Renting a Boat in Chicago: Top Boating Destinations

Getting on to the waters is every boater’s delight. There’s a special feeling it brings. Chicago is itself a true boater’s haven, and when it comes to boat rental Chicago has a lot to offer. There’re several top boating destinations you can take a quick retreat and just enjoy the breathtaking architectural beauty of the city and everything else from world class sailing to some of the biggest raft parties.

Here’re some tips on the top boating destinations and best suited types of boats

River Chicago

Perhaps you would want to see the city’s downtown from a better perspective. There is no better view than River Chicago, which snakes right through the heart of it. Along the scenic 75 - minute route are some of the most magnificent urban architectures in the U.S, including; the AON center, the John Hancock Center, and the Willis Towers among others by Mies Van Der Rohe, and peers.

Other than its scenic view of the city, River Chicago also boasts some great fish including Perch, King Salmon, Coho and Trout, which are best caught during seasons of spring and summer. If you are up to doing some fishing renting a boat with a local captain would be the smartest choice. The fishing boat options vary from a classic fishing center console boat to a small cruiser or even and upscale yacht.

The Great Lakes

Boating in the Great Lakes is one of the best experiences you can ever have in the city. It provides the perfect combination of urban feel, historical site excursion, fishing, diving, watersports and a rare view of wildlife both land and aquatic. Lake Michigan in Chicago is one of the best locations of the Great Lakes. It’s known for its surprise steep waves, which makes it best suited for diving.

There is a great variety of boats you can use on Lake Michigan. You will be looking at sailboats, houseboats, pontoons, yachts (for leisure), motorboats, and fishing boats among others. Because Lake Michigan has heavier waters with steep waves and sometimes cross wakes, you may need larger boats about 23 - 26 ft depending on the turbulence and the number on-board.

Montrose Harbor

With quite some money spent on a boat rental in Chicago, you deserve more than the scenic beauty of the city. This is exactly the reason why Montrose makes it to this list. It’s the perfect waterfront with summertime boating vibe for both personal and family vacations. The harbor is a bustle with music, marina, dockside bbqs and a super-friendly crowd.

The beach is always a bustle of activities. You can always day trip or take a weekend adventure there. You could also dock and dine. Some of the best boats you can rent to the Montrose harbor include: personal watercrafts for the thrill of the beach, runabout boats for the games and or a cabin cruiser boat with all the modern comforts for other family members to watch the bustle from a far.

Most of the boat owners also offer jet boats, wakeboard and banana boats, so check the description to see what amenities are available or contact us to find a boat that offers additional water activities options to make your vacation fun and memorable!