This popular rental company offers a fleet of small electric boats from its Marina City base. Although the modest electric motors aren’t going to set any sort of speed records, it means the boats are quiet and conversation friendly. Chicago Electric Boat Company is BYO when it comes to food and beverage.

Renting one of these human-powered boats is a fun, social way to get around the river. Similar to a pedal pub on land, the “cycleboat” pontoons can accommodate ten pedalers plus six passengers for 90 minutes at a time. Embark along the Chicago Riverwalk.

While some Chicago kayak rentals make you paddle a long way to enjoy downtown’s best architecture, Urban Kayaks launches you right in the middle of the action from the Chicago Riverwalk’s recently revamped eastern segment. For lake paddling, Urban Kayaks also operates a second location at Monroe Harbor, just south of the Columbia Yacht Club.

This Polynesian-themed company operates a fleet of ten boats can that accommodate between two to 90 guests. The party-friendly vessels feature waterslides, bars, TVs, and premium sound systems and depart from both Monroe Harbor and the Chicago Riverwalk.

3rd Coast Charters offers guests a chance to take out Latitude Adjustment, Chicago’s largest chartering catamaran. The 38-foot-long, double-hull vessel comes with a captain, crew, and access to onboard amenities including a grill, salon, galley, and private cabins.

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Wateriders has been hosting kayak tours of the Chicago River for more than two decades. Based out of the East Bank Club at 500 N. Kingsbury, the company offers a variety of guided excursions that focus on history and architect, ghosts and gangsters, or simply enjoying the summer fireworks at Navy Pier.

Just west of Goose Island on the north branch of the Chicago River, the company offers easy to drive pontoon boats that can accommodate eight or twelve passengers. Charters are typically two hours, and firework cruises are also available.

Operating along the popular North Avenue Beach, Jet Ski Chicago provides customers a chance to cruise up and down the lakefront and around Navy Pier. Its Waverunners start at $99 for the first half-hour.

If a jet ski isn’t really your style, consider taking to the water on a relaxing stand-up paddleboard (SUP) at Chicago SUP, also at North Avenue Beach. Though perhaps not a boat, a paddleboard is a low-cost, low-stress way to get out on the water this summer.

Located a healthy paddle away from the glass and steel canyon of the main branch, Chicago River Canoe and Kayak invites you to experience a more natural stretch of the river—complete with wild heron and turtles. Explore on your own or book a guided tour.

Based in Belmont Harbor, Windy City Sailing offers charters for recreational, romantic, and educational experiences to individuals and groups of up to ten. Its fleet includes a 40-foot sloop-rigged sailboat called the Nebula as well as a 38-foot power yacht.

The South Side’s 31st Street Harbor is home to Chicago Water Sport Rentals which operates a fleet of Yamaha Waverunners. Located at Dock J, the company also offers kayaks, paddleboards, and pontoon boats.