The tower's series of stacked Xs are immediately recognizable, making it one of the...
City Tours
Rated as the best tours in Chicago. Our expert docents will guide you by boat, bus, train or on foot and share the stories behind the buildings.
Rated as the best tours in Chicago. Our expert docents will guide you by boat, bus, train or on foot and share the stories behind the buildings.
Voted #1 Boat Tour in the US
6 best tours and walks in Chicago
#1 Chicago Boat Tour for 10+ years
Best Experiences in the US
If you encounter any difficulties booking a tour online, please contact us at 312.922.3432. Our call center is available daily from 9 AM to 4 PM.
Walking875 N. Michigan Ave
WalkingAqua, St. Regis Chicago & Lakeshore East
Discover two iconic buildings designed by woman-led Studio Gang and explore the surrounding Lakeshore... 
BusArchitectural Highlights by Bus
Explore Chicago’s iconic architecture on a bus tour from the Loop through historic neighborhoods... 
WalkingArchitecture of the Magnificent Mile
Explore Chicago’s evolution from a dirt road called Pine Street to the iconic Magnificent... 
WalkingArt Deco Skyscrapers: Landmark Lobbies
Step out of the cold and into the lobbies of three Art Deco skyscrapers... 
WalkingArt Deco Skyscrapers: The Loop
Step into the lobbies of Art Deco masterpieces built in the heart of Chicago’s...
WalkingArt Deco Skyscrapers: The Riverfront
Step inside the lobbies of five Art Deco masterpieces built near the banks of... 
BusBeautiful Bungalows of Berwyn
Join the Chicago Architecture Center on a bus tour exploring the beautiful bungalows of... 
BusBenjamin Marshall
Benjamin H. Marshall, is one of Chicago’s most influential but lesser known architects. Celebrate...
WalkingBeverly (South): A Castle, Mansions and More
Tour one of Chicago’s most fascinating neighborhoods, Beverly. 
WalkingBohemian National Cemetery
Discover the rich history and artistry of Chicago's Bohemian National Cemetery, a testament to... 
BusBrutalism: Concrete Made Beautiful
Concrete has played a significant role both in Brutalist architecture where it is front... 
Boat • our most popular tour!CAC River Cruise aboard First Lady
The cruise that puts Architecture First. Voted the #1 best boat tour in the...
WalkingChicago Architecture: A Walk Through Time
Journey through Chicago’s architectural evolution, from the Great Fire’s aftermath to new supertall high-rises. 
WalkingChicago Board of Trade Building
The Chicago Board of Trade is a Loop icon and a City of Chicago...
WalkingChicago Icons: Connecting Past and Present
Compare and contrast iconic buildings from the 1890s to present and learn how older... 
WalkingChicago Pedway
Discover Chicago’s underground Pedway and uncover its history, unique businesses and links to transit,... 
WalkingChicago Women in Architecture
Trace the impact of female architects in Chicago’s skyline with a tour that celebrates... 
WalkingChicago's First Skyscrapers
Chicago is home to some of the world’s first skyscrapers. Get an up-close look...
BusChicago's Indigenous People's Sculptures
Chicago has many works of public art depicting the city’s Native American history. But... 
WalkingChicago's Moveable Bridges
Understand how the unique Chicago-style bascule bridges work. 
WalkingCivil War and Chicago’s Role: Rosehill Cemetery
From Lincoln's nomination to women's role in the war effort, hear the stories of... 
WalkingCivil War to Civil Rights at Oak Woods Cemetery
Explore this Victorian-era cemetery, visiting the final resting place of prominent Chicagoans and Confederate... 
WalkingColumbia College Student Center
This tour is no longer available for public tours. If you're interested in this...
WalkingColumbia College: Revitalizing the South Loop
Explore the South Loop, one of Chicago’s hottest neighborhoods! Visit some wonderful historic buildings... 
BusDevil in the White City
Step back in time to the 1893 World’s Fair with a tour that highlights... 
WalkingElevated Architecture: Downtown 'L' Train
See architectural details missed by most pedestrians at street level and gain insight into... 
WalkingEvanston Along the Lake
Diverse architectural styles from Queen Anne to Modern frame the tranquil lakefront in Daniel... 
WalkingFine Arts Building
The Fine Arts Building has remained a hub of creativity for over 125... 
WalkingFort Sheridan
See how adaptive reuse has given this historic military base new life. 
BusFrank Lloyd Wright by Bus
Embark on a journey through Frank Lloyd Wright’s evolution of Prairie Style architecture with... 
