Illinois meeting planners have many options for shipboard gatherings statewide, including sightseeing forays, floating meetings, and dinner excursions. Boats chug into Lake Michigan and on the Chicago River, Fox River, Mississippi River, and Illinois River, among others. The following includes three companies to consider, all offering regular public cruises and custom private charters for corporate and nonprofit planners to book for meetings, meals, and merriment.
Chicago Architecture Center River Cruises on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan—and narrated by the architecture center’s expert docents—showcases the city’s monumental skyscrapers. The 90-minute tours for up to 250 attendees take a deep dive into the history of the Willis Tower, The St. Regis Chicago, the art deco Wrigley Building, and the massive Merchandise Mart. Groups of 20-plus receive a discount on most cruises. architecture.org
Grafton Marina River Cruises, in Grafton, Illinois, north of St. Louis at the Mississippi and Illinois rivers’ confluence, is the base for Grafton Harbor River Adventures, offering sightseeing and private river tours for up to 49 attendees aboard the Hakuna Matata. The ship sports an open-air upper deck and an enclosed middle level—plus a tiki bar—from May through November. Themed cruises include sunset sailings, winetasting jaunts, and more. graftonharbor.com
St. Charles Paddlewheel Riverboats on the Fox River in the western suburb of St. Charles a few miles north of Aurora and Naperville, hosts on its ships up to 70 for private sightseeing cruises and 40 for dinner excursions, plus regularly scheduled departures. The 60-minute tours launch from Pottawattamie Park in St. Charles June through August, and groups can bring aboard snacks and nonalcoholic beverages to enjoy during their scenic float. stcriverboats.com
