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

Tue 10 Jun

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $35.00

Make a reservation

Tue 10 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)

H36CDalexisb

Jul 2024

You can’t understand Chicago without understanding its historic first skyscrapers. These gems are worth seeing and preserving for many generations. I learned so much on this tour. I highly recommend!

Response from Host

Jul 2024

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

clarep654

Jun 2024

We saw some beautiful architect on this tour. Lesson learned: look up! There is a treasure trove of beauty on the ceilings in Chicago. Matt did a great job and seemed as bummed as we were that certain buildings were not included. Maybe it's time for Part II? Thank you for a nice afternoon.

Response from Host

Jun 2024

Thank you for the great review! We're so happy you enjoyed the tour with Matt and hope to see you again soon!

Chi_explorer312

Jun 2024

Our docent was excellent! The buildings we saw were beautiful and their history was interesting. I’ve passed the buildings many times and hadn’t ever take the time to really look before. So glad to have done this tour!

Response from Host

Jun 2024

Thank you for the fantastic review! We're so happy you enjoyed the tour and hope to see you again soon!