Chicago Architecture, History and Culture Loop Walking Tour

5.0 (3 reviews) 3 hours Free cancellation

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5.0

Chicago Architecture, History and Culture Loop Walking Tour — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Chicago Architecture, History and Culture Loop Walking Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Explore Chicago’s historic Loop through the prism of its architecture. This three-hour trek will cover defining moments from 350 years of Chicago’s history, including the first Europeans to come through here, the Great Chicago Fire, the origin of the skyscraper, the 1893 World’s Fair, Prohibition and the creation of Millennium Park.

Along the way, you’ll discover some of the Loop’s most beautiful interiors, found in buildings that thousands of people walk past every day, completely unaware of what’s inside…And how things created inside those buildings shaped our current world for the better.

You’ll hear the stories of the men and women--including Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, Daniel Burnham, Potter and Bertha Palmer, and Muddy Waters--who made Chicago what it is today, and those, like Jeanne Gang, who are defining Chicago’s architectural future.

Half-day Tours Private and Luxury Architecture Tours Cultural Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Short term availability Weather Dependent - Low

At a glance

Duration: 3 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 15 people
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English
Operated by: Chicago History Walking Tours

Ages: Children (1–13 years) · Adults (14–85 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Entrance fees: Entrance fee

Not included

Not included: Gratuities
Not included: Bottled water

Itinerary

Pioneer Court

10 min

The DuSable Bridge on Michigan Ave. is where Chicago’s story begins, and so does ours! We’ll discuss how and why this particular spot on the shores of Lake Michigan became one of the world’s most important cities.
Carbide and Carbon Building

5 min

A beautiful Art Deco skyscraper that exemplifies how to repurpose buildings. Plus, its design has a secret story!
The Chicago Theatre

10 min

The dazzling marquee is one of the most famous signs in Chicago (second only to Wrigley Field). We’ll learn about the ups-and-downs of this grand movie palace and find out about a secret symbol to look for throughout the rest of the tour.
Marshall Field And Company Building

15 min

Now a Macy’s, we’ll stroll through the massive store, see its Tiffany stained glass mosaic and atrium while talking about the innovations created within that are still in use in modern department stores.
Chicago Cultural Center

20 min

Opened as Chicago’s first library in 1897, the Cultural Center boasts arguably the most beautiful interior of any publicly accessible building in the city. And yet, many Chicagoans have never set foot inside it, making it the ultimate hidden gem in the middle of downtown.
Millennium Park

30 min

Millennium Park transformed 24 acres of railroad tracks and parking lots into the city’s centerpiece. We’ll explore the park’s highlights, including Pritzker Pavilion, Crown Fountain and, of course, the iconic Bean.
Palmer House Hilton Historic Lobby

15 min

The Palmer House traces its origins to pre-Fire Chicago, and was once the largest hotel in the world. Its lobby remains a marvel of Jazz Age decor.
The Picasso

10 min

Pablo Picasso’s sculpture in the heart of downtown polarized locals when it was unveiled in 1967, but has since become a source of pride. We’ll talk about how Picasso, who never visited Chicago, came to create a piece for the city, and try to figure out what it is.