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Chicago Architecture Tour: 90-Minute Walking Experience
4.9
180 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
(180 Ratings)
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Philiplcooper
May 3, 2025
Enjoyable and informative - Cynthia B was a great guide. She contextually integrated well the different styles of architecture with the city’s history making the tour enjoyable as well as informative.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ancat474
Apr 17, 2025
Best walking tour ever - We went on a tour with Barbara who was an absolute bliss! The perfect guide for Chicago architecture! We loved the tour and our guide was lovely. Strongly recommend.
Anca and Christina from Romania
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Boba236
Apr 13, 2025
Great way to see Chicago! - Great tour! Our guide, Tom, did a great job of telling us about the important contextual events in Chicago that shaped the city's development, and then showing us examples of the different types of architecture and how and why they evolved over time. Very enjoyable. Well paced.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Passport827546
Apr 9, 2025
Very enjoyable introduction to Chicago architecture - Extremely knowledgeable and affable tour guide. Russell made the tour extremely enjoyable. Would be great if a longer tour (+2hrs) was available.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cwshats
Mar 17, 2025
Interesting Walk - Great walk that covers a lot in a small little area of downtown. An interesting variety of buildings and Chicago history Betsy is a great docent that kept us entertained and managed the group well.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Veronicatf9364lv
Mar 14, 2025
Architecture Tour w Juan Carlos- Amazing! - This was such a great way to see Chicago and learn about its history through architecture. We had Juan Carlos, and he was so well-informed and enthusiastic about everything he talked about- I knew next to nothing about architecture before this and I really felt like I learned a lot! The weather was gorgeous and he took us to extra areas to tell us stuff about buildings he liked and their history which added time and was super appreciated. I will recommend this to anyone visiting Chicago and I am so grateful to have experienced this tour on my trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bob
Mar 9, 2025
Chronological Architecture Tour - Nancy Schwab gave an excellent walking tour filled with fun information and great passion for Chicago’s architecture. Nancy even provided a paper highlight summary of her tour as we finished.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Seonyoungh2025
Feb 22, 2025
Wonderful Tour and Great Experience - The tour guide Jon was fantastic. He was very knowledgeable and took the time to answer my questions. It was a cold day, but Jon did his best to keep us warm. The tour was really interesting and informative, and I highly recommend it when visiting Chicago.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
575jannar
Feb 17, 2025
Exceptional architecture walking tour! - The tour struck the perfect balance between architecture and history, providing a comprehensive understanding of the city's development and the significance of its landmarks.
Tom, the guide, was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about Chicago and its architecture. His enthusiasm was contagious, and he brought the city's rich history to life with his engaging storytelling and sense of humor. The buildings we visited were breathtakingly beautiful, and Tom's insights helped me appreciate the intricate details and design elements that make them so iconic.
I was fortunate enough to have a private tour, as I was the only one who signed up for the specific timeslot, and it truly made the experience even more special. The flexibility to book at the last minute was a huge plus, and I'm so glad I did!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tristanmv1716vq
Jan 15, 2025
A must - Betsy was a great guide, thanks to her we better understand the architectural currents that shaped downtown Chicago!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
