Mercury, Chicago’s Skyline Cruise line, launches another season as the nation’s only Canine Cruise this summer on July 8th. The cruise departs from the Riverside Gardens dock at 10 a.m. and will operate weekly through September 25th.
Is this just an ordinary river and lakefront cruise around Chicago? Your dog won’t think so. The 90 minute narrated tour will point out local dog parks, key fire hydrants, and favorite watering spots. Speaking of fire hydrants, there is no need to worry if your dog has to relieve him or herself on board. These dog-friendly folks have even set aside one restroom on board, lined with newspaper, for pooches. And dogs can ride in style in their own seat if they are medium to large-sized or will share the lap of their owner if they are small enough.
If you and your pooch want to catch a bite to eat after the cruise, try dining outside at Cyrano’s Cafe. Mercury Cruiseline has partnered with the owner of this restaurant to create a special doggy menu for the lunch hours. For a small charge, your pooch can drool over the white rice and ostrich pate croquette appetizer, savor the vegetarian bowtie pasta or steak hache (ground beef), sip up a bottle of Vittel water and chomp on a cookie for dessert. A portion of the proceeds from your pooch’s meal will benefit the Chenny Troupe, a Chicago-based Animal Assisted Therapy Organization.
