The Viral Floating Hot Tubs That Let You Sail Through the Heart of Chicago
The floating hot tub boats first caught attention when Chicago Boat Company introduced them in 2023. What seemed like a one-time novelty quickly turned into something people kept coming back to. Videos of groups drifting past the city skyline while sitting in warm water spread online, and the idea stuck.
By winter 2025, Chicago Electric Boat Company brought the experience back again, picking up right where the demand left off. The new season launched on November 5, following two winters where bookings sold out, showing that the interest never really dropped.
What Actually Happens Onboard
Each boat is built around a large hot tub that takes up most of the space, with room for five to six people as long as the total weight stays under 800 pounds. There’s no captain onboard, so one person handles steering using a simple hand lever while the boat follows a set route along the Chicago River. The speed stays around one mile per hour, which keeps the ride steady and easy to control.
Each session lasts 90 minutes, usually heading east toward Michigan Avenue or west toward Wells Street. The route gives you time to take in the skyline without feeling rushed. The setup is straightforward but well-thought-out. There are Bluetooth speakers for music, floating cup holders for drinks, and a built-in cooler to keep everything cold. A waterproof phone case is also included, which is why so many people end up filming and sharing their experience.
Built For Winter, Not Summer
Image via iStockphoto/optop
The boats operate during the colder months, which is what makes the experience stand out. The water stays heated even when temperatures drop to around 20 degrees Fahrenheit, though trips are rescheduled if it gets colder than that. In a city like Chicago, that limit matters since winter conditions often fall below freezing.
Guests are expected to come prepared. Swimsuits are required, along with basics like towels, flip-flops, hats, and earmuffs. Heated changing rooms are available onshore to help before and after the ride. There are also a few rules in place. Riders must be at least 13 years old, and while drinks are allowed, glass containers and hard liquor are not. One person must also remain in control of the boat at all times.
Pricing, Booking, And Demand
Every booking is private, which means groups get the boat to themselves. Prices start at $300 per boat for weekday slots and can reach $425 to $475 on weekends or peak times. Split across a group, that often ends near $60 per person, which keeps it competitive with other group outings in the city.
Trips run from Wednesday through Sunday, and last-minute bookings usually incur a small surcharge. Given how quickly slots have sold out in previous seasons, planning ahead makes a difference. All reservations go through the Chicago Boat Company’s official site, where riders also complete required waivers before arrival.