Yes, I said ass.
Kick-ass is pretty much the only way to describe the feeling of the wind on your face as you duck and dive through the waves at blazing speeds. The sea spray comes at you from every direction as you twist around and perform full 360s in a massive boat powered by dual 1400 horsepower engines. Full throttle turns and fun narration from the Captain top off this brilliant display on the city’s lakefront.
I’m talking of course about the Seadog. To be more specific, the new Seadog Extreme, the ultimate thrill attraction offered at Navy Pier, just one of the many reasons to visit the city’s illustrious tourist hangout as the weather starts to come around (if it ever does, right?). Honestly though, it’s hard to believe that a boat would have that much horsepower, and it’s captained by seasoned vets that are sure to give you your money’s worth time and again.
If this sounds a little too edgy for you, don’t worry about it. The original Seadog still runs continuously along the city’s edge, featuring a commentary with background about the views and buildings that occupy our lakefront. It’s a tad bit more leisurely, though not on the level of architectural boat tours (which are awesome by the way).
If you’re looking for an intense thrill ride or just something else to do while visiting the pier, lakefront speedboat rides are a great way to enjoy the weather, see the city, and get out on the water. Boats run every day of the week. You can find a cruise that fits your schedule here.
And yes, they’re still kick-ass.