Chicago Architecture Tour: Exploring Iconic Buildings

Discover the iconic buildings of Chicago on this engaging architecture tour. Explore the city’s rich architectural history and see how old and new structures connect to create a unique urban fabric.

Duration: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Chicago Architecture Center - Begin and end the tour at the Chicago Architecture Center.
  • Wrigley Building - View the Wrigley Building and some of the surrounding buildings
  • Daley Center - View the Daley Center and surrounding buildings
  • Reliance Building - View the Reliance Building and surrounding buildings
  • **Jay Pritzker…
What's Included
  • Admission to the Galleries of the Chicago Architecture Center
  • Walking tour featuring Chicago’s renowned buildings
  • Guidance by a professional, certified guide
What's Not Included
  • Coat check
  • Food and drink
  • Storage for luggage and strollers
Additional Information

This vibrant exploration of Chicago’s architectural landscape takes you through famed structures from the 1890s to the current day. Our journey will allow us to appraise diverse buildings with a variety of architectural designs, examining how past constructions have influenced the city’s modern skyline.
We will have seven engagement points in downtown…

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
5.0
(29 Ratings)
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Dhinesh_b
Apr 21, 2025
A great tour! - This was a brilliant walking tour. Betsy was phenomenal! Really interesting and informative, a great walking tour. I would highly recommend this tour, and Betsy as your guide.
Review provided by Viator
356andrewl
Apr 17, 2025
Great Scope and Detail - Excellent. Just the right amount of detail hitting some of the major buildings both New and Old. Ask for Ron Roman, he was great.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carlajeanw2025
Apr 7, 2025
A short walk, a long history - This tour was chock full of information while allowing space for curiosity. My tour guide, Maureen, was passionate about her hometown and offered the sort of perspective that is hard to find from anyone but a child of Chicago. It’s not a long walk but wow, will you learn a lot in these city blocks. I would strongly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Iloveflutes
Mar 27, 2025
Very informative and enjoyable walk to learn about and appreciate various Chicago buildings and architectural styles. - A lovely and informative walk through the heart of downtown Chicago . Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and pleasant. She highlighted approximately seventeen buildings of architectural significance and told us a little about the history and design of each one. She included entertaining back stories about why buildings were designed a certain way, what was going on in Chicago at the time and tidbits about the architects. It really helped me appreciate the various building styles in Downtown Chicago from the oldest to very modern.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bob_b
Mar 9, 2025
Walking tour with Mathew - This was by far the BEST tour we have taken in Chicago! Matthew was the most wonderful guide. He was smart, entertaining, and just so much fun.
Review provided by Viator
Wickham2702
Dec 31, 2024
Great tour - Excellent information and good fun. Docent great attitude despite driving rain. Highly recommend. Look forward to doing some of the other tours.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maries758
Dec 15, 2024
Great - Great tour of the 7 guided age buildings. Robin s was very knowledgeable. Tour mates were interesting. Robin was very kind.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sfvacationer
Nov 16, 2024
An engaging look at some of Chicago's most iconic buildings - Steve was the perfect guide: informative, conversational, and engaging. We learned a lot about Chicago's architecture and the history that goes with it. There was a great selection of buildings, and Steve explained the evolution of Chicago's architecture spanning more than 100 years. I have been on several tours by the Chicago Architecture Center, and this was up there with the best of them. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Traveler_ag_88
Oct 3, 2024
Highly recommend walking tours! - We took the “Chicago Icons: Connecting Past and Present” walking tour, and it was amazing! Our guide was Jill, and she was so sweet, knowledgeable and wise, she was a true pleasure to be with. The tour was very thorough, interesting and well planned. I highly recommend it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
I6491bokristenj
Sep 22, 2024
Great view of the city and educational - John S. was informative, fun, and made the walking tour a really great experience. I will definitely do more tours as walking gives you time to stop and learn and see buildings from a different perspective
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $35
up to 10 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).