WalkingFrank Lloyd Wright in Oak Park
View the exteriors of nearly a dozen of Wright’s structures. *CAC Select tour.
WalkingFrench Language (Langue Française): Les Incontournables
Immerse in iconic Chicago architecture with a French-speaking guide, highlighting the city’s history and... 
WalkingFulton-Randolph Market
Visit Chicago’s fastest developing neighborhood. Discover its transformation from a meatpacking hub to a... 
WalkingGold Coast: Astor Street
Discover the architectural treasures of the Astor Street Historic District, the residence of choice...
WalkingGraceland Cemetery
Discover Graceland Cemetery’s tranquil beauty and hear fascinating stories of Chicago’s influential figures interred... 
WalkingGraceland Cemetery: Symbols in Stone
Curious about the different headstones, statues and symbols in a cemetery? Currently available for...
WalkingGraceland Cemetery: Women of Influence
Celebrate the achievements of women in Chicago’s early history on this tour of Graceland... 
WalkingGrant Park Secrets
Unlock the secrets of this Beaux-Arts masterpiece on a tour of this iconic Chicago... 
WalkingHighland Park
Explore Highland Park’s evolution from a pioneer settlement to a suburban haven with architectural...
WalkingHistoric Austin
Visit Austin’s historic late 19th and early 20th century houses, schools and churches, and...
BusHistoric Bronzeville Churches by Bus
Explore historic churches in the Bronzeville-Black Metropolis National Heritage Area. Contact
BusHistoric Route 66 by Bus
Hit the road on one of America’s first federal highways for a day of...
WalkingHistoric Treasures of Chicago’s Golden Age
Discover the design of the Gilded Age and Roaring Twenties, from lush Tiffany mosaics...
WalkingHistoric Wicker Park
Experience the richness of late 19th-century architecture with gems such as Beer...
WalkingHotel Boom: Making Old New Again
Learn about the benefits and challenges of adaptive reuse. Currently available for
WalkingHumboldt Park
Walk the historic core in the largest of Chicago’s West Side parks, created by... 
WalkingHyde Park
Journey through Hyde Park’s storied past and its world-class architecture, including the Robie House.... 
WalkingInland Steel Building
Explore the exterior and interior of this iconic modern masterpiece and learn the stories... 
WalkingIntro to Chicago Architecture
Discover how Chicago became both the birthplace of the skyscraper and the world-renowned “City...
WalkingKenilworth-South: Wright, Maher & Burnham
The North Shore’s youngest and smallest lakefront community still reflects founder Joseph Sears’ 1880s... 
WalkingKenilworth: North
Join us for a walk through North Shore’s youngest and smallest community, showcasing distinctive...
WalkingKenwood
Experience suburban charm in an urban setting, featuring 19th-century mansions and Frank Lloyd Wright... 
WalkingLake Bluff
Trace history from the village’s formation as a Chautauqua-style movement to the creation of...
WalkingLake Forest Cemetery
Hear stories of Lake Forest's founding and those who made their mark from Civil... 
WalkingLakeshore Living: Steel and Stone
See the evolution of deluxe residential buildings in and around Streeterville, from stately stone... 
WalkingLights, Camera, Architecture!
Visit buildings featured in famous films and learn about Chicago's film industry. 
WalkingLincoln Park: From Cemetery to Sculpture Garden
Trace Lincoln Park’s transformation from a historic cemetery to a sculpture garden, enjoying iconic... 
WalkingLoop as Lab: The Walking Tour
Experience Chicago’s urban planning history with a tour that reveals the city’s growth and...
WalkingLoyola University Campus
Discover the architectural beauty of Loyola University’s lakeside campus. Tucked away in Rogers Park,... 
WalkingMacy's on State
Come with us as we explore the fascinating history of Marshall Field’s – the...
WalkingMarquette Building
Completed in 1894, the Marquette Building brings Chicago’s early history to life in an... 
WalkingMerchandise Mart
Once the largest building the the world, the Merchandise Mart, now called the Mart,...
WalkingMies and Modernism: The IIT Campus
The Illinois Institute of Technology is home to the largest group of buildings designed... 
WalkingMillennium Park
Celebrate Millennium Park's 20th anniversary with a tour that reveals the park’s evolution from...
WalkingModernism: Reviving the Loop
Iconic buildings, public art, urban planning and government influence—this tour covers it all. 
