Terms & Conditions

Before using this website or purchasing tickets, please take a few minutes to read the information below. These terms explain how our platform works, what you can expect from us and what we expect from you in return. By continuing to browse or completing a booking, you confirm that you understand and accept these terms.

Chicago Architecture Tour is operated by Chicago Architecture Tour LLC. We provide online ticket reservations for Chicago River and Lake Michigan cruises. When you complete a purchase through our website, you are buying directly from us. We handle ticket issuance, customer service, confirmations and payment coordination.

We provide valid access tickets for the date and time selected. We do not control external conditions such as weather, transportation delays, personal scheduling conflicts or operational changes made by the cruise operator.

This website is intended for personal use only. You agree not to misuse it, attempt unauthorised access or scrape content or pricing data. All information entered during checkout must be accurate.

Ticket prices shown on the website may include service and processing fees. The total amount is displayed before you finalise payment. Once payment is confirmed, your booking price is fixed. Payments are processed through secure third-party providers; we do not store complete credit card numbers or CVCs.

Each ticket type carries its own cancellation conditions, shown before purchase. Free cancellation up to 48 hours before your scheduled tour start. Cancellations within 48 hours are non-refundable. Tickets already used, scanned or past their scheduled date cannot be refunded. For details, visit our Refund Policy.

If you believe there is an issue with your order, you agree to contact us directly before initiating a payment dispute. Most issues can be resolved quickly through email. Starting a chargeback without contacting us first may delay resolution. Abusive or fraudulent disputes may result in restricted access to our platform.

We are responsible for issuing valid tickets that match the details confirmed at checkout. We are not responsible for:

• Changes to cruise operator schedules
• Personal travel delays
• Missed arrival times
• Conditions beyond our operational control

Our responsibility is limited to the amount paid for the specific booking in question.

Accessibility information helps guests make informed decisions before booking a tour or cruise. Guests with disabilities, mobility limitations, or other accessibility requirements are encouraged to review the information below before planning their visit.

Accessibility features may vary depending on the departure dock, the boat, and the season. Reviewing the available facilities in advance can help guests choose a suitable departure location and understand any restrictions that may affect their visit.

For questions about specific accessibility arrangements, guests can contact the tour operator directly at 312-337-1446, preferably at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure.

1. Contact Before Your Visit

Accessibility features are not identical at every departure location or on every boat. Guests are encouraged to confirm the available arrangements before booking or travelling if they:

• Use a wheelchair or have difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
• Need information about an accessible departure dock.
• Have questions about wheelchair access to the boat's upper deck.
• Require hearing assistance during the tour.
• Have questions about travelling with a qualifying service animal.
• Have any other accessibility-related requirements.

Calling at least 24 hours in advance is recommended. This allows guests to discuss their requirements directly with the tour operator and confirm the most suitable available boarding arrangements.

2. West Dock Accessibility

West Dock provides elevator access from street level to the river-level dock and is identified as an ADA-accessible boarding location in the published accessibility information.

Elevator Access — Elevator entrances serving the river-level dock are located at:

• Michigan Avenue: Between 400 and 410 N Michigan Avenue.
• Wabash Avenue: 401 N Wabash Avenue.

Many tours and cruises depart from West Dock during the summer season. However, departure locations may vary, so guests should check their tickets and confirm the exact boarding location before arrival.

Wheelchair Boarding — Once guests reach river level, wheelchair-accessible ramps provide access to and from the boat's upper deck. The following restrictions apply:

• Manual wheelchairs can be accommodated on the upper deck.
• Electric wheelchairs cannot be accommodated on board.
• Battery-operated wheelchairs cannot be accommodated on board.

Guests using wheelchairs should contact the tour operator in advance to discuss their needs and confirm the departure arrangements for the selected tour.

3. Michigan Avenue Dock Accessibility

Michigan Avenue Dock is not ADA accessible from street level because there is no elevator connecting street level to the dock.

Stairs and Elevator Access

• There are 62 steps from street level down to the dock.
• No elevator is available between street level and the dock.
• Guests who cannot safely use stairs may find this boarding location unsuitable.

Wheelchair Ramp Access — After reaching river level, guests can use wheelchair-accessible ramps to access and leave the boat's upper deck. However, these ramps do not provide an alternative to the 62 steps required to reach the dock from street level.

Guests with limited mobility or wheelchair requirements should contact the tour operator before their visit to ask whether an alternative departure location is available for the selected tour.

Important: The address shown on a tour listing does not necessarily confirm the exact boarding dock. Always check the departure location stated on the ticket before travelling. Not every tour should be assumed to depart from West Dock.

4. Wheelchair Accessibility On Board

Manual wheelchairs can be accommodated on the upper deck of the boats covered by the published accessibility policy. The following information may help guests plan their visit:

• Manual wheelchairs: Can be accommodated on the upper deck.
• Electric wheelchairs: Cannot be accommodated on board.
• Battery-operated wheelchairs: Cannot be accommodated on board.
• Ramp access: Wheelchair-accessible ramps connect river level with the boat's upper deck at both docks.

Although ramps are available at river level, access from street level depends on the departure location. Guests should therefore confirm the boarding arrangements before booking, particularly if they cannot use stairs.

For assistance with wheelchair-related requirements, the tour operator can be contacted at 312-337-1446, preferably at least 24 hours before departure.

5. Service Animal Policy

Qualifying service animals are permitted in accordance with the U.S. Department of Justice definition of a service animal. The published policy distinguishes between service animals and other animals:

• Qualifying service animals: Permitted.
• Pets: Not permitted.
• Emotional support animals: Not permitted.

Guests who have questions about whether their animal qualifies under the applicable service animal definition should contact the tour operator before their visit to clarify the relevant requirements.

6. Hearing Assistance

Written scripts of the tour narration are available for guests who may prefer to read the commentary during the tour.

• Written narration scripts can be obtained from the ticket office.
• Guests can request a copy by speaking with the ticket office staff.
• Requesting a script before departure is recommended to allow enough time to obtain it.

Guests with additional hearing-related requirements should contact the tour operator before the visit to ask about the available assistance.

7. Important Accessibility Information Before Booking

Before completing a booking, guests should consider the accessibility requirements most relevant to their visit.

• West Dock provides elevator access from street level to the river-level dock.
• Michigan Avenue Dock has 62 steps and no elevator connecting street level to the dock.
• Manual wheelchairs can be accommodated on the boat's upper deck.
• Electric and battery-operated wheelchairs cannot be accommodated on board.
• Wheelchair ramps are available between river level and the boat's upper deck.
• Written tour narration scripts can be requested at the ticket office.
• Qualifying service animals are permitted, while pets and emotional support animals are not permitted under the published policy.

Because facilities may vary by departure location, boat, and season, guests with accessibility requirements should confirm the arrangements directly with the tour operator before travelling.

This information is provided as a planning guide to help guests understand the published accessibility arrangements and make informed booking decisions. The exact facilities available for a specific departure should be confirmed before the visit.

All written content, branding, layout design and materials on this website are owned or licensed by Chicago Architecture Tour LLC. Reproducing or distributing website content without written permission is not allowed.

We may restrict or suspend access to users who violate these terms, submit fraudulent disputes or misuse the platform.

From time to time, updates may be made. The revised version will be posted on this page. Continuing to use the website after changes are published indicates acceptance.