
Featured Tour
Remembering Stanley Tigerman Bus Tour
This special tour honors the legacy of Chicago architect Stanley Tigerman, who passed away in June. While…
The CAC will be open until 8pm on select Fridays & Saturdays between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Choose one of CAC’s acclaimed architecture tours, from a selection of our guests’ perennial favorites.
Select a tour of architectural treasures throughout Chicago and its suburbs, brought to life as only a CAC docent can.
Discover all of CAC’s newest architecture tours—including tours that feature recent upgrades or the timely building topics you want to know about most.
Explore some of Chicago’s less familiar sites, or discover an unusual CAC tour offering you might not have heard about.
Choose one of CAC’s acclaimed architecture tours, from a selection of our guests’ perennial favorites.
Must-See Chicago is a fast-paced, 90-minute introductory tour to Chicago featuring some of its most famous…
Discover the exciting diversity of Chicago architecture on this wide-ranging odyssey, which traces the…
Learn about the great architectural landmarks of Michigan Avenue and State Street, with glimpses inside…
Explore Chicago’s amazing architecture from the unique perspective of elevated trains and station platforms…
Tour the lobbies of five opulent Art Deco skyscrapers built near the banks of the Chicago River during…
Select a tour of architectural treasures throughout Chicago and its suburbs, brought to life as only a CAC docent can.
This lively overview of Chicago architecture explores iconic buildings from the 1890s to present. We'll…
Chicago is recognized as a leader in Modern architecture, a style that revolutionized our visual world…
Want a quick introduction to Chicago’s magnificent architecture? This 90-minute tour takes a comprehensive…
Chicago is experiencing a surge in tourism, resulting in the creative repurpose of historic skyscrapers…
Chicago is home to some of the world’s earliest skyscrapers. Get an up-close look at these 19th Century…
Discover all of CAC’s newest architecture tours—including tours that feature recent upgrades or the timely building topics you want to know about most.
Explore some of Chicago’s less familiar sites, or discover an unusual CAC tour offering you might not have heard about.
Union Station is seen every day by thousands of commuters—and yet, not really seen! Slow down and take…
Come discover the Monroe Building—Chicago's architectural gem hidden in plain sight! See its gorgeous…
Your selections are: Walking
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,…
Note: Scheduled departures for this tour will return next season. To be notified when tickets for our next tour season go on sale, email tickets@architecture.org.
Experience the Lake Forest Cemetery's park-like setting overlooking Lake Michigan in one of Chicago's most beautiful premier suburbs. Hear stories of Lake Forest's founding and those who made their mark from Civil War to modern times.
Note: No upcoming departures are currently scheduled for this tour. To learn about other CAC tours and events, sign up to receive our monthly e-news at architecture.org/email.
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!
Note: Scheduled departures for this tour will return next season. To be notified when tickets for our next tour season go on sale, email tickets@architecture.org.
Take a pleasant walk through Chicago’s beautiful Lincoln Park—a former lakeside cemetery turned recreation destination. Hear about the park’s history, learn the stories behind famous sculptures and enjoy a stroll through the park’s beloved zoo…
Note: Scheduled departures for this tour will return next season. To be notified when tickets for our next tour season go on sale, email tickets@architecture.org.
Step back into the late 19th century and early 20th century with this walk down Logan Boulevard, one of the best preserved sections of Chicago’s boulevard system.
Note: Scheduled departures for this tour will return next season. To be notified when tickets for our next tour season go on sale, email tickets@architecture.org.
See the trailblazing work of Louis H. Sullivan on this tour through Chicago’s Loop and discover how this pioneering architect cleverly fused elements of nature with early skyscraper technology.
Explore the construction, development and renovation of this State Street landmark by Daniel Burnham.
A new and unique addition to Chicago's urban landscape, Maggie Daley Park provides an adventurous and playful space that features climbing walls, tennis courts, an ice-skating and walking ribbon, an enchanted forest and play areas, all set among grassy…
Note: Scheduled departures for this tour will return next season. To be notified when tickets for our next tour season go on sale, email tickets@architecture.org.
Discover how a dirt road known as Pine Street transformed into a "Paris on the Prairie" and later into the Magnificent Mile, the city’s premier shopping district. Hear the secrets and stories behind the striking buildings on North Michigan Avenue that…
Completed in 1895, the Marquette Building brings Chicago’s early history to life in an artistic and elegant setting. Examine the innovative exterior and get an up-close view of the beautiful interior.
Note: Scheduled departures for this tour will return next season. Please email tickets@architecture.org to be notified when tickets are available.
Discover one of Chicago's boldest and most colorful buildings, the Media Production Center at Columbia College, designed by world-renowned Chicago architect Jeanne Gang, winner of a 2011 MacArthur Foundation Fellows Award.
Note: No upcoming departures are currently scheduled for this tour. To learn about other CAC tours and events, sign up to receive our monthly e-news at architecture.org/email.
Once the largest building in the world, the Merchandise Mart remains a center for commercial and residential design. This massive structure has kept up with the times and is now recognized as a key Chicago hub for technological innovation.
The Illinois Institute of Technology is home to the largest group of buildings designed by Mies van der Rohe—the most influential figure in American Modernism. This tour traces the evolution of the campus with a special emphasis on the years 1938—1958—the…
Note: Scheduled departures for this tour will return next season. To be notified when tickets for our next tour season go on sale, email tickets@architecture.org.
Learn how architects, artists and engineers collaborated with Chicago’s movers and shakers to transform a railroad yard and parking lot into a magnificent park that has thrilled millions and become the envy of cities around the world.
Note: Scheduled departures for this tour will return next season. To be notified when tickets for our next tour season go on sale, email tickets@architecture.org.
Where else but Chicago can you find two iconic mid-century buildings living side by side? Get the inside scoop on the buildings and their architects, Bertrand Goldberg and Mies van der Rohe. We will compare and contrast the sites, uses, structures, styles…
Note: Scheduled departures for this tour will return next season. To be notified when tickets for our next tour season go on sale, email tickets@architecture.org.