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The 17 best architecture tours of Chicago

Discover Art Deco skyscrapers, modern marvels and Frank Lloyd Wright–designed homes on these architecture tours of Chicago

Even if you're a longtime local, there's something special about taking in the city's architecture on foot or from the water with the help of an expert. From glass and steel castles to ornate Art Deco buildings to street art and cultural landmarks in our neighborhoods, there's a reason these tours are among the best attractions in Chicago . Nerd out over the design, engineering and construction behind the most beautiful buildings in Chicago on guided walks, bus rides and boat tours . First-time visitors will be happy to know that these architecture tours double as sightseeing walks of the best Chicago attractions —you might even be able to snap a few Instagrams along the way. Here's a few of our favorite tours that are equally engaging for tourists and Chicago lifers. 

RECOMMENDED: Check out the full guide to the best Chicago tours

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Architecture tours of Chicago

Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise

For a comprehensive overview of Chicago’s skyline, there’s no better vantage point than aboard Chicago's First Lady. You’ll spy more than 50 architecturally significant buildings, from the Wrigley Building to newcomers like the St. Regis. An expert guide will give you the lowdown on Chicago’s rise from the Great Fire of 1871, the advent of balloon-frame construction and other crucial moments in the city’s history. Choose to cruise by day or watch the city light up with an evening option.  $52

Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tour

You're certainly not short on great options to see Chicago's stunning architecture from the river. On Shoreline Sightseeing's signature 75-minute tour, you'll observe more than 40 landmarks, including Tribune Tower and Marina City. A knowledgeable guide shares the stories behind the architects, engineers, movers and shakers that gave us the nickname "City of the Big Shoulders." $43-47

Chicago's Original Architecture River Tour

Travel the Chicago River in style with a bartender, an entertaining tour guide and killer views as you explore the city's architecture on all three main branches of the Chicago river. A 45-minute version is also available. $42

Must-See Chicago

Want to check out Chicago's architecture but short on time? Try this 90-minute "Greatest Hits" walking tour from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, which offers an informative, fast-paced introduction to key landmarks. The tour includes stops at more than a dozen buildings, including the Chicago Theatre, Aqua Tower, Willis (Sears) Tower, the Wrigley Building and the Art Institute of Chicago. Make sure to bring something to take notes! $30

One of the coolest aspects of Chicago architecture is that it's always evolving, with new landmarks continuing to shape our skyline. This 90-minute tour from the Chicago Architecture Foundation is all about what's new in Chicago, taking guests to buildings like 462 N. Park and the St. Regis and discussing their impact on the city's changing built environment and economy. $30

Frank Lloyd Wright Trust Bus Tours

These tours, led by experts dedicated to preserving and educating about the work of Chicagoland's most famous architect, are definitely not cheap, but a must for Frank Lloyd Wright superfans. (Frankenstans?) The "Wright Around Chicago" includes stops at the gorgeous Rookery Building and Wright's home and studio in Oak Park, while the "Wright Along the Lake" tour includes a visit to the exquisite 1915 Emil Bach House. Oh, and lunch and a prosecco toast are included. $195

Free Tours By Foot's Architecture Tour

If you're traveling on a budget, you can still get an excellent overview of Chicago's architecture thanks to Free Tours By Foot's pay-what-you-can two-hour walking tours. These volunteer-led tours take you to key landmarks like Cloud Gate, Marina City, the Leo Burnett Building and works by Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan and Mies van der Rohe. 

Chicago Walking Tour: Art Deco Skyscrapers

Take a trip back to the Roaring Twenties with this tour, which takes you through the history of many iconic Chicago buildings. Choose from the Loop route, which includes One North LaSalle and the towering Board of Trade, or the Riverfront route for the gold-topped Carbide and Carbon building and the Holabird and Root-designed 333 N. Wacker Drive. Admire the geometric shapes, vibrant colors and sophisticated elegance that Art Deco construction is so well known for on these two-hour walking tours. $30

Chicago Mahogany Tours

Although these tours (which are created and by civic historian and TikTok star Shermann "Dilla" Thomas) aren't exclusively architecture-focused, the built environment plays a huge role in their explorations of the history, contributions and legacies of South Side neighborhoods like Roseland and Back of the Yards. And from Bronzeville's beautiful boulevards to Pullman's historic workers' homes, there's plenty for architecture buffs to explore on these important tours. 

Chicago For Chicagoans

Live in Chicago and feel like you've done all the downtown-centric architecture tours? Maybe it's time to give Chicago for Chicagoans a go. The tours, developed for locals by locals, are designed to build community and give Chicago natives a stronger appreciation for their neighborhoods and neighbors. Enjoy walking tours and fun scavenger hunts of Albany Park, Chinatown, Pilsen, Beverly and more—and the tours frequently end at local restaurants if all that walking works up an appetite.

