Cozy Rides in Chicago's First Glass-Top Touring Boat

In a city with a skyline and weather as diverse as Chicago's, tour boat tickets come with a range of potential outcomes. That's why the Odyssey Chicago River cut such a smart profile when it joined its competitors cruising from the revitalized Riverwalk last fall.

Chicago's first glass-top touring boat serves up cocktails, fancy eats and comfy year-round views of the city's iconic architecture. This tour's focus is on creature comforts, not narration. So ask your server for a Landmarks Guide if you want architectural insights along the way.

Depending on the option you choose, the cruise can include sliders, skewers and cheeses (cocktail cruise, from around $65; drinks extra) or a three-course meal (from around $75). Burn it off on the dance floor. DJs keep this cruise hopping-ponchos optional.

That's cool A specialized hull and an air bubbler system keep Odyssey Chicago River on the water year-round with help from the city's ice-breaking tugboats.