Climb aboard with Chicago's Tall Ship Windy for a boating experience that is both relaxing and fun. Climb aboard and find your nautical adventure with this center.
It was great! The day was perfect in Chicago to be on the water. The company was great and the bartender was heavy handed if you know what I mean. My ONLY complaint was that the music could have been better but being a family friendly ride, I understand
Melody
Report|2 months ago
It was an absolutely wonderful experience. Everybody was great. I will go again it was a perfect day for a cruise.
Melody
Report|5 months ago
It was perfect weather for sailing that day. The ship is beautiful, the crew friendly the drinks were good. All the way around beautiful, would do it again in a heartbeat.
Jeiran
Report|6 months ago
We had a great time. Friendly staff and beautiful views!
Aubrey
Report|7 months ago
What a wonderful experience beginning to end! Beautiful view if the skyline, comfortable ride, and bar below deck! The captain let my son steer the ship for a good portion of the time and my wife and son got to help along with some others let down and hoist the sails! This is one of my favorite experiences of all time! Well done!
nicole
Report|8 months ago
Everyone on the ship was kind and courteous. We had a great time.
mechelle
Report|8 months ago
My daughter's first time to the windy city.
We had a great time with great views. Even during Covid-19, everyone was safe and mindful and enjoyed their groups.
Would do it again!
Julie
Report|8 months ago
It was not all that. They had 2 bars but only 1 open downstairs
Sergei
Report|8 months ago
Beautiful and spectacular view on the city, pleasant atmosphere. Great experience!
The massive schooner gently bobs in the Lake Michigan waters as the Chicago skyline towers on the shore. Onboard, hardy sailors train their passengers to tie knots and unfurl sails. Period lessons abound onboard Windy, the lone vessel helmed by US Coast Guard-certified captains and crews. The nostalgic steed is used to educate visitors on the lake's maritime traditions and explore coastal waters. Windy also plays host to themed adventures. Crews strive to make each tour unique, with sailors who expound on their skills as well as performers and educators versed in history, maritime lore, art, and theater.
Skyline Sail with Tales of Real Pirates of the Inland Seas
Friday, October 7th 2016 @ 7:15pm - 8:30pm
Adults
Friday, October 7th 2016 @ 7:15pm - 8:30pm
Children (Under 12 years old)
Friday, October 7th 2016 @ 7:15pm - 8:30pm
$10.00
Saturday, October 8th 2016
Skyline Sail
Saturday, October 8th 2016 @ 12:15pm - 1:30pm
Adults
Saturday, October 8th 2016 @ 12:15pm - 1:30pm
Children (Under 12 years old)
Saturday, October 8th 2016 @ 12:15pm - 1:30pm
$10.00
Skyline Sail
Saturday, October 8th 2016 @ 2pm - 3:15pm
Adults
Saturday, October 8th 2016 @ 2pm - 3:15pm
Children (Under 12 years old)
Saturday, October 8th 2016 @ 2pm - 3:15pm
$10.00
Skyline Sail
Saturday, October 8th 2016 @ 3:45pm - 5pm
Adults
Saturday, October 8th 2016 @ 3:45pm - 5pm
Children (Under 12 years old)
Saturday, October 8th 2016 @ 3:45pm - 5pm
$10.00
Skyline Sail with Tales of Real Pirates of the Inland Seas
Saturday, October 8th 2016 @ 5:30pm - 6:45pm
Adults
Saturday, October 8th 2016 @ 5:30pm - 6:45pm
Children (Under 12 years old)
Saturday, October 8th 2016 @ 5:30pm - 6:45pm
$10.00
Spirit Ships and Haunted Harbors
Saturday, October 8th 2016 @ 7:15pm - 8:30pm
Adults
Saturday, October 8th 2016 @ 7:15pm - 8:30pm
Children (Under 12 years old)
Saturday, October 8th 2016 @ 7:15pm - 8:30pm
$10.00
Sunday, October 9th 2016
Skyline Sail
Sunday, October 9th 2016 @ 12:15pm - 1:30pm
Adults
Sunday, October 9th 2016 @ 12:15pm - 1:30pm
Children (Under 12 years old)
Sunday, October 9th 2016 @ 12:15pm - 1:30pm
$10.00
Skyline Sail
Sunday, October 9th 2016 @ 2pm - 3:15pm
Adults
Sunday, October 9th 2016 @ 2pm - 3:15pm
Children (Under 12 years old)
Sunday, October 9th 2016 @ 2pm - 3:15pm
$10.00
Skyline Sail
Sunday, October 9th 2016 @ 3:45pm - 5pm
Adults
Sunday, October 9th 2016 @ 3:45pm - 5pm
Children (Under 12 years old)
Sunday, October 9th 2016 @ 3:45pm - 5pm
$10.00
Spirit Ships and Haunted Harbors
Sunday, October 9th 2016 @ 5:30pm - 6:45pm
Adults
Sunday, October 9th 2016 @ 5:30pm - 6:45pm
Children (Under 12 years old)
Sunday, October 9th 2016 @ 5:30pm - 6:45pm
$10.00
Friday, October 14th 2016
Skyline Sail
Not currently available online, please call us at (312) 451-2700. We may still have space for Skyline Sail on Friday, October 14th 2016 @ 1pm - 2:15pm
Skyline Sail
Not currently available online, please call us at (312) 451-2700. We may still have space for Skyline Sail on Friday, October 14th 2016 @ 3pm - 4:15pm
Skyline Sail
Not currently available online, please call us at (312) 451-2700. We may still have space for Skyline Sail on Friday, October 14th 2016 @ 5pm - 6:15pm