Chicago Walking Tour: Modern Architecture

If you prefer sleek metal and glass designs to ornate Gothic architecture, you’ll want to book a spot on this two-hour walking tour of the city’s most famous modern buildings. Peep minimalist designs from Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, admire the Beaux-Arts beauty of the Harold Washington Library and ogle the chic contemporary look of One South Dearborn, among others. $30

White City Revisited

The announcement that the World’s Columbian Exhibition of 1893 would be held in Chicago spurred an explosion of new construction. Beaux-Arts buildings sprung up all over Jackson Park and the South Side—so many sparkly new buildings, in fact, that the area earned the nickname “White City.” More than 125 years later, visitors can still see the architectural impact of the fair on the city. This tour includes a visit to Jackson Park's Garden of the Phoenix and the Skylanding sculpture by Yoko Ono. $30

Private Chicago Architecture Tour

Don’t want to share your tour guide with a group? Reserve a private tour to spend an entire afternoon exploring the city’s most impressive buildings. You’ll stop at everything from Willis Tower to Gothic facades on the Magnificent Mile to Frank Lloyd Wright homes in Oak Park. Did we mention you’ll be chauffeured from stop to stop in a luxury town car or SUV, too? $930.60

Women in Chicago Architecture

As in so many industries, women’s contributions to the world of architecture have only recently begun to get their moment in the sun. Discover some of the female architects leaving their mark on Chicago’s skyline on this 45-minute virtual tour led by an expert from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, featuring sites like the Aqua Tower and Equitable Building. Who built the world? Girls! $8 for the public, free for members

Brick of Chicago

What's so exciting about brick? Common brick built much of Chicago, and this tour, created by local teacher Will Quam, takes you around neighborhoods like Logan Square, Hyde Park and Bronzeville to show how the built environment created our interesting and beautiful city. After marveling at churches and greystones and Gilded Age mansions, you'll find yourself taking a second, more appreciative look at the world around you. $12–19

Historic Austin

This 2-hour neighborhood-centric Chicago Architecture Foundation tour takes you through historic Midway Park, shows you works by prominent local architects including Frederick Schock, William Drummond and Dwight Perkins and gives you an opportunity to marvel at the neighborhood's grand Queen Anne and Prairie homes. During the tour, you'll also hear from Austin residents about their efforts to revitalize the neighborhood following decades of disinvestment and racist housing practices.

Walk Pilsen

Explore the cultural influence and impact of the many immigrant groups who have called Pilsen home and the intersection of art and architecture on this tour from the Chicago Architecture Foundation. On this two-hour tour, you'll visit residential, commercial, residential and cultural sites, from the 18th Street Pink Line station's murals to the Sokols, century-old Czech athletic clubs. $30

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Chicago Is Known for Its Incredible Architecture—Here’s How to See It

In a city teeming with staggering architecture, it’s worthwhile to take more than a cursory look around..

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Taking in the views of the city by boat is one of the best ways to get a sense of the scale of Chicago’s architecture.

Photo by Dimitry Anikin

It’s the birthplace of the skyscraper and home to giants like the 1,451-foot Willis Tower—the third tallest building in the United States—and the new-in-2020 St. Regis Chicago at 1,198 feet—the tallest skyscraper in the world designed by a woman—but skyscrapers are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Chicago’s dazzling architecture scene. The Windy City’s huge assortment of styles includes nouveau, neoclassical, and art deco gems; Frank Lloyd Wright marvels ; and more modernist buildings by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe than in any other city in the world. In fact, you could fill days with stories on Chicago architecture. Even better, opt for an expertly led deep dive with three tours focused on the city’s most fascinating works.

River Cruises on Chicago’s “First Lady” with the Chicago Architecture Center

• Where and when: Cruises depart from the Chicago Riverwalk dock near Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive (112 E. Wacker Dr.) multiple times a day, seven days a week, from late March to mid-November.
• Tour length: 90 minutes
• Price: From $52
• Buy tickets: via the CAC website

For the best all-around tour of the city’s most impressive structural giants that happens to double as a fun leisure cruise on the Chicago River, you can do no better than the Chicago Architecture Center’s (CAC) river cruises aboard Chicago’s First Lady . These river cruises stand out from others on offer because they’re delivered in partnership with the CAC and always led by the center’s volunteer docent guides. Steve Haddad, an accomplished orthopedic surgeon by trade, is one of those docents. “We’re lucky to have so many time periods and building styles represented here, preserved like a time capsule since the Great Chicago Fire of 1871,” Haddad says. Seeing a nonstop smattering of those styles is among the many perks of this cruise, along with the chance to explore all three branches of the Chicago River for jaw-dropping views of Chicago’s most iconic architecture from the unique vantage point of the water.

This is one of the best ways to take in Willis Tower, Trump Tower, and St. Regis Chicago, the last of which Haddad praises for its striking contemporary style and complex structural engineering components, including its layered glass and blow-through floor. The hits on this architecture cruise keep coming around every river bend: There are art deco gems like the sprawling Merchandise Mart and storied Tribune Tower with its cathedral roof, the art nouveau Lyric Opera House that hovers right above the river like a canyon wall, the white terra-cotta Wrigley Building built by the namesake chewing gum magnate, Harry Weese’s surprising nautical river cottages at the foot of the Kinzie Street Bridge—the list goes on. You’ll find yourself in awe of the cityscape, especially at the end of the cruise, when the boat turns around at the mouth of the river and Lake Michigan for an all-encompassing view of the Chicago skyline.

