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Chicago is known around the world for its architecture. Whether you choose to explore our fabled downtown or one of the city’s many distinct and charming neighborhoods, our expert docents will guide you by boat, bus, train or on foot and share the stories behind the buildings. Visit iconic skyscrapers, elegant hotels or the legendary houses of Frank Lloyd Wright. With dozens of tours to choose from, we won't blame you if you can't pick just one.

Recommended Tours

Chicago’s First Skyscrapers

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…

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
410 S. Michigan Ave.

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
410 S. Michigan Ave.

Art Deco Skyscrapers: The Loop

Go inside the lobbies of Art Deco masterpieces built in the heart of Chicago’s financial district during the Roaring '20s. Learn how Art Deco reflected the era’s fun-loving optimism with lavish materials and geometric ornament.

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Outside 30 N. LaSalle St.

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Outside 30 N. LaSalle St.

Fulton-Randolph Market

Discover the fascinating 150-year evolution of the Fulton-Randolph Market District from food wholesaling and meatpacking to gourmet restaurants, technology hubs and boutique hotels.

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
1000 W. Lake St.

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
1000 W. Lake St.

Lights, Camera, Architecture!

Chicago’s unique architecture has co-starred in movies with Ferris Bueller, Batman and the Blues Brothers, among other famous big screen characters. See some of the buildings featured in these films and more!

Price
$30 Public, Free for Members
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

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Price
$30 Public, Free for Members
Duration
1.5 Hours
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr.

Evanston Along the Lake

This walk through Evanston's Lakeshore Historic District explores a variety of churches and residences in the town that became Daniel Burnham's "country retreat" and which is still considered one of Chicago's most desirable suburbs.

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Northwest corner of Hinman Ave. and Lake St., Evanston, IL

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Northwest corner of Hinman Ave. and Lake St., Evanston, IL

Fort Sheridan

Discover the history and architecture of Fort Sheridan, a former military base listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Rothblatt-Amrany Fine Arts Studio, 912 Lyster Rd., Highwood, IL

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Rothblatt-Amrany Fine Arts Studio, 912 Lyster Rd., Highwood, IL

Lake Bluff

Explore the fascinating history reflected in the unique designs of the North Shore suburb of Lake Bluff. Trace the history from the formation of the Lake Bluff Camp Meeting Association, and their plans for a resort similar to the Chautauqua movement,…

Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Lake Bluff Metra Station, 600 Sheridan Rd., Lake Bluff, IL

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Price
$30 Public, $10 Basic Members, Free for Deco Members and above
Duration
2 Hours
Meet
Lake Bluff Metra Station, 600 Sheridan Rd., Lake Bluff, IL