Kyle Adams, 2016
We took one of the CAF River Cruises to get a lay of the land at the beginning of our trip. We were very lucky to have Kyle as our tour guide. What a talented and knowledgeable lady! The tour was perfect in length and great value for the money. I don’t have a particularly keen interest in architecture but this trip was enjoyable and interesting. It certainly gave a different perspective to the rest of the holiday. Can’t recommend it highly enough.
Barry Aldridge 2009
Hi – we took the 11:00 cruise with Barry, Captain Jennifer and crew last Thursday, June 8, and it was wonderful! Informative, funny and so interesting. Took many notes and pictures. Just wanted to thank him and you for a great time. Thanks – Fran and Dave
Barbara Breakstone, 2012
Had a bus tour of Chicago with a wonderful docent. The city of Chicago is my most favorite and so beautiful. Lakefront, skyline par none. It is a great city to walk through, sightsee, great museums and clean as well. Our docent, Barbara Breakstone, was fabulous and so knowledgeable.
Hau Chyi, 2015
What better way to learn about the magnificent architecture of Chicago then up close on a River Cruise, narrated by a very informative and passionate docent from the CAF. If you’re lucky, like we were, Hau will be your guide. He was amazing! He very knowledgeably spoke non-stop for 90 minutes and was full of interesting facts and details about almost all of the buildings along our route.
Tom Carmichael, 2007
We last went on a version of the River Cruise some eight years ago, and because a place like Chicago is constantly changing, the most recent tour had lots of different sights and stories to share. I cannot say enough great things about our docent tour guide, Tom Carmichael, who was educated, personable, and knew when to not try and talk above the bridge traffic
Emily Clott, 2012
This experience didn’t disappoint! Locals and experienced tourists alike told me I must go on this particular River Cruise. It is hosted by a docent from the architectural society. We had Emily and she was incredibly charming and knowledgeable about the buildings along the riverside and in the distance. By chance, a number of architects were on the cruise with us and they had designed some of the buildings, which added to the experience. If you really want a fulsome understanding of the incredible architecture here in Chicago, this is the one cruise you must take!
Dick Clark, 2008
Dick Clark (no, not the guy from Bandstand) was the docent (volunteer guide) on our River Cruse. He was very funny, enthusiastic and extremely knowledgeable about the Chicago River and its architecture. He held our attention for 90 minutes in the uber-hot sun with historic tales and tidbits about this city’s amazing riverfront buildings. A superb experience!
Rebecca Dixon, 2003
We took the Architectural Foundation’s River Cruise on a gorgeous sunny day. The guide, Rebecca, was extremely knowledgeable and interesting. The boat was comfortable and the views were perfect. We left feeling like we learned something in an enjoyable way about buildings that we might not have noticed had we simply walked past them. My mother isn’t so keen about being on a boat, and even she was raving about the tour. Probably one of the best tour experiences we have had.
Meg Eulberg, 2017
Thanks for a riveting tour of Historic Skyscrapers tour today. Meg was an awesome docent! Editor’s note – Meg is a newly-minted 2017 docent.
Lance Friedman, 2015
We recently went on a River Cruise tour and there was a volunteer guide named Lance from the Chicago Architecture Foundation. He was fantastic. We went with our two sons and we were all enthralled for the complete 90 minutes. The boys kept talking about things he had said all day. His knowledge, presentation style and passion were fantastic. Could not recommend this tour enough.
Georgia Goldberg, 2012
We have been on architectural cruises with other companies in town, but these folks hit a Chicago Cub Grand Slam. Georgia G, a volunteer from the CAF, was our ambassador to excellence. She personally greeted everyone, and demonstrated a vast knowledge and easy to understand explanation of her subject. Georgia is one of the better guides that we have met in touring the country.
Delta Green, 2008
Simply the best! Delta was amazing and made this Hotel Boom tour memorable for us.
Kathleen Hanley, 2015
Hello, I just wanted to pass along what a wonderful job our docent, Kathleen Hanley, did for our group. She was by far the best docent we have had on any of our local Chicago tours and she did a great job incorporating bits about our group into her script to make the tour much more personal. She’s a great person to have on your team! – Best, Justine
Mary Jo Hoag, 2007
Despite a solid downpour, our guide Mary Jo persisted through the rain with really interesting history and great humor in an undeniably spectacular River Cruise. Loved this experience, would recommend to all, and definitely will repeat!
