Mary Jane Beechen, 2016
We took the Walk Through Time tour with Mary Jane who was very engaging, well-read and a pleasure to interact with. – Zach P
Joni Hirsch Blackman, 2013
Hi Lynn- Just a word of thanks to our docent on the River Cruise, Wednesday, July 31, at 10:00 am. I took my 9 yr old grandson, Matthew, and, thanks to her, he was totally into it and loved her discussions of Chicago history and the rationale for the buildings and architecture. I have taken visitors on the tour often, and learn lots of new things every time, but this one was special. Please give a thanks to our docent. She may remember Matthew as the kid golfer. Best, Peter (and Matthew)
Barbara Breakstone, 2012
We took the River Cruise on the last day of our trip to Chicago. It was a great way to end our vacation. Barbara was very personable and informative and it was just long enough to see everything and get a good overview of Chicago history. Wendy J
Jane Cahill, 2005
Jane was an excellent guide for the River Walk West tour. She was very knowledgeable and organized. She also managed the group well.
Ron Campbell, 2005
I’ve lived my entire life here and this was my first architecture tour and I can’t wait to do it again. The River Cruise was narrated by volunteer docent Ron Campbell who was very knowledgeable and talked about each and every building with interesting facts and side notes. – charlek2016 Orland Park, Illinois
Tom Carmichael, 2007
Ten of us took the Chicago architecture boat tour today. The River Cruise was super informative and our guide Tom on the tour was awesome.
Kathleen Carpenter, 2006
We recently took the 90 minute Vice to Nice – Transformation of the South Loop walking tour with Kathleen. She was a treasure trove of historic information about the architecture in the South Loop, focusing on the late 19th century. Fascinating! – 870BobM870 Chicago’s North Shore, Illinois
Maurice Champagne, 2004
I am writing to let you know how much I enjoyed the Parks by Bus tour on Saturday July 20. I have been a member of the organization since it was in Glessner house. Our docent for the noon tour was Maurice Champagne. We learned about the history of the parks, the architects, and plans for the future. We also had an excellent handout. I plan to go back to enjoy some of the parks we visited on our tour.
Leslie Clark Lewis, 2009
We took the River Cruise tour on a busy Sunday afternoon in Chicago. The tour guide was Leslie. She was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about Chicago, architecture and the history of all the skyscrapers. She knew the architects that designed every building and all kinds of interesting facts. She was the best tour guide I have ever had on any tour. – lollyn285, Toronto, Canada
Emily Clott, 2012
Our River Cruise guide was a volunteer named Emily and she was really informative. I’ve lived in Chicago for most of my life and didn’t realize many of the facts she explained. Expect to be entertained and informed. – highwoodkevin, Highwood
Sylvia Dunbeck, 1987
We had such a great time on this tour/cruise! Sylvia was phenomenal and we learned so much about the architecture and the history of the city! – resaem1
Carol Sue Garner, 2016
After living in Chicago for almost 4 decades, I am asking myself why did I wait so long to take the River Cruise tour? Our tour guide was Carol. I cannot say enough fantastic things about the cruise and Carol’s narrative of such a beautiful city. She was very knowledgeable about all of the buildings, their designers, architectural style and the history of Chicago. Carol made the trip much more enjoyable. She was so smart, witty and fun! I told my daughter she should bring her father on one of these cruises soon, but only if Carol will be their tour guide! – Jeanne D.
Steven Gersten, 2003
Our River Cruise docent guide, Steve, was super knowledgeable and easy to listen to for 90 minutes. Very entertaining!
Patricia Grund, 2001
The architectural River Cruise was excellent and I was thoroughly impressed with Patricia’s knowledge of the city and its architecture. Patricia’s love for the city was evident. She was remarkable. I highly recommend this tour for architectural and non-architectural enthusiasts alike. You learn so much of Chicago in the 90 minutes. Many thanks to the volunteers like Patricia who educate masses like myself. – cathieo90
Dave Gudewicz, 2016
Our River Cruise docent, Dave, provided an information packed but accessible overview of the city’s history along with site specific details of all kinds of buildings throughout the pleasant 90-minute cruise. Even if you know a lot about architecture already, you’ll learn more; insights into structural and aesthetic decisions made by developers and designers. – Deborah G NYC
Doug Harrison, 2011
Could not believe the amount of really information we were given. It brought all the buildings to life. Our River Cruise guide Doug was excellent. Spoke very eloquently for an hour and half and never felt it was boring. Some history of Chicago included but he really opened my eyes. It was exceptional and just so glad I redid it after about 20 years or more. – Fussylady London
Siobhan Hartsell, 2015
Siobhan, our River Cruise guide, had a love and passion for the city that was contagious. She was a wealth of knowledge and this was such a great way to see and experience Chicago. Truly a highlight of our trip. – Nikki M., Marina del Rey, CA
Harry Hirsch, 1998
Just did another River Cruise on the Chicago river on Friday and not only was the weather perfect for a cruise, but we had the best docent, Harry! He was so knowledgeable, entertaining (but not over the top) and very clear in his explanation. Overall, it was a wonderful way to introduce our beautiful city to our Out of Town guests! Thank you. – PLGSLG, Chicago, Illinois
Mary Jo Hoag, 2007
Mary Jo was an outstanding River Cruise guide— as a Chicago native I loved going on this tour and learned so much about my own city. I love these volunteer docents; they’re so passionate and knowledgeable! Can’t recommend this tour enough. – breezeblocs Chicago
Wayne Johnson, 2016
The River Cruise was my favorite thing I did in Chicago. It was informative, enjoyable and an overall unique experience. The docent during my 4:00 pm tour was Wayne and he was great! He had a good sense of humor and was very knowledgeable.
