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.

Book the 5pm tour - Wow what a tour. These guys are incredible they really enjoy doing tours and have so much awesome information to put out. The boat was so clean and had tons of the fire boats history on it. Although since I was running a marathon two days after when I did my tour I didn’t enjoy the full bar but it was stocked to the max with anything to keep your thirst in check. The kids on board got little fire hats and got to play with pump sprayers which I thought was very cool. I had never been to Chicago or even knew to much about the history esp of the river but you leave knowing a ton. I recommend the 5pm tour. One the way back as the sunsets the views are amazing. It’s also nice to support a very well run veterans company.

Fun and Informative! - Great Experience! Super informative the the views are beautiful! The guide was great and very funny! Learned a lot about Chicago and the added experience of the fire boat and fire history was great! I liked that there were tables and you could get a beer and enjoy the ride.

Very informative tour! - We were impressed with the wealth of information. Also, it was fun to be on a historic fire boat. Great 2 hour trip on the lake and river.

Loved this tour! - This is the second time I've taken this cruise. The first time I went with a friend; this time I brought my five grandkids. (Ages 8 -19) I wanted them to have the experience of going through the lock. They enjoyed the boat itself as much as they liked the cruise; it's really comfortable as well as being a piece of history. Every member of the crew made us feel welcome, and the tour guide did a great job.

Great time! Super knowledgeable tour guide, and friendly bartender! - I took my friend on the tour for her birthday. She absolutely loved it as did I. The boat was not crowded. The tour guide did a great job explaining everything to us. It was about a 2 hour trip which I thought was perfect. I liked that you could set outside or inside and still see everything. The history of the boat was just as cool as the history of the city. The bartender was super friendly and knowledgeable as he liked to chat with you when you came up to get a drink or snack. I highly recomend this tour as it was a super unique was to explore the city.

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.