DuSable Harbor, The Chicago Harbors


Dock
$3.50/ft - $6/ft

Mooring
Not Offered

Day Trip
Not Offered
111 N. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60601
Check-in after 01:00 PM
Check-out before 11:00 AM
VHF 67

Book faster with the free Dockwa app

99 Reviews

by Wasyl M. - Verified user on Dec 18, 2023
Great Location and the folks at the office are helpful and very knowledgible.

by Tom L. - Verified user on Oct 19, 2023
Good in general. Good location to access the downtown. We were disappointed at the lack of cleaning in the restrooms. It is the end of the season, still, if we are paying full price, the restrooms should be serviced.

by Susan R. - Verified user on Oct 09, 2023
Great marina right in the heart of downtown Chicago. Very protected slips with barely any rocking at all.

by Jeff T. - Verified user on Oct 09, 2023
Great service by Joan at Dusable Harbor and making my stay very enjoyable.

by Michael G. - Verified user on Oct 05, 2023
Get location to access Chicago and the Riverwalk.

by Jonathan C. - Verified user on Sep 25, 2023
The best location and nice neighbors.

by Mathieu F. - Verified user on Sep 12, 2023
Location, location, location, as they say. You are certainly paying a premium (by Lake Michigan standards) to have a slip with the amazing backdrop of downtown Chicago, but we found it worth every penny. We enjoyed the 360-degree views from Navy Pier, to the Riverfront, to Monroe Harbor to the constant activity just offshore. The reasons for missing a 5-star rating were the usual unfortunately: lousy WiFi and so-so bathrooms (c'mon DuSable, for these prices, give us decent TP for Pete's sake!). Aside from that, this is an amazing location with easy bike access to everything.

by Stephanie B. - Verified user on Sep 04, 2023
Our only issue was no connection to internet. We tried the user and password given in several variations and could not get internet. Still love this marina and will return!!

by Christian C. - Verified user on Aug 27, 2023
Love DuSable for visits to the City. Hard to beat access to the Loop, Theaters and Shopping. All walkable and a great selection of walkable fine or informal dining.

by ron p. - Verified user on Aug 19, 2023
Very clean and inviting. The staff was also very accommodating. We will plan to return again soon.

by Robert V. - Verified user on Aug 13, 2023
Great staff. Great atmosphere

by Tom G. - Verified user on Jul 23, 2023
excellent staff and facilities
Marina Response:
Thank you for the review! We hope to see you again soon

by Michael K. - Verified user on Jun 25, 2023
Great location to down town with awesome views of the city. The harbor staff was not very helpful. I could never reach them via VHF or phone for assistance. We had an issue with the water hookup which the harbor staff was not helpful resolving but fortunately our boat neighbor was. This has been our third trip to Chicago by boat and staying at DuSable. We will stay at DuSable for future boat trips to Chicago. Maybe next's year staff will be better.

by Blane S. - Verified user on Jun 12, 2023
Awesome everyone was super helpful.

by Steve m. on Sep 26, 2022
DuSable is a great place to stay when you are in Chicago. It is close to downtown, easy to get transportation to museums, restaurants, theaters and all of downtown. Most are even walkable. The Harbor Master is awesome! He knows the City and is very helpful!

by Graeme W. - Verified user on Sep 24, 2022
Great location, walk-able to everything in Chicago. Livvy bike rental right near dock (not cheap). Staff was helpful and friendly. Held my Amazon orders which was great. Negatives, even though we liked the stay but considering how much we paid; 1) Give the bathrooms a coat of white paint, make them feel less like a prison. 2) New shower curtains for the showers, current ones are old and ratty. 3) I didn't know they made toilet paper that thin, I used 10x as much, spend another few bucks! 4) Laundry was tucked into a small dirty closet, single washer/dryer. This is important for transients! It's the small things that make a '5'.

by Jeff F. - Verified user on Sep 11, 2022
Stay was great! Location, Location,Location. Was right in the middle of everything. The only problem is the staff are non responsive. They don’t answer the VHF for any assistance, and are not very helpful when asked a question. The washrooms smell and laundry dirty. Had a fedex delivery to the marina and after it was reported delivered on Friday they still couldn’t locate before we left on Sunday. That all being said it’s the place to be for visiting the city.

