The Best Way to Explore Chicago? Hop on a Water Taxi!
Discover how to navigate Chicago with ease using the Chicago water taxi. This guide covers all the Chicago water taxi stops, including Navy Pier, Union Station, Michigan Avenue, and Museum Campus—perfect for first-time visitors looking for an affordable and scenic way to see the city.
Table of Contents For Chicago Water Taxi Stops
If it’s your first time visiting the Windy City, here’s a tip we wish we had sooner: Chicago’s water taxi system is one of the most scenic, affordable, and stress-free ways to see the city. From Union Station to Navy Pier, from Chinatown to the Museum Campus, the water taxi hits all the highlights without the traffic headache. Chicago water taxi stops operate along both the river and lake routes, connecting iconic attractions and vibrant neighborhoods.
We found that using the Chicago water taxi service was the easiest way to get around. Not only did we avoid the congestion of downtown, but we also got to enjoy beautiful views of the Chicago River, Michigan Avenue, and more—without the price tag of a traditional city tour.
What Is the Chicago Water Taxi?
The Chicago water taxi is a scenic taxi service that runs boats along the city’s waterways. It’s run by companies like Shoreline Sightseeing and is available seasonally from spring to fall. With multiple water taxi stops along both the lake and river route, it’s easy to hop on and off as you explore the city.
The best part? It’s affordable. We bought an all-day pass in the morning for just $33 each—and it was valid until 8 PM the following day! That gave us essentially two full days to ride the water taxis around the city.
🧭 Chicago Water Taxi Stops & Nearby Attractions
Exploring the city by boat is not only scenic—it’s one of the most affordable Chicago experiences you can have! Below is a stop-by-stop guide to all the Chicago Water Taxi stops, including the top attractions you can easily reach on foot from each location. Use this list to plan your route and discover the best things to see in Chicago without the hassle of traffic or pricey tours.
🚢 Stop 1: Navy Pier (Lake Taxi Route)
- Chicago Children’s Museum
- Centennial Wheel
- Restaurants, souvenir shops, and boat cruises
- Summer fireworks over Lake Michigan
- Lakefront walking and biking paths
Navy Pier is one of the most popular Chicago Water Taxi stops, especially for families and first-time visitors.
⛲ Stop 2: Buckingham Fountain / Millennium Park (Lake Taxi Route)
- Buckingham Fountain
- Cloud Gate (“The Bean”)
- Millennium Park
- Crown Fountain & gardens
- Grant Park
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Chicago Cultural Center
The Buckingham Fountain stop puts you right in the heart of downtown—perfect for sightseeing, photos, and walking tours.
🏛️ Stop 3: Museum Campus / Northerly Island (Lake Taxi Route)
- Field Museum
- Shedd Aquarium
- Adler Planetarium
- Soldier Field
- Northerly Island concert venue
- Lakefront trail & skyline views
The Museum Campus stop is a must-do for museum lovers and concertgoers. This area of downtown Chicago offers access to some of the top things to see in Chicago along the lake Michigan.
🛥️ Stop 4: Navy Pier (River Side – Transfer Point)
- Easy connection point between lake and river taxi routes
- Walkable access to Streeterville hotels and restaurants
- Ideal for switching between scenic lakefront and architectural river views
Plan to change boats at Navy Pier if you’re doing both the lake route and the river route with your pass.
🛍️ Stop 5: Michigan Avenue / Grand Avenue (River Taxi Route)
- Wrigley Building
- Tribune Tower
- Magnificent Mile shopping
- Chicago Riverwalk bars and restaurants
- Architecture boat tour launches
Michigan Avenue is one of the best Chicago Water Taxi stops for dining, shopping, and unbeatable city photo ops.
🏙️ Stop 6: Skydeck / Union Station (River Taxi Route)
- Willis Tower Skydeck
- Chicago Union Station
- Chicago Board of Trade
- Historic buildings in the Loop
- Transit access for trains and buses
The Skydeck stop is perfect for travelers arriving at Chicago Union Station. It’s also a great choice for anyone wanting to visit the iconic Willis Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the world.
