Chicago Walking Tour: Modern Architecture


1 hour 30 minutes
Free cancellation
1 - 10
Mobile ticket

Overview

Looking for iconic Mid-Century Modern architecture? What better place than Chicago with its triumvirate of modern architects (Mies van der Rohe, Bertrand Goldberg and SOM) and a city ready and willing to accept them. Find out what set these buildings apart from their predecessors and how they helped set the stage for the future.

If you’re interested in iconic buildings, public art, urban planning or government this is your tour. Find out the stories behind inland steel, Marina city, the IBM building and other "Mad Men" worthy skyscrapers.

As a certified nonprofit, all CAC ticket purchases directly support our education efforts and community engagement projects.

Inclusions

  • Walking tour of Chicago's modern and postmodern architecture
  • Narration by a professional and certified guide
  • Admission to the Galleries of the 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 60601-3713

Your tour begins at the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC), formerly the Chicago Architecture Foundation. Visit the CAC to view a 4, 000-building scale model of Chicago or shop in the award-winning store.

Duration: 10 minutes

Pass By: One Prudential Plaza, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

View the Prudential Building.

Pass By: Aon Center, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

View the Aon Center.

Pass By: Inland Steel Building, 30 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603, USA

View the Inland Steel Building.

Stop At: Daley Center, 48 W Washington St Chicago, IL, Chicago, IL 60602

Marvel at Richard J. Daley Center, one of the first buildings to be covered in an unpainted steel called Cor-Ten. The docent will also discuss the famous "Chicago Picasso" artwork in the plaza.

Duration: 15 minutes

Pass By: AMA Plaza, Upper Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL, 330 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60654, USA

Discuss the AMA Plaza, formerly home to the office of Mies van der Rohe.

Stop At: Marina City, 300 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654-5414

Highlights include Marina City, a mixed-use residential-commercial building designed by architect Bertrand Goldberg, envisioned as an urban experiment designed to draw middle-class Chicagoans back to the city after more than a decade of suburban migration.

Duration: 15 minutes

Pass By: Chicago River, Chicago, IL

Enjoy superb views of Chicago’s riverfront.

Pass By: Apple Michigan Avenue, 401 Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA

View the Apple Store on Michigan Avenue.

Additional information

  • 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.
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
  • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Most travelers can participate
  • 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.
Richard H
August 2009

Very interesting! Need to be in good shape, you walk at a pretty fast clip.

Peter R
July 2018

Die River Cruise zur modernen Architektur, die die Chicago Architecture Foundation mehrfach am Tage anbietet, gehört im Grunde zu den nahezu obligatorischen Aktivitäten in Chicago für alle Touristen. Denn vom Chicago River aus kann man fast alle wichtigen Gebäude der Stadt, von frühen Hochhäusern...

Ann U
May 2013

Being a native, I've seen all of these building before. I think anyone from out of town would be more impressed. Due to logistics, we weren't able to get close to these buildings, and there was quite a bit of repetition between the historic skyscraper tour and this one.

Dawn_R
June 2022

The instructor was very knowledge. The Prudential building stood out the most for me. The Museum was very interesting.

Badboybribri05
June 2022

I really enjoyed the history of the impact Mayor Daley had on the development of buildings and the park.

Michael H
June 2013

This tour was organised through the Chicago Architecture Foundation and the guides are volunteers so some are better than others. We found it extremely interesting but you would need an interest in architecture to enjoy this tour.

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