by Rodrigo R. - Verified user on Aug 24, 2022
The staff at DuSable harbor is excellent! My pleasant experience begins from the moment I arrive when I ask for assistance to bring my boat in to the helpfulness of the staff throughout my stay. All are very friendly, helpful and super accommodating. A superior team like this does not just happen by accident. It stems from the leadership of John the Harbor Master and the example he sets. Keep up the good work DuSable crew. I look forward to my stay next year!

by Gordy K. - Verified user on Aug 13, 2022
Great harbor. Perfect location to walk to navy pier. Highly recommend

by Patty S. - Verified user on Aug 11, 2022
Great location and facilities

by Duane Z. on Aug 07, 2022
Stayed four nights at DuSable, in a slip very close to the shore. Thought it might be noisy, but it was quite pleasant for the most part, barking dogs on a nearby catamaran and a guy constantly yelling from a high-rise building for them to shut up notwithstanding. Staff was helpful when docking. Restrooms were kept pretty clean. Expected nicer for the price, but they were fine. Great access to the city by foot or bike. Glad we were able to get a slip here.

by Mark N. - Verified user on Jul 04, 2022
Clean harbor, good docks, dog friendly, great view and access to down town Chicago

by David K. - Verified user on Jun 27, 2022
When we arrived our slip was occupied and they were fully booked. However after waiting at a T dock for 2 hours, the manager and assistant manager got us into a good slip. They were very helpful!

by Harry H. on May 31, 2022
What’s not to like? Great location, great staff, beautiful views of Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan and grocery store in easy walking distance. Harbormaster John and staff were so friendly and helpful to us. Self-service pumpout at no extra charge. Clean showers and toilets and washing machine and drier. If we return to Chicago we will certainly stay at DuSable Marina. We highly recommend it.

by Carlos J. - Verified user on May 14, 2022
Absolutely excellent! John confirmed our reservation as soon as I spoke with him on the phone and provided all the information just in time for our arrival… We will be back for sure!
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About DuSable Harbor, The Chicago Harbors

Please Note: 2-3 night minimum may be charged for special events of holidays. DuSable Harbor has a 30' minimum.

DuSable Harbor is located in the heart of downtown Chicago at the foot of Randolph Street. Surrounded by a towering skyline and being the only harbor with slips close to the loop, it is a very popular mooring location. Hemmed in by the Columbia Yacht Club to the south, the harbor was completed in 2000 by closing in part of Monroe Harbor, thus the entrance is thru Monroe Harbor headed north along the eastern breakwater. There are 420 slips at DuSable with accommodations for boats 30’-90’ in length.

Transient docking is available; please visit our Dockwa page or call the harbor office for reservations any time after May 1st. Waste pump-out equipment is provided on a no-charge basis on the end-cap of D-Dock. The harbor monitors VHF channels 9 and 16 and the switch to/working channel is 67.

Captains & Crew: All of of our overnight transient slips are on floating docks.

Mailing Address: 150 N Lake shore Drive Chicago, 60601 Secondary Address: Columbia Yacht Club Please include both

Harbor Master: John Meidinger


Services

  • Water Hookup
  • Electrical

Amenities

  • Ship Store
  • Launch Service
  • Wireless Internet
  • Pumpout
  • Restrooms
  • Showers
  • Laundry
  • Ice
  • Security
  • Groceries
  • Hotel/Lodging
  • Restaurant
  • Dog Park
  • Floating Docks
  • Oil Recycling
  • Pet Friendly
  • Medical Facilities w/in 5 Miles

Info


Photos

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A Wanderer's Guide to DuSable Harbor

It is hard to get closer to downtown Chicago than DuSable Harbor. Walk the iconic Chicago Riverwalk, bike along Lake Michigan on the Lakefront Trail, take a picture at the Bean, eat deep dish delivered to your boat, or venture out for some delicious Chicago cuisine. There is no shortage of activities accessible by land or water from DuSable Harbor to explore all Chicago has to offer.

Approach and Dockage

Despite Lake Michigan’s reputation for kicking up some wind and waves, DuSable Harbor is well protected behind two breakwalls. The entrance is about 0.8 miles south of the Chicago Harbor Lock and there is only one way in and out of the harbor. Head through the red and green markers past the secondary breakwall and turn to your starboard side. Head between the mooring field and the breakwall towards the large ship, which is the Columbia Yacht Club. Continue past the Columbia Yacht Club and you will enter DuSable Harbor. There are 8 docks labeled with a letter A-H, with A being the farthest north dock. Transient slips are throughout the marina so be sure to check where your slip is located. Friendly and helpful dockhands are available to help you tie up.

