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Chicago Walking Tour: Art Deco Skyscrapers Riverfront
5.0
35 Ratings
Chicago
Step back in time and explore the opulent Art Deco skyscrapers of Chicago’s Roaring ‘20s. Discover the origins of Art Deco and admire iconic buildings on this engaging tour.
Duration:
1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Chicago River - Discuss buildings built in the Art Deco style along the riverfront
- 333 Michigan Ave - View the exterior of the building
- Carbide and Carbon Building - View the Carbide and Carbon Building
- 66 E Wacker Pl - Visit the former Chicago Motor Club Building, 66 E Wacker Place
- 182 W Lake St - Visit the Trustees System Service Building
- Merchandise Mart - Visit Merchandise Mart, 222 Merchandise Plaza
What's Included
- Admission to the Chicago Architecture Center Galleries
- Professional, certified guide narration
What's Not Included
- Coat check
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Storage for luggage or strollers
Additional Information
Explore the foyers of five lavish Art Deco towers constructed near the Chicago River’s shores during the commercial surge of the Roaring ‘20s. Understand how Art Deco embodied the period’s spirited optimism through its use of sumptuous materials and geometric adornment. Uncover the roots of Art Deco whilst appreciating edifices like the Carbide and Carbon Building (now Pendry Chicago), the Chicago Motor Club Building (now the Hampton Inn) and the vibrant, yet often disregarded, Trustees System Service Building (now the Century Tower)—all recognized as Chicago landmarks. As a certified nonprofit, all CAC ticket acquisitions directly fund our educational activities and community outreach initiatives.
- Access to building interiors featured on this tour may be subject to change without notice due to weekend and holiday schedules or unforeseen closures.
- Pets are not allowed.
Location
Chicago Architecture Center
East Wacker Drive
Meet inside the Chicago Architecture Center at 111 E Wacker Drive. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your tour departure time.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(35 Ratings)
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258katherinelb
Jun 26, 2024
Great day learning about art deco - Our guide Bill was extremely knowledgeable and Interesting. Learned a lot about art deco style, the specific buildings, and fun tidbits from Chicago history. I highly recommend the Art deco riverfront tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
977maryseg
Jun 23, 2024
We loved this tour - Great tour, thanks to our guide Mary Jane! We learned a lot about art deco architecture and how it appeared in the city. She answered our questions and we had many.
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Arlenel976
Jun 15, 2024
Fascinating and fun. Terrific guide made it a delight. - We enjoyed this tremendously. We were able to get into the lobbies and appreciate these Art Deco masterpieces in way that we never would have, if we hadn't had such an excellent tour guide. It really wets our appetite for going on some of your other tours.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
404cathir
Apr 13, 2024
Love Art Deco - After taking another walking tour in the morning, we enjoyed this one in the afternoon with Marcia as our guide. I never realized how many fascinating stories there are about the buildings that surround us. I am certain I will not look at buildings the same way again, great experience, definitely worth the price.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lisakayhawes
Mar 29, 2024
Don't miss taking a Chicago Architecture Center walking tour! - I chose the Art Deco Skyscrapers Riverfront walking tour as I wanted to see inside the Carbide & Carbon building, which was as beautiful as I'd imagined. I think we visited the interiors of 5 buildings and our guide Leslie pointed out many others to us. There were only about 6 of us on the tour. Leslie was very knowledgeable and answered my many questions, even about buildings that were not on the tour. She really knew her stuff in terms of architects and dates. At the end of the tour, we asked for a cafe recommendation and she took us to an excellent one.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
379leem
Mar 28, 2024
Can’t-miss for art-deco and history buffs - Mitch, my docent, was knowledgeable and enthusiastic, as well as willing to answer my many questions. I’m glad to have chosen this tour, as it was delightful to have access to the breathtaking lobbies of these architectural and design gems (and to touch the marble and gneiss and to exclaim over amazing letter-drop boxes).
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X2818lkmarkw
Mar 20, 2024
Excellent walking tour - Rebecca gave an excellent guided tour. She was very knowledgeable and shared a wealth of information about the Art Deco style architecture.
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Robbl5960bl
Dec 4, 2023
An intimate walk through Chicago’s Art Deco Buildings. - Deb was a fantastic tour guide and docent who provided an in-depth look at some extraordinary art deco building of Chicago.
She had great information, was able to answer our questions, and made the tour feel very homey and comfortable.
Look forward to taking more tours from the Chicago Architecture Foundation.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Clbsplaces
Nov 25, 2023
Very pleasant and informative tour. - My family and I had a great time in a chilly day in November visiting Art Deco buildings with our guide Cynthia.
It was a cold morning in Chicago, nonetheless the combination of time spent outside and inside of the buildings, along with Cynthia’s knowledge, enthusiasm and warmth made this a wonderful experience.
The tour was very informative, and gave us the opportunity to learn about and see Art Deco details that are normally overlooked.
Once again, the Chicago Architecture Center lived up to our expectations.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Roam645198
Nov 25, 2023
Majestic Art Deco - This tour was so fun and Cynthia was very knowledgeable and kind. I love Art Deco and learned a lot in this tour. Chicago has so many amazing buildings to discover and CAC does a great job making it accessible.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
