Kathy Baker, 2016
I can’t say enough about how knowledgeable our docent Kathy was about everything we passed—she was engaging, entertaining, and didn’t skip a beat the entire 90 minutes we were on the River Cruise. The weather wasn’t the best, but don’t let that deter you–we didn’t. The tour will still be awesome. Even though we couldn’t see the top of the Willis Tower, (or the middle) and in time, a few of the buildings at the latter end of the tour because of fog…Kathy’s detail was all we really needed.
Michelle Bogner, 2016
We did the Evolution of the Skyscraper tour. It was a walking tour in the freezing cold but really interesting and informative. The tours are led by volunteers. Our docent, Michelle, was great. Highly recommended
Sandy Brendine, 2001
We just got back from a 5-day trip to Chicago and can honestly say the best thing we did was the River Cruise with the CAF. Our guide was Sandy and he was EXCELLENT; he was so informative, full of knowledge about everything!
Barbara Butz, 2006
This was my first trip to Chicago. It was recommended that we take the CAF River Cruise which we did the day of arrival. Loved it. Had the great Barbara Butz as our guide. The next day we did the walking tour of old building architecture and Tiffany artworks. That was fabulous as well. Had we stayed longer, would have done another tour.
Jane Cahill, 2005
We joined Jane and six other brave souls yesterday in Chicago on the coldest day. Jane did such a good job keeping us interested in the architecture and not on various freezing body parts. The walking tour took us to many and varied styles of Art Deco – a history of the beautiful art deco buildings and the amazing styles of lobbies (much appreciated relief from the outside cold). We truly enjoyed the experience and highly recommend Jane and the tour.
Hau Chyi, 2015
Amazing ride and even better Vietnamese Docent!!! We thoroughly enjoyed the journey through the Chicago River, listening to the highly interesting and also funny comments of our docent.
Emily Clott, 2012
We enjoyed the River Cruise on Memorial Day. I arrived a half hour early in my manual wheelchair along with my spouse. The staff asked a few questions and recommended where to sit on the boat for the best experience. We boarded the boat first. Our docent Emily did a good job highlighting the many buildings and history of Chicago. Great tour!
Joan Fallert, 2001
A big thank you from our tour group of docents from the High Museum of Art in Atlanta! We toured Millennium Park with your wonderful docent Joan Fallert. She was just terrific! She is so full of knowledge and presents it in such an enthusiastic and engaging manner. We all really enjoyed it. Thanks again!
Debra Jean Frels, 1989
Bob Joynt, 2011
Tom Kinsella, 2006
Jeff Marcella, 2001
Monica Rodriguez, 2015
Thank you for the great learning experience you gave us on our Historic Treasures of Culture and Commerce. The docents taught us so much! Each time our Interior Deigns class participates in the Treasures walking tour it is absolutely wonderful! The staff and docents are friendly and help make sure the experience is well worth every penny of ticket price and transportation to the city. – -Lake Central High School, Interior Design Students
Kent Foutty, 2009
The River Cruise is the first thing we did after getting off a 16-hour sleep train from DC and it was a wonderful way to shake off the cobwebs. A trip up and down the river was just the ticket to quickly take in the sights of the city. Kent, our docent, was excellent and so full of enthusiasm for his subject. If you’re pressed for time, I highly recommend this. And even if you’re not, it’s still a wonderful way to while away an hour and a half.
Pat Grund, 2001
A very well-organized River Cruise with architecture foundation volunteers as guide. Our docent Patricia was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about architecture.
Bonnie Hemphill, 2017
Caroline – I had the opportunity to go on Bonnie’s Chicago Masterworks certification tour for the CAC. Not only was the tour great, but Bonnie did a fantastic job of presenting it knowledgably and confidently. I really enjoyed the experience and am excited to sell it to guests! Thanks! Emmelia Lamphere, CAF Ticket Services Manager
Mary Jo Hoag, 2007
Good Morning, A guest from this past Monday’s 10am River Cruise called the ticket office just to share with us how much she enjoyed Mary Jo’s commentary. I said I’d pass the message along 🙂 Have e a great day! – Abdiel Troche, Tour Sales Manager, CFL
Brent Hoffmann, 2005
Thoroughly enjoyed this 90-minute tour on the Chicago River. Our tour guide, Brent, was very knowledgeable about the architecture. He taught us many things about the various schools of architecture and their styles. I am a Chicago native, and I was proud to show off my hometown to a friend from India on this tour. A great way to enjoy the city without all the noise and traffic congestion. I’ll recommend it to all my out-of-town guests in the future!
