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Chicago Walking Tour: A Walk Through Time
4.9
154 Ratings
Chicago
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:
1 day
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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
![](https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/attractions-splice-spp-720x480/0b/7d/8e/86.jpg)
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
(154 Ratings)
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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!!!!
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O3497yachristopherk
Jul 12, 2024
The evolution of Chicago's architecture history over time!...with Rene Cantu - Other than our docent Rene, my favorite part of Chicago Architecture Center's walking tour "a walk through time" is that we were able to see prime examples from many periods in Chicago's architectural history in chronological order. It was a hot day and our tour guide was careful to park us in the shade while he painted vivid vignettes of the environmental, technological, political drivers of the period, meanwhile linking each period to the city's history. I'd give this well-paced tour a grade A. Rene was super cute and I felt comfortable asking him stupid questions!
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Hammad
Jul 11, 2024
Step through the history of Chicago - Wayne is an excellent tour guide with vast knowledge of the Chicago area's architecture. I enjoyed stepping through Chicago's history through architecture and if you're looking to do the same then this is the tour for you.
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780robinl
Jul 10, 2024
Do not miss! - I absolutely loved this tour. The info was so interesting yet totally digestible. I learned so much worthwhile info that I can’t wait to share with others. The tour guide, Steve, was exceptional. Great energy, read the group well, managed all our questions, and knew his stuff in depth. You can tell he takes a lot of pride in the quality of the tour he’s providing. I would’ve never stepped inside the Chicago motor works building, if not for this tour, and I would’ve missed something special, but it really requires the context provided on the tour, and it’s a funny story. As a Chicagoan, I was a bit ashamed at how little I knew, but I left the tour feeling like it was time well spent. We ran over, but Steve was more than happy to to spend extra time with us making sure we had the most complete thorough experience. And now I don’t dislike the St. Regis architecture anymore, now that I also have that context. I highly recommend.
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I5754heandrewb
Jul 9, 2024
Great walking tour - Tour was fantastic. Cynthia was very knowledgeable regarding the history, architecture and engineering of the buildings we visited. I enjoyed the walking tour more than previous boat tours. It was great to see the details up close, and walk through the amazing lobbies of some of the buildings.
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S3439gcrafaeld
Jul 7, 2024
Chicago Architecture here! - Very informative and specific walking tours by knowledgeable volunteers who love architecture, design, and Chicago!
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Sonuk920
Jun 3, 2024
A happy and satisfied tourist - Mary Jane was our tour guide and she did a fabulous job of making this a fun 90 minutes. She was very knowledgeable and passionate about her city and shared her passion with us guiding us through the different streets and buildings.
Thanks Mary Jane for taking us through the Chicago history via architecture.
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P5232wfelizabeths
May 23, 2024
Getting around Chicago’s historical buildings. - A lot of interesting information. The groups leader, very knowledgeable person.. Thanks Maureen for sharing with us !
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Departure60494510270
May 17, 2024
Nice short-walk intro to Chicago architectural history - A nice overview of Chicago architectural history in 90 minutes over about a ten block walking loop. Led by a volunteer docent with genuine interest in the subject
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Hoeffling
May 15, 2024
Chicago from the inside - Better understand the origins of Chicago with Ron Roman. A fascinating walking tour between the city's historic buildings. Not only are the emblematic buildings perfectly described from an architectural point of view but also part of the development of this extraordinary city! Not to miss!
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