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Chicago is known around the world for its architecture. Whether you choose to explore our fabled downtown or one of the city’s many distinct and charming neighborhoods, our expert docents will guide you by boat, bus, train or on foot and share the stories behind the buildings. Visit iconic skyscrapers, elegant hotels or the legendary houses of Frank Lloyd Wright. With dozens of tours to choose from, we won't blame you if you can't pick just one.

Recommended Tours

Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady

Experience why we're the #1 rated boat cruise in Chicago, tickets are on sale now for the 2024 season!

Price
Tickets start at $54.00, CAC member conditions apply; please call (312)-922-8687 to reserve tickets
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Northeast corner of Michigan Ave. and E. Wacker Dr. Look for the black awning marking the stairway entrance.

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Price
Tickets start at $54.00, CAC member conditions apply; please call (312)-922-8687 to reserve tickets
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Northeast corner of Michigan Ave. and E. Wacker Dr. Look for the black awning marking the stairway entrance.

Chicago Architecture: A Walk Through Time

Want a quick introduction to Chicago’s magnificent architecture? This 90-minute tour takes a comprehensive look at the city’s architectural history by viewing buildings in chronological order, from early skyscrapers to new supertall high rises.

Price
$30 Public, Free for Members
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

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Price
$30 Public, Free for Members
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

Chicago’s First Skyscrapers

Chicago is home to some of the world’s earliest skyscrapers. Get an up-close look at these 19th Century marvels, learn about innovations used to build them and discover how they transformed Chicago into a center of skyscraper design and engineering…

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
410 S. Michigan Ave.

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
410 S. Michigan Ave.

Art Deco Skyscrapers: The Loop

Go inside the lobbies of Art Deco masterpieces built in the heart of Chicago’s financial district during the Roaring '20s. Learn how Art Deco reflected the era’s fun-loving optimism with lavish materials and geometric ornament.

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Outside 30 N. LaSalle St.

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Outside 30 N. LaSalle St.

Historic Treasures of Chicago’s Golden Age

Learn about the great architectural landmarks of Michigan Avenue and State Street. The 40 years between 1890 and 1930 saw the creation of some of Chicago’s the most memorable buildings, many of which are featured on this tour.

Price
$30 Public, Free for Members
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

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Price
$30 Public, Free for Members
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

Wabash Avenue Arts Corridor

Discover a living urban canvas along the Wabash Avenue Arts Corridor in the South Loop. Learn more about the murals that make up this colorful corridor and discover art in hidden places.

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Northwest Corner of Wabash Avenue and Harrison Street

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Northwest Corner of Wabash Avenue and Harrison Street

Tiffany in Chicago

Learn about the life and work of Louis Comfort Tiffany as we visit some of Chicago’s most magnificent art-glass and mosaic installations, each designed and crafted by the Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company.

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Cultural Center north lobby, 77 E. Randolph St.

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Cultural Center north lobby, 77 E. Randolph St.

Must-See Chicago

Must-See Chicago is a fast-paced, 90-minute introductory tour to Chicago featuring some of its most famous buildings, including the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, the Art Institute of Chicago, Willis (Sears) Tower, and more!

Price
$30 Public, Free for Members
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

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Price
$30 Public, Free for Members
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

Architecture of the Magnificent Mile

Discover how a dirt road known as Pine Street transformed into a "Paris on the Prairie" and later into the Magnificent Mile, the city’s premier shopping district. Hear the secrets and stories behind the striking buildings on North Michigan Avenue that…

Price
$30 Public, Free for Members
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

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Price
$30 Public, Free for Members
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

What's New

Over the course of 90 minutes, explore some of the newest buildings around the Chicago Architecture Center, focusing on construction elements and their impact on the city’s built environment.

