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    5. /Paddle a 3-Hour Chicago Fireworks Kayak Tour
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    Paddle a 3-Hour Chicago Fireworks Kayak Tour

    Night kayak tour to watch Navy Pier fireworks

    4.7 stars• 475 reviews
    From$81/ kayakincl. taxes and fees

    Duration

    3 Hours

    Includes

    Guided kayak tour, Fireworks view

    Highlights

    Paddle through Chicago at night with guides and watch the Navy Pier Fireworks Spectacular from the water. Start with a quick lesson, then cruise the Chicago River into downtown before heading back after the show.

    • Meet your guides near the North Branch of the Chicago River
    • Learn basic paddle strokes, safety, and rules of the water
    • Paddle the back channel of Goose Island at night
    • Glide into downtown among bridges and towers of glass and steel
    • Watch the Navy Pier fireworks from a viewing spot past Lake Shore Drive
    • Snack after the show, then paddle back to the dock

    What's Included

    • Guided kayak tour
    • Single or double sit-in kayak
    • Paddling instruction and safety briefing
    • Snack

    Things to know

    Some athletic ability is recommended, but no experience is required. Children under 12 must ride with an adult in a double kayak; single kayaks are for ages 12+. Sea kayaks require prior experience and completion of sea kayaking courses or equivalent rescue skills.

    Cancellation Policy

    Cancel at least 48 hours before your tour or rental time for a refund. Cancellations within 48 hours can be rescheduled for a $25/person rescheduling fee but will not be refunded.

    FAQs

    No experience is required, but some athletic ability is recommended. Your guides start with a lesson on basic paddle strokes, safety, and rules of the water before you launch.

    Single kayaks are for ages 12+. Children under 12 must ride with an adult in a double kayak.

    Sea kayaks are only available if you have previous kayaking experience and have completed 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.

    Meeting details

    1220 West Le Moyne Street Chicago, IL US 60642

    Experience provided by Kayak Chicago
    Experience provided by Kayak Chicago

    Related locations

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    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

    Reference #UR8PS4

    Single Kayak

    $81.54

    Seats 1 Person

    0

    Double Kayak

    $163.09

    Seats 2 People

    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

    4.7
    Excellent
    475 reviews•Google Maps
    389
    42
    11
    7
    15

    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.

    What people are saying

    Review 1 of 4
    5/5

    Fantastic experience and professional staff. Aaron was a terrific guide- very chill and friendly. He even had to tow a grown woman who registered and somehow didn’t realize paddling was involved in a 3 hour kayak tour (full disclosure: it is). Aaron then proceeded to tow her to the river bank after she somehow managed to flip out of her kayak (a feat that requires a lot of effort). I’ve kayaked many different times and places, including downtown Chicago on several occasions but never w Kayak Chicago or this far up the north branch of the river. I would definitely do it again and recommend to others- just be prepared to paddle.

    Photo of Chris W

    Chris W

    June 22, 2026

    Review 1 of 1
    5/5

    Fantastic experience and professional staff. Aaron was a terrific guide- very chill and friendly. He even had to tow a grown woman who registered and somehow didn’t realize paddling was involved in a 3 hour kayak tour (full disclosure: it is). Aaron then proceeded to tow her to the river bank after she somehow managed to flip out of her kayak (a feat that requires a lot of effort). I’ve kayaked many different times and places, including downtown Chicago on several occasions but never w Kayak Chicago or this far up the north branch of the river. I would definitely do it again and recommend to others- just be prepared to paddle.

    Photo of Chris W

    Chris W

    June 22, 2026

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