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.
WalkingAqua, St. Regis Chicago & Lakeshore East
Discover two iconic buildings designed by woman-led Studio Gang and explore the surrounding Lakeshore... 
WalkingArchitecture of the Magnificent Mile
Explore Chicago’s evolution from a dirt road called Pine Street to the iconic Magnificent... 
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... 
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 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...
WalkingChicago's Moveable Bridges
Understand how the unique Chicago-style bascule bridges work. 
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: Revitalizing the South Loop
Explore the South Loop, one of Chicago’s hottest neighborhoods! Visit some wonderful historic buildings... 
WalkingExplore Chinatown
Discover the art, architecture and history of Chinatown. 
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: Symbols in Stone
Curious about the different headstones, statues and symbols in a cemetery? Currently available for...
WalkingHistoric Austin
Visit Austin’s historic late 19th and early 20th century houses, schools and churches, and...
WalkingHotel Boom: Making Old New Again
Learn about the benefits and challenges of adaptive reuse. Currently available for
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. 
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,... 
WalkingMillennium Park
Celebrate Millennium Park's 20th anniversary with a tour that reveals the park’s evolution from...
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... 
WalkingOld Town Triangle
Tour this unique landmark district, featuring St. Michael's Church and row-houses by Adler and... 
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—called Chicago’s... 
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... 
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... 
WalkingUniversity of Illinois Chicago
Explore the country's first fully planned, public urban university. 
WalkingWabash Avenue Arts Corridor
Explore murals by celebrated street artists on this walking tour of the Wabash Avenue...
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...
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.
