By FAR the best boat tour in Chicago! - I used to think “all Chicago River boat tours were the same tour, different boat” and you just hoped to get a good guide ( I’ve done them about 20 times) But finally, I found one that’s truly a “step above” Not only do you learn some history but you’re riding in a piece of it on the Fireboat! The tour is much more intimate and the staff better trained than the other boats, they all clearly love their jobs and are well managed. That’s no easy feat in hospitality ( I work in hotels and it’s so hard to get folks caring this much) Also, the value of this tour with more affordable drinks and better service is just insane. We’ve done the Fireboat 4 times now, and I’ll never do Wendella or one of the “mass producers” again Met the owners, who also “drive” and they were really welcoming and let me daughter take pictures in the captains chair and generally “run roughshod” all over their boat. Pretty sure she got yelled at on Wendella, maybe justifiably lol Overall, this is a 6 star experience, and the care and attention of the captain and crew is incredible, just keeps getting better

Fireboat architectural tour - This was a worthwhile tour. Our guide was very informative and knowledgeable, and the crew very amenable. It was a small group, which also made it even more enjoyable.

Great experience! - Lovely crew with great passion for the city and its history. Very nice way to discover Chicago. I would definitely recommend this more personal experience over the huge boats with hundreds of tourists.

Epic! - Lived near Chicago for half of my life, took the Wendella about 50 years ago. Visiting Chicago now and decided to go on a few adventures, this was a wonderful tour. Veteran owned, learned a lot of Chicago history that I didn’t know and rode a true piece of Chicago history. In credible views! Highly recommend!

Weekend in Chicago - What a wonderful tour on a piece of Chicago history. The trip and crew were outstanding. The weather cooperated and we learned alot from the narrator.

Hidden Gem - This tour was a hidden gem! The staff were all very attentive. You had plenty of space to explore the retired fire boat. There was a bar on board and blankets available if you were cold. There was a smaller crowd so you were able to get more face time with the crew. Would do the tour again!

MICKEYS 70th - It was a perfect fall day and we had an amazing boat ride! First, it is a decommissioned fire boat! Second, the tour not only incorporated history and architecture it also took us through the river locks. I could not have wanted for a better tour. The crew was friendly and did an amazing job! I would go again!

Fire boats are just as cool as fire trucks. 5 star tour - AUSTIN was an amazing tour guide. He delivered the history and information in a fun and humorous way. With so many options for these tours being a volunteer firefighter i of course had to chose this one. I liked that it started in the lake and not in the river , Cool boat with cool memorabilia . Manny at the bar was great. This boat wasn't overly crowded which was nice. Some other boats are packed like sardines. I was hoping for a bit more fire storys but it was in fact an architectural tour. If you are in town go down and support these guys.

Don’t miss this tour. It’s small, informative, and great information about the city while riding - Well worth your time for a unique view and education about the city. The tour was extremely informative about Chicago’s architecture and history. You get a tremendous view of the city while riding on a historic fireboat. As a former firefighter, this was a real treat. The narration, Captain, and crew were top notch.

A nice tour! - It is a very special boat: The Fred A. buses is a piece of Chicago history! The historic fireboat was active from 1937 to 1981 and was at that time the largest diesel-powered fireboat in the world! Now it is -more or less - retired, sailing tourists across Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. The absolute classic, “when in Chicago”, is a river cruise on the Chicago River. You couldn’t have been to Chicago without such a river cruise, usually called the “Architecture River Cruise”, because all these tours are commented on and refer to the unusual, spectacular architecture on both sides of the river. Now I was of the opinion from the beginning that we could admire these architectural Unpacked from the Riverwalk, because I wasn’t willing to pay $50 for an hour of river travel, especially if you understand maybe only half of what’s being told. But how I eventually came across the fireboat, I don't remember! The price was still heavy at 40 dollars but it would at least be a special boat and the tickets were easily pre-bookable from Europe! But it must be made very clear: The accessibility of the pier is not as easy as boarding directly on the Chicago River. Most “standard” boats stop at the Wrigley Building, it doesn’t get any more central than right on the Mag Mile! However, to get to the Fire Boat, you walk from there (as an example) for just under half an hour, or (as another example) from the Loop, if we take the “bean”, it is also a 20 minute walk. So that's what you have to want. Public transport doesn't go close here, parking is also bad if you have a rental car, since only an Uber helps if you don't want or can walk (anymore). And besides, the fireboat doesn't go tens of times a day, but only three times. The tour was then definitely very nice but the comment also very American. Anyway, we really enjoyed the ride, both the gentle breeze on Lake Michigan and the architectural Unpacked along the Chicago River! Honestly, however, you have to say that a non-fireboat probably does, even if that costs another 10 dollars more, it is definitely more accessible. Alternatively, you can also tackle the Chicago River(walk) on foot, then you also have much more time to marvel at everything you see.