The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) River Cruises are excellent, extremely popular and quite expensive. If you buy tickets online from the CAC (through Ticketmaster), depending on the day and time of the cruise prices are $63-$68 including fees for everyone except infants. Infants are $32. There are several ways to save money on tickets.
Save 50% from Hot Tix
Thanks to a tip from an astute reader Hot Tix offers 50% tickets from time-to-time. The dates and times are very limited but 50% off is worth adjusting your schedule if necessary. Also if you buy direct from a Hot Tix booth you save the $3 per order online fee.
Watch for 50% off cruises post on Mondays
Per Hot Tix, they post all cruises on Monday each week so that’s the day when the most options will be available. If you want to save approximately $28 per ticket just keep checking online frequently or hit the booth as soon as it opens on a Monday.
Hot Tix booth locations
72 E. Randolph (Between Michigan Avenue and Wabash Avenue, across the street from Chicago Cultural Center). Open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 11am-4pm
108 N. State (in Block Thirty Seven Shops on State, first floor Guest Services) Open every day: Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 11am-5pm.
Save by buying direct
If Hot Tix or Groupon doesn’t have discount tickets available you should buy tickets directly from the CAC 111 E. Wacker Drive or directly at the boat dock at the southeast corner of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive. That way you can avoid the Ticketmaster fees of approximately $11 per ticket.
Look for a Groupon deal on a competing cruise
As of late July 2022, there appears to be a Groupon deal for a Chicago architecture boat tour. The voucher is not a ticket, and buyers must follow instructions to redeem the voucher. Look for the information on the site about how to confirm whether the date you want to ride is available.
Enjoy your discount cruise!
