost is $24-$26. Shoreline also offers a 30-minute Skyline Boat Tour and a 90-minute Lake and River Tour. Call (312) 222-9328; www.shorelinesightseeing.com.