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    1. Local experiences
    2. /Things to do in Chicago…
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    4. /Boat Rentals
    5. /Drive an 18' Pontoon on the Chicago River
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    Drive an 18' Pontoon on the Chicago River

    Cruise the Chicago River for 2 hours on a private, self-drive pontoon

    4.6 stars• 122 reviews

    Duration

    2 Hours

    Ideal For

    Up to 6 people

    Includes

    2-hour cruise, life vests

    Highlights

    Take the helm of an 18 ft pontoon and cruise the Chicago River for 2 hours with your private group. Get dockside training before you head out, then relax with your own drinks and snacks onboard.

    • Drive your own gas-powered automatic pontoon after dock crew training
    • Cruise the Chicago River for 2 hours with a private group
    • Bring your own drinks and snacks or request optional catering
    • Play music via Bluetooth and consider bringing your own speaker
    • Ride with up to 6 people total, including children

    What's Included

    • Two-hour self-driven pontoon cruise
    • Dock crew training
    • Life vests

    Things to know

    An additional fuel charge, dock fee, booking fee, and Chicago tax are added at checkout. Driver must have a standard driver’s license. Children under 13 must wear a life vest at all times.

    Cancellation Policy

    No refunds for any reason. Reschedules for pontoons must be made 48 hours prior to avoid reschedule charges.

    Product ID: 335JWZ

    FAQs

    Yes. The driver must have a standard driver’s license.

    Yes. Dock crew will train you or someone in your group when you arrive.

    Life vests are provided. Children under 13 must wear a life vest at all times.

    Meeting details

    1177 North Elston Ave., Chicago, IL 60642

    Experience provided by Chicago Boat Rentals

    Related locations

    How can we help?

    We are here to assist with special requests, large groups, last minute needs, and any questions you may have.

    Call or text 1-877-GREET-WELL

    Report an issue

    2 Hour Private Boat

    from $173.37

    Private to your group- (6 people max) Please choose the number of boats needed from the dropdown menu

    0

    Why book through Greetwell?

    • No Added Fees

      No booking or service fees, ever

    • Concierge Support Included

      Real humans ready to help with timing, questions, or special requests

    • Free Cancellation Available

      Most experiences can be cancelled for a full refund

    Discover what we've curated for you

    Review summary

    4.6
    Excellent
    122 reviews•Google Maps
    99
    3
    2
    1
    9

    Pontoon rentals on the Chicago River with genuinely friendly staff and clean, well-maintained boats seem to be the consistent experience here. Reviewers regularly highlight how smooth and beginner-friendly the whole process is, with easy instructions and a crew that keeps things stress-free from start to finish. The location is accessible by metro and has on-site parking, which is a nice bonus for city outings. A few customers have raised concerns about communication when trying to reschedule or handle weather cancellations, which is worth keeping in mind if your plans might need flexibility. That said, the large majority of guests come away raving, many saying they've booked multiple times and keep coming back. For a few hours on the water with sweeping views of the city skyline, this seems like a genuinely fun summer activity for families, friend groups, or anyone looking to see Chicago from a different angle. Just make sure to do a quick equipment check with staff before you head out, and if flexibility matters to your group, it may be worth confirming their change and cancellation policies upfront.

    What people are saying

    Review 1 of 5
    5/5

    Loved being able to drive the boat without a captain! We left at 8 on a Wednesday and had the perfect amount of time to see the fireworks and get back

    Photo of Payton Turner

    Payton Turner

    September 2, 2026

    Review 1 of 1
    5/5

    Loved being able to drive the boat without a captain! We left at 8 on a Wednesday and had the perfect amount of time to see the fireworks and get back

    Photo of Payton Turner

    Payton Turner

    September 2, 2026

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