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Chicago Walking Tour: Historic Skyscrapers
Badge of ExcellenceChicago, USA
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Explore the Loop's famous architecture during this 2-hour walking tour with an expert guide from the Chicago Architecture Foundation. Discover the beginnings of the Chicago School of Architecture through visits to some of the city's oldest skyscrapers, dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This sophisticated, informative tour is a must-do for history and architecture buffs.
- Historic Chicago Loop Skyscrapers
- See Chicago architecture
- Guided walking tour through historic Chicago - see the earliest skyscrapers, built between the 1870s and the 1930s
- Learn about the architects who influenced the city's architecture
What's Included
- Narration by a professional and certified Guide
- Historic walking tour of Chicago's architecture
- Admission to the Galleries of the Chicago Architecture Center
- Food and drinks
- Coat check
- Storage for luggage and strollers
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 410 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
This tour meets at 410 S. Michigan Ave., outside the Fine Arts Building.
End point
- Monadnock Building53 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604, USA
Monadnock Building. Actual ending location may vary.
What To Expect
Meet your expert guide at the Chicago Architecture Foundation, located on Michigan Avenue across from the Art Institute. (See Itinerary section below for detailed directions). Stroll through the Loop area, stopping at multiple buildings and listening to engaging commentary from your guide. You'll see some of the city's earliest skyscrapers, dating from the 1870s to the 1930s. Learn about the architects who influenced the city's aesthetics and how the buildings shaped the city's culture.
Visit the following buildings, among others:
• The Rookery, a National Historic Landmark
• The Auditorium Building, a Louis Sullivan masterpiece
• Chicago Board of Trade Building, one of the city's finest examples of Art Deco architectureYour tour ends back at its departure point after 2 hours.
Visit the following buildings, among others:
• The Rookery, a National Historic Landmark
• The Auditorium Building, a Louis Sullivan masterpiece
• Chicago Board of Trade Building, one of the city's finest examples of Art Deco architectureYour tour ends back at its departure point after 2 hours.
Fine Arts Building
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Auditorium Building
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
The Rookery Building
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Chicago Board of Trade Building
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Marquette Building
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Monadnock Building
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Chicago Architecture Center
1 minute • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour will depart from the Fine Arts Building, 410 S Michigan Ave.
- Not recommended for young children.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
Traveler Photos
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Reviews
5.0
60 reviews
Brian_C, May 2022
My wife and I learned a lot! Deborah was very passionate about the living history of the skyscraper. One-of-a-kind tour!
Theresa_S, Sep 2021
Chicago is a beautiful city - but walking and listening to the history and the builders and designs make Chicago even more beautiful! Our guide was very knowledgeable and wonderful.
Liza D, Apr 2018
amazing city and amazing architecture. Did this tour on sunday, and some buildings were closed.
Martin K, Sep 2017
If you are in any way interested in architecture and particularly Art Deco, this is a must do tour. Our guide was passionate about the subject, and showed us some absolute masterpieces. Thoroughly enjoyed the tour.
Stefan John W, Sep 2017
A little disappointing in the boring facts -- and or lack of
Modern Chicago far mire interesting ----
Carolyn N, Aug 2017
WOW!! What a wonderful tour.. The Guide was outstanding and kept us all so interested!! So worth the money...
Elizabeth M, Aug 2017
The docent was great. Highly suggest this tour if you have a limited time in chicago like I did (
Jennifer P, Apr 2017
Audrey was a fantastic tour guide! She really had insight into the buildings and was knowledgeable about Chicago architecture in general. This tour was definitely worth the time and money.
Betsy W, Apr 2017
Excellent! Our tour guide, Angela Platt, was wonderful. She had a lot of knowledge about all of the buildings. We learned things about the different styles of architecture and she took us in the buildings and pointed out the inside and the styles inside. I would highly recommend this tour.
enlin P, Nov 2016
Wonderful! Learned a lot. The Chicago Architectural Foundation's volunteer docents are amazing! Go for it!!
From $30.00
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Chicago Walking Tour: Historic Skyscrapers
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