Monroe Harbor, also operated by the city, offers mooring balls that you pass when headed into DuSable for $1/foot (at time of writing). They offer a regular tender service as well to pick and drop you off on land and to bathrooms/showers. While the mooring field is relatively protected, be cautious as it can get rocky, making it uncomfortable for some to stay onboard. If DuSable is filled, some stay on a mooring ball until a transient slip opens up.

Marina Amenities

Bathrooms/Showers The bathrooms and showers are locked by a code and located next to Cafe Michelle and the public bathrooms (that do not require a code to access). Depending on where you are, it can be a short or long walk from your slip.

Laundry A single dryer and washer coin operated is located in the same building as the bathrooms and showers.

Pump-Out Free self-serve pump-out is located at the end of Dock D 24/7.

Pet-Access DuSable Marina is located along the Chicago’s Lakefront Trail, which is a heavily trafficked paved running, walking, biking path with green spaces perfectl for taking a pet to shore.

Proximity to Attractions by Land

Chicago Riverwalk (0.4 miles) The 1.25 mile path takes walkers alongside the Chicago River. Dotted with restaurants, parks, and sights, it is one of the best ways to experience the architecture of the city. Take a run on a weekday morning before it gets crowded, or on a warm afternoon grab a drink at one of their many outdoor bars and watch the pedestrian and water traffic go by. If you want to travel the Chicago River by water and not in your boat, grab a kayak or hop on an architecture tour.

Lakefront Trail (0 miles) Once you step off your dock, be sure to look rigth and left for walkers, runners, and bikers along Chicago’s Lakefront Trail. This 18-mile trail lines Lake Michigan and is a great way to take in some Chicago and Lake Michigan views by bike or foot. It can get popular before/after work and especially on weekends, so just be sure to keep a lookout for bikers or joggers before hopping on.

Millenium Park (0.7 miles) One of Chicago’s most iconic parks, take a picture at the Bean, walk through Lurie Gardens, get your feet wet at Crown Fountain, or if you’re lucky, attend one of many music fesivals open to the public.

Navy Pier (0.5 miles) Take a stroll along the Lakefront Trail to Chicago’s Navy Pier, for some beautiful views of Lake Michigan. Grab a bite to eat or depending on the time of the year, check out one of their seasonal displays or events.

Museums (1+ miles) There is no shortage of impressive and engaging museums, many within walking distance from DuSable Harbor. The hardest part won’t be trying to get there, it will be deciding which one to go to. Museums within 1.5 miles include The Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum, and the Museum of Contempoary Photography. Chinatown (by water taxi or 3.2 miles by foot) You can get to Chinatown by land, but one of the best ways is by watertaxi. Hop on at the Chicago Riverwalk and cruise to one of the city’s most unique neighborhoods, which dates back to 1912. The neighborhood has some impressive sites, such as the Ping Tom Memorial Park or the Pui Tak Center, and great dining options, so be sure to come hungry. Some favorites include Chiu Quon Bakery and Dim Sum and Imperial Restaurant.

Dining Options (Varies) There are no shortage of great places to eat in Chicago, and for some of the better dining options, encourage you to explore beyond what’s only available within walking distance. There are several guides to help figure out where to eat based on your tastes, but some favorites include the burger at Au Cheval, sandwiches at J.P. Graziano Grocery, donuts from Stan’s Donuts and Coffee, breakfast at Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe, and deep dish pizza from Pequod’s (they deliver).

Proximity to Attractions By Water

Chicago River If you don’t want to take an archituecture tour, or perhaps you have a local friend who knows enough and is looking for a boat ride, cruise up and down the Chicago River yourself. There can be some boat traffic, especially on weekends, but it’s hard to beat cruising this iconic waterway in your own vessel (and impressing your Chicago friends). Just heads up that you do have to enter and exit through the Chicago Harbor Lock.

Playpen/Monroe Harbor Anchorage On a calm, warm day, head over to the Playpen or Monroe Harbor anchoarages and drop the hook. Jump into Lake Michigan’s blue water while looking up at the Chicago skyline–it doesn’t get more peak-Chicago summer than this. Weekends can get busy, but plenty of room for several boats in both locations.

Chicago Harbor Lock Constructed in the 1930s to reverse the flow of the Chicago River to prevent sewage from entering Lake Michigan, the Chicago Harbor Lock plays an important role in serving as a barrier to Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. (Don’t worry, the Chicago River is much cleaner than in the 1930s.) The lock operates 24/7.