When: Saturdays at 11:15 AM and Sundays at 11:30 AM, through October 11, 2026 at 11:15 AM
Where: Chicago's First Lady Cruises, Chicago Riverwalk, Michigan Ave & Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL
Category: Sightseeing · Pet attendance: Dogs welcome · Price: Adults $46 ยท Kids $21 ยท Dogs $12 โ save with code PAW26
Bring your dog aboard First Lady's Sightseeing Canine Cruise for a scenic ride along the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. Take in Chicago's skyline from the water with your pup by your side โ leashed dogs of all sizes welcome, and the cruise spends time on both the river and the lake. ๐๏ธ Sailings: Saturdays at 11:15 AM and Sundays at 11:30 AM, through October 11, 2026. Departs from Chicago's Riverwalk at Michigan Ave & Wacker Dr. ๐๏ธ Pricing (General Boarding): โข Adults: $46 โ $37 with code PAW26 โข Children (ages 4โ12): $21 โ $17 with code PAW26 โข Children under 4: Free โข Dogs: $12 โ $10 with code PAW26 ๐ Use promo code PAW26 at checkout on firstlady.com to save on every ticket. ๐ Getting there: The closest recommended parking is the LAZ Parking Service Garage at 111 E. Wacker Dr. (Illinois Center). Grab a parking validation sticker from the First Lady ticket office to reduce the rate to $16 for up to four hours.
If you have ever wanted to put your dog on a boat in Chicago, this is the one. The Canine Cruise is a genuinely dog-friendly boat tour that leaves from downtown, runs out along the Chicago River, and opens up onto Lake Michigan for the skyline view. Dogs ride on deck with you โ leashed, water bowls out, plenty of sniffing over the rail.
It runs every Saturday and Sunday through October 11, which makes it one of the few reliable weekly Chicago dog events this weekend, next weekend, and most weekends until the season closes. Saturday and Sunday depart at slightly different times, so check the upcoming dates list above before you book.
People find this page searching for a pet friendly river cruise, a dog friendly boat tour Chicago, or simply something to do with the dog on a Saturday morning. If the cruise is sold out or the weather turns, the same crowd usually ends up at a Chicago yappy hour or an off-leash dog beach โ both are linked below.
Yes. The Canine Cruise is specifically built for dogs โ leashed dogs ride on deck with their owners on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan route. Most general Chicago boat cruises do not allow pets, so this is the dog-friendly option.
General boarding is $46 for adults, $21 for children ages 4โ12 (kids under 4 ride free), and $12 per dog. Promo code PAW26 at checkout on firstlady.com brings it to $37 for adults, $17 for children, and $10 per dog. Book through the ticket link on this listing โ weekend sailings frequently sell out in advance.
The cruise departs from downtown Chicago on the Chicago River. The exact dock and boarding time are listed in the venue and time details on this page โ plan to arrive 30 minutes early, since boarding begins 15 minutes before departure and vessels depart promptly at the scheduled time.
Yes, with normal precautions. Small dogs do great on the deck, and many owners bring a carrier or mat for a settled spot. Puppies should have completed their core vaccinations, and any dog that is nervous around engine noise or open water may be happier on a shorter trial outing first.
Yappy hours & dog-friendly bars in Chicago · Chicago dog parks & dog beaches · Low-cost vaccine clinics · Free pet birthday club