Price
$30 Public, Free for Members
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

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Price
$30 Public, Free for Members
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

Modernism: Reviving the Loop

Previously titled Mid-Century Modern Skyscrapers, this tour takes a look at iconic Mid-Century Modern architecture in Chicago and its triumvirate of modern architects (Mies van der Rohe, Bertrand Goldberg and SOM)

Price
$30 Public, Free for Members
Duration
1.75 Hours
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

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Price
$30 Public, Free for Members
Duration
1.75 Hours
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

Humboldt Park

Walk the historic core in the largest of Chicago’s West Side parks, created by many including William LeBaron Jenney and Jens Jensen. Discover architecture and sculpture that honor many of the immigrant groups that have created our city. Our walk partner…

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
At the Humboldt Park Boathouse portico, 1301 North Humboldt Drive

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
At the Humboldt Park Boathouse portico, 1301 North Humboldt Drive

Historic Austin

Explore the architectural gems of Austin, a former “railroad suburb” on Chicago’s West side. Annexed in 1899, Austin became the home of numerous immigrant communities and remains a hub for many grand residences built in the fashionable Queen Anne…

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Fountain at the east end of Midway Park, 5701 W Midway Park

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Fountain at the east end of Midway Park, 5701 W Midway Park

Kenilworth

Walk Kenilworth's leafy streets, learn the history of the village, view its earliest houses and see other fine examples of residential architecture that were designed between 1891 and the mid-1920s by distinguished Chicago architects.

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Kenilworth Metra Station, 400 Richmond Rd. Kenilworth, IL

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Kenilworth Metra Station, 400 Richmond Rd. Kenilworth, IL

Chicago Icons: Connecting Past and Present

This lively overview of Chicago architecture explores iconic buildings from the 1890s to present. We'll compare and contrast a wide range of buildings with varying architectural styles and see how older structures connect to new skyline additions.

Price
$30 Public, Free for Members
Duration
1.75 Hours
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

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Price
$30 Public, Free for Members
Duration
1.75 Hours
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

Frank Lloyd Wright in Oak Park

Oak Park is home to the world’s largest collection of buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. View the exteriors of nearly a dozen of Wright’s structures.

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1 Hour
Meet
The Frank Lloyd Wright memorial stone at the northeast entrance to Austin Gardens, 199 Forest Ave., Oak Park, IL 60301

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1 Hour
Meet
The Frank Lloyd Wright memorial stone at the northeast entrance to Austin Gardens, 199 Forest Ave., Oak Park, IL 60301

Explore Chinatown

Discover the art, architecture and history of Chinatown on this 90-minute walk, which includes stops at a Chinese bakery and a former Italian church. The tour begins and ends near some of Chinatown's tastiest restaurants, convenient for those wanting…

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Chinatown Public Library, 2100 S. Wentworth Ave.

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Chinatown Public Library, 2100 S. Wentworth Ave.

Northwestern University

Discover Northwestern University’s stunning, wooded campus on the shore of Lake Michigan. This two-hour walking tour explores a wide variety of architectural styles, from 19th Century Collegiate Gothic buildings to cutting-edge, contemporary designs…

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Outside Segal Visitors Center, 1841 Sheridan Rd., Evanston, IL

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Outside Segal Visitors Center, 1841 Sheridan Rd., Evanston, IL

Walk the 606

Learn about The 606/Bloomingdale Trail and how it came to be during this 90-minute, one-mile walking tour along the beautifully restored Bloomingdale railroad viaduct on Chicago’s northwest side.

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Bloomingdale Trail entrance above Marshfield Ave., 1802 W. Bloomingdale Ave.

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Bloomingdale Trail entrance above Marshfield Ave., 1802 W. Bloomingdale Ave.

Fulton-Randolph Market

Discover the fascinating 150-year evolution of the Fulton-Randolph Market District from food wholesaling and meatpacking to gourmet restaurants, technology hubs and boutique hotels.

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
1000 W. Lake St.

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
1000 W. Lake St.

Lights, Camera, Architecture!

Chicago’s unique architecture has co-starred in movies with Ferris Bueller, Batman and the Blues Brothers, among other famous big screen characters. See some of the buildings featured in these films and more!

Price
$30 Public, Free for Members
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

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Price
$30 Public, Free for Members
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

Kenwood

Hear the history of this stately neighborhood, home to Chicago’s early industrialists, modern-day innovators and President Barack Obama.

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
S. Woodlawn Ave. and E. Hyde Park Blvd., 5056 S. Woodlawn Ave.

