Boat Charters from Burnham Harbor
Chicago's downtown harbor — minutes from the Loop, anchored by Soldier Field and the museum campus.
1559 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605
Burnham Harbor is the most central charter departure point in Chicago. Tucked between Soldier Field and the Adler Planetarium, it puts you a short walk from Loop hotels, the lakefront trail, and the museum campus — and gets you on the open lake faster than any other harbor in the city.
It's the harbor most charter captains pick when convenience matters: corporate clients walking from the Loop, wedding parties staging at Lake Shore Drive hotels, and out-of-town guests who don't want to navigate further-north harbors. The departure channel opens directly onto the skyline view that defines Chicago — within 10 minutes of leaving the slip you're looking at Willis Tower from the water.
Burnham hosts roughly 1,000 boats, and you'll find everything from racing sailboats to mid-size powerboats and luxury cruisers based here. Charter operations have run from this harbor since the 1930s, so the dockmaster, fuel dock, and ice are all dialed in for hand-offs.
Best for
- Corporate events with downtown guests — walking distance from Loop hotels and Soldier Field
- Wedding-party charters launching from the Hilton, Hyatt Regency, or Sable at Navy Pier
- Sunset cruises with the fastest path to the iconic skyline-from-the-lake view
- Family day trips from the Museum Campus — combine the Shedd or Field Museum with an afternoon on the water
- Fishing charters for Chinook salmon and lake trout — direct access to deep water
Boats departing from Burnham Harbor
Live availability — every boat below is captained by a USCG-licensed captain we've verified ourselves.
Getting to Burnham Harbor
- Driving: Lake Shore Drive to McFetridge Drive — meters and lots near Soldier Field. Plan for $20–$30 in event-day parking.
- Transit: 146 Inner Drive bus stops at Soldier Field. Roosevelt Red/Green/Orange Line is a 15-minute walk.
- Rideshare: Drop-off at the harbor's south entrance off Linn White Drive — fastest pickup point.
- From the Loop: 10-minute Uber ride or a 25-minute walk along the lakefront trail.
Before you arrive
- Arrive 15 minutes before departure to find your slip. The harbor is large; ask your captain which dock (A through O) you're on.
- Bring soft-soled shoes — boats keep decks gentle by avoiding hard heels.
- BYOB is allowed on most charter boats from Burnham; bring it in soft-sided coolers when possible.
- Sunscreen and a light jacket — Lake Michigan runs 10–15°F cooler than shore even in July.
Notable boats from Burnham Harbor
- PEONY (Dufour 325, 33', sail) — operated by Capt. Kirk Kessler / Salty Dog Sailing Co.
Frequently asked
Where do I park at Burnham Harbor?
Surface lots and meters along McFetridge Drive and Solidarity Drive run $20–$30 on event days. The Soldier Field North Garage is the most reliable for charters running 4+ hours. Rideshare drop-off at the harbor's south entrance off Linn White Drive avoids parking entirely.
How long is the cruise from Burnham to the Chicago skyline?
About 10 minutes from the slip to the open lake, with the full skyline visible from the moment you clear the harbor mouth. Most scenic cruises spend 60–90 minutes in the area between Burnham and Navy Pier.
Can my whole party stay at one downtown hotel and walk to the boat?
Yes. The Hilton Chicago, Hyatt Regency McCormick, Sable at Navy Pier, and the Marriott Marquis are all 10–20 minutes on foot or 5 minutes by rideshare. We can recommend hotels based on your party size and timing.
Are there fireworks-viewing charters from Burnham?
Yes — Burnham is one of the closest harbors to the Navy Pier fireworks (every Wednesday at 9pm and Saturday at 10pm during the summer season). Most fireworks cruises depart Burnham around 7:30pm for a sunset cruise before anchoring near Navy Pier for the show.
Is Burnham a sailboat harbor or a powerboat harbor?
Both. Burnham hosts a large racing sailboat fleet (it's the home harbor for the Mackinac Race), plus mid-size and large powerboats. Whether you want a quiet sail or a captained powerboat for a corporate event, you can charter both from this harbor.
What about the Chicago Park District boating fees?
Charter customers don't pay separate harbor or launch fees — those are handled by the boat's owner as part of their slip license. Your charter price is what you pay, full stop.
Popular charter types from Burnham Harbor
Pick a trip type and we'll match you with the right captain and boat.
Scenic Cruises
Chicago's skyline from the best seat in the house — on the water.
$200–$600
Fireworks Cruises
The best seat for Navy Pier fireworks is on the water.
$300–$700
Corporate Events
Team building, client entertainment, and celebrations on the water.
$800–$3,000
Fishing Charters
Salmon, trout, and perch — Lake Michigan's best fishing, guided.
$400–$1,000
Playpen Cruises
Chicago's floating party — the Playpen sandbar experience.
$300–$800