Saturday, October 15th 2016
Skyline Sail
Not currently available online, please call us at (312) 451-2700. We may still have space for Skyline Sail on Saturday, October 15th 2016 @ 1pm - 2:15pm
Skyline Sail
Not currently available online, please call us at (312) 451-2700. We may still have space for Skyline Sail on Saturday, October 15th 2016 @ 3pm - 4:15pm
Skyline Sail
Not currently available online, please call us at (312) 451-2700. We may still have space for Skyline Sail on Saturday, October 15th 2016 @ 5pm - 6:15pm
Sunday, October 16th 2016
Skyline Sail
Not currently available online, please call us at (312) 451-2700. We may still have space for Skyline Sail on Sunday, October 16th 2016 @ 1pm - 2:15pm
Skyline Sail
Not currently available online, please call us at (312) 451-2700. We may still have space for Skyline Sail on Sunday, October 16th 2016 @ 2pm - 3:15pm
Skyline Sail
Not currently available online, please call us at (312) 451-2700. We may still have space for Skyline Sail on Sunday, October 16th 2016 @ 5pm - 6:15pm
Friday, October 21st 2016
Skyline Sail
Not currently available online, please call us at (312) 451-2700. We may still have space for Skyline Sail on Friday, October 21st 2016 @ 1pm - 2:15pm
Skyline Sail
Not currently available online, please call us at (312) 451-2700. We may still have space for Skyline Sail on Friday, October 21st 2016 @ 3pm - 4:15pm
Skyline Sail
Not currently available online, please call us at (312) 451-2700. We may still have space for Skyline Sail on Friday, October 21st 2016 @ 5pm - 6:15pm
Saturday, October 22nd 2016
Skyline Sail
Not currently available online, please call us at (312) 451-2700. We may still have space for Skyline Sail on Saturday, October 22nd 2016 @ 1pm - 2:15pm
Skyline Sail
Not currently available online, please call us at (312) 451-2700. We may still have space for Skyline Sail on Saturday, October 22nd 2016 @ 3pm - 4:15pm
Skyline Sail
Not currently available online, please call us at (312) 451-2700. We may still have space for Skyline Sail on Saturday, October 22nd 2016 @ 5pm - 6:15pm
Sunday, October 23rd 2016
Skyline Sail
Not currently available online, please call us at (312) 451-2700. We may still have space for Skyline Sail on Sunday, October 23rd 2016 @ 1pm - 2:15pm
Skyline Sail
Not currently available online, please call us at (312) 451-2700. We may still have space for Skyline Sail on Sunday, October 23rd 2016 @ 3pm - 4:15pm
Skyline Sail
Not currently available online, please call us at (312) 451-2700. We may still have space for Skyline Sail on Sunday, October 23rd 2016 @ 5pm - 6:15pm
Friday, October 28th 2016
Skyline Sail
Not currently available online, please call us at (312) 451-2700. We may still have space for Skyline Sail on Friday, October 28th 2016 @ 1pm - 2:15pm
Skyline Sail
Not currently available online, please call us at (312) 451-2700. We may still have space for Skyline Sail on Friday, October 28th 2016 @ 3pm - 4:15pm
Skyline Sail
Not currently available online, please call us at (312) 451-2700. We may still have space for Skyline Sail on Friday, October 28th 2016 @ 5pm - 6:15pm
Saturday, October 29th 2016
Skyline Sail
Not currently available online, please call us at (312) 451-2700. We may still have space for Skyline Sail on Saturday, October 29th 2016 @ 1pm - 2:15pm
Skyline Sail
Not currently available online, please call us at (312) 451-2700. We may still have space for Skyline Sail on Saturday, October 29th 2016 @ 3pm - 4:15pm
Skyline Sail
Not currently available online, please call us at (312) 451-2700. We may still have space for Skyline Sail on Saturday, October 29th 2016 @ 5pm - 6:15pm
Sunday, October 30th 2016
Skyline Sail
Not currently available online, please call us at (312) 451-2700. We may still have space for Skyline Sail on Sunday, October 30th 2016 @ 1pm - 2:15pm
Skyline Sail
Not currently available online, please call us at (312) 451-2700. We may still have space for Skyline Sail on Sunday, October 30th 2016 @ 3pm - 4:15pm
Skyline Sail
Not currently available online, please call us at (312) 451-2700. We may still have space for Skyline Sail on Sunday, October 30th 2016 @ 5pm - 6:15pm
Curriculum
Harnessing the Wind
The "physics" of how a sailing ship sails. With wind as a free energy source, the greatest use of it has been by sailing ships. This module explains how a sailing ship "works", how it can sail against the wind and change direction, and familiarizes the student with the terms associated with sailing
The Language and Life of a Sailor
This section is designed to teach the student nautical terms and names for the vessel parts and provide hands-on exploration of the tools, trinkets, and nomenclature of a sailor from the 1880s to the present
And the third is up to you!