Guided Tours with the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust

• Where and when: The Chicago bus tour departs from the Rookery building lobby on Thursdays from June to October, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets sell out early, so book in advance. Oak Park home and studio tours are offered daily between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at 951 Chicago Ave., Oak Park.
• Tour length: Seven hours for Chicago tour; one hour and 45 minutes for Oak Park tour
• Price: $195 for Chicago tour (includes lunch and prosecco toast); $30 for Oak Park tour
• Buy tickets: via the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust website

For serious architecture buffs, no trip to Chicago is complete without a tour of the masterpieces designed by Midwest native Frank Lloyd Wright . Best known for his uniquely American prairie–style homes, Wright’s style was honed during his time in the nearby Chicago neighborhood of Oak Park (about a 20-minute drive from the city), home to more Wright houses than anywhere in the world. But the city also holds a smattering of important works and interior compositions by Wright.

Check out the not-for-profit Frank Lloyd Wright Trust for a choice of tours with expert commentary, including our two favorites. For the ultimate sampling of all things FLW, the seasonal “Wright Around Chicago” takes you on an exclusive small-group tour by bus to the architect’s most notable works across the city. Step inside the Rookery Light Court in the Financial District—one of Chicago’s earliest skyscrapers—as well as Wright’s home and studio in Oak Park where more than 140 buildings were designed. After lunch at a local café, visit the UNESCO-designated Unity Temple in Oak Park before the drive to the innovative Robie House on Chicago’s South Side, considered one of the most influential house designs of the early modern era. A scenic drive along the lakeshore leads you back to the Rookery, where you cap off the tour with a prosecco toast.

For those short on time and keen on lovely nature-inspired houses, head to Oak Park for a combined guided home and studio tour with a self-guided walking tour. The tour is offered all-year round and takes you inside the architect’s domicile and workplace, where the prairie style was born and where your guides point out the ways in which both spaces doubled as experimental laboratories for Wright. Take the self-guided walking tour before or after the guided tour for a look around the historic neighborhood rich in Wright influences.

Bronzeville Tour with TikTok sensation Dilla

• Where and when: Tours depart every other Saturday at 2 p.m. from the south lot of the DuSable Museum of African American History (740 E. 56th Pl., Chicago).
• Tour length: Two hours
• Book tickets: via the Chicago Mahogany website

“Everything dope about America comes from Chicago,” says lifelong Chicago resident and local historian Sherman “Dilla” Thomas, known for his 60-second TikTok videos on the city’s history. With a combined 150K followers across all the socials, @6figga_dilla’s unique approach to sharing Chicago’s untold stories has also earned him a number of accolades, including the 2022 Chicago Tourism Ambassador of the Year. Dilla is also currently working with Netflix on releasing a historical fiction series based on a real Chicago event. Visitors to Chicago can experience Dilla’s radical style of history telling live and right at the feet of important architectural works on his Chicago Mahogany Tours. Opt for the popular Bronzeville tour, which accommodates up to 50 people by coach bus. Dilla leads the tour, so imagine the entertaining vibe of his TikTok videos, all while visiting and hopping off here and there to explore sites like the Eighth Infantry Armory—the first of its kind built for an African American military regiment—the Supreme Liberty Life Insurance Building, the Ida B. Wells-Barnett mansion, and Pilgrim Baptist Church, considered the birthplace of gospel music.

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Chicago’s most iconic buildings, mapped

These buildings are the heart and soul of the city

Credited for inventing the skyscraper, Chicago and its lasting mark in the world of architecture is internationally renowned. The city has an abundance of remarkable, iconic structures and no shortage of residents and tourists eager to take in their beauty and learn their histories.

While a list of notable downtown buildings could easily reach triple digits, Chicago is more than its central core. Encompassing 77 neighborhoods, the city has more than its share of local icons that give each area a sense of place.

The following overview highlights 27 Chicago structures for architectural importance as well as their contribution to the city’s cultural identity.

Willis Tower

If you want to be factually correct, call it the Willis Tower. But many longtime residents who mourn the name change still say Sears Tower. Completed in 1973, the 1,450-foot tower is the undisputed king of the Windy City skyline. It held the title of the world’s tallest building for decades and maintained its claim to the highest roof in the Western Hemisphere up until last summer. Willis Tower is wrapping up a $500 million makeover which includes a new food hall, glass skylight, and revamped retail complex.

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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Willis Tower (@willistowerchicago) on Oct 8, 2018 at 2:42pm PDT

875 North Michigan

It is difficult to visualize the Chicago skyline without the famous supertall, formerly named John Hancock Center , now known by its address. Sharing many similarities with the Willis Tower, the SOM-designed skyscraper is perhaps the best example of structural expressionism. Rising 1,128 feet to the roof and nearly 1,500 feet to the tip of its twin antennas, the building was one of the tallest buildings in the world when it was completed in 1969. 

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jan Wentrup (@jan_wentrup) on Sep 13, 2015 at 2:04pm PDT

Originally known as the Standard Oil Building or “Big Stan,” Chicago’s third tallest skyscraper was later renamed the Amoco Building and, ultimately, the Aon Center. Completed in 1973, the monolithic office tower’s white facade was initially wrapped in 43,000 thin slabs of Italian Carrara marble. It was later re-clad in white granite after the marble started falling off the building and was deemed structurally unsafe. There’s also plans for a third observatory with a “thrill ride” and a glass elevator at 1,185 feet.

