Paddle the Chicago River and learn downtown architecture in 3 hours
3 Hours
Guide, safety lesson, kayak
Kayak through downtown Chicago’s architectural canyons with guides who share stories of the city’s past, present, and future. Start with a lesson on paddle strokes, safety, and rules of the water before launching onto the river.
Children under 12 must ride with an adult on a double kayak; single kayaks are for ages 12+. Sea kayaks are only for guests with previous kayaking experience and equivalent rescue skills.
Cancel at least 48 hours before your tour or rental time to be refunded. Within 48 hours, you can reschedule for a $25/person rescheduling fee but will not be refunded.
You do not need kayaking experience. Some athletic ability is recommended, and you start with a lesson on paddle strokes, safety, and rules of the water.
Yes. Children under 12 must ride with an adult on a double kayak. Single kayaks are for ages 12+.
Sea kayaks are only for guests with previous kayaking experience who have completed the sea kayaking courses or have equivalent rescue skills. If you qualify and want a sea kayak, select a single kayak online and you will be sent out in a sea kayak.
1220 West Le Moyne Street Chicago, IL US 60642
Kayaking through downtown Chicago with this crew is genuinely hard to beat. Guides like Adam, Matt, and Antonio consistently earn praise for being knowledgeable, funny, and attentive, and the routes themselves are spectacular, whether you're paddling through calm wake-free zones around Goose Island or catching the river turn green on a seasonal tour. First-timers especially seem to feel well looked after, with solid instruction before hitting the water and staff who go out of their way to make sure everyone's comfortable. The experience itself is the star here. Calm water options make it approachable for beginners, while more adventurous paddlers can venture into the busier stretches of the Chicago River. A couple of negative reviews flag some concerning situations around safety response and customer service, so it's worth keeping that in mind. That said, those experiences appear to be outliers in an otherwise overwhelmingly positive track record. Overall, this is a well-run operation with genuinely passionate guides and a product that delivers a pretty unforgettable perspective on the city.
Kayaking through the middle of downtown Chicago is an experience like no other! Great guides and safety measures throughout our journey. The water is completely calm and easy to navigate for a spectacular unique view of the city. 10 out of 10!
Vincent Williams
January 15, 2026
Kayaking through the middle of downtown Chicago is an experience like no other! Great guides and safety measures throughout our journey. The water is completely calm and easy to navigate for a spectacular unique view of the city. 10 out of 10!
Vincent Williams
January 15, 2026