Partners Chicago's First Lady Cruises and the Chicago Architecture Foundation Present the Official Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise

CHICAGO, March 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicago's First Lady Cruises and the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) open the 2010 season of the official Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruises, Saturday, May 1, 2010 and continue through Sunday, November 21, 2010. Whether it's with family and friends, co-workers or for a private event, Chicago's First Lady offers passengers one of the best opportunities to get an immersion into Chicago's architecture in just 90 minutes. One of Chicago's top tourist attractions, the Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady departs from Riverside Gardens at the lower level and southeast corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge and Wacker Drive, just three blocks north of Millennium Park.

The official ticketing agent for the Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise is Ticketmaster. Individual tickets go on sale April 1, 2010 at 1-800-982-2787 or www.Ticketmaster.com/rivercruise.

More than 100 CAF-certified volunteer docents guide 1,600 CAF river cruises each season.  The docents receive hundreds of hours of training and provide lively fact-filled and anecdotal commentary giving passengers insight into Chicago's architecture design and history. All tours are aboard Chicago's First Lady, Chicago's Little Lady and Chicago's Fair Lady, beautiful, 1920s-style cruising yachts featuring open-air upper deck viewing as well as air-conditioned main deck salons with comfortable seating.

"Chicago's First Lady Cruises offers spectacular views of the city that can only be seen by looking up from the Chicago River," said Holly Agra, president of Chicago's First Lady Cruises. "With designs inspired by President Franklin Roosevelt's yacht Sequoia, our double-decked vessels offer dramatic sights of Chicago and comfortable cruising for River Cruises or Lakefront private party events."

The tour highlights more than 53 historic and architecturally significant sites, including 333 W. Wacker, the Wrigley Building, the Tribune Tower, Willis Tower, River City, Marina City and Trump Tower. The CAF river cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady Cruises also includes significant buildings, sites and developments along the North Branch of the Chicago River, including Goose Island, Kinzie Park development and the clustered glass River Cottages by architect Harry Weese. While docents present passionate commentary about the architecture, passengers will also experience close-up and personal views of more than 25 moveable bridges that traverse the Chicago River, complementing the architectural vistas.

For specific cruise times from May 1 through November 21, visit  http://www.cruisechicago.com/tours.php Advance individual tickets are $32.00 per person and can be made online: www.Ticketmaster.com/rivercruise  or by phone: 800-982-2787. Group tour reservations for 10 or more can be made via email: [email protected], or by contacting the Group Sales Manager, Jennifer Devermann, 312-322-1131  [email protected]  

For more information, visit: www.Cruisechicago.com, or www.architecture.org

About Chicago's First Lady – http://www.cruisechicago.com/newsroom.php

Since 1993, Chicago's First Lady Cruises has been the official partner of the Chicago Architecture Foundation providing the vessels and crew for more than 1,600 tours annually. Chicago's First Lady Cruises owns and operates four luxury yachts: Chicago's First Lady, Chicago's Little Lady, Chicago's Fair Lady and Lady Grebe. All are available for private charter cruising each evening. For more information  call 847-358-1330.

The Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing public interest and education in architecture and design. The Chicago Architecture Foundation pursues this mission through architecture tours, exhibitions, panel discussions, and youth and adult education programs. Current exhibition is Chicago Model City.  The Chicago Architecture Foundation is located at 224 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60604. For further information call 312.922.3432.

SOURCE Chicago's First Lady Cruises