Chicago Architecture Tour: Explore Skyscrapers and High Rises
4.9
126 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.
Duration:
1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Chicago Architecture Center - Begin and end the tour at the Chicago Architecture Center.
- Page Brothers Building - Built in the late 1800’s, this building features a distinctive cast-iron front.
- Virgin Hotels Chicago - View the Virgin Hotel.
- Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown/N Loop/Michigan Ave - View the renovated Chicago Motor Club
- Aqua Tower - View Aqua Tower and the enitre Lakeshore East development
- NBC Tower - This building, which houses NBC’s Chicago offices, is a Post-Modern interpretation of the Art Deco style.
- Carbide and Carbon Building - View 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
What's Not Included
- 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 educational programs and community outreach initiatives.
- The Chicago Architecture Center or CAC (formerly the Chicago Architecture Foundation, CAF) is at the south end of the Magnificent Mile near the intersection of Michigan and Wacker.
- Tour Guides are trained and certified by the CAC. As volunteers, they are exceptionally motivated, enthusiastic, and capable interpreters of Chicago’s world-class architectural legacy. CAC tours are the real deal - narrated, but not scripted, led by Chicago enthusiasts.
- Pets are not allowed.
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.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(126 Ratings)
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Tomgd4414sf
Mar 23, 2024
Excellent experience! - I thoroughly enjoyed this walking tour. Having never been to Chicago but well aware of its architectural treasures, this was the highlight of my 2-day visit. As an employee with an architecture firm for over 20 years, this was on my bucket list and it did not disappoint. In fact it confirmed my suspicion that I must return for more of the tours. Our docent, Bob P., was very congenial, knowledgeable, entertaining, approachable, all while leading us to all the points of interest safely and efficiently. 90 minutes went by very quickly. My highest recommendation!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
853ericp
Mar 19, 2024
Great tour - Very interesting tour. I've taken Chicago architecture tours before, but learned a lot on this one. Kelly was a terrific tour guide.
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A3457dtians
Mar 12, 2024
Fun and informative - Very informative. Makes me look at other buildings in a new way.
Our guide Mitch was friendly and very knowledgeable...
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ceciliah_13
Feb 16, 2024
Hidden below but so close, like two tours in one! - Actually was able to go on the Final Pedway tour of the season, probably why it’s no longer in the dropdown menu choices. What a fantastic tour! I’ve lived in Chicagoland, and work in the Loop, yet never managed to take the time to explore this wonderful, mostly underground mashup of public and private walkways throughout the Loop! Our wonderful docent was Alice and she filled every step of the nearly 2 hour tour with insight about the architecture, sculpture, art and more that we viewed. But of course especially enjoyed the detailed history Alice provided on how the pedways came into being, starting so many decades ago. Glad I made it and hope it’s offered again so my family can attend, and hope Alice is our guide!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Barb
Feb 15, 2024
Wonderful tour -
A wonderful tour. Leslie, our guide, was informative and engaging. Would love to take another tour with her. We also enjoyed visiting the Architecture Center.
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142suzye
Dec 30, 2023
Walking tour primarily inside of the Palmer House Hotel. - Beautiful Palmer House Hotel- an architectural gem. Must see! A walk through history from Bertha Palmer’s Women’s Building in the White City at the Worlds fair to Conrad Hilton purchasing and maintaining this Chicago Gem.
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V6965jajeffg
Dec 29, 2023
Burt was great! - Burt was passionate, kind, and knew what he was talking about. This next sentence is to get to the 100 character min.
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Larafm7323mq
Dec 29, 2023
Amazing tour of Chicago architecture - Burt was a very knowledgeable and entertaining guide that really brought the story of the history of Chicago and its architecture to life.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
R3076rrcf
Dec 29, 2023
Nice tour - It was a great tour, if on a dreary day. The guide was very knowledgable about chicago architecture and history.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
241anyaj
Feb 9, 2024
Great walking tour of Chicago architecture through time! - This walking tour was very enjoyable! Cynthia our tour guide was excellent, very knowledgeable and made the tour very interesting and engaging.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