WalkingMonadnock Building
Join people who come from around the world to see the mighty Monadnock. This...
WalkingMotor Row
Chicago's Motor Row Historic District is recognized as an official Historic Landmark District. Hear...
BusMurals by Bus: Pilsen
Explore Pilsen’s vibrant murals, showcasing Mexican-American culture and mural-making traditions on Chicago’s West Side....
WalkingMust-See Chicago
This fast-paced introductory tour features some of Chicago's most famous buildings.
WalkingNorth Dearborn Parkway: Ashes to Affluence
Learn the history of this storied Near North neighborhood, established in the wake of... 
WalkingNorthwestern University
Explore this stunning, wooded campus on the shore of Lake Michigan, featuring a wide... 
WalkingOld Town Triangle
Tour this unique landmark district, featuring St. Michael's Church and row-houses by Adler and... 
WalkingPalmer House Hotel
Experience the glamour, intrigue and excitement of the Palmer House, a "Grand Hotel" and...
WalkingPub Tour: Andersonville
Enjoy Andersonville's Swedish heritage and quirky architecture on a lively pub tour through this...
WalkingPub Tour: Fulton-Randolph Market
Experience Chicago’s fastest-growing neighborhood, the Fulton Market District, while enjoying artisanal drinks and gourmet...
WalkingPub Tour: Near North
Experience Chicago’s Near North side: a blend of historic architecture, Italian heritage, and vibrant... 
WalkingPub Tour: West Loop
Experience post-Chicago fire buildings, legends of the Haymarket Riots, and a few pints in...
WalkingReliance Building
Step into the Reliance building's lobby and upper floors for an immersive experience of... 
WalkingRiver North: Transformation of a Neighborhood
Journey through River North’s evolution from a manufacturing hub to a lively district with... 
WalkingRiverwalk East
Learn about newly completed improvements to the Chicago Riverwalk — starting at the Vietnam...
WalkingRiverwalk West
Discover the western portion of the Riverwalk and hear how this linear park —...
WalkingRookery Building
Explore the interior and exterior of one of Chicago’s most famous and beloved historic...
WalkingSacred Spaces in Downtown Chicago
Visit seven completely different sites—many designed by well-known architects. 
WalkingSheffield Historic District
Explore the myriad architectural styles that make the neighborhood unique, including late 19th century... 
WalkingSpanish Language: Arquitectura de Chicago: Un Paseo por El Tiempo
Una vista general a la rica cultura arquitectonica de Chicago, empezando de los primeros... 
BusThe Great Chicago Fire
Follow the route of the spread of the Great Chicago Fire and immerse yourself... 
WalkingThe Legacy of Northalsted
Join us in exploring Chicago’s proudest, most inclusive and colorful neighborhoods on a walk...
WalkingThe Old Post Office
Explore the new Old Post Office Building, whose early 20th-century design has been adaptively... 
WalkingTiffany in Chicago
Marvel at Chicago’s stunning Tiffany art-glass and mosaics—one of the largest collections in the... 
WalkingUkrainian Village
Take in the beauty of Ukrainian Village’s churches and residential architecture while hearing stories... 
WalkingUnion Station: Icon of a Great Age
Take in the elaborate details of this historic landmark, including the stunning Great Hall,...
WalkingUniversity of Chicago
From Collegiate Gothic to Contemporary, the University of Chicago campus offers a wide range... 
WalkingUniversity of Illinois Chicago
Explore the country's first fully planned, public urban university. 
WalkingUptown
Discover a treasure trove of terra cotta ornamentation and creatively repurposed historic buildings. 
WalkingWabash Avenue Arts Corridor
Explore murals by celebrated street artists on this walking tour of the Wabash Avenue...
WalkingWalk Pilsen
Discover Pilsen’s vibrant street art, historic landmarks, and dynamic cultural heritage. 
WalkingWalk the 606
Journey along The 606, an elevated park and trail, connecting four Chicago neighborhoods. Currently...
WalkingWhat's New
This tour features some of the most recent additions to the built environment near... 
WalkingWillis Tower Revitalized
Experience the iconic Willis Tower with a visit to the 103rd floor Skydeck combined...
discounted tour pricing for members
Free essential walking tours, 66% off premier walking tours, invitations to exclusive members-only events, and more.
accessibility & safety
The Chicago Architecture Center welcomes all visitors and is committed to making its offerings feel safe and accessible to everyone.
Looking for more to do?
Check out our calendar to see everything happening at the CAC beyond city tours
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