Chicago Architecture Center: Explore 4,250-Building Model

Explore Chicago’s architectural marvels at the CAC. Discover a 4,250-building model, shop unique finds, and join family events. Support education and community projects.

Duration: 1 hour
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Chicago Architecture Center - Your voucher grants you access to two floors of imaginative exhibits at Chicago’s newest cultural destination - Chicago Architecture Center! Print the voucher or present it to box office staff on mobile device within 60 days of purchase.
What's Included
  • Admission ticket
What's Not Included
  • Storage for luggage, strollers, or coats
  • Guided Tour
  • Food or drink
Additional Information

The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) was founded in 1966 as the Chicago Architecture Foundation to save the historic Glessner House. Since then, the CAC has grown to become one of the largest cultural organizations in Chicago. Visit the CAC to view our 4,250-building scale model of Chicago, shop in our award-winning store or participate in a fun family…

Location
Chicago Architecture Center
111 E Wacker Dr
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.4
(57 Ratings)
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1 star
Lan
Jan 10, 2025
Informative and heartwarming - Great location. Exhibit and movie were informative. The volunteer staff Mitch even walked me to some closely landmarks, on a foggy and cold January.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Eliassix
Jan 6, 2025
Give yourself the opportunity to understand Chicago better - We made a brief stop at the Chicago Architecture Center while exploring the city when rain surprised us. It turned out to be a fascinating and informative visit, offering insight into Chicago’s architectural history as well as future plans for expanding and repurposing existing structures. The local volunteers were very happy to answer any and all questions we had. The center is definitely worth a visit, and we’d recommend going early in your trip. It gives you a deeper appreciation for many of the city’s buildings and neighborhoods, helping you see Chicago in a whole new light - especially from an engineering and design perspective.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Phvi2617
Dec 28, 2024
Interesting exhibits about architecture - While the Chicago Architecture Center conducts various walking tours, it also has several nice exhibits in their building. One of the galleries was under construction, so admission was half off, but the other exhibits about Art Deco buildings and the model of Chicago were very interesting.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Noraatc
Sep 28, 2024
CAC Membership is a great value - Chicago architecture is magnificent and we took four CAC tours in four days. Buying the CAC membership makes perfect sense. Each essential walking tour is free for members and it costs $30 per person for 90-120 minutes, if you buy a ticket. Besides four above mentioned walking tours, we took a river cruise (the cruise is 2:1 for CAC members). The membership costs $102, so just with two walking tours the cost has been already justified. The entrance to Chicago Architecture Center is also free for CAC members (without the membership it costs $14). We enjoyed very informative introductory video about the history of Chicago and excellent service of the CAC’s employees. Three of our walking tours as well as the river cruise were superb and I wrote separate reviews about them.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Franklg4137jp
Sep 9, 2024
Chicago Architecture here - Signing up for the CAC's architectural boat cruises is a must, but be sure to visit the museum with its display on Chicago arch history, special exhibits, and a fine gift shop.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
K5682wotr
Sep 9, 2024
Wonderful supplemental museum - The CAC was a wonderful addition to understanding the issues and items of Chicago's plan and what is being done for its future. Has a great presentation and asking for feedback on many of the city's plans. A great ongoing presentation. In addition, the bookstore has unique and informative books and gifts on Chicago and its architectural history
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bettinal441
Aug 24, 2024
Experience - We were at the Chicago Architecture Center yesterday and can definitely recommend it. Admission is free and you can really learn a lot about the origin of the city about the main skyscrapers and their architects. The coldest ones are exceptionally friendly and seek conversation with visitors. Definitely go there!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Allen_l
Oct 1, 2024
Misplaced exhibit in Architecture Center. - All exhibits on the first floor were engaging informative and well done although the model of the new tallest building in the world which compared it to the Willis tower was misplaced behind the entry vestibule and impossible to appreciate. What a waste.
Review provided by Viator
Guide49315914858
Aug 27, 2024
Somewhat disappointing. 5.0 rating is mathematically not possible - You see a rating of 5.0 on TripAdvisor at way over 3000 reviews. Means EVERONE HAD TO GIVE 5 stars. Which obviously is not true looking at the reviews. But based on seeing the 5.0 you think “we definitely have to see this”. You spend the money, visit the museum just to find out, that there is only really one exciting movie and one exciting exhibit to see the rest is minimal and somewhat boring. A very small museum. My son, who is 18 and very interested in museums and I were quite disappointed. When we expressed our disappointment, we were told, that they are currently developing new exhibits and therefore not all was open.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
D2739hudavidb
Oct 13, 2024
Disappointed by upselling - Why was I charged an additional $28.00 for the Chicago Architectural Tour. I ordered two tickets for $44.00 each. I should have been charged a total of $88.00 and I was charged $88.00 but an additional charge of $28.00 was added to my credit card. I want to know why?
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
February 2025
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