Chicago Walking Tour: Historic Skyscrapers

Overview

Chicago is home to some of the world’s earliest skyscrapers. Get an up-close look at these 19th Century marvels, learn about innovations used to build them and discover how they transformed Chicago into a center of skyscraper design and engineering.

Highlights on this walking tour include Burnham and Root’s Rookery (1888), a transitional building with a Moorish and Romanesque exterior and a stunning interior atrium re-designed by Frank Lloyd Wright; Adler and Sullivan’s Auditorium Building (1889), a masterpiece of acoustical and structural engineering; and Holabird and Roche’s Marquette Building (1895), an outstanding example of the metal frame expression with traditional details and decorations.

As a certified nonprofit, all CAC ticket purchases directly support our education efforts and community engagement projects.

City: Chicago

Sun 29 Jun

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $35.00

Make a reservation

Sun 29 Jun

Starting at $35.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Admission to the Galleries of the Chicago Architecture Center

Narration by a professional and certified Guide

Historic walking tour of Chicago's architecture

Additional Info

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
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This tour will depart from the Fine Arts Building, 410 S Michigan Ave.
Not recommended for young children.
Pets are not allowed.
Access to building interiors featured on this tour may be subject to change without notice due to weekend and holiday schedules or unforeseen closures.

What To Expect

Fine Arts Building

Meet here to start the tour.

Auditorium Building

View the building from the outside

The Rookery Building

View the building from the outside

Chicago Board Of Trade Building

View the exterior of the building

Marquette Building

View the building from the outside

Monadnock Building

View the exterior of the building

Chicago Architecture Center

This building is not directly part of the tour, however, the tour ticket includes admission to the galleries at the Chicago Architecture Center

Show 4 more stops

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (64)

matthewcB340SR

Dec 2024

Really loved the Reliance Building tomorrow. Docent was very knowledgeable and made tour interesting! Will definitely do more tours soon. Thanks!

Response from Host

Jan 2025

Thank you for the wonderful review! We're so happy you enjoyed the tour of the Reliance Building and hope to see you again!

giapet333

Sep 2024

Our guide was friendly a knowledgeable and gave us a great crash course in early Chicago architecture, we absolutely loved it!

Response from Host

Oct 2024

Thank you for the great review! We're so happy you enjoyed the Historic Skyscrapers tour and hope to see you again!

pdxbbtravelers

Sep 2024

We have taken many walking tours with the Chicago Architecture Center, and loved every one of them. This tour about Chicago’s first skyscrapers was the best of the best. The guide was fantastic. We highly recommend the tour!

Response from Host

Sep 2024

Thank you for the great review! We're so happy you enjoyed the Chicago's First Skyscrapers tour and hope to see you again!