Free Concierge Service
    Text or call 1-877-GREET-WELL
    Ask AIAI
    Ask AIAI
    1. Local experiences
    2. /Things to do in Chicago…
    3. /Water Activities
    4. /Kayaking Tours
    5. /Explore Chicago on a Night Kayak Tour
    Why travelers choose Greetwell

    Curated by our team

    Every experience is hand selected and approved by Greetwell.

    Personal concierge

    Real humans available to help before, during, and after your booking.

    Intimate & authentic

    Including unique in-home experiences you won't find anywhere else.

    Easy booking & cancellation

    Reserve in minutes with free cancellation on most experiences.

    Greetwell

    Experiences that stay with you long after the trip

    Greetwell curates authentic local experiences and provides personal concierge support in over 500 destinations, helping you explore confidently wherever you go.

    About

    • Our Story
    • For Experience Providers
    • For Hospitality Partners
    • For Developers

    Concierge Support

    • Help Center
    [email protected]1-877-GREET-WELL

    Safe & Secure Payments

    © 2026 Greetwell, Inc. All rights reserved.
    Privacy PolicyTerms
    Product image 1
    Gallery image

    Explore Chicago on a Night Kayak Tour

    Paddle the Chicago River after dark with skyline reflections

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

    Duration

    3 Hours

    Includes

    Kayak, lesson, guided tour

    Highlights

    Explore the Chicago River after dark on a 3-hour guided kayak tour. Learn the basics, then paddle toward downtown as city lights reflect on the water.

    • Learn paddle strokes, safety, and rules of the water
    • Paddle beneath Chicago’s bridges and through architectural river canyons
    • Hear guide stories about Chicago’s past, present, and future
    • Reach downtown among towers of glass and steel
    • Choose a single or double sit-in kayak

    What's Included

    • Single or double sit-in kayak
    • Boat lights
    • Paddle-stroke and safety lesson
    • Guided river tour

    Know before you go

    • Check in 15 minutes early for orientation and safety instructions
    • Complete the waiver in your confirmation email before arrival
    • Children under 12 must ride with an adult in a double kayak
    • Single kayaks are for ages 12 and older
    • Sea kayaks require previous kayaking experience and completed sea kayaking courses or equivalent rescue skills
    • The card used to reserve may be charged for lost, missing, or damaged equipment
    • A credit card processing fee applies; clarify the amount with Greetwell before booking

    Cancellation Policy

    Cancel at least 48 hours before your scheduled time for a refund. Within 48 hours, you may reschedule for a $25 per person fee, but no refund is available.

    FAQs

    No experience is required, though some athletic ability is recommended. Your City Lights Night Paddle begins with instruction in paddle strokes, safety, and rules of the water.

    Check out with the office staff when you return so they know you are off the water.

    Meeting details

    1220 West Le Moyne Street, Chicago, IL 60642

    Experience provided by Kayak Chicago
    Experience provided by Kayak Chicago

    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

    Reference #DH9ZZZ

    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

    Great for groups

    Thumbnail
    Boat RentalsUp to 6

    Chicago River 1950s Boat Rental

    $558.81
    Thumbnail
    Boat Rentals2

    Explore the Chicago River on a 2-Hour E-Boat Rental

    From$211/ boat
    Thumbnail
    Boat RentalsUp to 6

    Drive an 18' Pontoon on the Chicago River

    $184.44

    Nearby activities

    Thumbnail
    Kayaking Tours

    Chicago Skyline Guided Kayak Tour

    From$100/ kayak
    Thumbnail
    Kayaking Tours

    3-Hour Chicago River Architectural Kayaking Tour

    From$81/ kayak
    Thumbnail
    Kayaking Tours

    Paddle a 3-Hour Chicago Fireworks Kayak Tour

    From$81/ kayak
    Thumbnail
    Yacht ChartersUp to 12

    Charter a Private Yacht Cruise in Chicago

    $1,590
    Thumbnail
    Boat RentalsUp to 10

    Drive a 22' Pontoon Boat on the Chicago River

    $343.44
    Thumbnail
    Boat RentalsUp to 10

    Drive a 2-Hour Chicago River Fireworks Pontoon Rental

    From$385