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By Nikki Golden Jun 8, 2005 12:00 AM
From the plethora of museums and zoos to the sports teams that provide constant excitement — and disappointment — to the high-rise buildings and subway, there are facets of Chicago that even a lifelong denizen hasn't explored. One of those underrated experiences is the Wendella Boats. On a nice day in Chicago, there is nothing like a boat ride. Sure, you can see the sights from a double-decker bus, a trolley, the “El” or on foot, but let's face it: The reason Chicago is the city it has become is because of the convergence of the river and the lake (think “commerce”). No tour shows you the best of Chicago's two waterways like the Wendella Boats' 90-minute cruise, which is celebrating its 70th year (an event commemorated on each Wendella tour by awarding T-shirts to riders who can correctly answer a series of trivia questions). Yes, it's true; there are many ways to see Chicago by water. So what makes the Wendella's 90-minute tour so special? For one, it wasn't the victim of the Dave Matthews Band's tour bus. To get to the Wendella docks, which also offer a RiverBus Passenger Ferry service to take you to and from various points in the city, you must descend a staircase tucked into a corner next to the Wrigley Building on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive. If you're smart, you will have already purchased a sandwich from Potbelly's (various city locations) and a bag of popcorn from either Garrett Popcorn Shop (670 North Michigan) or Nuts on Clark (180 North State) before you board. The ride starts with a tour of the South Branch of the Chicago River, where you will see and hear about the architecture of the Lyric Opera House, the Sears Tower and Union Station — and learn about the special steps taken in order to build such tall buildings right on the bank of the river. On the journey back toward the dock, your docent will tell you about how Chicago has been used for movie locations and point out Marina Towers, which figured in Steve McQueen's last movie, “The Hunter.” You will learn that IBM Plaza (where Telephony's and Wireless Review's offices are located) was architect Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe's last American building. You will pass the site of the old Sun-Times newspaper building, on which Donald Trump is constructing his new masterpiece (or monstrosity, as some see it). But you're not done. During the 1½-hour tour, you'll go through the lock that connects the river to Lake Michigan. The locks were put into place by court order after Chicago officials reversed the flow of the Chicago River to avoid contaminating the lake water with the meatpacking plant waste that was being thrown into the river. There is a short wait as other boats float into the lock and the opening to the river is closed. Then the locks open and lake water rushes in. The boats rise a few feet before heading out onto Lake Michigan. Out on the lake, the Wendella boat opens up and speeds as far south as the Adler Planetarium and as far north as the Lincoln Park Zoo (which is free and open 365 days a year). And that is what makes this boat ride so special. You get the best of the river, you get to go through the locks and you get a ride along the lakefront. And on a nice Chicago summer day, there's not a thing more you can ask for. See the sights
Wendella Boats
At the Wrigley Building, 400 North Michigan Ave.
Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise
Michigan Avenue bridge at Wacker Drive www.cruisechicago.com/cflady/arcsell.html Cruise prices are $23 Monday through Thursday; $25 Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays Chicago Trolley and Double Decker Co.
(773) 648-5000
Chicago Historical Museum
(312) 642-4600 Seadog River and Lake Architecture Tour
Navy Pier |
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