Book your Chicago hotel, unpack your camera, and then head out to capture the famous skyline and attractions reflected in the waterways that form the core of the city.

Roll Down the River

When it comes to architecture, Chicago's home to some of the most famous buildings. Willis Tower is the tallest building in the U.S., with 110 stories soaring skyward. Merchandise Mart, or “the Mart” as it’s also called, is the most expansive commercial building in the world. Chicago River tours slice through the heart of the city, offering duck's-eye views of towering monoliths. Learn about more than 50 unique buildings along the river on the Chicago Architecture Foundation's river cruises. Enjoy a specialized cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady for viewing the city at twilight or taking pictures of the icons.

A Need for Speed(y) Tours

Want to squeeze in a boat tour, but you're pressed for time? Seadog's Lakefront Speedboat Tour will show you the Lake Michigan sights in 30 minutes on a 125-passenger turbo-charged catamaran. Listen to a few facts, and then hold onto your hat. When you hear the engines and music crank up, you'll be whisked away to the Museum Campus, home of Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium and other notable attractions. The tour then zips north along the Magnificent Mile where you can relish views of Willis Tower rising above the skyline before returning to port.

A Round of Bridges

While Chicago may be noted in history as the birthplace of the skyscraper, it's also contributed the "Chicago-type, Double Leaf, Trunnion, Bascule Bridge." While that’s the full name, you can just call the 18 structures crossing the Chicago River "movable bridges" like the locals do. Take Wendella Sightseeing Boat Company's original Chicago River Bridges Tour to find out all the details about what makes them so special. Watch the architectural marvels in action and learn how bridges were instrumental in Chicago's history on this two-hour tour led by bridge historian and award-winning author Patrick McBriarty.

Get Wet and Wild

When the kids are clamoring to go to a theme park, head over to Navy Pier for Seadog's Extreme Thrill Ride tour. Prepare to get wet on the 125-passenger Seadog V as the 54-ton vessel nimbly bucks, twists and spins through the lake waters. The tour is a fun way for adults and kids four-feet and taller to see the lakeside sites. The tour twists south at 45 mph, making a loop-the-loop before splashing to a stop by Shedd Aquarium. After roaring back to speed, you'll do a 360 offshore from the John Hancock Center<, then zoom past Miracle Mile before heading back to the pier.