Chicago Walking Tour: Historic Skyscrapers

64 Reviews4.78 out of 5 stars Based on 64 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Chicago, USA

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1 hour 30 minutes (Approx.)
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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.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

410 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605, USA

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This tour meets at 410 S. Michigan Ave., outside the Fine Arts Building.

End point

Monadnock Building, 53 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604, USA

Monadnock Building. Actual ending location may vary.

Start Time

Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.
Historic Skyscrapers
1/1/2025 - 1/31/2025
2/1/2025 - 3/13/2025
3/14/2025 - 5/22/2025

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What To Expect

Fine Arts Building

Meet here to start the tour.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Auditorium Building

View the building from the outside
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Rookery Building

View the building from the outside
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Chicago Board of Trade Building

View the exterior of the building
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Marquette Building

View the building from the outside
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Monadnock Building

View the exterior of the building
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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
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1 minute • Admission Ticket Included

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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
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup not offered
  • Food and drinks
  • Coat check
  • Storage for luggage and strollers

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.

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-3173HS

Reviews

4.78
64 reviews

Average 4.78 out of 5 stars based on 64 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor

5 stars
56
4 stars
6
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
2

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