Chicago's First Skyscrapers
Chicago is home to some of the world’s first skyscrapers. Get an up-close look at these 19th Century marvels. *CAC Select tour.
- Walking
- Essential
Art Deco Skyscrapers: Landmark Lobbies
Step out of the cold and into the lobbies of three Art Deco skyscrapers that showcase the prosperity and optimism of the Roaring 20s on this 1-hour version of Art Deco Skyscrapers: The Riverfront.
Discover the bold style and rich detail of Art Deco architecture while learning the answers to questions like: What defines Art Deco? Where did the term come from? And was that green skyscraper on Michigan Avenue really designed to look like a Champagne bottle?
Architects and Styles
Meet
Chicago Architecture Center 111 E. Wacker Dr.
All of the buildings on this 1-hour tour are located within 1½ blocks of the Chicago Architecture Center. Their faithfully restored lobbies feature floral borders coated with silver leaf, walls clad with Greek marble and bonze elevator doors that contemplate the passage of time. Offered only in fall and winter, this compact tour provides less exposure to the elements and more exposure to the glamour and history inside some of Chicago’s best Art Deco buildings.
Know before you go:
- This tour is a shortened version of Art Deco Skyscrapers: The Riverfront, covering the first three buildings from that longer tour.
- This tour includes two brief visits to second-floor balconies accessed only by stairs.
Tour Reviews
Carbon and Carbide Building
Hampton Inn Chicago Motor Club
Hampton Inn Chicago Motor Club
LondonHouse Hotel Lobby.
Similar Tours
- Walking
- Walking
Art Deco Skyscrapers: The Loop
Step into the lobbies of Art Deco masterpieces built in the heart of Chicago’s financial district during the glamorous Roaring ’20s. Learn how the modern style of Art Deco reflected the era’s prosperity and optimism. *CAC Select tour.
- Walking
Lakeshore Living: Steel and Stone
See the evolution of deluxe residential buildings in and around Streeterville, from stately stone mansions to sleek glass high-rises. - Walking
Art Deco Skyscrapers: The Riverfront
Step inside the lobbies of five Art Deco masterpieces built near the banks of the Chicago River and see how their lavish ornament reflected the prosperity and optimism of the Roaring 20s.
Free Center Entry with Your Ticket
Ticket price includes entrance to the Chicago Architecture Center within 7 days of your walking or bus tour.