Choose from one of those listed!
Windy Third Station Options
Real Pirates of the Inland Seas
The story of actual piracy on the Great Lakes and its impact on the development of our region. This module examines the controversial morality and mystique of the pirating life, dispelling myth, and portraying the historical realities
Tall Ships and Ecology
Sailing vessels harness the wind, a natural energy source, and serve as platforms for research on climate change, water, and environmental conservation, and the development of alternative energies. Explore this, along with a hands-on experiment right there on Windy!
Marlinespike Seamanship
The Skills of the Traditional sailor: Involves fun, hands-on exercises that will teach students about the tools and trade of the Sailor: historical uses, rope work, block and tackle systems, rigging, and the function of sailors' knots and how to tie them
Strong women of the Lakes
They were lighthouse keepers. They were sailors and explorers. They were rum runners. They were the women of the Great Lakes. Hear "herstory" rather than "history" on this exciting girl-empowered station. Scout small craft badges: Did you know we can pack the small craft badge/patch into one lesson plan? Covering the material that you need to surpass the Scouts' expectations for your knowledge about basic water safety. Please note that we offer the actual patch/badge of our ship to your youth at a small additional cost!
Schedule & Pricing
Scheduling
With start times of: 10:30am, 12:30 weekdays 10:30am weekends - If available
Group Size
Best suited for groups of 50-130
Fares
Weekdays - $10/person with a $500 minimum. Weekends - $15/person with a $750 minimum
America's Cup World Series, Chicago
America's Cup Practice Day
June 10th, 2016
$99.00 (per person)
Last Race Day
June 12th, 2016
$125.00 (per person)
Marshall Vente Jazz Cruise
On Sunday, July 10th and Sunday, September 11th
You can join Marshall and his band on an evening boat cruise aboard the Tall Ship Windy, as they sail across the memorable Chicago skyline, quietly under sail power, while he serenades you with his own tropical jazz fusion of music. Now is your chance to enjoy the limited event, and have memories that will last a lifetime
A typical program provides a variety of forms of Latin music
Traditional to contemporary, Brazilian to Caribbean, and vocal to percussion pieces. Vente respects such traditional Brazilian composers as Jobim and Nascimento and their contributions to Latin music, and he doesn't hesitate to play vocals in Portugeese "Latin music is perhaps advancing and certainly altering the face of jazz." Vente explains. "The artists of Brazil and the Caribbean are merging modern jazz with new rhythms and writing new compositions. This might be the renaissance for rhythm in the same way bebop was for harmony 50 years ago. Jazz has always advanced by incorporating other influences."
Boarding
Boarding will be at 7:30pm for the July concert and the cast off will be at 8pm; boarding will be at 6:00 pm for the September concert and the cast off will be at 6:30. Don't be late. Tickets are available online or by phone
$65.00 (per person)
This is a 2 1/2 hour JAZZ filled cruise
You can expect a nice sail, with our engines off (if we have any wind at all), and the Captain will take you on an extended journey along Chicago coast, while being serenaded by Marshall and his group of talented musicians and vocalists
A Tropical wave breaks on the beaches of Chicago!
Brazilian, Caribbean and Latin music presented with a festival of fun and excitement percussive rhythms, sparking horns, steel drums, Latin and American vocalists and great piano. Performing classic Brazilian bossa novas and sambas; caribbean soca, calypso,and reggae to hot salsa Latin dance music with a touch of Jimmy Buffet and rock for the gringos, too!
