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    1. Local experiences
    2. /Things to do in Chicago…
    3. /Water Activities
    4. /Kayaking Tours
    5. /Chicago Skyline Guided Kayak Tour
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    Chicago Skyline Guided Kayak Tour

    Paddle Lake Michigan’s shoreline with guided Chicago skyline views

    4.7 stars• 475 reviews
    From$100/ kayakincl. taxes and fees

    Duration

    2.5 hours

    Includes

    Kayak, orientation, guide

    Highlights

    Learn the basics, then paddle Lake Michigan’s shoreline with guides and views of Chicago. Choose a single or double sit-on-top kayak for this 2.5-hour tour.
    • Learn basic paddle strokes, water safety, and rules of the water
    • Paddle along the shoreline past beaches and breakwalls
    • Choose a single or double sit-on-top kayak
    • Join a beginner-friendly tour with no experience required
    • Explore with guides on Saturday and Sunday tours

    What's Included

    • Single or double sit-on-top kayak
    • Paddling orientation
    • Guided shoreline tour

    Know before you go

    • Check in 15 minutes early for orientation and safety instructions
    • Complete waivers from 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 prior 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
    • Check out with staff when you return so they know you are off the water

    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.

    Meeting details

    1603 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60611

    Experience provided by Kayak Chicago
    Experience provided by Kayak Chicago

    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 #GR77C8

    Single Kayak

    $100.45

    Seats 1 Person

    0

    Double Kayak

    $200.91

    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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