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
S. Woodlawn Ave. and E. Hyde Park Blvd., 5056 S. Woodlawn Ave.

Walk Pilsen

Discover Pilsen, a neighborhood that continues to welcome immigrants, adding to the mosaic that enriches urban life. Walk a vibrant community whose architecture and art reflect the dreams of all who come to Chicago. Trace European and Mexican influences…

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
CTA 18th St. L Station, just west of Paulina St., 1710 W. 18th St.

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
CTA 18th St. L Station, just west of Paulina St., 1710 W. 18th St.

Uptown

Discover Uptown—a treasure trove of terra cotta ornament and creatively repurposed historic buildings; home to entertainment palaces like the Riviera, Green Mill and the Aragon Ballroom; and one of the most diverse neighborhoods on the North Side.

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
CTA Wilson Station, near the Divvy bike station, 4620 N. Broadway St.

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
CTA Wilson Station, near the Divvy bike station, 4620 N. Broadway St.

Evanston Along the Lake

This walk through Evanston's Lakeshore Historic District explores a variety of churches and residences in the town that became Daniel Burnham's "country retreat" and which is still considered one of Chicago's most desirable suburbs.

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Northwest corner of Hinman Ave. and Lake St., Evanston, IL

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Northwest corner of Hinman Ave. and Lake St., Evanston, IL

Hyde Park

In addition to being the site of the 1893 World’s Fair, Hyde Park is also home to the University of Chicago and many significant buildings, including Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece, Robie House.

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Meet directly outside the main entrance to Rockefeller Chapel, 5850 S. Woodlawn Ave.

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Meet directly outside the main entrance to Rockefeller Chapel, 5850 S. Woodlawn Ave.

Gold Coast: Astor Street

Discover the architectural treasures of the Astor Street Historic District, one of Chicago's most affluent neighborhoods. The tour covers residential architecture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and looks at the preservation movement of the…

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Near the Statue of Greene Vardiman Black, 29 E. North Blvd.

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Near the Statue of Greene Vardiman Black, 29 E. North Blvd.

Gold Coast: Dearborn Street

See beautifully preserved examples of domestic architecture of the early 1900s in this delightful walk along three blocks of Dearborn Street in the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast.

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Benches on the north side of the intersection of North Blvd. and N. Dearborn St., 45 N. Blvd.

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Benches on the north side of the intersection of North Blvd. and N. Dearborn St., 45 N. Blvd.

Aqua, St. Regis Chicago and Lakeshore East

Take a short walk to see the Lakeshore East neighborhood, featuring two notable buildings designed by the woman-led Studio Gang Architects: Aqua Tower and the St. Regis Chicago.

Price
$30 Public, Free for Members
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Outside the Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

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Price
$30 Public, Free for Members
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Outside the Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

Mies and Modernism: The IIT Campus Tour

The Illinois Institute of Technology is home to the largest group of buildings designed by Mies van der Rohe—the most influential figure in American Modernism. This tour traces the evolution of the campus with a special emphasis on the years 1938—1958—the…

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Inside Perlstein Hall, 10 W. 33rd St.

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Inside Perlstein Hall, 10 W. 33rd St.

Wicker Park

Learn the history of this Northwest Side classic Chicago neighborhood listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Developed by numerous immigrant communities beginning in the 1870s, today it is a diverse mix of economic levels and architectural…

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
The statue of Charles Wicker inside Wicker Park, 1425 N. Damen Ave.

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
The statue of Charles Wicker inside Wicker Park, 1425 N. Damen Ave.

Grant Park Secrets

Grant Park’s landscape is both front yard and recreation spot for Chicago. But did you know that the area was once under water? Or that at one time it housed an airfield, a major league sports team and the tomb of a Civil War hero? Join us as we unlock…

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Art Institute Chicago South Garden; S Michigan Ave. and E. Jackson Blvd., 111 S. Michigan Ave.

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Art Institute Chicago South Garden; S Michigan Ave. and E. Jackson Blvd., 111 S. Michigan Ave.

