Booking fee
The booking fee includes the costs of booking your tickets such as charges for payment processing. It also covers the provision of our customer care center for processing your order, and all charges imposed by our suppliers.
* This tour requires at least one of the following per booking: Adult, Senior
Learn about the great architectural landmarks of Michigan Avenue and State Street. The 40 years between 1890 and 1930 saw the creation of some of Chicago’s the most memorable buildings, many of which are featured on this tour.
After the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, Chicago was determined to become a great cultural and commercial metropolis. This tour is a testament to that era's ambitions. See buildings by Daniel Burnham, Louis Sullivan, Holabird and Roche and other noted architects and hear the stories behind the city's architectural gems.
As a certified nonprofit, all CAC ticket purchases directly support our education efforts and community engagement projects.
Admission to the Galleries of the Chicago Architecture Center
Narration by a professional and certified guide
Walking tour of Chicago Architecture
Hotel pick-up or drop-off
Storage for luggage or strollers
Coat check
Departure Point
111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
Meet at the Chicago Architecture Center at 111 E Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL, 60601
Return Details
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.
111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA Chicago Architecture Center; introductory remarks from the docent 5 minutes
Wrigley Building, Chicago, Illinois, United States View the Wrigley Building 5 minutes
Palmer House Hilton Historic Lobby, Chicago, Illinois, United States View the exterior and interior of the Palmer House Hotel
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required to enter this location. 10 minutes
Carbide and Carbon Building, Chicago, Illinois, United States View the Carbide and Carbon Building 5 minutes
Reliance Building, Chicago, Illinois, United States View the Reliance Building. 5 minutes
Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States View the exterior and interior of the Chicago Cultural Center 10 minutes
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure 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.
elainemG256NQ
12 Aug 2025
This was a wonderful tour of the gold coast treasures. Guide knew about all the architects and owners. I would highly recommend it to anyone.
Robert M
29 Jul 2025
A great tour guided by Ron R who pointed out features that we would never have appreciated and provided interesting facts about each building.
U7012JObartb
28 Jul 2025
Excellent guided tour, with to the point explenations including facts, figures, interesting details ... all this without being becomes bored. Good pace through the downtown. Worth every cent.
This tour in
Chicago
is organized by
Chicago Architecture Center
We always double-check the availability with our local partners for each booking. Even though this is usually a swift process, it can take up to 24 hours. Once this process is completed you will receive your voucher or ticket by email. If our local partner is not able to confirm your booking we will offer you the best possible alternative. If the new date and/or time doesn’t fit your itinerary, we will reimburse the full amount paid.
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