Monday, August 20, 2012

Chicago Canine Cruise

Last week we had a great adventure to Chicago and traveling through Wisconsin and Michigan. And one of our favorite outings was the Canine Cruise from the Mercury Chicago Skyline Cruiseline. If you live in the Chicago area or you're passing through with your dog, we highly recommend taking a trip on this 90-minute river and lake cruise.
Cosmo and I enjoyed the breeze during the portion of the cruise that heads out onto Lake Michigan
From July 8 until September 30, 2012, the Canine Cruise departs every Sunday at 10 a.m.  from the Southeast corner of the Michigan Avenue bridge at Wacker Dr.

The boats depart on the south side of the Chicago River
Once humans and canines board the boat, it heads down the Chicago River past the Wrigley Building, the Merchandise Mart, the Civic Opera house and on to the Sears Tower.


A narrator/tour guide provides lots of interesting history about  the buildings and Chicago architecture.




Cosmo makes new friends with a Boston Terrier and his humans. I think he's really looking for snacks
Along the way, there's also plenty of time to make new friends!


And take in the smells as well as the sights!


Then the boat heads out through the locks to Lake Michigan for a spectacular view of the city.


The dogs seem to thoroughly enjoy the ride. This was our second time on the cruise and we were surprised there were only four dogs on this particular tour and lots more humans.

Cosmo doesn't mind getting a little extra attention from the humans on board!
When we met Steve Dale a few years back, we learned he had a hand in launching the Chicago Canine  Cruise on his WGN Radio Show.  We may need to make this a yearly tradition, and hopefully next year there will be even more dogs on board!


Anchor's aweigh!

12 comments:

  1. Riley Mom and Nathaniel"s GrandmaAugust 21, 2012 at 1:52 AM

    Loved the pictures of your cruise! Maybe next year Riley Goldendoodle or baby Nathaniel will join you!

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  2. That's pretty cool! I wish we had a Canine Cruise out here. That would be a great outing for our guide dog puppies. We actually take a 10 minute ferry out to Balboa Island...similar, but probably not nearly as fun. No tour guide and you have to sit next to the cars.

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    1. That's great for the guide dog puppies! I've heard other cities have started doing dog cruises too. Found this list: http://traveltips.usatoday.com/cruises-allow-pets-100496.html and this one: http://www.petsonthego.com/transcruischrtr.html


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  3. What I live in Weesconsin!!!

    ~Mason

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    1. No way! We might have driven right past you! We stopped for a nice lunch near the lake in Sheboygan.

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  4. Fee love the idea of a canine cruise. What a fun adventure. Mom is going to check out that area soon
    Benny & Lily

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  5. What a wonderful idea...a canine cruise! I would have the best time on a boat, but all the cruise lines in the SF Bay Area don't allow pets aboard! Hopefully this idea passes along to other cities!

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    1. I've heard other cities have started to do canine cruises and I found this list: http://www.petsonthego.com/transcruischrtr.html There's a San Francisco cruise listed but it looks like you'd need to check for specific dog policies.

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  6. Looks like a great time.

    We regularly take boat tours with Honey. Boats are easy to hose down so they're often very pet friendly. But most people don't think to ask. Perhaps you'll take Cosmo on another trip soon and not have to wait a whole year.

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    1. We'd love to go on another boat ride soon! That's great that you take Honey.

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  7. I Love Chicago! I live 45 minutes north of chicago, but i've never heard of this boat tour! I may have to go with Sparky, My havanese mix! :)

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