Dan Johnson, 2016
If you are short of time make sure you do the River Cruise with the CAF. Our guide Daniel was incredibly knowledgeable but not too intense and I now have a new appreciation and understanding of architecture and building designs. I will never look at a building the same way again. Such a professional service, and what’s neat they do not accept tips, such a pleasant change from all other tourist providers.
Wayne Johnson, 2016
Our docent (Wayne Johnson) on this River Cruise was a volunteer and was extremely knowledgeable on all the buildings/architecture on the river. He had just the right amount of cheesy jokes and a lot of facts and good stories. It’s a shame that he wouldn’t accept tips, because he could have made a bundle — he was that good.
Bob Joynt, 2011
We took the Historic Skyscraper Tour. This was a remarkable tour, Our docent Bob was informative, personable, and engaged with our group. The buildings we visited were wonderful, a real treat. While I know you are changing locations, I do hope that this tour remains one of your signature tours. People visiting Chicago from abroad (our group included people from Paris, Buenos Aires, Israel, California, and three off us from Chicago), will be awestruck by seeing the first skyscrapers in the world handsome of the most beautiful. Thanks for great tour. – Nelson
Larry Kameya, 2013
We did the River Cruise and the weather was great. Larry our tour guide was super, we loved Larry! The tour was clean, comfortable, orderly and a good value. It is so informative, and a wonderful way to see and learn about the Chicago buildings and the city’s history. Highly recommend it, and hope you get Larry.
Cyndi Martin, 2016
A friend and I from Cincinnati took the 90-minute River Cruise today led by your docent Cyndi. She was fabulous, and we thank her (you) for an excellent experience.
Angela Platt, 2013
I must extend some kudos to the delightful Angela Platt. I went on a practice tour for Historic Treasures with another staff and it was just a terrific experience. Angela was great at laying out her theme from the very beginning and tying it in throughout. The tour and her theme ends on such a high note-both visually, intellectually, and emotionally. I loved it! – Caroline Duda
Cindy Schneider, 2010
I was passing through Chicago so wanted to do something that I hadn’t done before. I love architecture and Chicago is best for taking in amazing buildings. Cindy was such a great River Cruise tour guide! She loves her city and it shows. She knew so much. Try it the next time you’re here. It’s worth every penny!
Russ Seward, 2005
The cruise on the Chicago River was a knowledgeable and well delivered lesson on the history of Chicago architecture. Sunny and clear weather added to the enjoyment. The docent, Russ, did a great job sharing his passion for architecture and the city!
Ellen Shubart, 2006
The Pedway tour was so interesting! I was actually surprised that most the people on the tour were from Chicago! Our guide Ellen knew a lot about the buildings as well as the Pedway itself and gave us lots of fun facts throughout! Whilst the tour focuses on the Pedway, there’s a lot of opportunities to go up into the buildings which it is connected to! It was interesting learning about the history behind some of the buildings and the unique features of others. Definitely worth taking a tour for their low prices and history about the city!
Ronnie Jo Sokol, 2006
Hi there, I took the neighborhood bus tour Discover Chicago and I wanted to let you know that the tour guide Ronnie was fantastic! She provided so much fascinating information, I wish I had taken some notes! She included information about her own heritage which added so much to the experience. She has so much knowledge of and obvious love for Chicago – a perfect combination. I live in London – and I will be recommending the tour to anyone I come across who will be visiting your great city! Kind regards – Fiona O’Farrell
Leanne Star, 2011
Absolutely fantastic way to see the city. I learned so much on the cruise. Our guide was AWESOME. Thank you, Leanne!
Michael Weiland, 1984
I moved to Chicago a couple of years ago, but I’ve stayed pretty close to my own neighborhood. I joined the CAF and took the Discover Chicago bus trip today. Enjoyed it very much, saw a lot, learned a lot and would recommend to both residents and visitors. Mapmaker Mike did a great job!
Ben Wolfe, 2015
We took the Chicago Masterworks walking tour on a cold, windy and drizzly afternoon and loved it. Our docent Ben was professional, personable and engaging throughout the tour. On another visit we took the river tour which was also excellent so I’m betting they are all good. Next time we’ll likely do one of the neighbor tours. Great Work CAF!