Please note our accessible docks are unavailable December 1st-March 1st.
We understand that our guests desire unencumbered access to our facilities and vessels, and we do not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. There are currently no access regulations for small passenger vessels, but we have made a concerted effort and reasonable accommodations to make our docks and vessels accessible where practicable.
Our West Docks (west of the Wrigley Building) are accessible by elevator from Michigan Avenue (walkway between 400 & 410 N Michigan Ave) and Wabash Avenue (401 N Wabash Ave). Approximately half of our daily scheduled tours and cruises (as many as twenty a day) depart from these docks during the summer. Unfortunately, we do not have elevator access to our Michigan Avenue Dock. There are 62 steps down to this dock. Once you are at river level at either dock there are wheelchair accessible ramps to and from the boat.
All our tour boats can accommodate wheelchairs and have toilets that are ADA compliant. Our ADA dock has a ramp that will take you to the upper deck. However, the lower deck is only accessible by stairs, which is where the bar and bathrooms are located.
Service animals are of course welcome if they meet the current Department of Justice definitions for service animals. A service animal is a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. Pets, and dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA and are not allowed.
For guests who are deaf or need hearing assistance, a written script of the narration is available at the ticket office upon request.
It is recommended that you call Wendella’s Corporate Office at 312-337-1446 or reach out to one of our on-site Guest Service Ambassadors prior to your tour or cruise if you have questions or need more information. Schedules, docks and vessels are subject to change without notice and may vary with season and weather.