A post shared by T.G.S. (@tgs_tgs) on Sep 22, 2016 at 12:18pm PDT

Completed in 2009, the Studio Gang-designed Aqua skyscraper is a relative newcomer among Chicago’s most notable buildings. Featuring dramatic undulating balconies reminiscent of a waterfall, the 859-foot combination hotel, apartment, and condominium building was Jeanne Gang’s tallest building until nearby Vista Tower reached 1,191 feet .

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nalina Moses (@nalinamoses) on Dec 30, 2018 at 10:58am PST

Tribune Tower

The design of this famous skyscraper was the winning submission from John Mead Howells and Raymond Hood in a 1922 competition held by the Chicago Tribune newspaper. In addition to its notable neo-Gothic design, the structure features fragments from some the world's most famous structures—the Taj Mahal, Great Wall of China, Angkor Wat, and the Great Pyramids—embedded in its exterior. Big changes are coming to the landmark building as workers convert it into 162 luxury condos and a nearby supertall skyscraper .

View this post on Instagram A post shared by K.R. Photography (@kavyaravikanti) on Jul 6, 2015 at 5:03pm PDT

The Wrigley Building

Just across from the Tribune Tower is another one of Chicago’s most famous early skyscrapers—the Wrigley Building. Built by the Wrigley Company in the early ’20s, the terra cotta complex actually consists of two buildings: a 30-story south tower connected to a 21-story north tower via a 14th-floor elevated walkway. The riverfront structure was also Chicago’s first air-conditioned office building.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Neil Cristobal (@neil_cristobal) on Jan 8, 2019 at 8:00am PST

Marina City

Designed by visionary architect Bertrand Goldberg and completed in 1968, Marina City was the  original city-within-a-city development. Perched on the edge of the Chicago River, the Brutalist complex suddenly made it cool to live downtown and included innovative amenities for the time, such as an on-site grocery store, bowling alley, and marina. The towers’ famous corn cob shapes make them instantly recognizable.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Melissa Chai (@melissa_chai) on Jan 14, 2019 at 7:36pm PST

Merchandise Mart

Sporting its own zip code, the 4 million-square-foot Merchandise Mart was the biggest building in the world in terms of total floor area when it opened in 1930. The massive Art Deco structure has long housed many of Chicago’s home furnishing showrooms and has become a favorite among Chicago’s tech companies. In 2018, the city launched Art on the Mart , a massive multimedia video art display on the building’s facade.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Christopher (@chiguy79) on Dec 18, 2018 at 3:50pm PST

Civic Opera House

Resembling a giant armchair, Chicago’s 1929 Civic Opera House consists of a 45-story office tower flanked by two 22-story wings. The riverfront building boasts Art Deco ornamentation both inside and out and includes a performance space with 3,563 seats. The Civic Opera House is the second largest opera auditorium in the country behind New York’s Lincoln Center.

James R. Thompson Center

Completed in 1985, Chicago’s James R. Thompson Center has been polarizing since its inception. The Helmut Jahn-designed building sports a dramatic glass atrium as a nod to grand turn-of-the-century civic spaces like Union Station. Chicago’s most audacious postmodern building is also one of its most endangered . Deteriorating and facing a deferred maintenance bill of hundreds of millions of dollars, the state-owned Thompson Center has been eyed for redevelopment by Illinois lawmakers who are moving forward with a plan to sell the structure .

The Rookery Building

The original design was by the legendary firm of Burnham & Root from the 1880s and an interior lobby renovation was then executed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1905. This early skyscraper is notable not only for its architectural pedigree, but also for being the oldest surviving high-rise in Chicago. Take a tour with the Chicago Architecture Center and get a glimpse of the landmark’s 11th-floor architects’ library.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Erik Marthaler (@erikmarthaler) on Jan 11, 2019 at 5:55pm PST

Chicago Water Tower

The Chicago Water Tower celebrated its 150th birthday in 2019. The squat limestone structure is a symbol of the city and its rebirth following the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, as it was one of just a few buildings to survive the devastation. Located on Michigan Avenue’s Mag Mile, the castle-like building houses a gallery that showcases the work of local artists and photographers.

Auditorium Theatre

One of the oldest surviving concert halls in the downtown area, the gorgeous Auditorium Theater from Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan first opened in 1889. The venue has played an important role in Chicago’s cultural history serving as home to both the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Civic Opera. Roosevelt University owns the theater and rescued it from decay.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Auditorium Theatre (@auditoriumtheatre) on Sep 3, 2018 at 8:00am PDT

The Field Museum

The Field Museum traces its roots back to the Columbian Exhibition of 1893, when its collection was on display for visitors in Jackson Park. Marshall Field donated $1 million to house the collection in a permanent Neoclassical building in Grant Park in 1921. Only a fraction of the museum’s 40 million objects are on display—the most iconic being SUE the T. Rex, who just moved to a new space within the museum . Stanley Field Hall has a few new residents too: a flock of flying reptiles, a 122-foot long titanosaur, and floating plants .

