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    1. Local experiences
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    3. /Water Activities
    4. /Kayaking Tours
    5. /Sunset Kayak Tour on the Chicago River
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    Sunset Kayak Tour on the Chicago River

    Paddle Goose Island and downtown as Chicago lights reflect on the river

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

    Duration

    3 Hours

    Includes

    Kayak, paddle lesson, guide

    Highlights

    Explore the Chicago River by kayak as evening settles over Goose Island and downtown. Learn the basics, then paddle with guides through the city's river canyons.

    • Learn paddle strokes, safety rules, and waterway etiquette
    • Paddle the peaceful back channel of Goose Island
    • Navigate through downtown Chicago's glass-and-steel river canyons
    • Listen to guides share stories of Chicago's past, present, and future
    • Watch city lights reflect across the water

    What's Included

    • Sit-in kayak
    • Paddling orientation
    • Safety instruction
    • Guided river tour

    Important details

    • Arrive 15 minutes early for orientation and safety instructions
    • Complete your waiver before arrival
    • Children under 12 must paddle with an adult in a double kayak
    • Ages 12+ only for single kayaks
    • Sea kayaks require previous kayaking experience and equivalent rescue skills or completion of the operator's sea kayaking courses
    • A credit card must remain on file and may be charged for lost, missing, or damaged equipment
    • A credit card processing fee applies and is not included in the listed price

    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 per person fee but are not refunded.

    FAQs

    No experience is required for this kayak tour, though some athletic ability is recommended.

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

    Meeting details

    Kayak Chicago, 1220 West Le Moyne Street, Chicago, IL 60642

    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 #ET8XFS

    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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