While it's something we don't usually indulge in on our own, the fact they have a Sunday morning dog-specific Mercury Canine Cruise makes it too tempting to pack up our little family to become Tourists in our Own City:
We set sail for a 90-minute tour along the Chicago River and parts of Lake Michigan with our tour guide explaining the sometimes crazy history behind the buildings I never paid attention to on my way to the train. It was fun seeing the buildings from this perspective and even learning the history of buildings I worked in for several years.
There were plenty of amazing photo opps and all kinds of big, small, fuzzy and bearded pups.
And talk about Chicago being a small town... we ran into our dog friend Phil who was all smiles for his first cruise:
Mr. B was having a great time sticking his head out the boat window, wondering about passing Tall Ships, and dreamily gazing at the Chicago skyline.
That is until Miss M randomly decided she didn't like the vibrations of the boat she had ridden on several times before and she starting kicking with her kangaroo legs. Mr. B. rolled right off the bench, just like a log, where he could only watch the back of people's legs from under the seat.
We will write more about Miss M's kangaroo-legs and how mistaking boats for bridges in tomorrow's post!
The tour validates parking for $12 for 3 hours at 111 E Wacker Dr. parking garage. We like that this gave us a bit of extra time afterwards to walk around downtown. We picked up after-boat donuts from Do-Rite Donuts (another Chicago recommendation!).
While we've loved making this a tradition with our little family, and we normally can go on a whim, it seems like this year the cruise has become extra busy and our boat was sold out when we got there. It must have been Mr. B's charm that got us off of the wait list and onto the boat.
We definitely recommend calling ahead to purchase tickets or arriving super-early, but we're excited to continue making this one of our yearly traditions!
Also:
Our recommendations for 1 day in Chicago with your dog.
Or if you have 36 hours
How to take a taxi with a large dog.
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