Palmer House Hotel

  • Hotel interior showing a painted ceiling, a staircase, and golden light fixtures and a Christmas tree in the center

    Palmer House lobby. Photo courtesy of the Palmer House Hotel.

The Palmer House Hotel will be adorned with holiday decorations, creating a festive ambience during the month of December. Experience the glamour, intrigue and excitement of bygone 'Grand Hotel' era as you explore recently restored public spaces and renovated guest rooms.
  • Hotel interior showing a painted ceiling, a staircase, and golden light fixtures and a Christmas tree in the center

    Palmer House lobby. Photo courtesy of the Palmer House Hotel.

The Palmer House is truly a magical place! View the imposing architecture and elegant public spaces while learning about the history of the country's oldest continually operating hotel.

Duration
1 hour
Site Type
Buildings
Location
Downtown
Architects and Styles
Meet

Inside the hotel entrance at 124 S. Wabash Ave.

Learn about the legacy of the Palmers. View beautiful rooms that reflect elegant European styling, including chandeliers from France, Austria, Czechoslovakia and Italy, multiple works by Tiffany and a ceiling with paintings by a French muralist. The hotel received numerous awards for its most recent multimillion-dollar restoration and renovation.

Notes:
  • Many tours sell out. To guarantee your space advance reservations are strongly recommended.
  • Ticket price includes entrance to the Chicago Architecture Center within 7 days of your tour. View the CAC's hours.
  • Your safety is our priority. The itinerary of this tour may be altered in accordance with health and safety policies and considerations.

Tour reviews

    • My experience with the Palmer House goes back much further than this tour, so I know it well and that was the reason that I wanted to work on creating the tour. I always look forward to going there and usually see something beautiful that I had never noticed before.
      Joan StewartCAC Docent
  • Exterior shot looking up at a building covered in windows with white walls on the first few stories and then red brick going up from there.

    Exterior of Palmer House Hotel. Photo by Eric Allix Rogers

  • Picture of a woman taking a photo inside a hotel lobby which contains people sitting on chairs, golden light fixtures, and a painted ceiling

    Palmer House Hotel lobby interior

  • Picture of the interior of a hotel lobby which contains a decorated Christmas tree, furniture, golden light fixtures, and a painted ceiling

    Palmer House Hotel lobby during the holiday season

FAQ

  • Essential walking tours depart from the center at 111 East Wacker; they are free for all CAC members. Premier walking tours depart from other locations across Chicago, including neighborhood tours. Premier tours are discounted for individual, dual and family memberships and free for Deco level and above.

  • The CAC welcomes all visitors and is committed to making its offerings feel safe and accessible to everyone. Learn more about accessibility options.

  • Many of our tours depart from the CAC at 111 E. Wacker. Your ticket (regular or print-at-home) will indicate the departure location. If you have any questions about your tour’s meeting place, give us a call at 312.922.TOUR (8687).

    For tours that don’t begin at the CAC, please consult the individual tour webpage, or call 312.922.TOUR (8687) for details on the meeting location.

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Free Center Entry with Your Ticket

Ticket price includes entrance to the Chicago Architecture Center within 7 days of your walking or bus tour.

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