Chicago's Moveable Bridges

Understand how the unique Chicago-style bascule bridges work. View the underpinnings of the bridges, as the tour follows the bridge lifts of three of the Chicago River’s most famous bridges, including Michigan Avenue’s DuSable Bridge, Columbus Drive’s…

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Northeast corner of Wacker and Columbus, at the top of the Riverwalk staircase.

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Northeast corner of Wacker and Columbus, at the top of the Riverwalk staircase.

Civil War to Civil Rights at Oak Woods Cemetery

Hear the stories behind the people buried at the beautiful and tranquil Oak Woods Cemetery on Chicago’s South Side, from important local African Americans who fought for Civil Rights to Confederate prisoners of war.

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above, Free on Juneteenth, Monday June 19 2023
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
1035 E. 67th St., by the S. Greenwood Ave. gate

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above, Free on Juneteenth, Monday June 19 2023
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
1035 E. 67th St., by the S. Greenwood Ave. gate

Civil War and Chicago's Role: Rosehill Cemetery

Hear the stories of the heroes, villains and ordinary citizens on this visit to Rosehill Cemetery. Learn about the people who were instrumental in the nomination of Lincoln, discover the role of newspaper editors in this struggle and those who were involved…

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Inside cemetery entrance gate, 5800 N. Ravenswood Ave.

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Inside cemetery entrance gate, 5800 N. Ravenswood Ave.

Elevated Architecture: Downtown "L" Train

Explore Chicago’s amazing architecture from the unique perspective of elevated trains and station platforms. Learn the history behind the famous "L" system and hear how it has shaped the development of buildings within the Loop.

Price
$30 Public, Free for Members
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

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Price
$30 Public, Free for Members
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

875 N. Michigan Ave (John Hancock Center)

Completed in 1970, 875 N. Michigan Ave (John Hancock Center) dominates the northern end of Chicago’s skyline. On this tour, you'll learn how the building forever changed the character of North Michigan Avenue.

Price
$15 Public, $5 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
0.75 Hour
Meet
875 N. Michigan Ave., lower level lobby

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Price
$15 Public, $5 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
0.75 Hour
Meet
875 N. Michigan Ave., lower level lobby

Architectural Highlights by Bus

Discover the exciting diversity of Chicago’s world famous architecture as we trace its development from the early days up to the present.

Price
$50 public (includes CAC admission), $43 CAC members
Duration
3.5 Hours
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

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Price
$50 public (includes CAC admission), $43 CAC members
Duration
3.5 Hours
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

Art Deco Skyscrapers: The Riverfront

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. Learn how Art Deco reflected the era’s fun-loving optimism with lavish materials and geometric ornament.

Price
$30 Public, Free for Members
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

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Price
$30 Public, Free for Members
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

Beverly (South): A Castle, Mansions and More

Tour one of Chicago’s most fascinating neighborhoods, Beverly. Explore two houses built just after the Great Fire of 1871, a Frank Lloyd Wright home and a true Chicago castle. This tour showcases part of Chicago’s Longwood Drive Landmark District…

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
103rd St. - Beverly Hills Metra Station, 10301 S. Walden Pkwy.

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
103rd St. - Beverly Hills Metra Station, 10301 S. Walden Pkwy.

Chicago Board of Trade Building

The Chicago Board of Trade is a Loop icon and City of Chicago and US National Historic Landmark that anchors La Salle Street, described in the building's opening brochure as the 'monarch' of the street, still standing tall and proud. We’ll see newly…

Price
$15 Public, $5 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1 Hour
Meet
141 W. Jackson Blvd., inside the building lobby

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Price
$15 Public, $5 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1 Hour
Meet
141 W. Jackson Blvd., inside the building lobby

Devil in the White City

History buffs and true crime lovers, rejoice! This bus tour delves into the compelling true story told in Erik Larson’s best-selling novel, “Devil in the White City.” The story traverses two simultaneous events in Chicago’s history: the World’s…

Price
$50 public (includes CAC admission), $43 CAC members
Duration
3.5 Hours
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

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Price
$50 public (includes CAC admission), $43 CAC members
Duration
3.5 Hours
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

Fine Arts Building

Discover this treasure trove on Michigan Avenue and learn how it went from a carriage showroom to a high-profile artists’ colony that housed tenants like Frank Lloyd Wright, Lorado Taft and Harriet Monroe.

