Chicago Night Cruises

Mystic Blue 'After Dark'

• Mystic Blue offers a night cruise along the Chicago lakefront south to the museum campus and sometimes as far north as Evanston. The ship has a nightclub atmosphere, with DJs spinning contemporary dance and R&B music. After hitting the dance floor, enjoy cocktails and late-night hors d'oeuvres on the boat's indoor and outdoor observation decks. The cruise boards at 12:15 a.m. and returns to shore around 2:30 a.m.

  Mystic Blue Cruises
  Navy Pier
  600 E. Grand Ave.
  Chicago, IL 60611
  (877) 299-7783
  mysticbluecruises.com/chicago/specials/moonlight

Odyssey 'Midnight Lounge'

• Odyssey's night cruise takes passengers along a similar south-north route but in a more elegant, understated atmosphere. Musically, the cruise features a solo guitarist/vocalist on the Sapphire Deck as well as smooth jazz, adult contemporary and other ambient grooves. The ship accommodates up to 750 passengers on three climate-controlled decks and an outdoor observation deck with a midnight buffet of hors d'oeuvres and other finger foods. If you would like to hit the lake a little earlier in the evening, Odyssey also offers a dinner cruise with a three-course dinner.

  Odyssey Cruises
  Navy Pier
  600 E. Grand Ave.
  Chicago, IL 60611
  (866) 305-2469
  odyssey.com/index.cfm

Shoreline Sightseeing Navy Pier Fireworks Cruises

• During the summer, Navy Pier has fireworks displays every Wednesday and Saturday evening, and seeing them from a boat is the best way to experience them. Shoreline's one-hour "Lake Fireworks" cruises leave Navy Pier Wednesdays at 9 p.m. and Saturdays at 9:45 p.m. They also offer a 75-minute combination "Architecture/Fireworks" cruise that leaves Ogden Slip at Navy Pier Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 9:15 p.m.

  Shoreline Sightseeing
  Navy Pier
  500 E. Grand Ave.
  Chicago, IL 60611
  (312) 222-9328
  shorelinesightseeing.com/fireworkscruise.php

Seadog Cruise 'Chicago Haunted Tour'

• During the month of October, Seadog offers a special boat tour to view "haunted" locations along the Chicago River. Points of interest include the Fort Dearborn massacre, the Eastland disaster and Samuel Insull's ghost. Unlike the other night cruises that cater to the 21+ crowd, passengers of all ages are welcome (and encouraged to come in costume). Cruises run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night.

  Seadog Cruises
  Navy Pier

  600 E. Grand Ave.
  Chicago, IL 60611
  (888) 636-7737
  seadogcruises.com/chicago/hauntedtour.cfm