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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
 

  Where do we meet for the tours?
 

River Cruise: South-east corner of the Michigan Ave. bridge at Wacker Drive. Look for the blue awning marking the staircase that leads down to the river and the dock ticket window. Plan on arriving 15–20 minutes before departure.

Bus tours: ArchiCenter Shop, 224 South Michigan Avenue. Plan on arriving 15–20 minutes before departure.

Walking tours:
Downtown walking tours: Read tour description carefully for exact meeting point.
Most regularly-scheduled downtown walking tours depart from the ArchiCenter Shop, 224 South Michigan Avenue.

Neighborhood walking tours: Read tour description carefully for exact meeting point. Meet the docent at the listed location.
Neighborhood walking tours are free for CAF members. Non-members pay the docent before the tour begins (cash only).
No advance reservations necessary for neighborhood walking tours.


  Is there parking available?
  River Cruise: Discounted parking is available at 111 E. Wacker Drive (just east of Michigan Ave.) Be sure to bring your parking ticket to the Chicago’s First Lady dock ticket window for validation.

ArchiCenter Shop (walking and bus tours): The closest public parking is the Grant Park South garage (enter from Michigan Ave.) The Millennium Park (enter from Columbus Dr.) and Grant Park North (enter from Michigan Ave.) garages are also nearby. There is a self-park garage operated by Standard Parking on the southwest corner of Adams and Wabash Sts. (enter from southbound Wabash or westbound Adams) one block west of the ArchiCenter.

  What buildings do we see on the River Cruise?
  The tour includes Chicago’s most famous historic and modern landmarks, including the Sears Tower, Navy Pier, Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, Merchandise Mart, Lyric Opera, 333 W. Wacker, Marina City and many, many more. Over 50 buildings are discussed during the tour.

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  Does the River Cruise go out on the lake?
  The tour covers all three branches of the Chicago River (north, south, and main) but does not go through the locks out onto the lake. The CAF River Cruise focuses on architecture, and it is hard to see the buildings from far out on the lake.

  Who gives the tours?
  All tours are given by Chicago Architecture Foundation-certified volunteer docents. All docents receive hundreds of hours of training about Chicago architecture and history.

  What is a docent?
  A CAF docent is a specially trained guide, certified to lead architecture tours. CAF docents receive hundreds of hours of Chicago architecture and history training. All CAF docents are volunteers. They give tours because they love it. Docents come from a wide range of backgrounds; teachers, attorneys, architects, doctors and engineers, for example.

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  What if it rains?
  All Chicago Architecture Foundations tours depart rain or shine. There is a covered, climate-controlled portion of the boat available for tour-takers if it rains or is extremely hot. Tour tickets are non-exchangeable, non-refundable. Bus and walking tours also take place rain or shine.

  Is there a children’s price for the River Cruise?
  All passengers on the River Cruise must purchase a full-price ticket regardless of age, including children who will not be taking up an extra seat by sitting on laps, etc. There are not special rates for children, students or seniors. The bus and walking tours have student and senior pricing.

  Is there a senior citizen price for the River Cruise?
  All passengers on the River Cruise must purchase a full-price ticket regardless of age. There are not special rates for children, students or seniors. The bus and walking tours have student and senior pricing; Seniors are 55 and over.

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  Is the River Cruise wheelchair accessible?
 

The River Cruise is not ADA accessible, but accommodations can be made for people with wheelchairs or mobility disabilities. To avoid the stairs down to the dock from Wacker Driver, there is a dock-level drop-off-only area below Lower Wacker Drive, adjacent to the Chicago River. This area is on the same ground-level as our dock, at the Riverside Gardens Promenade. Although there is a wheelchair accessible drop-off, there is no dedicated public parking. The closest parking facility is located up one level at the Hyatt Regency on Lower Wacker Drive and Lower Stetson St. Taxicabs do not regularly travel near the drop off area. If you arrive by taxicab, we recommend that you arrange for the same driver to pick you up after your cruise.

From Illinois Street or Grand Avenue go southbound on Lower Michigan Avenue, travel across the Lower Michigan Avenue Bridge. Go straight through the Lower Wacker Drive traffic light and when you reach the next traffic light, which is also a dead-end, turn left (east). You will then come to a 4-way Stop sign. At that Stop sign, turn left (north) and go straight until you come into view of the River and an opening in a black wrought iron fence. Your vehicle may pull up toward the bicycle path to unload your passengers.

We always offer early boarding for our passengers with limited mobility. Please identify yourself to any uniformed employee upon arrival, and let us know how we can assist. Our watertight threshold configuration and limited turning areas make us unable to accommodate motorized scooters. We offer a standard wheelchair for use on a complimentary basis. Although not necessary, we recommend a caregiver accompany any guest with mobility restrictions to facilitate movement during the cruise, for the boat may rock unexpectedly, or to assist in the unlikely case of an emergency.


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  How long is the tour?
  River Cruise: 90 minutes (1-1⁄2 hours)

Walking tours: approx. 2 hours – see schedule of individual tours for exact duration

Bus tours: Highlights by Bus: 3-1⁄2 hours
Frank Lloyd Wright by Bus (Tuesdays): approx. 4 hours
Frank Lloyd Wright Neighborhoods by Bus (Saturdays): approx. 4 hours
Farnsworth House by Bus: approx. 7 hours (lunch included)
Churches by Bus: approx. 6 hours
Bungalow Belt by Bus: approx. 4 hours
Parks & Blvds. by Bus: 5 hours
Devil in the White City: 3 hours, 15 minutes
Emerging Chicago: 4 hours

  Are there snacks and beverages available on the boat?
  There is a full-service bar on board all River Cruise vessels where beverages and snacks can be purchased. Guests are allowed to bring their own food and beverages on board.

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  Can luggage and strollers be checked at the dock or ArchiCenter Shop?
  No. Unfortunately there is not secure storage for luggage or strollers at either location. Strollers and luggage cannot be brought on board the River Cruise vessels, but there is storage on the buses used for all CAF tours.

  Do I need my Chicago Architecture Foundation member ID number to get my 2- for-1 discount on the River Cruise?
  Yes. If you do not have your member ID number you need to call Member Services at the Chicago Architecture Foundation:
312.922.3432 x230.

  Do I need my Chicago Architecture Foundation member ID number to get the discounted member price on bus tours?
  No. Members only need to give the Member Password to obtain the discounted member price. Current CAF members can obtain this year’s password by contacting Member Services: 312.922.3432 x230.