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Chicago Walking Tour: Exploring Modern Architecture
4.8
61 Ratings
Chicago
Discover the iconic Mid-Century Modern architecture of Chicago on a walking tour. Explore buildings by Mies van der Rohe, Bertrand Goldberg, and SOM that set the stage for the future of architecture.
Discover the iconic Mid-Century Modern architecture of Chicago on a walking tour. Explore buildings by Mies van der Rohe, Bertrand Goldberg, and SOM that set the stage for the future of architecture.
Duration:
1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Chicago Architecture Center - Your tour begins at the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC), formerly the Chicago Architecture Foundation. Visit the CAC to view a 4,000-building scale model of Chicago or shop in the award-winning store.
- One Prudential Plaza - View the Prudential Building.
- Aon Center - View the Aon Center.
- **Inland Steel…
- Chicago Architecture Center - Your tour begins at the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC), formerly the Chicago Architecture Foundation. Visit the CAC to view a 4,000-building scale model of Chicago or shop in the award-winning store.
- One Prudential Plaza - View the Prudential Building.
- Aon Center - View the Aon Center.
- Inland Steel Building - View the Inland Steel Building.
- Daley Center - Marvel at Richard J. Daley Center, one of the first buildings to be covered in an unpainted steel called Cor-Ten. The docent will also discuss the famous “Chicago Picasso” artwork in the plaza.
- AMA Plaza, Upper Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL - Discuss the AMA Plaza, formerly home to the office of Mies van der Rohe.
- Marina City - Highlights include Marina City, a mixed-use residential-commercial building designed by architect Bertrand Goldberg, envisioned as an urban experiment designed to draw middle-class Chicagoans back to the city after more than a decade of suburban migration.
- Apple Michigan Avenue - View the Apple Store on Michigan Avenue.
What's Included
- Admission to the Galleries of the Chicago Architecture Center
- Walking tour of Chicago’s modern and postmodern architecture
- Narration by a professional and certified guide
- Admission to the Galleries of the Chicago Architecture Center
- Walking tour of Chicago’s modern and postmodern architecture
- Narration by a professional and certified guide
What's Not Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Storage for luggage or strollers
- Coat check
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Storage for luggage or strollers
- Coat check
Additional Information
Seeking emblematic Mid-Century Modern design? There’s no better destination than Chicago, boasting a trio of modernist architects (Mies van der Rohe, Bertrand Goldberg, and SOM) and a city that welcomed them warmly. Discover what made these buildings distinctive from their predecessors and how they laid the foundation for the future.
If you’re fascinated…
Seeking emblematic Mid-Century Modern design? There’s no better destination than Chicago, boasting a trio of modernist architects (Mies van der Rohe, Bertrand Goldberg, and SOM) and a city that welcomed them warmly. Discover what made these buildings distinctive from their predecessors and how they laid the foundation for the future.
If you’re fascinated by landmark buildings, public art, city planning, or administration, this tour is for you. Unearth the narratives behind inland steel, Marina city, the IBM building, and other skyscrapers worthy of a ‘Mad Men’ scene.
As an accredited nonprofit, all CAC ticket proceeds directly fund our educational initiatives and community outreach programs.
- 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
4.8
(61 Ratings)
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G9770xnmikec
Dec 2, 2025
Amazing modernist tour - Larry did an amazing
Job showing us around. His passion for modern architecture shines through the tour. Also his anecdotal stories are
Much appreciated and bring more life to the tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Seande5020ay
Nov 25, 2025
Modernism and the Loop tour. - Wonderful guide and great tour. Very interesting and informative. Our guide went above and beyond throughout the tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cruiser168320
Nov 7, 2025
Mies Van Der Rohe and modern architecture walking tour - I had a private tour with my guide Delta who narrated the beginning of Mies Van Der and his architectural legacy around the city . She also showed me architectural modern masterpieces like the Inland steel bldg including the lobby , explaining both its materiality as well as its historic context . Overall it was a wonderful tour with a very informative tour guide who gave me her best for the time spent . Keep the good work going !!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Skaykay
Sep 26, 2025
Must tour for those interested in architecture! - Such an awesome tour! We loved learning and walking the city with our docent Delta. She was super knowledgeable about architecture and the beautiful city of Chicago!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sharryn2025
Aug 11, 2025
Modern Architecture Tour - Our guide, Rose, was knowledgeable and engaging as she talked about the modern architecture buildings in Chicago. The pace was perfect as we walked around downtown. Highly recommend this tour for anyone wanting to experience the city in a memorable way and to learn about the city's modern landmarks.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
In_jenna_ral
Aug 10, 2025
Michelle’s Loop Modernism Tour: 10/10 - Michelle was an excellent tour guide! Truly couldn’t have asked for anyone more knowledgeable, flexible, enthusiastic, and responsive to the questions of the group. She was especially resilient in the Chicago corn sweat heat 😉 and I would go on another tour with her any day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Fanofhockey
Aug 7, 2025
A great way to see the city and learn about its treasures - This walking tour was wonderful. I have lived in the Chicago area for more than 30 years and I learned so much, saw so many new things, and discovered treasures of architecture and information that I had missed.
I even found new places to rest and enjoy the city that I had never known to exist.
When you’re here doing business or visiting, you don’t always pay attention to the very things in front of your eyes. You see things, but you don’t know what you’re seeing or understand how the pieces came together.
My tour guide, Donna, who told me she has been doing this as a volunteer for more than 30 years, knew so much about the buildings, the architecture, the architects, the materials used, the decisions made, and the politicians, developers, and executives involved in making things happen. And she shared what she knew in a friendly and informative way. She was prepared with historical photos showing what had been there before what is there now was there to demonstrate the transformations.
It became clear why there had been so little construction between the 1920’s and the 1950’s and why things were so different in the Modern Era. And she pieced together the political, economic, technological, and social trends shaping the development of Chicago at that time.
This tour is one of many offered by the Chicago Architecture Center. I highly recommend them to anyone visiting the city - or living in the area - to gain a better perspective of one of the most beautiful cities in the world and one of centers of architectural progress.
Don’t miss these treasures!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Y9279woellenc
Aug 5, 2025
Not to be missed! - Rose is an outstanding docent! Her modern architecture tour was informative, fun, and engaging. I’m a lifelong Chicagoan and learned so much about our city!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sandrineba2801jt
Jul 20, 2025
- The exact name of the Tour was Modernism: reviving the Loop.
It was a great walk tour, Paul is passionated by his subject. Even if it was raining, he took the time to explain everything to us.
We really enjoyed the tour and he gave us good recommendations for our stay in Chicago.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
C5920ndjims
Jul 15, 2025
Fabulous tour, Sensational Guide - The Tour was terrific. I only wish we walked one block further to see the Calder sculpture.
But, we covered a lot. And, Michelle our guide was exceptional. SO knowledgeable & sweet.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
