Chicago's First Lady Cruises

The Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady is up for BEST TOUR in the Chicago Reader’s 2023 Best of Chicago awards! We’re honored and thrilled to be nominated and we need your help to win!

Starting today, you can head over to the Reader’s voting page and cast your ballot. You’ll find BEST TOUR under the CITY LIFE section. Every vote counts so THANK YOU for participating - together we’ve got this!

Visit https://chicagoreader.com/best to place your vote — voting ends on January 14th.

It's almost time for the fleet to depart for the winter, but we still have two days of cruising left! November 19th will be our final day of departures for 2023. We hope you join us this weekend to close out our 30th Anniversary Season. Architecture Adventure Awaits!

The results are in, and it was very close! We are happy to announce (on IG) as the People's Choice winner of our 2023 Cruise Chicago Photo Contest! Congratulations and thank you to everyone who voted!

Today is the last day to vote! Comment your favorite on our post!

Our 2023 Cruise Chicago Photo Contest People's Choice Award voting is now live! To vote, comment which picture (1-9) is your favorite. Votes limited to one per account. We will announce the People's Choice Contest Winner next week, November 7th. Thank you to our prize sponsors: Chicago Architecture Center, Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse, and The Northman Riverwalk!

We're so excited to finally announce the winners of our 2023 Cruise Chicago Photo Contest! Without further ado, congratulations to Best Photo winner Alyssa ( on IG)! Thanks to everyone who submitted photos and stay tuned for our People's Choice Contest - voting will begin tomorrow! Plus, a big thank you to our prize sponsors: Chicago Architecture Center, Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse, and The Northman Riverwalk!

It may be October, but we got lucky with some unseasonable (but welcome) warm weather today! Stop by the Chicago Riverwalk and enjoy the sun this afternoon with Chicago's First Lady ☀️⛴

Fall foliage is starting to pop! Experience the magic and beauty of Chicago in autumn aboard a CAC River Cruise! Cozy up with a warm drink in hand and let the scenery drift by as you take in the sights and stories of Chicago, its river, and its architecture.

Architecture Adventure Awaits!

Chicago's First Lady Cruises is partnering with City Winery Chicago Riverwalk to make your Riverwalk experience even better!

Purchase one glass of wine at City Winery Riverwalk and present your cruise ticket to receive another glass FOR FREE!* Don't miss out on this great BOGO offer!

*Offer valid for City Winery wines only. Limit one complimentary glass of wine per guest. Digital or hard copy ticket or receipt showing current date required to redeem. Must be 21 or older. Additional restrictions may apply.

As we recognize Indigenous People's Day today, let's take a look back at the artwork that hung above our ticket office from 2021 through 2023.

Artist Andrea Carlson (Ojibwe) created five banners that read "Bodéwadmikik ėthë yéyék/You are on Potawatomi Land," an acknowledgment to Riverwalk guests of the history of the land we live and work on. Carlson said, "You are on Potawatomi Land is a statement of fact. It is also a statement of perpetual belonging."

Learn more about Andrea Carlson's inspiration and process at https://www.potawatomi.org/blog/2023/03/17/qa-with-ojibwe-artist-andrea-carlson/.

If you'll be downtown for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon this weekend, make time to take a Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady! Enjoy the early fall weather and take in the stunning sights from the river. Architecture Adventure Awaits!

🏆 Chicago has been voted Best Big City in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler readers for an astounding 7 years in a row!

Showcasing Chicago is what we do best and we're so proud to be a part of the Best Big City in the U.S. yet again. Whether it's food, architecture, the people, the neighborhoods, or a relaxing cruise you're after, this city has something for everyone.

Come experience why Chicago is the very best, for the seventh year in a row!

Read: https://www.choosechicago.com/blog/special-events/chicago-voted-best-big-city/

Our Photo Contest has come to a close! Thank you to all who submitted photos and reels! Winners will be announced later this month.

Today is the LAST DAY to enter our 2023 Cruise Chicago Photo Contest! Show us what means to you and get a chance to win free private cruise tickets and more great prizes from Chicago Architecture Center, Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse, and The Northman Riverwalk! To enter, post a photo or reel of our boats or on our cruises and share with the hashtag . For full rules and details, visit cruisechicago.com/photocontest.

LAST DAY TO BID!

Since 2015, Pat Tomasulo of WGN-TV Morning News and his wife Amy have led continuing efforts to raise funds to research a debilitating facial pain condition known as Trigeminal Neuralgia. Their “Laugh Your Face Off” fundraising event is being held September 23rd at Park West Chicago and we’re donating a private cruise aboard our vintage yacht Lady Grebe to their silent auction!

Read more about the event (https://laughyourfaceoff.org/) and check out the bidding (https://e.givesmart.com/events/v9T/i/_All/nwk7/?search=) on our cruise, as well as the other items up for auction, before bidding ends on September 29th!

This is the FINAL WEEK to enter our 2023 Cruise Chicago Photo Contest! Post a photo/reel of our boats or on our cruises and share with the hashtag for a chance to win free cruise tickets and more great prizes from , , and ! Amateurs and professionals alike are encouraged to join in the fun! The last day to enter is Saturday, September 30th. For full rules and details, visit the link in our bio.

Since 2015, Pat Tomasulo of WGN-TV Morning News and his wife Amy have led continuing efforts to raise funds to research a debilitating facial pain condition known as Trigeminal Neuralgia. Their “Laugh Your Face Off” fundraising event is being held September 23rd at Park West Chicago and we’re donating a private cruise aboard our vintage yacht Lady Grebe to their silent auction!

Read more about the event (https://laughyourfaceoff.org/) and check out the bidding (https://e.givesmart.com/events/v9T/i/_All/nwk7/?search=) on our cruise, as well as the other items up for auction, before bidding ends on September 29th!

Enter our 2023 Cruise Chicago Photo Contest for a chance to win free cruise tickets and more great prizes from Chicago Architecture Center, Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse, and The Northman Riverwalk! Post a photo/reel of our boats or on our cruises and share with the hashtag . Amateurs and professionals alike are encouraged to join in the fun! For full rules and details, visit cruisechicago.com/photocontest.

Wrap up the long weekend with a relaxing cruise down the Chicago River! There's no better way to enjoy the last bit of summer than catching a cool breeze as the sights of the city float by. Architecture Adventure Awaits, Happy Labor Day!

Have an eye and love for photography? Share your content taken ON or OF a Chicago’s First Lady Cruises or Mercury, Chicago's Skyline Cruiseline vessel using the hashtag for the chance to win incredible prizes including a cruise for 6 aboard our vintage yacht Lady Grebe! Other incredible prizes from Chicago Architecture Center, Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse, and The Northman Riverwalk are also available to win!

Submit your photo for a chance to win our BEST PHOTO or BEST PHOTO - VIEWERS’ CHOICE prizes. If your interest lies more in creating video content, TikToks and reels, we've got you covered! Submit your video content as a TikTok or reel (with OR without graphics and enhancements), for a chance to win our new BEST REEL prize!

Amateurs and professionals alike are encouraged to join in the fun! Visit cruisechicago.com/photocontest for Full Rules & Details.