Judith Kaufman, 2010
Judith!!! I loved the River Cruise and Judith made the tour. She was great and full of life the whole 90 minutes. If you get her be excited!! – Dannyconn52
Peg Leonard, 2005
Peg Leonard was a FANTASTIC River Cruise docent today. Her voice was very pleasant, her diction was crisp, and her knowledge was vast. I was so pleased with the whole experience I can’t wait to tell everyone I know back home that this tour is a MUST DO. Sincerely, Linda Lewis Gainesville, FL
Bill Lipsman, 2009
Learned so much from our River Cruise docent Bill. I definitely recommend to Chicagoans and tourists who want to see the beauty of our developing river front.
Pam Loewenstein, 2015
I went on the Art Deco Riverfront Favorites skyscrapers walking tour. Our docent was Pam. She was excellent!
Doris Lucas, 2016
Excellent Discover Chicago’s Historic Neighborhoods Bus tour! Doris, our tour guide, was very knowledgeable about the neighborhoods we visited. Her enthusiasm was catchy!
Sandeep Navalgund, 2016
An interesting and engaging 90 minutes River Cruise to hear about the city and its architecture. Our guide was Sandeep – amazing amount of knowledge and some funny anecdotes along the way too.- Samk2012, Hove, United Kingdom
Cynthia Panganibam, 2019
My wife and I visited the Chicago Architecture Center on our recent trip. Cynthia’s Historic Treasures of Chicago’s Golden Age walking tour was just fantastic.
Susan Pappas, 2005
We were impressed, to say the least! Just because you are a volunteer, doesn’t mean you’re an amateur. Susan, the River Cruise guide on our First Lady Cruise, was most knowledgeable and entertaining. Our 90-minute cruise on the Chicago River was an exceptional experience. – Sandra H Kouts, Indiana
Merry Ann Pearson, 2004
I realized I did not get a chance to thank my tour guide after my Hotel Boom tour on August 8th. The tour was fantastic and really exceeded my expectations.
Deb Rodak, 2004
What an amazing place! Just some models of buildings present and buildings to come along with the history and lay out of future plans, just amazing! Many, many thanks to Debbie Sherman-Rodak for everything you did to make my first venture to the windy city an absolutely wonderful day!
Roy Slowinski, 2009
Roy, our tour guide for Discover Chicago’s Historic Neighborhoods Bus Tour, was super knowledgeable and full of facts. He even grabbed us some waters for free because it was going to be so hot. – Djbubbleteam Upper Arlington, Ohio
Ronnie Jo Sokol, 2006
We went for the architectural River Cruise on the Chicago River. It was wonderful!! We’ll be back. Ronnie Joe was our host, she was WONDERFUL! Very informative in a conversational manner that made it seem like you were listening to a friend that has lived there their whole life. – L1835ZUkimw, Warsaw, Indiana
Lindy Trigg, 2003
While we did many worthwhile while things while we had a quick visit to Chicago, this River Cruise was a family favorite for all. Lindy, our docent, was the best and was able to tell is so much about the buildings while weaving in Chicago’s history of the buildings as well. Loved her as a guide. Honestly the 90 minutes flew by and I only wished I could keep listening to Lindy tell us more. – sutrotower, Montbello, Colorado
Michael Weiland, 1984
The River Cruise is is a very informative 90-minute tour. Mike did an excellent job explaining us lots of interesting details about the history and the architectural details of the most important buildings in Chicago. Definitely worth the price! – simcaa, Muenster, Germany
Claudia Winkler, 2007
Today we had Claudia and her River Cruise tour was phenomenal and her enthusiasm contagious. An absolutely fascinating 90 minutes that flew (sailed?) by. A must-do for tourists and natives alike. – Thomas T. Oak Park, IL