Brent Hoffmann, 2005
We went on the first tour on a Sunday morning and it was quiet. I suspect later it gets much more crowded. No tip required or asked for on this tour!!! I repeat, no tip asked for or required. If you are from ‘down under’ like me and unsure about tipping, it is refreshing not to feel pressured to tip for the sake of it. But a tip would have been warranted. This is a great way to see and experience Chicago. Brent, your tour guide and ‘narrator’, talks for a solid 90 minutes without drawing breath; explaining the history of buildings, the river, Chicago’s history, and the many different architectural styles.
Rachel Juris, 2012
I took the tour of Highland Park on Saturday [June 18] with Rachel and the tour was fantastic! – Elaine
Marcia Matavulj, 2008
We took the Historic Treasures tour with Marcia. She was very knowledgeable and we learned so much about the wonderful Chicago building including several interior sights.
Bobbi Pinkert, 1999
Our docent, Bobbi, did a lovely job. I had been on this River Cruise tour some years ago but learned many new things. Very engaging and informative. Worth it!
Edie Scala-Hampson, 2009
This new Hotel Boom tour from the Chicago Architecture Foundation is a great addition. We saw gorgeous hotel lobbies and roof top bars (not always available). This tour includes some of the best views of Chicago you can get anywhere. Leave it to the great city of Chicago to bring new life to architectural treasures in this wonderful way! CAF Docent Edie Scala-Hampson completely engaged us with her knowledge and love of Chicago.
Jean Schlinkmann, 2013
I took both the River Cruise and Chicago Modern Tour offered by the Chicago Architecture Foundation. Both were great but I especially enjoyed the walking tour focusing on buildings by Mies van der Rohe and his successors. Our tour guide Jean was especially knowledgeable, easy to follow and so enthusiastic! We saw more than was indicated in the tour description. I could not have asked for a better tour or tour guide!
Cindy Schneider, 2010
Cindy, our volunteer guide for the River Cruise, was a wealth of information, and focused on the architects and their stories of the designs. The guides get to meet with the architects to ask them about their inspirations and their designs, then share that information on the tours. She told us about the history of the city as seen through the designers and their inspiration. The tour mentioned every single building that is on the river front, as well as their designers and builders. It was interesting to learn about the evolution of styles, particularly in the last decade. Cindy was great, but she refused any tips, suggesting instead that you donate to the CAF and share the love on social media.
John Schneider, 2017
We did the Historic Skyscrapers walking tour today and it was awesome! Our tour guide John S. was amazing!!! Very informative. We will definitely come back for more tours. Thanks, John, for making it such a memorable experience!
Lisa Tallman, 2015
Lisa T. gave a superb River Cruise. She was well spoken and very interesting. This lady moved very smoothly through many facts and stories. She made this smooth as butter. It’s amazing how well she did, AND she is a volunteer! I really enjoyed this trip.
Lindy Trigg, 2003
My husband and I took the River Cruise in June. Easily one of our highlights while in Chicago. Everyone we came in contact with was very friendly. Lindy was full of knowledge and interesting tidbits regarding the architecture of the city as well the architects. She was full of energy and very friendly. I especially like the fact they do not ask for a tip and do not have tip jars sitting around for patrons. If you are looking for something enjoyable take this cruise.
Rebecca Trumbull, 2011
On June 11 my wife and I, along with our 25-year-old daughter, took the River Cruise. It was certainly worth the price and then some. Not being architects or builders of any kind, the ninety minute cruise was beyond informative. It was relaxing, informative and very entertaining. Our volunteer docent, Becky, was fabulous. She was a literal encyclopedia of architectural knowledge as well as very entertaining. Highly recommend this 90-minute cruise – well worth the time and money!
Michael Weiland, 1984
This was one of the better architecture tours that I have taken. It was very well organized. Our guide Michael Weiland was excellent. He had extensive knowledge of the history of Chicago and architecture and had excellent discussion points. He was very entertaining and was easily heard over the PA system. I would highly recommend this River Cruise tour.
Joan Winstein
Joan was our Docent on Tuesday, June 6 at 1:30pm for the River Cruise tour and she was EXCELLENT. Her enthusiasm, passion and knowledge all came through, which made the tour so enjoyable and memorable. In fact, this tour was the non-food related highlight of our visit to Chicago. Thank you so much and please forward my feedback to Joan. The CAF needs more Joan’s!!! – All the best, George Chrones
Nancy Loewenberg Young, 2000
Hello, I was on the Sunday June 10th 12:30 p.m. River Cruise. Our tour guide was Nancy. She was outstanding! I’ve taken a dozen of the Chicago River Cruises, and she was THE BEST tour guide I’ve ever had. She was the usual CAF super knowledgeable about the buildings and their architects and their designers, but she added input about history and culture that I hadn’t heard before. Thank you, Nancy and CAF! – Kathleen Kurke