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Chicago Architecture Tour: 90-Minute Walking Experience
4.9
225 Ratings
Chicago
Discover the iconic skyscrapers and high rises of Chicago on a 90-minute architecture tour. Learn about the city’s architectural history and support a nonprofit organization.
Discover the iconic skyscrapers and high rises of Chicago on a 90-minute architecture tour. Learn about the city’s architectural history and support a nonprofit organization.
Duration:
1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Chicago Architecture Center - Start and finish the tour at the Chicago Architecture Center.
- 177 N State St - Constructed in the late 1800s, this building showcases a unique cast-iron facade.
- Virgin Hotels Chicago - Observe the Virgin Hotel.
- Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown/N Loop/Michigan Ave - Explore the renovated Chicago Motor…
- Chicago Architecture Center - Start and finish the tour at the Chicago Architecture Center.
- 177 N State St - Constructed in the late 1800s, this building showcases a unique cast-iron facade.
- Virgin Hotels Chicago - Observe the Virgin Hotel.
- Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown/N Loop/Michigan Ave - Explore the renovated Chicago Motor Club.
- Aqua Tower - Admire Aqua Tower and the entire Lakeshore East development.
- NBC Tower - This structure, home to NBC’s Chicago offices, is a Post-Modern take on the Art Deco style.
- Carbide and Carbon Building - Examine the exterior of the Carbide and Carbon Building.
What's Included
- Admission to the Galleries of the Chicago Architecture Center
- Narration by a professional and certified guide
- Walking tour of Chicago Architecture
- Admission to the Galleries of the Chicago Architecture Center
- Narration by a professional and certified guide
- Walking tour of Chicago Architecture
What's Not Included
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Storage for luggage or strollers
- Coat check
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Storage for luggage or strollers
- Coat check
Additional Information
Looking for a brief overview of Chicago’s stunning architecture? This tour, lasting 1.5 hours, offers an exhaustive journey through the city’s architectural timeline, observing structures from the earliest skyscrapers to the most recent towering high rises.
Being an accredited nonprofit, every ticket sold for CAC tours contributes directly to our…
Looking for a brief overview of Chicago’s stunning architecture? This tour, lasting 1.5 hours, offers an exhaustive journey through the city’s architectural timeline, observing structures from the earliest skyscrapers to the most recent towering high rises.
Being an accredited nonprofit, every ticket sold for CAC tours contributes directly to our educational programs and community outreach initiatives.
- Pets are not allowed.
- The itinerary of this tour is subject to change without notice.
Location
Chicago Architecture Center
East Wacker Drive
Meet at the Chicago Architecture Center at 111 E Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL, 60601
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(225 Ratings)
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Safari43659937488
Aug 8, 2026
Walking through time in Chicago - Our guide Donna was extremely knowledgeable about the history of all the different buildings in the Chicago area. The next time we are in Chicago we plan to take a different tour because we enjoyed this one so much.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
395tessal
Jul 21, 2026
So much fun! And learned a lot! - We had our tour with Rose, we had so much fun! She was great and very knowledgeable, she was fun to talk with and gave us stories and facts about the buildings. She was so great and I had a blast!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Q2318qadaver
Jul 21, 2026
"A walk In Time" is time well spent by anyone interested in Chicago and its unique architecture. - I've taken many such tours. This, owing to a particularly insiteful docent named David, was, without any question, the best. His ability to weave Chicago's formative architecture with a most interesting story of a developing Chicago was masterful. I didn't want the tour to end. Bravo!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cckssc
Jul 20, 2026
Great Chicago Walking Tour that should not be missed! - There weren’t other people signed up for the same tour time slot in the morning. So we practically have a private tour all for ourselves!
Our tour guide Erika is fantastic, knowledgeable, friendly and courteous. The walking tour lasted 90 min. In fact, it went over a little longer.
I learned interesting aspects of architecture in city of Chicago & a bit of its history. Overall, we enjoyed the tour and would highly recommend it
Review provided by Tripadvisor
410migl_b
Jun 25, 2026
Passionate and inspiring - Very exciting. The tour guide Mitch was very enthusiastic and inspiring, sharing lots of details of history, buildings and culture. Loved his passion!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
I6959wyjs
Jun 25, 2026
5 stars — Mitch is the gold standard for Chicago architecture tours - My girlfriend and I did Mitch's "Walk Through Time" walking tour and it was easily a highlight of our entire trip to Chicago. We cannot recommend him highly enough.
Mitch's knowledge is exceptional — he answered every question we threw at him with depth and confidence, and that's saying something, because my girlfriend is an architect. She was genuinely impressed, which is not easy to do. He clearly has a deep love for Chicago's built environment and it comes through in everything he shares.
What really set the experience apart was how generous Mitch was with his time. We were all so engaged and enjoying ourselves that he simply kept going — no rushing, no watching the clock. That kind of flexibility made the tour feel personal rather than transactional.
On top of all that, Mitch is friendly, clear, and easy to listen to. The pacing felt natural and we never felt lost or talked over.
If you're visiting Chicago and have any interest in architecture — or even if you don't yet — book this tour and ask for Mitch. You won't regret it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Heidi
Jun 22, 2026
Great tour of Chicago architecture - Very interesting and fun. We live in the city, but learned so much about the buildings. We highly recommend this tour for both locals and visitors. The 90 minute walk was leisurely and we didn't feel rushed. Best part, the ear pieces that they gave us allowed us to hear the tour guide on busy city streets. He was delightful and very informative, sorry, I can't remember his name.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kathydl9324ip
May 28, 2026
Chicago Architecture: A Walk Through Time - A really enjoyable tour guided by JON. Jon shared some wonderful history and insight into a well curated group of buildings that we visited on the 90 minute tour. The tour was conducted at a gentle pace with plenty of stops and opportunities to ask questions which Jon dealt with really well. The tour helped us understand and appreciate the city history more and wad a really useful way to start our stay in the city. Would thoroughly recommend this tour - it represents great value for money.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
499isabellea
May 24, 2026
Great visit ! - Knowledgeable guide. A lot to see, really enjoyed it
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Knarfishness
May 17, 2026
Worth every minute. - Great tour and we definitely saw some hidden gems we would have missed otherwise, Jim was great!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
