Shoreline Sightseeing

Reviews

• JX

  Jenny Xu

  6 days ago
  5.0
  Our guide, Josh, left a particularly deep impression on me. During the 90-minute Deep Dive Architecture Tour, even with a group of passengers who were quite loud and disruptive, Josh remained professional, patient, detailed, and enthusiastic throughout. He guided us from one riverside building to the next, sharing the history, stories, and interesting facts behind each one. His storytelling was engaging and fascinating, and by the end of the tour, I wanted to hear again. As we were leaving, Josh stood at the front of the boat saying goodbye to every guest. I sincerely thanked him. Given the challenging circumstances, I really admired and appreciated the professionalism he maintained throughout the entire tour. I asked when his next shift would be because, if possible, I actually wanted to buy another ticket and take the tour again. What happened next was completely beyond my expectation. Josh sincerely apologized for what had happened. He explained that situations like this are very rare and that it was unfortunate that it happened during my tour. He was genuinely sorry that my experience had been affected. He told me that we could explain the situation to the office and see whether I might be able to receive a refund or perhaps have another opportunity to take the tour. Just then, he saw his manager Greg walking by and went over to explain the situation to him. After Greg understood what had happened, he personally took me to the office and gave me the opportunity to take the tour again and, to my delight, to hear Josh's tour one more time! While I was waiting, Greg was incredibly friendly and thoughtful. He recommended Navy Pier and Giordano's deep dish pizza to me and made me feel very welcome. The experience on my second tour was noticeably different and much better. The passengers were respectful and considerate, and everyone was able to enjoy the tour without disruptive noise. Josh was just as enthusiastic, detailed, and engaging as before, bringing every beautiful building and its stories to life. During a break, Josh even came over specifically to ask how I was enjoying the second tour. He apologized again for what had happened earlier and told me he was very glad I was able to come back. That genuinely warmed my heart. I was equally happy to be there again, and I felt so thoughtfully cared for and respected. The rest of the crew on the boat showed the same warmth and hospitality. They recognized me, greeted me, and told me they hoped I would have a much better experience this time. At the end of the tour, Josh was once again at the dock, thanking and saying goodbye to each passenger individually. I sincerely thanked him again. A wonderful lady on the staff (I'm so sorry I forgot her name!) also came over to check on me and said she hoped I had enjoyed my second tour. I happily told her that I absolutely had and thanked her. Then Greg came over and handed me a bag. Inside were photos that they had given me as a gift and keepsake. I was genuinely surprised and touched. It was such a warm and thoughtful gesture. What stayed with me most was the warmth of everyone at Shoreline. The staff were kind, professional, thoughtful, and genuinely human. They truly cared about how their guests felt and took the visitor experience seriously. Rather than simply brushing off an unfortunate situation, they listened, cared, and went out of their way to turn it into a beautiful memory for me. So I wanted to write this review to sincerely thank everyone at Shoreline for the wonderful experience and memories they gave me. Thank you, Josh! Thank you, Greg! And thank you to the entire Shoreline team! If you want to explore Chicago's incredible architecture while enjoying the city from the river, I wholeheartedly recommend Shoreline. 10/10 experience and recommendation!
• PP

  Profdoha

  Aug 10, 2026
  5.0
  Shoreline Sightseeing was a great way to experience Chicago from the water. The cruise offered beautiful views of the skyline, the Chicago River, and many of the city’s most impressive buildings. It was especially enjoyable to see the architecture from a completely different perspective. The tour was well organized, and the guide shared interesting information about Chicago’s history, architecture, and famous landmarks along the route. The boat was comfortable, and there were plenty of opportunities to take photos of the river, bridges, and downtown skyline. It can get busy, especially during weekends and peak tourist times, so arriving a little early is a good idea. Weather also makes a big difference, but on a nice day, this is one of the most enjoyable ways to see the city. Overall, Shoreline Sightseeing is definitely worth doing if you are visiting Chicago. It is relaxing, informative, and gives you some of the best views of downtown Chicago from the water.
• TM

  Tara Monterosso

  Aug 10, 2026
  5.0
  I made a mistake and Shoreline Sightseeing went above and beyond to accommodate us anyway and totally turned everything around for me which they didn’t need to do. I am so thankful ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The tour was well organized, reasonably priced, comfortable, entertaining and INFORMATIVE. if you want to learn about architecture in Chicago and also some more tips for your trip, this is your boat. I wouldn’t miss this excursion going forward. I’m so very grateful for their customer service in this day and age. Highly recommend. Go have fun and learn some new things and see the beauty from a new perspective in Chicago.
• KN

  Kylie Negich

  Aug 8, 2026
  1.0
  Do not, under any circumstances buy a double drink with alcohol on this cruise. My friend got us 2 drinks, was $15 for each double. I watched the bartender pour. She spent $35. Totally fine. I go up, ask for the same thing, and he charged me $30 for a double, so my bill was $65. How my bill for the exact same drinks were double the price is beyond me, but the bartender was extremely rude and unhelpful. Honestly, every male that worked on our boat was mean, unengaging and unhelpful. I've been all over the world, and I've never had to pay $30 for ONE drink or even seen a $30 drink on a menu. An entire bottle of wine? Maybe, 2 shots of jack and lemonade should never be $30. Double or not, $30 is absolutely insane. Our guide Catherine was amazing, just don't make any purchases on the boat. You'll be ripped off. 2 drinks costing more than the actual ticket is NOT acceptable.
• WL

  W. Lee

  Aug 6, 2026
  5.0
  Taking the Architecture River Tour is a fantastic way to comfortably travel along the river while diving into Chicago’s architectural history. It’s packed with interesting insights, such as the distinct characteristics of the buildings, when they were built, what rent goes for these days, and the hidden histories within their walls. ​Fun fact: the Chicago Riverwalk was initially planned in 2001, but wasn't fully completed until 2016, so it’s actually quite new. ​Cruising down the river, a sense of deep serenity washes over you. You see people taking walks along the banks, enjoying meals at restaurants, and waving at us as we pass by. ​The vibrant life along the Chicago River and the lakefront gives the city a truly unique vibe unlike anywhere else. ​If you’re coming to Chicago, the Architecture River Tour is an absolute must-do!