Chicago Walking Tour: Historic Treasures of Chicago
Overview
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.
After the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, Chicago was determined to become a great cultural and commercial metropolis. This tour is a testament to that era's ambitions. See buildings by Daniel Burnham, Louis Sullivan, Holabird and Roche and other noted architects and hear the stories behind the city's architectural gems.
As a certified nonprofit, all CAC ticket purchases directly support our education efforts and community engagement projects.
After the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, Chicago was determined to become a great cultural and commercial metropolis. This tour is a testament to that era's ambitions. See buildings by Daniel Burnham, Louis Sullivan, Holabird and Roche and other noted architects and hear the stories behind the city's architectural gems.
As a certified nonprofit, all CAC ticket purchases directly support our education efforts and community engagement projects.
Inclusions
- Walking tour of Chicago Architecture
- Narration by a professional and certified guide
- Admission to the Galleries of the Chicago Architecture Center
- Entry/Admission - Chicago Architecture Center
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
Chicago Architecture Center; introductory remarks from the docent
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Wrigley Building, 410 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611-4213
View the Wrigley Building
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Palmer House Hilton Historic Lobby, 17 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603-5608
View the exterior and interior of the Palmer House Hotel
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required to enter this location.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Carbide and Carbon Building, 230 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601-5906
View the Carbide and Carbon Building
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Reliance Building, 1 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602-1603
View the Reliance Building.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602-4801
View the exterior and interior of the Chicago Cultural Center
Duration: 10 minutes
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
Chicago Architecture Center; introductory remarks from the docent
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Wrigley Building, 410 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611-4213
View the Wrigley Building
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Palmer House Hilton Historic Lobby, 17 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603-5608
View the exterior and interior of the Palmer House Hotel
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required to enter this location.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Carbide and Carbon Building, 230 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601-5906
View the Carbide and Carbon Building
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Reliance Building, 1 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602-1603
View the Reliance Building.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602-4801
View the exterior and interior of the Chicago Cultural Center
Duration: 10 minutes
Additional information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- The Chicago Architecture Center or CAC (formerly the Chicago Architecture Foundation, CAF) is at the south end of the Magnificent Mile near the intersection of Michigan and Wacker.
- Tour Guides are trained and certified by the CAC. As volunteers, they are exceptionally motivated, enthusiastic, and capable interpreters of Chicago's world-class architectural legacy. CAC tours are the real deal - narrated, but not scripted, led by Chicago enthusiasts.
- Access to building interiors featured on this tour may be subject to change, due to weekend and holiday schedules or unforeseen closures.
- Some interiors featured on this tour may require participants to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
- Pets are not allowed.
- Your safety is our priority. The itinerary of this tour may be altered in accordance with health and safety policies and considerations.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
williamlM7755BB
April 2022
I highly recommend this tour. Our guide, Matt, was very friendly and informative. It gives you a very good picture of the history of Chicago and some of the architectural treasures on view if you know where to look! Very entertaining and enjoyable.
I highly recommend this tour. Our guide, Matt, was very friendly and informative. It gives you a very good picture of the history of Chicago and some of the architectural treasures on view if you know where to look! Very entertaining and enjoyable.698ellay
April 2022
I loved seeing all the decorative ceilings and everything. The tour guide was a treasure himself. Great tour.
I loved seeing all the decorative ceilings and everything. The tour guide was a treasure himself. Great tour.weri23o
April 2022
Easy to book, guide uses wireless audio device so very easy to hear above city/traffic noise, extremely knowledgeable and responsive to questions. This tour shows you the amazing buildings of the late 1800s-early 1900s. In addition to the beauty of the interior and exterior, you learn about the...
Easy to book, guide uses wireless audio device so very easy to hear above city/traffic noise, extremely knowledgeable and responsive to questions. This tour shows you the amazing buildings of the late 1800s-early 1900s. In addition to the beauty of the interior and exterior, you learn about the history of Chicago at that time. The tour is well designed in terms of walking/stopping and the buildings are so impressive. Their new location has great exhibits and a really nice shop. This is definitely the company you want to book any tour with. We did the River Cruise years ago and it was as wonderful.ncarbado
April 2022
This was an amazing tour with a guide who was incredibly knowledgable and funny! My sister and I had a great time and learned so much about Chicago, its history, and the nearby architecture. We would both definitely recommend this tour.
This was an amazing tour with a guide who was incredibly knowledgable and funny! My sister and I had a great time and learned so much about Chicago, its history, and the nearby architecture. We would both definitely recommend this tour._J8938ZY
April 2022
Burt was very detailed and knowledgeable in dates, styles of the buildings and history of it. I enjoyed my tour very much. Definitely will take another tour.
Burt was very detailed and knowledgeable in dates, styles of the buildings and history of it. I enjoyed my tour very much. Definitely will take another tour.TCMimi
March 2022
Great to see the city from a different perspective. So much history. Our tour guide Burt was super good. Will consider doing other tours
Great to see the city from a different perspective. So much history. Our tour guide Burt was super good. Will consider doing other tours