Price
$15 Public, $5 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1 Hour
Meet
410 S. Michigan Ave., in front of the building

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Price
$15 Public, $5 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1 Hour
Meet
410 S. Michigan Ave., in front of the building

Fort Sheridan

Discover the history and architecture of Fort Sheridan, a former military base listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Rothblatt-Amrany Fine Arts Studio, 912 Lyster Rd., Highwood, IL

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Rothblatt-Amrany Fine Arts Studio, 912 Lyster Rd., Highwood, IL

French Language (Langue Française): Les Incontournables

Cette visite vous propose un aperçu complet de l’architecture de Chicago, de ses bâtiments les plus connus et admirés, ainsi que la collection de nombreuses œuvres d’art dans le centre de la ville.

Price
$30 Public, Free for Members
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

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Price
$30 Public, Free for Members
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

GRACELAND CEMETERY

Beautiful and serene, Graceland Cemetery is a treasured oasis in the center of our bustling city. Notables interred here are Chicago's movers and shakers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries: Daniel Burnham, Potter Palmer, Charles Wacker, George…

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Main gate entrance at intersection of Clark St. & Irving Park Rd. 4001 N Clark St.

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Main gate entrance at intersection of Clark St. & Irving Park Rd. 4001 N Clark St.

Graceland Cemetery: Symbols in Stone

As we explore a venerable section of Graceland Cemetery, we’ll discuss the meanings of and changes to gravestone symbols and shapes, from Victorian times to the present day.

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Meet: Main gate entrance at intersection of Clark St. & Irving Park Rd. 4001 N Clark St.

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Meet: Main gate entrance at intersection of Clark St. & Irving Park Rd. 4001 N Clark St.

Graceland Cemetery: Women of Influence

During Chicago’s period of growth in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, women played a hugely influential role by participating in the Underground Railroad, exhibiting the first Modern Art paintings, creating the juvenile justice system and even…

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Main gate entrance at intersection of Clark St. & Irving Park Rd. 4001 N Clark St.

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Main gate entrance at intersection of Clark St. & Irving Park Rd. 4001 N Clark St.

Highland Park

This tour traces Highland Park’s history from pioneer settlement to summer retreat for Chicago’s wealthy to year-round suburb. Encounter a beautiful variety of residential styles and see homes by architects like Frank Lloyd Wright and W. W. Boyington…

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Highland Park City Hall, 1707 St. Johns Ave., Highland Park, IL

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Highland Park City Hall, 1707 St. Johns Ave., Highland Park, IL

Hotel Boom: Making Old New Again

Chicago’s growth as a favorite travel destination has fueled a surge in the creative repurposing of historic skyscrapers into chic new hotels. Learn how and why a former motor club, insurance company and bank have undergone this change

Price
$30 Public, Free for Members
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

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Price
$30 Public, Free for Members
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

Inland Steel Building

As the first skyscraper built within the Loop after World War II, the Inland Steel Building became an instant symbol of Chicago’s prominence as a modern American city in the 20th century.

Price
$15 Public, $5 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
0.75 Hour
Meet
30 W. Monroe St., inside the building's lobby

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Price
$15 Public, $5 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
0.75 Hour
Meet
30 W. Monroe St., inside the building's lobby

Lake Bluff

Explore the fascinating history reflected in the unique designs of the North Shore suburb of Lake Bluff. Trace the history from the formation of the Lake Bluff Camp Meeting Association, and their plans for a resort similar to the Chautauqua movement,…

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Lake Bluff Metra Station, 600 Sheridan Rd., Lake Bluff, IL

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Lake Bluff Metra Station, 600 Sheridan Rd., Lake Bluff, IL

Lake Forest Cemetery

Experience the Lake Forest Cemetery's park-like setting overlooking Lake Michigan in one of Chicago's most beautiful premier suburbs. Hear stories of Lake Forest's founding and those who made their mark from Civil War to modern times.

