Chicago Walking Tour: Historic Treasures of Chicago

Name: Chicago Walking Tour: Historic Treasures of Chicago
Brand: Chicago Architecture Center
SKU: 3173P10
Price: 30.00 USD
Rating: 5.0 (240 reviews)

Badge of ExcellenceChicago, USA

2 hours
Offered in: English

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Overview

Get an insider's introduction to Chicago's most celebrated buildings during this architecture-focused walking tour of Michigan Avenue and State Street. Revisit the heyday of the skyscraper and visit stunning, Art Deco-era interiors, from the Palmer House Hotel to the Chicago Cultural Center. Admission to the Chicago Architecture Center is included, with an introduction by the docent.

A Chicago architecture walking tour
See many of the city's most stunning landmarks in just a couple of hours
Enrich your visit with live commentary on Chicago's growth and development
Visit the interiors of three buildings, plus many more exteriors

What's Included

Walking tour of Chicago Architecture
Narration by a professional and certified guide
Admission to the Galleries of the Chicago Architecture Center

Hotel pick-up or drop-off
Storage for luggage or strollers
Coat check

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Chicago Architecture Center
111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
Meet at the Chicago Architecture Center at 111 E Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL, 60601

End point

Chicago Cultural Center
78 E Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602, USA
The tour will end in the Chicago Cultural Center. The docent will return to the Chicago Architecture Center and participants are welcome to accompany the docent back to the CAC.

What To Expect

Chicago Architecture Center

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Wrigley Building

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Palmer House Hilton Historic Lobby

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Carbide and Carbon Building

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Reliance Building

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Chicago Cultural Center

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
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
Access to building interiors featured on this tour may be subject to change, due to weekend and holiday schedules or unforeseen closures.
Pets are not allowed.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

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

Reviews

5.0

240 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 240 reviews

Educational and well paced

Venessa_E, Apr 2024

Paul was a great tour guide whose passion for the architecture and history of Chicago’s great buildings was evident. The pace was perfect. I didn’t know the Chicago Architecture Foundation existed, but will definitely sign up for another tour when I return.

Building fun in the Windy City!

scott_m, Apr 2024

We had a small group of 3 along with our guide whose name I've forgotten, though she did a great job. The Historic Treasures were indeed both, and our group was interesting and fun to be with. I learned a lot. I later viewed the Chapel in the Sky on my own, so it was a great day looking at buildings.

Absolutely amazing! Definitely will do it again!

M_F, Apr 2024

What an amazing tour! Our guide Jim was so friendly and informative! We had already done other architecture tours so we were not too sure if this would be appealing to us but hands down it was awesome!! Definitely would recommend it and will definitely be signing up for additional tours around town. Was shocked how many times I had been in Macy's and never looked up!

Amazing!!

Kara_K, Apr 2024

Our guide, Jim, was amazing! He was very knowledgeable and thorough. I enjoyed learning about the history Chicago and would recommend this tour to anyone visiting Chicago, or locals who want to learn more about their city!

loved my Viator tours

Richard_B, Apr 2024

All tours were great--Dash, Grant and the 3rd tour I took. The Architectural River tour w/ Wade was fantastic

Insightful, informative, and inspiring!

Ilene_B, Mar 2024

Maureen, our tour guide, was knowledgeable, friendly, invited questions, and gave backstories for the various building, enhancing our insight as to life in Chicago!!

Absolutely worthwhile

Robyn_L, Mar 2024

Our guide was so pleasant and knowledgeable. The history of “The Seven Sisters” and retail was very interesting. Really enjoyed seeing The Palmer House, too. Absolutely worthwhile.

Fun 2hr walking tour

VICTORIACUSACK, Dec 2023

We loved our guide Laurel. She was so knowledgeable and fun. Great tour. We would highly recommend this tour.

Great tour with lots of insights

Mikael_F, Dec 2023

Great tour, our guide did an incredible job at pointing out the different details about the buildings and creating an interesting narrative as we walked across town.

Walking with Margaret was a pleasure.

Richard_C, Oct 2023

We had a small group and Margaret was our guide. She gave us great information about many of the old buildings and the general history of Chicago. She did an excellent job answering all our questions.

Very informative tour given by knowledgeable volunteers

James_W, Oct 2023

Interior of the 1st public library was very impressive, Learned a lot about the early architecture in the city of Chicago. Jean our guide was very knowledgeable

Fascinating Tour

Steve_V, Oct 2023

Rainy day so my son and I debated going. Glad we participated as the docent Beth was excellent. Knowledgeable, interesting and responsive to our questions. Fascinating blend of design and Chicago history.

Fun Learning the city from the sidewalks.

Susan_M, Oct 2023

My friend and I loved the walking tour and our guide Katie was well informed and clearly loved what she was doing, the best!

History brought to life!

Dana_C, Sep 2023

My tour guide was so knowledgeable about history, the materials used for exteriors and interiors and brought the buildings to life before my eyes!

2 hours well spent

Michael_B, Sep 2023

Very knowledgeable guide! We learned a lot about Chicago history and architecture. Who knew architecture could be so interesting.

A Chicago Must

Christine_G, Sep 2023

All around wonderful! Fun facts about our beautiful town and its historical landmarks. Just a wonserful walking tour that Ill probably go again with my children.

Chicago History

Sonna_C, Aug 2023

Theresa our guide was amazing. She was very knowledgeable and took the time to answer all our questions.

A Must-Do Great Experience!

Lynn_V, Aug 2023

My husband and I just spent a very memorable 2+ hours touring a sample of our city’s architectural gems. Howard guided us and was so friendly and knowledgeable, telling so many fascinating stories and history! The Chicago Architecture Center offers so much to explore and we’re coming back soon!

"My Kind of Town..."

Carolyn_W, Jul 2023

The Palmer Hotel was magnificent! The Wrigley Building and the Macy's building, the metal work outside of Target, all great stuff. Our tour guide Peter was a joy. A Chicago native, he was very knowledgeable about the city and his enthusiasm was contaigous. We also stood outside Millennium Park as Peter explained how the land that the park was built on, became available. Tour is recommended.

Have fun, Learn lots.

Julia_T, Jul 2023

Loved our guide and learned lots. Opened our eyes to things we would not have explored on our own... the Palmer House Hotel, the original Public Library, etc. Great tour!

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