Add dates

Chicago Architecture Center

Chicago Architecture Center: Our most recommended tours and activities

Chicago: Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour

1. Chicago: Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour

Experience the Windy City like never before with our hop-on, hop-off double-decker sightseeing bus tour! Marvel at the stunning skyscrapers of Chicago, including the iconic John Hancock Center, the towering Willis Tower, and the historic Wrigley Building. Our knowledgeable tour guides will provide you with fascinating facts and insights into Chicago's rich history as you explore the city's most impressive landmarks. Hop on and off as many times as you want to visit attractions such as the world-renowned Shedd Aquarium and Field Natural History Museum. Travel along the famous Magnificent Mile, considered one of the world's great avenues, and cross over the Michigan Avenue Bridge, which offers breathtaking views of the Chicago River. With our convenient stops located throughout the city, it's easy to navigate your way around and explore at your own pace. Choose between a 24 or 48-hour ticket, and take your time discovering all that Chicago has to offer. Don't miss out on this unforgettable experience - book your hop-on, hop-off bus tour today!

Chicago: Treasures of the Golden Age Walking Tour

2. Chicago: Treasures of the Golden Age Walking Tour

This Historic Treasures of Chicago tour covers the most significant historic architectural landmarks in Chicago’s Loop. Your expert guide, trained by the Chicago Architecture Center, will focus on great cultural buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which harkened back to earlier time periods and were designed in revival styles such as Beaux Arts, neo-Georgian and neo-Gothic. Marvel at exteriors and interiors of dazzling beauty and startling originality, and get a glimpse inside some of the city's most beloved buildings.    The highlights of this walking tour will include the Chicago Cultural Center, home to the world's largest Tiffany dome; the iconic Marshall Field's department store, now Macy's on State; and the Palmer House, a beautifully restored hotel from the 1920s. 

Chicago: Elevated Architecture Walking Tour

3. Chicago: Elevated Architecture Walking Tour

Join a walking tour to explore Chicago’s memorable architecture from the unique perspective of elevated trains and station platforms. Learn the history behind the "L" system and hear how it has shaped the development of buildings within the Loop. Experience riding the “L” for yourself. The city's first elevated train started making trips in 1892. Now considered one of Chicago’s most defining features, the "L" offers one-of-a-kind views of downtown. By being more than 20 feet off the ground, you'll see architectural details that are missed by most pedestrians at street level. With this tour, you’re in for one of the most comprehensive tours in the Loop, passing hundreds of buildings and Chicago highlights. As you make your way around the city, listen to narration by your guide about Chicago’s transit system and architectural significance.

Chicago: Must See Chicago 90 minute Walking Tour

4. Chicago: Must See Chicago 90 minute Walking Tour

Starting at the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC), this tour gives you an overview of many of the must see buildings and landmarks in the City of Chicago. Led by an expert guide who has been rigorously trained by the CAC to be equal parts storyteller and educator, you will get a fantastic introduction to the city’s wide variety of architectural styles, construction methods, and materials. There is so much to see downtown, and this tour makes it easy and fun to learn about some of the buildings that make Chicago’s architecture world-class. There are lots of photo opportunities along the way, so be sure to bring your camera! The tour covers three of the main focal points of Downtown Chicago – the Chicago Loop, the heart of historic Chicago; the Chicago River, the lifeblood of the city; and Millennium Park, where the iconic “The Bean” sculpture is located. Landmark buildings covered on this tour include soaring modernist skyscrapers (Willis Tower, John Hancock Center, and AON Building), buildings paying homage to classical styles (Wrigley Building, Tribune Building, the Chicago Theatre, and the Art Institute of Chicago), Art Deco edifices (Carbide & Carbon Building and the Chicago Board of Trade Building), and recently completed skyscrapers (Aqua & Trump Tower). Finally, admission to the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) is also included with your walking tour ticket. CAC exhibits focus on Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods, housing types, leading architects and future projects, and include the largest scale model of the city, with more than 4,250 miniature buildings and a cinematic backdrop animating key moments in its history. The stories of the city begin at the CAC.

