Ticket Purchase Questions
Q: Do I need to make reservations for all your tours?
A: No, however many of our popular tours sell out ahead of time. Tickets can be purchased in advance and for weekends and special events such as the fireworks tour, they are recommended.
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Q: Do I have to pay for infants?
A: While all passengers need tickets, children under age 3 are free for individuals. However, infants, as part of a group, pay the children's group rate.
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Q: Do you accept credit cards?
A: Yes, Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted. Click here to
Buy Tickets.
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Q: If I purchase tickets online, will they arrive in the mail or need to be printed? Or will you automatically have my information so all I need to present is an ID?
A: You must choose your ticket delivery method for online purchases. You can choose print at home tickets then they are emailed to you to print out or will call (hold) then you just need your confirmation number and the tickets can be picked up at our ticket office or the mail option then the tickets will be mailed to you.
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General
Q: Where exactly are you located? ?
A: We are located at 400 North Michigan Avenue, at the Wrigley Building. The northwest corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge. The Start of the Magnificent Mile.
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Q: What about the narration?
A: All our rides are fully narrated by live human beings; experts in Chicago history and its architecture. In fact, we are the only boat company in Chicago with an in-house
Education Department.
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Q: Can I bring a stroller, large bag, luggage, coolers, etc on the vessels?
A: Large luggage, bags and coolers are not allowed on the boats. Stroller's are allowed on the boats but must be stored securely.
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Q: What's the difference between the 75 and the 90 minute tour?
A: The 75 minute tour is Chicago River only and includes an in-depth architecture narration. The 90 minute tour is lake and river and the narration is an overview of architecture and history.
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Q: Is there food on the boat and can I bring my own?
A: Each boat has a snack bar with soda, chips, candy and bottled water. You may also bring some of your own snacks, as long as it is nothing big. For example, no barbecue rib dinner or porterhouse steak smothered in garlic and mushrooms. Schools group may bring bag lunches.
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Q: Can I bring alcohol onto the boat?
A: Alcohol cannot be brought onto the boats. On all our vessels, alcohol may be purchased by those age 21 and over and all of our boats have a wide selection of drinks to imbibe.
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Q: Are there restrooms on the boats?
A: Yes, all boats have restrooms or heads as we call them.
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Q: Are life jackets provided?
A: While they are for emergency use only, there are life jackets for every person onboard.
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Q: Are animals allowed on the boats?
A: As a courtesy to other passengers, only legally designated assist animals are allowed.
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Q: Where do I park my car?
A: Parking is available. Click on the
Directions link for more details.
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Q: Who is Wendella?
A: There was never a person named Wendella.
Wendella was founded in
1935 by a Swedish immigrant named Albert Borgstrom (his grandson now runs the business and his grandsons operate the boats.)
When Albert started the company he purchased a boat named Wendela (the second "l" was added later) and converted it into the city's first sightseeing boat. Legend has it that it's bad luck to change the name of a boat, so he kept Wendela for the boat, and also used as the name of his company. Check out our history section for more info.
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Q: Are the boats wheelchair accessible and if so, do we have to go down stairs to get there
A: We have boats that are wheelchair accessible, however the dock is not since there are stairs.
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Q: What if it rains?
A: We go out rain or shine or snow. We do not offer refunds based on weather, only if we cancel a tour. Most of our boats have enclosed areas and some have heated and cooled cabins.
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Q: How late in the Season do you run?
A: We run tours through December, weather permitting. You can check the current schedule online.
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Q: Do you have gift certificates?
A: Yes we sell Gift Card online or over the phone.
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