Chicago: Architectural Boat Tour

I wanted to share with the blog world some other parts of my trip to Chicago from this past weekend that I didn’t already post.

One of the things everyone in our group was interested in doing during our time in Chi-Town was an Architecture Boat Tour.

There were some different options for the tour, but we went with Shoreline Sightseeing Tours. I had heard good things about this tour from some blogger friends who went on it back in August so I was excited to check it out for myself.  

The tour set sail from Navy Pier, which I was excited to check out because I had never been there before.

   

While our group waited in line to get on our boat, my brother and I went exploring to take some fun pictures.

 

The best part about this picture is the fact that a sprinkler system went off right as he was sitting there! Ha!

  

Hello giant piece of macaroni.

  

We must sit on you.

Meeks, you make me laugh! Ha!

After we finished playing on the macaroni, it was time to set sail on the Architectural Boat Tour of Chicago!

Here is a little photo collage of our trip:

Did you know that once someone used to live under the Lake Shore Drive bridge? Apparently he hotwired power from the bridge and had himself a TV, microwave and lots of other goodies inside! He literally LIVED there! He was living the dream for free until he was ratted out by a friend to the cops and had to evacuate! Crazy story, right?

 

  

Our boat tour took us through all the three different branches of the Chicago River.    

I loved the reflections of buildings across the water.

  

This was my favorite building – they are locally called the Corn Cobs. I want to live here.   

 

The bottom layer of the Corn Cobs are parking garages! So cool!

  

All the buildings were SO different and they each had a different story to go along with it! Our tour guide did an excellent job entertaining us with some history mixed with folklore along our cruise.

   

As you can see, there wasn’t much room in between the top of the boat and the bridge! Tight squeeze!

   

What I loved most about this tour was the different perspective of the city you couldn’t get from walking the streets of Chicago. To get these amazing views, you must see the city by boat!

    

Did I mention I love the building reflections??

 

The Merchandise Mart was the biggest building in the world until the completion of the Pentagon. 4 million sq. ft. of floor space!

           

We also saw the Sears Tower throughout our tour in the skyline.

 

I believe everyone very much enjoyed the tour!

Fiancé was listening to the guide while double checking the facts online. You gotta love technology!

 

Horray for Architectural Boat Tours!

Fiancé’s Dad (aka Future Father in Law) is a camera lover too! He and I were snapping away pictures the entire visit to Chicago!

  

Aren’t all these buildings so neat? I loved taking pictures of them all!

   

More reflection love.

I really can’t say enough good things about Chicago from our trip this past week. It was a fabulous city and we enjoyed it in gorgeous weather. This tour made me only love it more!

        

Our whole group – From L – R: Future Father in Law, Future Mother in Law, Mom, Yours Truly, Fiancé, Dad and Brother

Family Love.

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What’s your favorite way to tour a city?