Art Deco Architecture: Chicago's Roaring 20s Heritage
4.9
27 Ratings
Chicago
Discover Chicago's vibrant Art Deco architecture in the Loop, showcasing the city's Roaring 20s heritage. Join Ronnie Frey, an expert guide, on a captivating tour of 7 stunning buildings and other notable properties, revealing the beauty and innovation of the New Machine Age.
Duration: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Chicago Board of Trade Building - Learn about all the Art Deco architectural details on the exterior and the interior lobby (when open).
  • Calder’s Flamingo - Catch a distant view of this incredible red sculpture.
  • 135 South Lasalle Street - Learn about all the Art Deco architectural details on the exterior and the interior arcade (when open).
  • One North Lasalle Street - Learn about all the Art Deco architectural details on the exterior and the interior lobby (when open).
  • 33 N La Salle St - Learn about all the Art Deco architectural details on the exterior.
  • First United Methodist Church of Chicago - See the amazing gothic architectural details on the exterior and photos of the interior of the tallest church in America, the “chapel in the sky”.
  • Miro’s Chicago - See this famous outdoor sculpture.
  • Picasso Statue - See this famous outdoor sculpture.
  • Macy’s on State Street - See interior Art Deco motifs in the old Marshall Field Department Store and also the famous Tiffany Glass atrium. Also, see the famous “meet me under the clock” Field’s 7-ton bronze clocks from the early 1900s.
  • Carbide and Carbon Building - Learn about the Art Deco architectural details on the exterior and interior lobby of this famous, green terra cotta building.
What's Included
  • Expert historical and architectural insights
Additional Information

The Loop in Chicago houses some of the city’s best-preserved Art Deco structures, birthed during the vibrant Roaring 20s. Explore 7 extraordinary Art Deco edifices, each exceptional in their own way, in addition to 4-5 other noteworthy properties and open-air sculptures, on this amazing stroll through Chicago’s Financial District and sections of the North Michigan Avenue corridor. Your guide, Ronnie Frey, an interior designer and a wizard of historical architecture, will vividly portray the essence of contemporary living in the Age of New Machinery, an experience you’ll cherish for long.

Location
Wintrust Mortgage
South La Salle Street
Meet in front of Wintrust Bank Building near the intersection of S LaSalle Drive and W. Jackson Boulevard.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(27 Ratings)
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W2245ezheidih
Apr 1, 2024
Fascinating & Fun Tour! - If you're at all interested in Chicago art, architecture or history, I highly recommend tours by Doorways Of Chicago with Ronnie Fry! Ronnie is so engaging and informative during these tours, filled with knowledge and continuously pointing out easy to overlook but fascinating details. I live out of state and have thoroughly enjoyed the virtual tours that I've taken. I can't wait to travel to Chicago and tour with DOC in person! Until then, I'll satisfy my architectural curiosity from afar with the gorgeous DOC instagram.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lynnf82
Mar 25, 2024
Enjoyed the Virtual Tour - Great tour! I did the online virtual tour and it was very interesting and informative. I loved that he went inside some buildings that I had never been inside. I want to go on an in-person tour.
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E3798uzmarilyns
Mar 23, 2024
One of the best - I learned so much about Art Deco design. He showed perfect examples, easily seen and understood. I really enjoyed his enthusiasm in turning a corner and seeing something beautiful and exciting. He was also very knowledgeable of the subject matter. I thoroughly enjoyed his tour and will be back for more.
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K3922prlindab
Mar 23, 2024
Art Deco Delight! - I never knew Chicago was so beautiful! Ronnie Frey of Doorways of Chicago gave a fabulous tour showing examples of Art Deco in several of the office buildings. He knew a wealth of information and pointed out so many details that would probably go unnoticed otherwise. He has a very engaging personality and easily captivated his audience. I’m looking forward to taking more tours with him!
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C5289btluch
Sep 18, 2023
Ronnie Frey give ICAA an Art Deco tour - We had a wonderful time touring the various Art Deco beauties in downtown Chicago. Ronnie was a charming and enlightening tour guide for us Saturday morning.
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895nicolez
Sep 18, 2023
Excellent! - Very informative and highlighted some really gorgeous buildings! It was an easy walk, too. Would definitely recommend to tourists and locals.
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467sadiem
Aug 17, 2023
Art Deco tour with Ronnie - This tour with Ronnie was a highlight of my trip. He is so knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the sites and elements of Art Deco style. You’ll walk away with gorgeous pictures and a renewed excitement about Art Deco on every level. I especially enjoyed the balance of interior and exterior elements in the tour. You absolutely won’t regret booking a tour with Ronnie!!
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Crepmic
May 1, 2023
Get your steps in while learning something new - What a truly delightful way to spend an afternoon in Chicago, rain or shine. Ronnie’s knowledge and passion for all things Chicago history, art, architecture and design made his tour engaging, fascinating and amusing. I’ve lived in Chicago for over twenty years. I’ve never given the neighborhood of Old Town too much thought. I left the tour with a deep appreciation of its beauty and history. I’m looking forward to walking around with Ronnie on more of his tours.
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426poppyc
Apr 15, 2023
Well-prepared and lots of fun - As someone who has an Art Deco telephone and has been known to dress as a flapper for the fun of it, this was very much my kind of tour. Ronnie has found some gorgeous buildings for us to examine in close proximity and it was great to see them all and to expand my knowledge of Art Deco, which was mostly limited to ‘I know what I like’. Ronnie has some great stories to tell too, particularly one about some statues that went missing, and I loved the way that, when told he couldn’t film inside a building, he left by perhaps not the most direct exit! Ronnie is an excellent guide who has obviously done some serious (but fun) exploring to put this tour together.
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A2608tsvickib
Apr 10, 2023
Chicago Art Deco Madness Walking Tour - This was a virtual walking tour showing the beautiful art deco in downtown Chicago on various buildings inside and out. Ronnie was a great guide and extremely knowledgeable. I would recommend Ronnie to anyone that would like to know the history of the art deco in Chicago. Thanks Ronnie!
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up to 10 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
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