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Cemetery gate at far north end of Lake Rd., 1525 Lake Rd., Lake Forest, IL

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
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Cemetery gate at far north end of Lake Rd., 1525 Lake Rd., Lake Forest, IL

Lincoln Park: From Cemetery to Sculpture Garden

Take a pleasant walk through Chicago’s beautiful Lincoln Park—a former lakeside cemetery turned recreation destination. Hear about the park’s history, learn the stories behind famous sculptures and enjoy a stroll through the park’s beloved zoo…

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Children's Fountain, at the northeast corner of W North Blvd and N Clark St

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
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Children's Fountain, at the northeast corner of W North Blvd and N Clark St

Macy's on State: The Legacy of Marshall Field's

Explore the construction, development and renovation of this State Street landmark by Daniel Burnham.

Price
$15 Public, $5 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1 Hour
Meet
Meet inside the Washington Street entrance that is closest to Wabash

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Price
$15 Public, $5 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1 Hour
Meet
Meet inside the Washington Street entrance that is closest to Wabash

Marquette Building

Completed in 1895, the Marquette Building brings Chicago’s early history to life in an artistic and elegant setting. Examine the innovative exterior and get an up-close view of the beautiful interior.

Price
$15 Public, $5 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
0.75 Hour
Meet
140 S. Dearborn St., inside the building lobby

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Price
$15 Public, $5 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
0.75 Hour
Meet
140 S. Dearborn St., inside the building lobby

Merchandise Mart

Once the largest building in the world, the Merchandise Mart remains a center for commercial and residential design. This massive structure has kept up with the times and is now recognized as a key Chicago hub for technological innovation.

Price
$15 Public, $5 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
0.75 Hour
Meet
222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago River entrance

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Price
$15 Public, $5 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
0.75 Hour
Meet
222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago River entrance

Monadnock Building

Tour the world’s tallest commercial building with load-bearing masonry walls and learn how the transition from masonry to steel frame skyscrapers transformed the workplace.

Price
$15 Public, $5 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
0.75 Hour
Meet
Inside Monadnock building, 53 W. Jackson Blvd.

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Price
$15 Public, $5 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
0.75 Hour
Meet
Inside Monadnock building, 53 W. Jackson Blvd.

Old Town Triangle

No other Chicago neighborhood is like Old Town. Tucked behind high-rises and moments from the vast green space of Lincoln Park, this landmark district has a unique history and diversity. Today diversity adds richness to Old Town from St. Michael's Church—considered…

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
1650-58 N. Sedgwick St. (Across from Twin Anchors Restaurant and Tavern)

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
1650-58 N. Sedgwick St. (Across from Twin Anchors Restaurant and Tavern)

Palmer House Hotel

Experience the glamour, intrigue and excitement of the bygone "Grand Hotel" era at the Palmer House. See recently restored public spaces and renovated guest rooms while learning about the history of Chicago’s oldest continually operating hotel.

Price
$15 Public, $5 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1 Hour
Meet
Inside the hotel entrance at 124 S. Wabash Ave.

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Price
$15 Public, $5 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1 Hour
Meet
Inside the hotel entrance at 124 S. Wabash Ave.

Pub Tour: Andersonville

Experience the Swedish influences of Andersonville a historically landmarked neighborhood settled in the 1850's. Join us in seeing architecture taken to new uses and now operate as churches, restaurants and schools with Scandinavian inspiration. Get…

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2.5 Hours
Meet
Replay, 5358 N. Clark Street

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2.5 Hours
Meet
Replay, 5358 N. Clark Street

Pub Tour: Near North

Explore the variety of living spaces in the Near North neighborhood, part of River North. High rise living among micro-unit apartments interspersed with various hotels broaden the idea of working from home. Historically a destination for Italian immigrants…

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2.5 Hours
Meet
Clark Street Ale House, 742 N Clark St.

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2.5 Hours
Meet
Clark Street Ale House, 742 N Clark St.

Pub Tour: West Loop

Combining post-Chicago fire buildings with the recent influx of residents and company headquarters locations, see how buildings in the West Loop have adapted to spaces for families to live, work and play. Stroll by an abundance of cutting-edge dining…

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2.5 Hours
Meet
Haymarket Pub, 737 W Randolph St.

