Chicago Walking Tour: Historic Skyscrapers in Chicago booking from $30.00

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.

City: Chicago

Mon 24 Feb

Other dates

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Starting at $30.00

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Mon 24 Feb

Starting at $30.00

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.
Tour Guides are trained and certified by the CAC. As volunteers, they are exceptionally motivated, enthusiastic, and capable interpreters of Chicago's world-class architectural legacy. CAC tours are the real deal - narrated, but not scripted, led by Chicago enthusiasts.
Not recommended for young children.
Pets are not allowed.
Access to building interiors featured on this tour may be subject to change, due to weekend and holiday schedules or unforeseen closures.
Face masks required for travellers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
Your safety is our priority. The itinerary of this tour may be altered in accordance with health and safety policies and considerations.

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 (52)

Ann U

May 2013

Our guide was a wealth of information. Being a Chicago native, I've seen these buildings many times, but found out so much more about them. There were many that I've never been inside of and I was truly amazed.

KP B

Apr 2013

I really enjoyed this tour! It's so interesting to learn the history behind these skyscrapers. Our tour guide was so passionate about his city and it was really infectious. It was also interesting to know that they don't get paid to take the tours, so they do it purely for the passion and interest. I would recommend this tour and add in the Modern Skyscraper tour if you have time.

Zach M

Jan 2013

It was raining/light snow during the tour. The guide did an excellent job. Favorite stop was the Rookery. We went inside a handful of buildings including this building.

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Chicago Walking Tour: Historic Skyscrapers

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