Chicago · CANOES & KAYAKS

7 Kayak Trips in Chicago to Build a Day Around

7 tours  ·  from $40 a head

This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 7 kayak trips worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.

Chicago: Classic Food & Walking Tour with Free Bike or Kayak - The opening bites: pizza, hot dogs, and Italian beef
Canoes & Kayaks, Cycling Tours, Food, Food & Drink, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Chicago: Classic Food & Walking Tour with Free Bike or Kayak

1.Classic Food & Walking Tour with Free Bike or Kayak

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 145 reviews · 3 hours · from $84Our pick

Taste Chicago classics, stroll downtown landmarks, and add a free bike or kayak rental to this generous three-hour food tour.

“AMAZING! Dylan our tour guide made the day so much fun! The food was amazing and I was so full by the end of the tour but completely satisfied. As a solo traveler I couldn’t rate it anymore.”

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Chicago's Lake Michigan Downtown Kayak Rental at Ohio Street Beach - Arriving at 550 E Grand Ave
Canoes & Kayaks, Lake Michigan Cruises, Tour Reviews

Chicago’s Lake Michigan Downtown Kayak Rental at Ohio Street Beach

2.Chicago’s Lake Michigan Downtown Kayak Rental at Ohio Street Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 22 reviews · 1 to 2 hours (approx.) · from $39Best value

Paddle Lake Michigan from Ohio Street Beach with skyline views, Navy Pier access, single or tandem kayaks, and flexible one or two-hour rentals.

“Evan was waiting for us! He was prepared and very friendly! He really helped us and got us off on the right foot (or should I say paddle?)! We came to Evan very stressed out and left with a wonderful memory! We loved paddling around the point to see Navy Pier and then when we were returning the city scape view was stunning! We loved Kayaking in Lake Michigan! Bucket list: kayaking in Lake Michigan: check!!”

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Chicago: 2-Hour Downtown Kayak Rental - The first 20 minutes: lesson, safety, and boat choice
2-Hour Experiences, Canoes & Kayaks, Tour Reviews

Chicago: 2-Hour Downtown Kayak Rental

3.2-Hour Downtown Kayak Rental

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 19 reviews · 2 hours · from $62

Paddle the Chicago River beneath downtown skyscrapers with a lesson, safety briefing, and your choice of single or tandem kayak.

“The person checking us in and giving us our kayaks gave the worst advice on where to kayak. Also, there were so many dead fish and birds floating and a lot of trash. My husband who ended up finishing it and going the opposite way, said it was much better and cleaner.”

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Chicago: Moonlight Paddle Tour on the Chicago River - Setting off into downtown Chicago
Canoes & Kayaks, Chicago River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours

Chicago: Moonlight Paddle Tour on the Chicago River

4.Moonlight Paddle Tour on the Chicago River

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 9 reviews · from $58

Paddle Chicago River after dark for skyline views, Marina City, and Willis Tower, with a small-group guide, kayak gear, and safety briefing.

“Kayaking at night was great, but the activity details were misleading. There were at least 30 participants (even though the activity states that it is limited to 6 participants). We received a notice to check in by 19:30 for this activity to start at 20:00. We were not in the water until a few minutes past 20:30 and docked back at 21:52. This was hardly a tour as the guide did not provide any info and were mainly there to herd us to the sides or cross the river. There was very little kayaking done. We would have preferred renting but unfortunately, this was the only company I found that…”

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Chicago: Sunset Kayak Tour on the Chicago River - Paddling through the downtown corridor
Canoes & Kayaks, Chicago River Cruises, Evening Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours

Chicago: Sunset Kayak Tour on the Chicago River

5.Sunset Kayak Tour on the Chicago River

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 5 reviews · 1h 30m · from $57

Paddle Chicago’s downtown river at sunset for skyline views, iconic architecture, a small-group guide, and a relaxed 90-minute kayak tour.

“Eindrückliche Kanu-Tour inmitten von Chicago beim Einnachten… Leider etwas chaotisch organisiert mit Kanus, die viele Reparaturen nötig hätten. Von den Guides keine Hinweise/Erklärungen zur Tour 😳”

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Chicago: Best of Attractions Walking Tour +Bike/Kayak Rental - Palmer House and the Chicago Loop
Canoes & Kayaks, Cycling Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Chicago: Best of Attractions Walking Tour +Bike/Kayak Rental

6.Best of Attractions Walking Tour +Bike/Kayak Rental

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 2 hours · from $44

Walk Chicago’s Loop, Millennium Park, Riverwalk, and Magnificent Mile, then claim a free two-hour bike or kayak rental.

“Bobby’s Bike Hike Tours was amazing! Thanks so much for accommodating my daughter and I on the Chicago Favorites Food & Walking Tour! Our Tour Guide James was very knowledgeable, energetic, and entertaining! This tours is the absolute BEST way to see and taste Chicago!”

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Chicago Walking Tour of Highlights with Free Bike or Kayak Rental - The Art Institute and Grant Park’s quieter corners
Canoes & Kayaks, Cycling Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Chicago Walking Tour of Highlights with Free Bike or Kayak Rental

7.Chicago Walking Tour of Highlights with Free Bike or Kayak Rental

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $44

See Chicago’s top landmarks on a two-hour guided walk, then use a free bike or kayak rental to continue exploring the city.

“I appreciated being able to see the sites. Even more, however, I appreciated learning more about Chicago’s history and people, past and present. Thanks, Mikey, for a great tour. The bonus of the bike rental was also appreciated. We had a nice ride along the lake and even a short visit to the Lincoln Park Zoo.”

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