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

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $30.00

Make a reservation

Mon 24 Feb

Starting at $30.00

Make a reservation

New York City Tours

Unique Activities (21) Transfers & Transportation (103) Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises (113) Entry Tickets (47) Sporting Events (1) Good for Small Groups (6) Seasonal & Holiday Tours (41) Walking Tours (697) Outdoor Activities (20) Limitied Availability Tours (6) LGBT Friendly Tours (4) Family-friendly Activities (7) Solo Travelers' Tours (147) Food & Drinks (27) Travelers recommend (73) Good for Groups (8) Top Activities (18) Guided Audio Tours (3) Art, Culture & History (135) Attractions to explore (38)

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)

Annette F

Jun 2018

It was incredible to hear about the history of Chicago. The tour was an easy stroll. There are little radio/earplugs to hear the guide. He was very knowledgeable and friendly.

Response from Host

Jun 2018

We are so glad that you enjoyed the walking tour! Thank you for taking the time to review us.

DMSCAD

May 2018

Did the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s Historic Skyscrapers walking tour on a Wednesday morning 10am-12pm having booked a ticket in advance. Our group was only five people. The guide, Charles, was very informative and took us around a number of streets in the Loop, going in a few buildings, and explained how technology influenced style and form. Overall, excellent. I learned a fair bit and saw things I wouldn’t have seen / noticed had I guided myself. Highly recommended.

Response from Host

May 2018

We are so glad that you enjoyed the walking tour! Thank you for taking the time to review us and for the kind words.

MaryM66

May 2018

This was a wonderful walking tour and educational experience about the Chicago Commercial Style of architecture, exemplified in early skyscrapers. Our guide was wonderful in explaining and educating without being too technical. By the end of the tour, I really felt I knew more and appreciated Chicago skyscraper architecture. I would highly recommend this to anyone who appreciates the Chicago skyline.

Response from Host

May 2018

We are so glad that you enjoyed the walking tour! Thank you for taking the time to review us and for the kind words.

...

Chicago Walking Tour: Historic Skyscrapers

Related events

Events in the same area