Paddle Lake Michigan’s shoreline for city views and guided instruction
2.5 hours
Kayak, paddle instruction, guide
Learn basic paddle strokes, water safety, and rules before heading out on Lake Michigan. Follow your guide along the shoreline for views of Chicago from the water.
Cancel at least 48 hours before your scheduled time for a refund. Cancellations within 48 hours are not refundable but can be rescheduled for a $25 per-person fee.
Product ID: GR77C8
No kayaking experience is required for the Lake Shore Skyline Paddle. Some athletic ability is recommended.
Tours are offered every Saturday and Sunday.
1603 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60611
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.
Amazing experience! Great people and great instructor, very patient, friendly and funny! Totally recommend it! Chicago at night is magical! Definitely the highlight of my trip!
Rebeca Lisboa
August 30, 2026
Amazing experience! Great people and great instructor, very patient, friendly and funny! Totally recommend it! Chicago at night is magical! Definitely the highlight of my trip!
Rebeca Lisboa
August 30, 2026
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