Chinatown Gate

One of the most visible neighborhood markers in Chicago’s Chinatown neighborhood , the Chinese-inspired gateway at the intersection of Wentworth and Cermak frames one of the area’s most busy commercial corridors. Designed by architect Peter Fung and installed in 1975, the structure draws inspiration from a wall in Beijing. The letters near the top of the gate translate to “the world belongs to the commonwealth,” a famous saying in early 20th century China.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ivan (@ivanslifee) on Oct 1, 2019 at 6:56am PDT

Formerly known as Northwest Tower, the 186-foot Art Deco tower is the tallest and most visible landmark in Chicago’s vibrant Wicker Park and Bucktown neighborhoods. The office building was designed in the 1920s by Perkins, Chatten, and Hammond. It reopened in 2016 as The Robey, a boutique hotel with 69 guest rooms, rooftop views ,and antique elevators.

A post shared by Ben Greiner (@bsgreiner) on Nov 12, 2017 at 1:49pm PST

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S. R. Crown Hall

Housing the Illinois Institute of Technology’s College of Architecture, S. R. Crown Hall is considered a masterpiece work by the father of modernism Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The rectangular steel and glass structure embodies the designer’s “less is more” philosophy and was described by Mies as his “cleanest structure.” After its most recent renovation, Crown Hall looks as fresh as when it was completed in 1956.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cait McCarthy (@caitmccarthy) on Jan 13, 2020 at 10:23am PST

Humboldt Park Field House

This field house with Georgian and Tudor details is situated at the center of a 219-acre park named for the naturalist Alexander von Humboldt. It was designed in 1928 by Norwegian firm of Michaelsen & Rognstad and has intricately designed event spaces with terrazzo flooring and beautiful plaster ceilings.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Caroline (@carolineefarrow) on Feb 19, 2017 at 1:10pm PST

Wrigley Field

Wrigley Field is nothing short of a Chicago institution. Built in 1914 by architect Zachary Taylor Davis who served as a draftsman for the legendary Louis Sullivan, the classic ballpark offers a unique throwback to a bygone age of baseball. The grittiness that used to exist around the stadium has been replaced by a new hotel , restaurants, and a grassy plaza known as Gallagher Way, but there’s plenty of nostalgia left once inside the Friendly Confines.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Brian Cassella (@briancassella) on Apr 20, 2018 at 7:19am PDT

Andersonville Water Tower

While an old water tank painted to look like the Swedish flag may not seem very noteworthy to outsiders, the landmark is a deeply loved neighborhood icon for Chicago’s Andersonville community. After standing atop the former Lind Hardware Store since 1927, the original wooden tower was removed in 2014. The neighborhood raised money for a replica of the blue and yellow tank recreated in more durable steel and fiberglass. It was installed above Clark Street a few years back and can be seen emblazoned on local art and neighborhood guides.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Andersonville, Chicago (@avillechamber) on May 29, 2018 at 7:21pm PDT

Edgewater Beach Apartments

Designed by architect Benjamin Marshall, the 1928 Edgewater Beach Apartments is one of the North Side neighborhood’s most recognizable buildings. Clad in an unmistakable shade of “sunset pink,” the structure originally connected to the now-demolished 1918 Edgewater Beach Hotel. The surviving apartment building overlooks Lake Michigan at the north end of Lake Shore Drive.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ela with one L, Ana with one N (@ela_ana) on Oct 13, 2018 at 8:04pm PDT

Garfield Park Conservatory

Plans for this 4.5-acre horticultural oasis began in 1905 with the lofty goal of creating the world’s largest publicly owned conservatory under one roof. Taking design inspiration from the Midwest’s rural haystacks, famed Danish-American landscape designer Jens Jensen teamed with architects Schmidt, Garden, & Martin and engineers from Hitchings and Company to build a structure that was both sturdy and an elegant expression of the newly emerging Prairie School style. Since opening in 1908, the Garfield Park Conservatory has impressed both visitors and Chicago residents alike with its six greenhouses and two exhibition halls.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Garfield Park Conservatory (@gpconservatory) on Dec 23, 2019 at 9:50am PST

Union Stockyards Gate

Established in 1865, the Union Stockyard was instrumental to the city’s rise to become the center of the American meatpacking industry and “hog butcher for the world.” While the sprawling stockyard once encompassed 475 acres of holding pens and railroad tracks, a 1934 fire destroyed nearly 90 percent of the complex. Today, Union’s iconic 19th-century limestone gate is the most visible remaining relic from Chicago’s meatpacking heyday.

View this post on Instagram #burnham #stockyards #chicago A post shared by Christopher Reinhart (@_chrisreinhart) on Oct 3, 2018 at 10:16am PDT

Frederick C. Robie House

If there’s any one house that best reflects Frank Lloyd Wright’s unique Prairie School style, it’s the Frederick C. Robie House in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. Built in 1909 for a young industrialist, the Robie House was conceptualized and constructed with custom furnishings, art glass windows, and other details. The house emphasizes the horizontal over the vertical with its low-hanging cantilevered eaves, earthy colors, and natural building materials. The structure was restored to its original grandeur and was among eight notable Wright-designed buildings named UNESCO World Heritage Sites .

View this post on Instagram A post shared by La sottile linea d’ombra (@la_sottilelineadombra) on Dec 17, 2018 at 11:01pm PST

South Shore Cultural Center

Originally built as the South Shore Country Club, this South Side icon was penned by architects Marshall and Fox in 1905. Purchased by the Chicago Park District in 1975 and renamed as the South Shore Cultural Center, the landmarked Mediterranean Revival building features painstakingly restored historic details, a grandiose ballroom, and golf course. It remains a popular venue for weddings and other large events. Film buffs might recognize the exterior as the fictional “Palace Hotel Ballroom on Lake Wazzapamani” from the climax of The Blues Brothers .

