Join us at the CAC for engaging, hands-on learning designed for student groups (pre-K–12).
Join us at the CAC for engaging, hands-on learning designed for student groups (pre-K–12).
The CAC offers field trips for pre-K–12 youth featuring walking tours, workshops, and exhibit experiences. Available year-round for both in-school and out-of-school groups, these programs align with learning across subject areas and grade levels. On days CAC’s galleries are open, field trip participants are also invited to enjoy self-guided exploration of the exhibitions after their visit.
Please make your request for a reservation at least four weeks in advance. Once we've received your reservation request form, we'll contact you about the date(s) and field trip(s) you requested.
We're pleased to offer a bus scholarship program funded by a generous donor. This scholarship provides financial assistance for transportation to and from the Center for schools and educational groups.
Priority is given to Communities in Schools groups, Chicago Public Schools and schools demonstrating financial need. To apply for a bus scholarship, you must complete the Reservation Request form, follow instructions sent to you, and book a bus with one of our required bus vendors: Ammons Transportation Services or Compass Transportation.
Accessibility and Accommodations
The CAC strives for field trips to be accessible to all youth. Our workshop space is ADA accessible, and wheelchairs are available for use during field trips upon request. If any students or chaperones require other accommodations related to disability, learning differences, or Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), please explain this on the reservation form and CAC staff will reach out to identify supports. Field trips typically involve physical movement and verbal communication.
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
*Contact CAC Group Sales about alternative times if these do not meet your needs.
$5 per youth *no charge for required chaperones.
Indoor field trips (workshops, exhibit experiences) accommodate up to 40 youth. Fully outdoor walking tours accommodate up to 60 youth.
One adult chaperone is required for every 10 youth.
To discuss what best fits your learning goals, email our Group Sales department.
Read and Build is a 90-minute workshop that combines interactive storytelling with a "make and take" project! Students hear a story with an architecture or design twist and then create a project based on the story.
LEGO Inspiration is a 90-minute workshop, hosted at the Chicago Architecture Center. Using creative thinking and The Design Process, students are guided through a STEM-based activity to learn how architects take an idea (or sloppy sketch) and turn it into a masterpiece. Architecture Series LEGO is used as a building medium.
This hands-on workshop explores themes of urban planning, community development and city systems through students designing and building their own neighborhoods.
Reflecting on their own experience, students will consider the question, "What makes a good neighborhood?" and use the design process to create neighborhoods from scratch with a team.
Each participating group will receive a classroom edition of No Small Plans, CAC’s graphic novel that features students from the past, present and future who help shape their city.
Science of Architecture is a 90-minute STEM-based field trip where students discover how tall buildings defy gravity. Students take part in an interactive 45-minute workshop, then go on a 45-minute walking tour of the Loop to spot the science. This is the only field trip that starts at the CAC but ends at the Chicago Cultural Center.
City of Architecture is a 90-minute walking tour that explores Chicago history through the lens of the city's architecture. It includes visits to iconic structures that showcase why Chicago is the city of architectural innovation.
Architecture as Art is a 90-minute walking tour with interactive sketching throughout, focusing on visual literacy and interpretation skills. The program sets out on foot from the CAC and explores four nearby sites before ending at Millennium Park. (Recommended bus pickup options provided upon registration.)
High school and college student groups are welcome to take some of our most popular docent-led walking tours (listed below). For a different tour that better fits your lesson plan–email our Group Sales department to discuss your options.
Walking tours occur throughout the week, and begin on the quarter hour. Provide preferred days and times when requesting your reservation.
$30 per student
Price includes admission to the CAC's exhibits, in addition to the walking tour.
Walking tours can accommodate 50 students or less.
One chaperone is required for every 10 students (high school groups only). No charge for required chaperones.
90 minutes to 2 hours
Discover the great architectural landmarks of Michigan Avenue and State Street, with glimpses inside beautiful buildings from the 1890s-1930s.
Compare and contrast the histories and styles of buildings located within sight of each other at seven stops in downtown Chicago.
Get an up-close look at some of the world's earliest skyscrapers, learn about innovations used to build them and discover how they transformed Chicago into a center of skyscraper design.
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
*Please contact us about alternative days and times if these do not meet your needs.
$5 per student
No charge for required chaperones.
Workshops and experiences can accommodate 40 students or less. One chaperone is required for every 10 students.
Workshops and experiences occur at the CAC, 111 E. Wacker Dr.
This hands-on workshop explores themes of urban planning, community development and city systems through students designing and building their own neighborhoods.
Reflecting on their own experience, students will consider the question, "What makes a good neighborhood?" and use the design process to create neighborhoods from scratch with a team.
Each participating group will receive a classroom edition of No Small Plans, CAC’s graphic novel that features students from the past, present and future who help shape their city.
LEGO Inspiration is a 90-minute workshop, hosted at the Chicago Architecture Center. Using creative thinking, The Design Process and structural testing, students are guided through a STEM-based activity to learn how architects take an idea and turn it into a masterpiece. Architecture Series LEGO is used as a building medium.
Bus tours are available upon request.
Please contact our Group Sales department for details.
Sometimes different walking tours can be offered at the same time, but workshops cannot. We have one workshop space on site.
Priority booking will be given to groups of 10 or more students.
We require a 50% deposit one week after the booking agreement is delivered to you. The remaining balance is due two weeks prior to the field trip.
No, but students are allowed to bring their own water bottles on tours.
Because we only have one workshop space on site, we can accommodate up to 40 students for a workshop per day.
We offer field trips on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 10:15 a.m. Due to staff and volunteer availability, there is not much flexibility in this schedule during the school year.
While there is no space on site, Maggie Daley Park, Millennium Park, and the Chicago Cultural Center (Randolph entrance) are a 10-minute walk away.
No, but we can provide a map of nearby parking/idling recommendations to avoid being ticketed or towed.
While we hope to grow and offer this option in the future, our workshop space is currently only available in the morning on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
We are thrilled to offer a bus scholarship program! While all schools are welcome to apply, priority is given to Communities in Schools groups, Chicago Public Schools, and schools with demonstrated financial need.
Once your field trip date is confirmed, book a bus with one of our required bus vendors: Ammons Transportation Services or Compass Transportation. The scholarship provides bus transportation to and from the Center.
All field trips are 90 minutes long. We recommend scheduling pick-up and drop-off times 15 minutes before and after, respectively.
Yes! On days the CAC’s galleries are open, you are welcome to engage in self-guided exploration of the galleries after your field trip.
Yes! With advance notice, we can offer workshops in Spanish. Please list the number of English Language Learners or monolingual students and the language(s) they speak when requesting your field trip. Other languages and field trips depend on staff and volunteer availability.