Pepsi Tall Ships Festival 2016 Cruises
The Tall Ship Fleet is returning to Navy Pier, and Tall Ship Windy is very glad to have them as her guests
For five days, starting Wednesday July 27, 2016, the fleet of Tall Ships will be at Navy Pier and Tall Ship Windy, Chicago's Tall Ship Ambassador is, once again, honored to lead the Parade of Sail, and welcome the fleet and their crews to Chicago for this spectacular event
The Pepsi Tall Ships Chicago
The Pepsi Tall Ships Chicago is the latest in the series, starting in 2003 and also hosted by Windy, where a fleet of visiting Tall Ships has come to Chicago for everyone to share. This event, based at Tall Ship Windy's home dock on Navy Pier, will add the grace of Tall Ship masts to the Chicago city skyline as a reminder of the years before when Chicago was one of the busiest seaports in the world. In the 2016 Chicago version of the event, many Tall Ships (around 20) will be offering boarding tours, or dockside viewing and some will also be offering sailing tours
The highlight of the week
The highlight of the week will undoubtedly be the Parade of Sail where all the ships, with their sails opened, will be welcomed to Navy Pier and Chicago by the welcome committee. The Parade can be viewed from shore but is best viewed from the deck on a ship like Windy. The Parade is Wednesday, boards at 1:30 PM, and sets out to the parade route for a 3pm start time. The parade will last about 1.5 hours. Be a part of this spectacular event on Tall Ship Windy, as a participant in the parade!
Windy
Windy is offering many cruises every day, with many times to choose from, ending each day with a FIREWORKS cruise! Please support your local, family owned Tall Ship, as she celebrates her 20th year in Chicago!
Windy's Sailing schedule and Details
Parade of Sail
July 27; Boarding: 1:30 PM; Departure 2:00 PM; Parade of Boats 3:00 PM; Returns: (approximately) 5:00 PM
$249.00
Firework sails
Wednesday - Friday; July 27-30; Boarding: 9:00 PM; Departure 9:15 PM; Fireworks show 9:30 PM (10:15 PM on July 30); Returns: (approximately) 10:45 PM
$109.00
Daily Sail Aways
Wednesday - Sunday; July 27-31; Boarding: 15 minutes prior to your event time; Returns: 60 minutes after departure (approximately); Sail Away ticket price: $54.00 +tax, sailing only option (no pass of any kind included); sailing plus it INCLUDES festival pass, which allows access to the event area, and the boarding of selected vessels!
$67.00
Navy Pier Fireworks Boat Cruise
Every Wednesday and Saturday
evening throughout the summer you can enjoy the sun setting over Chicago with its unforgettable and dramatic night skyline followed by a great show of fireworks near Chicago's Navy Pier, all while sailing on a traditional Tall Ship! On our boat cruise you'll have the best seat in the house to watch the fireworks, just off the coast of Chicago
On Wednesdays
we cast off at 9:15 pm for the 9:30 show, but you should be there at 8:45. Your fireworks boat tour will last about 1.5 hours, while watching brilliantly lit skyline, and enjoying a peaceful sail. During all of our excursions, you can help us with some of the sailing duties, like hoisting the sails or steering the boat with our large wooden ships wheel. After the fireworks display, we return to the dock about 10:15pm
On Saturdays
we cast off at 9:15PM for the 10:15 show. This sailing adventure offers you some sailing time to enjoy prior to the fireworks display provided by Navy Pier. We arrive back at the dock at Navy Pier at about 10:45pm
Weddings Aboard Tall Ship Windy
Dates are very limited – reserve now
Discounts are available for non Saturdays, and non June – Aug dates
Windy is a great venue for other pre and post wedding events
Group Sales and Discounts aboard Tall Ship Windy!
Group Events
Bring your family trip, reunion, retreat, happy hour, or celebration to Windy! Whether you're looking for hands-on adventure, intriguing history, or a leisurely cruise, Windy has something for you!
Amenities
Windy boasts three spacious decks, a grand salon, pressurized "heads" (marine toilets), and a bar for your enjoyment. Plenty of deck seating is available on benches and boxes. The bar is stocked with soda, water, beer, wine, liquor, and snacks. Ask about our bar packages! We feature brands from local distilleries and wineries
Programming
Windy's signature programming combines exciting Great Lakes history with interactive storytelling for curious minds of all ages. Our knowledgeable docents bring the history life, so you can experience Chicago like never before!
Pricing
Group Size: Discount
20-39:10%; 40-59:15%; 60 or more 20%
Private Charters - Aboard Tall Ship Windy
Amenities
Windy boasts three spacious decks, a grand salon, and a bar for your enjoyment. With plenty of benches and deck boxes, there is plenty of seating available. Our bar is stocked with soda, water, beer, wine, liquor, and snacks. Ask us about our bar packages!
Catering
Caterers generally set up buffet-style in the grand salon, adjacent to the galley area, leaving guests free to move around freely. Seating is informal on the Windy, so "picnic-style" meals work best. Please ask us for a list of our preferred caterers