View this post on Instagram South Shore Cultural Center views for days A post shared by Eric Allix Rogers (@ericallixrogers) on Jul 13, 2019 at 2:48pm PDT

Pullman National Monument

Located on Chicago’s Far South Side, Pullman was the site of the country’s first planned industrial community in 1880. Conceived by railroad car tycoon George Pullman, the former company town is famous not only for the Romanesque architecture of its 1880  Clock Tower and Administration Building , but also the role it played in Chicago’s labor and civil rights movements . Pullman’s historic district was declared Chicago’s first—and only—National Monument in 2015.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Samuel Alejandro Sojo López (@samuel_sojo) on Jul 2, 2018 at 7:41am PDT

Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio

Though technically outside of Chicago’s city limits in Oak Park, Illinois , the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio is arguably one of the area’s most famous and influential of Wright’s buildings. Built in 1889, the structure on Chicago Avenue served as Wright’s personal home and design studio where a whole generation of architects honed and refined the iconic Prairie School style. Today, the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust manages and maintains the property as a museum.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by anna cygnar (@annacygnar) on Nov 11, 2018 at 12:53pm PST

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Find Your Chicago Architecture Tour

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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.

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7 Tours in this collection

Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady

Experience why we're the #1 rated boat cruise in Chicago, tickets are on sale now for the 2024 season…

Must-See Chicago

Must-See Chicago is a fast-paced, 90-minute introductory tour to Chicago featuring some of its most famous…

Chicago Architecture: A Walk Through Time

Want a quick introduction to Chicago’s magnificent architecture? This 90-minute tour takes a comprehensive…

Chicago Icons: Connecting Past and Present

This lively overview of Chicago architecture explores iconic buildings from the 1890s to present. We'll…

Chicago’s First Skyscrapers

Chicago is home to some of the world’s earliest skyscrapers. Get an up-close look at these 19th Century…

Frank Lloyd Wright in Oak Park

Oak Park is home to the world’s largest collection of buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. View…

Elevated Architecture: Downtown "L" Train

Explore Chicago’s amazing architecture from the unique perspective of elevated trains and station platforms…

4 Tours in this collection

Wabash Avenue Arts Corridor

Discover a living urban canvas along the Wabash Avenue Arts Corridor in the South Loop. Learn more about…

Over the course of 90 minutes, explore some of the newest buildings around the Chicago Architecture Center…

Aqua, St. Regis Chicago and Lakeshore East

Take a short walk to see the Lakeshore East neighborhood, featuring two notable buildings designed by…

Riverwalk West

This tour helps you discover the western portion of the Riverwalk, starting at the Vietnam Memorial near…

5 Tours in this collection

Modernism: Reviving the Loop

Previously titled Mid-Century Modern Skyscrapers, this tour takes a look at iconic Mid-Century Modern…

Art Deco Skyscrapers: The Loop

Go inside the lobbies of Art Deco masterpieces built in the heart of Chicago’s financial district during…

Art Deco Skyscrapers: The Riverfront

Tour the lobbies of five opulent Art Deco skyscrapers built near the banks of the Chicago River during…

Chicago's Moveable Bridges

Understand how the unique Chicago-style bascule bridges work. View the underpinnings of the bridges,…

Walk the 606

Learn about The 606/Bloomingdale Trail and how it came to be during this 90-minute, one-mile walking…

Grant Park Secrets

Grant Park’s landscape is both front yard and recreation spot for Chicago. But did you know that the…

Civil War to Civil Rights at Oak Woods Cemetery

Hear the stories behind the people buried at the beautiful and tranquil Oak Woods Cemetery on Chicago’s…

6 Tours in this collection

Northwestern University

Discover Northwestern University’s stunning, wooded campus on the shore of Lake Michigan. This two-hour…

In addition to being the site of the 1893 World’s Fair, Hyde Park is also home to the University of…

Explore Chinatown

Discover the art, architecture and history of Chinatown on this 90-minute walk, which includes stops…

Discover Uptown—a treasure trove of terra cotta ornament and creatively repurposed historic buildings;…

Fulton-Randolph Market

Discover the fascinating 150-year evolution of the Fulton-Randolph Market District from food wholesaling…

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Tours by location.

Your selections are: Downtown

Experience why we're the #1 rated boat cruise in Chicago, tickets are on sale now for the 2024 season!

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Want a quick introduction to Chicago’s magnificent architecture? This 90-minute tour takes a comprehensive look at the city’s architectural history by viewing buildings in chronological order, from early skyscrapers to new supertall high rises.

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…

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.

Historic Treasures of Chicago’s Golden Age

Learn about the great architectural landmarks of Michigan Avenue and State Street. The 40 years between 1890 and 1930 saw the creation of some of Chicago’s the most memorable buildings, many of which are featured on this tour.

Tiffany in Chicago

Learn about the life and work of Louis Comfort Tiffany as we visit some of Chicago’s most magnificent art-glass and mosaic installations, each designed and crafted by the Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company.

Must-See Chicago is a fast-paced, 90-minute introductory tour to Chicago featuring some of its most famous buildings, including the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, the Art Institute of Chicago, Willis (Sears) Tower, and more!

