One of my very favorite things to do in the city (and usually the first thing I do with out-of-town visitors) is an architecture tour of the Chicago River. I have enjoyed lots of them, on boats run by several different companies, and I learn new things about Chicago every time I go, which is about three times every season. (I know; hardcore!)
When Shoreline Sightseeing contacted me last month and asked if I’d like to join them on an architecture river tour in honor of their 2014 season kicking off, I screamed, “YES PLEASE!” even though the conversation was through email. I was THAT excited.
(Disclosure: I received complimentary tickets from Shoreline Sightseeing and no other compensation for this post, which was not a required writing assignment but very much appreciated by the kind folks over there, I’m sure.)
Shoreline Sightseeing has two great locations for catching a boat ride and getting a unique view along with some education that’s presented in a fun way by knowledgeable docents. You can start your tour from Gateway Park at Navy Pier OR at the northeast corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge. Tour options and ticket information can be found on their website.
They recently started their 2014 season, offering their boat tours and running the water taxis seven days a week. (And after the super-difficult winter we had? Trust me, there’s no better place to be on a bright and shiny summer day than on a boat, cruising down the Chicago River.) Cruises take place during the day AND in the evening and range in length from forty to ninety minutes. They also do specialty and private tours. We love the Shoreline docents, who always tell interesting stories with a great sense of humor. (My favorite tour guide at Shoreline is JJ, with whom we’ve sailed three times now, including this past weekend!)
Sounds good, right? Well, you’re in luck. I’m giving away two complimentary river cruise passes, courtesy of Shoreline Sightseeing! As usual, I’m making it extremely easy-peasy to enter. Here are the rules:
1. To enter, leave me ONE comment, telling me the name of your favorite building in Chicago. Don’t have one? Fake it. I’ll never know. (If you leave multiple comments I will count only the first one.)
2. You have until 11:59 p.m. next Thursday (June 12) to enter.
3. The winner will be chosen randomly.
4. The winner must send me a mailing address for the tickets within three days of my “You’re a winner!” email, or I’ll have to pick someone else.
That’s it! Good luck to you, and maybe I’ll see you on the Chicago River this summer!
EDITED to add the winner: Congrats, Donna! You won the tickets! Looks like you and your daughter have river plans when you get here!
20 Comments
Christina S.
I love that massive old post office building. The history behind it is pretty interesting!
julyn panicola
680 N. LSD… i believe its a Feinberg School Bldg
Kelly Nelson
My favorite Chicago building is the Library. I love coming in on the Ike and looking up at the creepyish decorations at the top.
Alina Hahn
I would have to say the water tower – I like the look of it and the history.
Donna
My favorite building is whatever the Sears Tower is called these days. Because it is tall. Oh, and Marshall Field. Because shopping. (Hey! Last year’s BlogHer was my first ever visit to Chicago, but I’ll be coming back often now that my daughter will be attending Columbia College there. So this architecture boat tour is on my to-do list!)
Erica R
My favorite building is (are) Marina City. My kids call them the corn cob buildings!
bonnie kenaz-mara
My favorite is the Oriental Theatre but the kids chimed in as well and Sage said her fav is the “Serious Tower”– others can call it Willis all they want, but it’s always Serious to her. My 13 yo son said the Lyric Opera House because the story behind it is sooooo cool. A dad built it for his daughter because nobody would let her perform on stage elsewhere. And he built it in the shape of a throne facing away from the main government building that had dissed him.
Pauline
I love the Art Institute building!
Samantha
Willis – Sears – whatever you call it – LOVE it!
Paula @ Frosted Fingers
Water tower and Sears tower 🙂
Janelle
LOVE the Santa Fe building!
Evolving Stacey
Hancock building
Julie Henning
I love the public library. 🙂
Lea Grover
Smurfitt Stone!!!
Angel
The old Playboy building
Carrie Steinweg
Wrigley Field is a building, right? That’s my Heaven on earth. Everything else melts away when I’m in my regular upper deck seats in section 532 looking out onto that field of green with the ivy crawling up the wall. 🙂
Beth
The Wrigley Building is beautiful and historical.
Jen Yahn
Water Tower place. It was a beautiful memory of spectacular decorations!
Michelle
My favorite building is the old post office. 🙂 Ok, and the triangle building on the North Branch, but I can’t remember the name of it!!
Emily
I love the Chicago Historical Society with the Tiffany ceiling! Went to a wedding there once and it was amazing.