Chicago: Art Deco Skyscrapers Walking Tour

5. Chicago: Art Deco Skyscrapers Walking Tour

Tour the lobbies of five opulent Art Deco skyscrapers built near the banks of the Chicago River during the business boom of the Roaring '20s. Art Deco abounds in Chicago. The style made its way to the city in the 1920s, after it was showcased at an international art exposition in Paris. It was widely seen at the 1933-1934 Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago as well. Influenced by Cubism and the art and architecture of the ancient Middle East, Art Deco can be found in popular motifs like zigzags, octagons, sunbursts and flowers. Art Deco reflects the era’s fun-loving optimism with lavish materials and geometric ornaments. Discover the origins of Art Deco while admiring buildings like the Carbide and Carbon Building (now the St. Jane Hotel), the Chicago Motor Club Building (now the Hampton Inn), the colorful, but often overlooked, Trustees System Service Building (now the Century Tower) and the Engineering Building—all of which are designated Chicago landmarks. This tour ends at the Merchandise Mart.

Chicago: Evolution of the Skyscraper Walking Tour

6. Chicago: Evolution of the Skyscraper Walking Tour

This 90-minute tour is a chronological overview of Chicago's architecture, starting with its growth on the Chicago River, its rebirth after the Great Chicago Fire and its development into a commercial and cultural hub. See how architects adapted building styles to meet the fashions of their era and used cutting-edge engineering to build taller than ever before. This tour is an enticing overview which introduces you to the most important stories of Chicago architecture. On this tour, you'll learn about the city's beginnings on the river, its rebirth after the Great Fire and its development into a commercial and cultural hub, all while viewing structures in the order they were built. These buildings—including the Page Brothers Building, Old Dearborn Bank, the Chicago Motor Club, the Carbide and Carbon Building, NBC Tower and more—tell the story of how architectural technology evolved over time. You'll see up close how each building has its own unique design, often reflecting the style that was popular or prevalent when it was constructed.

Chicago's Modern Skyscrapers Guided Walking Tour

7. Chicago's Modern Skyscrapers Guided Walking Tour

Join a tour which focuses on Modernism, the dominant visual style of the 20th century, which continues to strongly influence design in the 21st century. Modernism has affected the shape of everything from houses to furniture and appliances, cars and even fashion. But the most spectacular effect of Modernism has been the modern skyscraper made of steel or reinforced concrete with vast areas of glass. It is a product of the age of mass production. Chicago is widely considered the birthplace of the skeleton frame, which forms the core of the modern skyscraper. On your tour, learn about how two men made a lasting impact on Chicago, Architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and politician, Mayor Richard J. Daley. Enjoy superb views of the riverfront while walking along the River Walk. Highlighted buildings include Marina City, the Daley Center and the IBM Building.

Chicago: Icons Guided Architecture Walking Tour

8. Chicago: Icons Guided Architecture Walking Tour

See the best of Chicago's architecture and walk past buildings from the 1890s to the present. Discover the latest in architecture from Frank Gehry, Renzo Piano, and Adrian Smith. Make seven stops in downtown Chicago, featuring the famous 19th-Century Commercial style, Beaux-Arts, Mid-Century Modern and Postmodern buildings. Compare and contrast a wide range of buildings with varying architectural styles and see how older structures connect to new skyline additions. Finally, finish your tour with a visit to beautiful Millennium Park, where world-class art and architecture combine, creating a unique urban fabric.

Other Sightseeing Options in Chicago Architecture Center

Want to discover all there is to do in Chicago Architecture Center? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Chicago Architecture Center

Overall rating

4.3 / 5

based on 498 reviews

With so many buildings and architecture to see, which ones are the most significant and relevant? This is where the tour comes in. The tour guide did not disappoint; you enter into some of the buildings where if you go by yourself, you wouldn’t dare. The tour is awesome and it leaves you with a nice feeling of appreciating the architecture of the city. Buildings we entered: Chicago Cultural Center Palmer House Marshall Field and Company Building - this is the Macy's store, its public, but the surprise is something that you wouldn't see if you are wandering by yourself (Ceiling with Tiffany Mosaics). Impressive and highly recommended.

The tour bus really covers the highlights of Chicago. The bus drivers are fun and provide extra useful information. Really enjoyed the rides.

We had a great time taking this cruise around Chicago River. The cruise was excellent, the guide knew a lot and I strongly recommend

Our docent was extremely knowledgeable and the tour was well worth it.

We had a great time in Chicago. This app was one of the reasons why!