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2.5 Hours
Meet
Haymarket Pub, 737 W Randolph St.

Reliance Building

Marvel at the original marble, mahogany doors and decorative wrought iron found throughout the two lobbies and uppermost floors of this 1895 building, designed by John Wellborn Root and Charles Atwood.

Price
$15 Public, $5 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
0.75 Hour
Meet
Main Lobby, 1 W. Washington St. entrance

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Price
$15 Public, $5 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
0.75 Hour
Meet
Main Lobby, 1 W. Washington St. entrance

River North: Transformation of a Neighborhood

See historic gems in this former center of manufacturing and explore its boom-and-bust transformation into a vibrant neighborhood buzzing with residential buildings, entertainment venues and office towers. Steeped in history and character, River North…

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
On the plaza at 65 E. Huron St.

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
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On the plaza at 65 E. Huron St.

Riverwalk West

This tour helps you discover the western portion of the Riverwalk, starting at the Vietnam Memorial near State Street. As we walk to Lake Street, hear how this linear park—called Chicago’s new coastline by some—has become a magnet for outdoor recreation…

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Vietnam Memorial, at river level, 35 E. Wacker

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
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Vietnam Memorial, at river level, 35 E. Wacker

Rookery Building

Explore the interior and exterior of one of Chicago’s most famous and beloved historic buildings: The Rookery by Daniel Burnham and John Wellborn Root.

Price
$15 Public, $5 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1 Hour
Meet
209 S. LaSalle St. at the grand staircase

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Price
$15 Public, $5 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1 Hour
Meet
209 S. LaSalle St. at the grand staircase

Sacred Spaces in Downtown Chicago

Chicago's downtown is home to a number of striking and architecturally significant houses of worship. Visit several of these sites, including "the tallest church in the world"—a skyscraper with offices, designed for worship and work.

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
South east corner of State St. and Jackson Blvd.

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
South east corner of State St. and Jackson Blvd.

Sheffield Historic District

Historic Sheffield is long considered a gem of late 19th century architecture, its streets lined with gorgeous homes from that era and beyond. Also noteworthy are the three Row House Districts from the 1870s and ’80s, each of them landmarked by the…

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
SW corner of Sheffield and Fullerton in front of the Depaul University map

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
SW corner of Sheffield and Fullerton in front of the Depaul University map

The Old Post Office

Explore the new Old Post Office Building, whose early 20th-century design has been adaptively reused into a beautiful, modern Class A Office building.

Price
$15 Public, $5 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
The Old Post Office Building; meet inside the Van Buren entrance

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Price
$15 Public, $5 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
The Old Post Office Building; meet inside the Van Buren entrance

University of Chicago

Come explore the early Collegiate Gothic roots of the university campus in the original quadrangles, the “march of mid-century modernism” along the Midway and the recent, breath-taking architectural additions such as the Mansueto Library and the Midway…

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
University of Chicago Bookstore, 970 E.58th St.

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
University of Chicago Bookstore, 970 E.58th St.

Union Station: Icon of a Great Age

Union Station is one of the last grand train stations still operating in the U.S. and the only one in Chicago, serving both Amtrak and Metra commuter rail. Take in the elaborate details of this historic landmark, including the stunning Great Hall, which…

Price
$15 Public, $5 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1 Hour
Meet
500 W. Jackson Blvd. between Canal and Clinton

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Price
$15 Public, $5 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1 Hour
Meet
500 W. Jackson Blvd. between Canal and Clinton

Columbia College Student Center

This Gold LEED certified building, with myriad sustainable features throughout, includes recyclable materials, glass that protects against birds flying into the building, noise cancelling walls for music practitioners and low-carbon concrete.

Price
$15 public, $5 basic Members, FREE for Art Deco Members and above
Duration
0.75 Hour
Meet
Columbia College Student Center, at the corner of 8th Street and Wabash Ave

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Price
$15 public, $5 basic Members, FREE for Art Deco Members and above
Duration
0.75 Hour
Meet
Columbia College Student Center, at the corner of 8th Street and Wabash Ave