These Chicago Water Taxi stops make it easy to experience many of the best things to see in Chicago—all at a relaxing pace and for a budget-friendly price. It’s a great way to enjoy an affordable Chicago adventure!
Ticket Options and Money-Saving Tips
- Water taxi tickets are available at each stop or online. A single ride is budget-friendly, but all-day or two-day passes offer the best value.
- As we mentioned, our $33 pass lasted until 8 PM the next day, which made our trip even more affordable.
- Planning to visit multiple attractions? Purchasing a CityPASS ahead of time can help you save big on admission to the Museum Campus, Willis Tower, and more.
💵 Chicago Water Taxi Cost & Route Info
One of the best things about the Chicago water taxi is how affordable and flexible it is—especially when compared to parking or tour buses. Your ticket includes access to both the Lake Michigan route and the Chicago River route, but each runs on separate boats, so be prepared to switch vessels at Navy Pier.
🎟️ Water Taxi Prices (2024)
- One-Way Ticket: $16 adults / $10 children
- Round-Trip Ticket: $28 adults / $15 children
- One-Way (select routes): $28 adults / $15 children
- All-Day Pass: $33 adults / $18 children
Ticket is valid through 8 PM the following day.
📝 Insider Tip: We bought the $33 all-day pass in the morning, and it was valid until 8 PM the next day—giving us two full days to ride both water taxi routes. It was an unbeatable value for seeing all the top attractions like the Museum Campus, Michigan Avenue, and Union Station.
🔁 Switching Between Lake and River Routes
While your ticket covers both routes, you’ll need to disembark and switch boats at Navy Pier if you want to travel between the lake and river systems.
🌊 Lake Michigan Route (Lake Taxi)
- Stop 1: Navy Pier – Restaurants, rides, and the Chicago Children’s Museum
- Stop 2: Buckingham Fountain / Millennium Park – Visit the Bean, Grant Park, and Buckingham Fountain
- Stop 3: Museum Campus / Northerly Island – Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Soldier Field, and concert access
🏙️ Chicago River Route (River Taxi)
- Stop 4: Navy Pier (River Side) – Transfer point to/from the lake taxi
- Stop 5: Michigan Avenue / Grand Avenue – Near the Wrigley Building and Magnificent Mile shopping
- Stop 6: Skydeck / Union Station – Access to Willis Tower and Chicago Union Station
🚤 Travel Tip: If you’re attending a concert at Northerly Island, the water taxi drops you close by at Museum Campus. Just remember—water taxis stop running at 8 PM, and Uber pickups may be limited due to street closures, so wear comfy shoes for a long walk back after the show.
🎟️ Bonus Tip: Want to save even more? Grab a CityPASS in advance for discounted admission to the Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, and Willis Tower, then use the Chicago water taxi to get between them with ease.
Why We Recommend the Water Taxi
As first-time visitors, Steve and I were amazed at how easy and relaxing it was to explore the city by water taxi. From Navy Pier to Union Station, from the bustling Michigan Avenue, we saw it all—without the stress of figuring out subway transfers or fighting traffic.
The breeze off the lake, the gorgeous Chicago river skyline, and the smooth ride made the Chicago water experience unforgettable. And knowing that the water taxis operate frequently gave us peace of mind as we hopped on and off throughout the day.
Ready to Ride?
If you’re heading to a show at Northerly Island, touring the museum campus, or just cruising between the pier and station, the Chicago water taxi makes city sightseeing easy. Don’t forget to plan ahead—grab your tickets, double-check the water taxi service hours, and wear comfy shoes. Even with the comfort and value of the Chicago Water Taxi, plan on doing a lot of walking in downtown.
For more on routes, careers, or FAQs, check out Chicago Water Taxi or Shoreline Sightseeing.
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