Architecture of the Magnificent Mile

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…

Over the course of 90 minutes, explore some of the newest buildings around the Chicago Architecture Center, focusing on construction elements and their impact on the city’s built environment.

Previously titled Mid-Century Modern Skyscrapers, this tour takes a look at iconic Mid-Century Modern architecture in Chicago and its triumvirate of modern architects (Mies van der Rohe, Bertrand Goldberg and SOM)

This lively overview of Chicago architecture explores iconic buildings from the 1890s to present. We'll compare and contrast a wide range of buildings with varying architectural styles and see how older structures connect to new skyline additions.

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!

Take a short walk to see the Lakeshore East neighborhood, featuring two notable buildings designed by the woman-led Studio Gang Architects: Aqua Tower and the St. Regis Chicago.

Grant Park’s landscape is both front yard and recreation spot for Chicago. But did you know that the area was once under water? Or that at one time it housed an airfield, a major league sports team and the tomb of a Civil War hero? Join us as we unlock…

Understand how the unique Chicago-style bascule bridges work. View the underpinnings of the bridges, as the tour follows the bridge lifts of three of the Chicago River’s most famous bridges, including Michigan Avenue’s DuSable Bridge, Columbus Drive’s…

Explore Chicago’s amazing architecture from the unique perspective of elevated trains and station platforms. Learn the history behind the famous "L" system and hear how it has shaped the development of buildings within the Loop.

875 N. Michigan Ave (John Hancock Center)

Completed in 1970, 875 N. Michigan Ave (John Hancock Center) dominates the northern end of Chicago’s skyline. On this tour, you'll learn how the building forever changed the character of North Michigan Avenue.

Architectural Highlights by Bus

Discover the exciting diversity of Chicago’s world famous architecture as we trace its development from the early days up to the present.

Tour the lobbies of five opulent Art Deco skyscrapers built near the banks of the Chicago River during the business boom of the Roaring '20s. Learn how Art Deco reflected the era’s fun-loving optimism with lavish materials and geometric ornament.

Chicago Board of Trade Building

The Chicago Board of Trade is a Loop icon and City of Chicago and US National Historic Landmark that anchors La Salle Street, described in the building's opening brochure as the 'monarch' of the street, still standing tall and proud. We’ll see newly…

Devil in the White City

History buffs and true crime lovers, rejoice! This bus tour delves into the compelling true story told in Erik Larson’s best-selling novel, “Devil in the White City.” The story traverses two simultaneous events in Chicago’s history: the World’s…

Fine Arts Building

Discover this treasure trove on Michigan Avenue and learn how it went from a carriage showroom to a high-profile artists’ colony that housed tenants like Frank Lloyd Wright, Lorado Taft and Harriet Monroe.

French Language (Langue Française): Les Incontournables

Cette visite vous propose un aperçu complet de l’architecture de Chicago, de ses bâtiments les plus connus et admirés, ainsi que la collection de nombreuses œuvres d’art dans le centre de la ville.

Hotel Boom: Making Old New Again

Chicago’s growth as a favorite travel destination has fueled a surge in the creative repurposing of historic skyscrapers into chic new hotels. Learn how and why a former motor club, insurance company and bank have undergone this change

Inland Steel Building

As the first skyscraper built within the Loop after World War II, the Inland Steel Building became an instant symbol of Chicago’s prominence as a modern American city in the 20th century.

Macy's on State: The Legacy of Marshall Field's

Explore the construction, development and renovation of this State Street landmark by Daniel Burnham.

Marquette Building

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.

Merchandise Mart

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.

Monadnock Building

Tour the world’s tallest commercial building with load-bearing masonry walls and learn how the transition from masonry to steel frame skyscrapers transformed the workplace.

Palmer House Hotel

Experience the glamour, intrigue and excitement of the bygone "Grand Hotel" era at the Palmer House. See recently restored public spaces and renovated guest rooms while learning about the history of Chicago’s oldest continually operating hotel.

Reliance Building

Marvel at the original marble, mahogany doors and decorative wrought iron found throughout the two lobbies and uppermost floors of this 1895 building, designed by John Wellborn Root and Charles Atwood.

River North: Transformation of a Neighborhood

See historic gems in this former center of manufacturing and explore its boom-and-bust transformation into a vibrant neighborhood buzzing with residential buildings, entertainment venues and office towers. Steeped in history and character, River North…

This tour helps you discover the western portion of the Riverwalk, starting at the Vietnam Memorial near State Street. As we walk to Lake Street, hear how this linear park—called Chicago’s new coastline by some—has become a magnet for outdoor recreation…

Rookery Building

Explore the interior and exterior of one of Chicago’s most famous and beloved historic buildings: The Rookery by Daniel Burnham and John Wellborn Root.

Sacred Spaces in Downtown Chicago

Chicago's downtown is home to a number of striking and architecturally significant houses of worship. Visit several of these sites, including "the tallest church in the world"—a skyscraper with offices, designed for worship and work.

The Old Post Office

Explore the new Old Post Office Building, whose early 20th-century design has been adaptively reused into a beautiful, modern Class A Office building.

