Chicago Walking Tour: Historic Skyscrapers

4.8 (81 reviews) 1 h 30 min Free cancellation

out of 5

81 reviews

4.8

Historic Loop Skyscrapers — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Auditorium Building — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

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.

Private and Luxury Architecture Tours Cultural Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Small Group Excellent Quality Short term availability

At a glance

Duration: 1 h 30 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 10 people
People per booking: 1–10
Guide: English
Operated by: Chicago Architecture Center

Ages: Adults (0–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Admission to the Galleries of the Chicago Architecture Center
Included: Narration by a professional and certified Guide
Included: Historic walking tour of Chicago's architecture

Not included

Not included: Food and drinks
Not included: Coat check
Not included: Storage for luggage and strollers

Itinerary

Fine Arts Building

10 min

Meet here to start the tour.
Auditorium Building

10 min

View the building from the outside
The Rookery Building

10 min

View the building from the outside
Chicago Board Of Trade Building

5 min

View the exterior of the building
Marquette Building

5 min

View the building from the outside
Monadnock Building

5 min

View the exterior of the building
Chicago Architecture Center

1 min Admission included

This building is not directly part of the tour, however, the tour ticket includes admission to the galleries at the Chicago Architecture Center

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

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

End point

Monadnock Building. Actual ending location may vary.

Using your ticket

Please arrive 10 minutes before departure at 410 S. Michigan Avenue and have your confirmation at hand. The docent will have your name on a list of attendees.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

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.