Chicago Architecture Tour: 90-Minute Walking Experience

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: 24 hours
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.

  • 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.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(159 Ratings)
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266jannism
Oct 1, 2024
Best of Chicago - I found it very interesting as a 15 year old, even if I didn't believe it. We had a very nice manager.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shelly046
Sep 28, 2024
Wonderful tour - Knowledgeable leader; fascinating subject; nice group - not too large or small. Enjoyed the tour so much we signed up for another tour (on the Loop) in the afternoon
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Culture59225049304
Sep 27, 2024
A wonderful glimpse into Chicago's iconic building history - The 90 minute walking tour gave us a chronological view of how and why Chicago became the premiere city for iconic skyscrapers. Our guide, Nancy did a wonderful job in laying out historical events that propelled the building boom in Chicago. We throughly enjoyed chronological nature of the tour and would highly recommend including it in your visit to downtown Chicago.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ross_brianh
Sep 24, 2024
Great 1.5 hour tour of Chicago - Great way to learn about Chicago. Walk around the downtown area with a very knowledgeable guide. Get an overview and some wonderful buildings to explore.
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Arnold
Sep 17, 2024
Excellent walking tour of old and new buildings - Mary was a knowledgeable docent with a great deal of information about the buildings and plazas that were covered in this one hour 45 minute walking tour. This tour included the old and the new.
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Carolynbe895jr
Sep 7, 2024
A fantastic walking tour - We had a wonderful walking tour with Burt, who was extremely knowledgeable and a great guide. A highlight was the interior of the Chicago Motor Club, now a hotel, a superb example of art deco - truly a hidden gem. Highly recommend!
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Cleomanuelk
Aug 27, 2024
Highly Informative and entertaining tour! - Wayne devised a captivating superb tour beginning with the earliest Chicago man-made structures, continuing through each successive decade. Featured buildings were described by designer, architectural style and former vs current occupants. Wayne peppered his talk with entertaining nuggets such as the person who attracted a huge crowd and short lived fame balancing on a rope stretched between the carbide building and (?) building. Perfect amount of walking for us active 60 something’s. Highly recommend!
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Lesley142
Aug 20, 2024
Great tour with Mitch! - Mitch was our guide. He was friendly , and made the walk very interesting. He knows a great deal about Chicago, and did a good job of imparting his knowledge
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Shoshanaac
Aug 11, 2024
Amazing tour! - Betsy and the tour were absolutely amazing!! She was timely, descriptive, and kept the tour interesting for the whole 90 minutes.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
P4401jujeans
Jul 29, 2024
Lifelong Chicagoan loved this! - Mary Jane did a wonderful job leading our tour! As lifelong Chicagoans, my 2 friends and I learned so much. We will be back for others! Mary Jane was knowledgeable, enthusiastic and well represented our fabulous city!!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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