2 Hours Chicago Architecture Tour - Skyscrapers and Photo Ops

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Chicago Architecture Tour - Skyscrapers, History and Photo Ops — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Explore the architectural extravaganza of Chicago downtown and discover the most amazing and captivating facts about the first high-rises, city planning, and construction history.

Get a unique chance to combine touring by foot and by L train, and see the city’s most iconic landmarks like The Rookery Building, Chicago Cultural Center, First Arts Building, and more 19th and early 20th-century masterpieces. Be ready to see the City by the Lake from a new perspective and get to know it even closer as you stroll down its streets and travel by train.

Enjoy the small-group experience and don’t miss a thing as you travel

Discover the downtown and historical building together with your local knowledgeable guide

Marvel at architectural landmarks of the City by the Lake and get to know the stories behind them

Combine a walking tour with a train to see more landmarks and iconic sights on one tour.

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At a glance

Duration: 2 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 20 people
People per booking: 1–10
Guide: English
Operated by: Friendly Local Guides

Ages: Adults (18–100 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Iconic places for photoshoot
Included: Must see and off the beaten path
Included: All main architectural masterpieces of downtown Chicago
Included: Small-group walking tour
Included: All Fees and Taxes
Included: Friendly local guide

Not included

Not included: Gratuities

Itinerary

Fine Arts Building

10 min

Get your Chicago journey started at Fine Arts Building, designed in 1885 by architect Solon S. Beman. After 2 years of construction, the building gained the title of one of Chicago’s architectural jewels. Initially built for the Studebaker company, in 1898 it became the Fine Arts Building after the renovation. Since that time the place has been a haven for artists. Be mesmerized by the style and design, paying attention to the façade details.
Harold Washington Library Center

10 min

Admire the splendor of the Harold Washington Library Center. The rooftop of the building is decorated with Gothic-style sculptures which distinguish the building from the rest of Chicago’s architecture. The library was named after the first African-American Chicago mayor but it was open to the public only in 1991. At present, the library possesses a great number of rare books separated into periods. The building entered the Guinness Book as the largest public library building.
Monadnock Building

10 min

Take a chance to see one of the first buildings in Chicago to acquire the title of a skyscraper and at the same time the last high-rise, built according to traditional brick architecture. Be attracted to the structure’s strict design and monolithic tremendousness justifying the mountain it is named after. It was inspired by Mount Monadnock, a famous peak in southern New Hampshire. The term “monadnock” itself was used by American geographers to describe a “rocky mass”.
Marquette Building

10 min

Head on to another skyscraper, built in Chicago during the 19th-century building boom. Fast city growth required building profitable high-rises turning them into machines that would make the land pay. Marvel at rich terra cotta ornamentation, decorative bronze reliefs, and sparking Tiffany mosaics. But don’t miss a fascinating story behind the building as told by your enthusiastic local guide.
Stop 5

10 min

Take a break and grab some delicacies at Revival Food Hall, a 24,000 square foot marketplace spotlighting the best of Chicago’s culinary scene under one roof. Located on the ground floor of The National Building it also gives a great feel of the time. You can choose any options hamburgers, pizza, Mexican food, and a lot more.
The Rookery Building

20 min

Take a look at the majestic Rookery Building, a must-see for all architecture geeks and photo amateurs. This is the first skyscraper that was built with the newest materials and engineering technologies, which laid a foundation for today’s high-rises all over the world. It was completed by architects Daniel Burnham and John Wellborn Root in 1888, having become one of their masterpiece buildings.
Stop 7

20 min Admission included

Make your way to Quincy station and get aboard the Chicago L train to have fast transportation to the last two landmarks on the tour. It was opened in 1897, which makes it one of the oldest surviving stations on the L system. Thanks to renovations of 1988 the station preserved its original look and authentic feel for its visitors to enjoy.
Macy's on State Street

10 min

Shop till you drop at the iconic Macy’s State Street department store where you can find anything to buy and admire the architectural style of the building. It is situated inside the Chicago Loop and has become a true architectural monument of the 20th century. See the old elevators being museum exhibits themselves. Look up to admire the gorgeous ceiling with wonderful glass mosaic.
Chicago Cultural Center

15 min

Let your tour culminate in the architectural pearl of Chicago, which is the Chicago Cultural Center. Enter the building and be carried to a completely another fabulous world. The Cultural Center was opened in 1897 and it claims to have the world’s largest Tiffany glass mosaic dome. Stroll through the halls and marvel at stupendous ceilings with ornaments, reliefs, and decorations. Chicago Cultural Center is home to many free music and art events, as well as some official ceremonies.