Union Station: Icon of a Great Age

Union Station is one of the last grand train stations still operating in the U.S. and the only one in Chicago, serving both Amtrak and Metra commuter rail. Take in the elaborate details of this historic landmark, including the stunning Great Hall, which…

Willis Tower Revitalized

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Willis Tower with a trip to the 103rd-floor Skydeck combined with a tour of the transformative $500M redevelopment featuring a visit to Catalog’s restaurants and experiences and an exploration of the Tower’s history…

Your guide to Frank Lloyd Wright in Chicago

If you’re a Frank Lloyd Wright fan, you’re going to love Chicago. We’re a treasure trove of Wright buildings and Prairie-school gems, with nearby Oak Park holding the largest collection of Wright-designed structures in the world.

While some are private residences, many others roll out the welcome mat for visitors — one even welcomes you to stay overnight. And two are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a global distinction given to locations with significant cultural and historic value.

Open the door to Frank Lloyd Wright’s legacy with these stunning Chicago-area buildings, tours, and experiences.

Robie House

The Robie House in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood is considered one of the best examples of Wright’s signature Prairie style — one of the reasons it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Not only did Wright describe it as “a cornerstone of modern architecture,” but the American Institute of Architects also named it one of the 10 most significant structures of the 20th century. You can explore this history-making home during a guided tour of the stunning interior. 5757 S. Woodlawn Ave., Hyde Park

The Rookery

Chicago’s downtown Loop is jam-packed with historic architecture, and The Rookery is definitely one not to miss. The building was designed by Burnham and Root in 1888, but in 1905, Frank Lloyd Wright was called in to redesign the light court and lobby. Today, its ornate ironwork and soaring glass ceiling make it one of the city’s most photographed interiors. Take the guided tour to dive into the stunning details. 209 S. LaSalle St., Loop

Emil Bach House

If staying overnight in a Frank Lloyd Wright home is on your bucket list then you’re going to be pretty excited about the lakefront Emil Bach House . The home was built in 1915 and is an example of Wright’s later style, drawing on European and Japanese influences. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it’s the only residence of its kind left standing in Chicago. Take a guided tour , or contact the Emil Bach House to book your stay . The house is also available for private events. 7415 N. Sheridan Rd., Rogers Park

Charnley-Persky House Museum

Get a double dose of architectural history at the Charnley-Persky House Museum , a home designed in 1891 by legendary Louis Sullivan with input from a young Frank Lloyd Wright, who was his junior draftsman at the time. While you’ll clearly see Sullivan’s love for geometric and abstract forms, Wright’s touch is undeniable. Explore this pivotal work of American architecture on a guided tour . 1365 N. Astor St., Gold Coast

Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio

The Wright Home & Studio , located just outside Chicago in Oak Park, is the birthplace of the Prairie School of architecture and the first project Wright enjoyed complete artistic control over. Completed in 1909, this studio is where Wright designed and built roughly a quarter of his life’s work. Guided tours are available with the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust. And make sure to explore the surrounding historic district, which contains the greatest number of Wright-designed residences in the world. 951 Chicago Ave., Oak Park, IL

Unity Temple

Located only three blocks from the Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio, Unity Temple is Wright’s only surviving Prairie-style public building and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019. Known for its innovative design and unconventional materials, the temple is still an active house of worship. Take a guided tour of this “little jewel box,” as Wright called it, or tour this beautiful space at your own pace. 875 Lake St., Oak Park, IL

Frank Lloyd Wright tours around Chicago

Chicago Architecture Center Join the Chicago Architecture Center for a one-hour Frank Lloyd Wright in Oak Park tour , which explores the exteriors of nearly a dozen Wright homes around the area. The tour covers both Prairie-style and Victorian buildings. Other Chicago Architecture Center tours delve into Wright buildings in the Chicago neighborhoods of Hyde Park, Beverly, and more.

Frank Lloyd Wright Trust The Frank Lloyd Wright Trust tours delve into Wright’s most beloved Chicago-area masterpieces. Get an in-depth look at the Frederick C. Robie House or the Unity Temple (both UNESCO World Heritage sites), admire the dramatic light court inside The Rookery, or visit Wright’s Home and Studio in nearby Oak Park.

If you want an inside look at some of Wright’s lesser known works, join the annual Wright Plus Housewalk . The popular event offers rare interior tours of private residences and public buildings designed by Wright and his contemporaries.

Frank Lloyd Wright Trail See more than a dozen of Wright’s architectural gems at your own pace on the Frank Lloyd Wright Trail. This self-guided itinerary takes you all the way from Chicago and Oak Park to destinations throughout Illinois, including Kankakee, Springfield, Dwight, Hampshire, Rockford, Belvidere, and Geneva. It’s the ultimate architecture buff road trip.

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9 Best Chicago Architecture Tours To Explore (TOP RATED)

Looking for the best Chicago architecture tours? Well, you’re in the right place!

Welcome to Chicago, the birthplace of the modern skyscraper and a haven for architecture lovers. From historic landmarks to futuristic designs, the city’s skyline tells a rich story that spans centuries.

But how do you truly experience the grandeur of these architectural marvels? 

By exploring them through tailored tours. Lace-up your walking shoes or hop on a boat, and allow us to guide you to the Best Chicago Architecture Tours that offer not just a view but an insight into the essence of the Windy City!

This article contains affiliate links where we may get a small commission if you click on the link and purchase. No extra cost is added to you.

1. Chicago Architecture River Cruise

Step aboard the Chicago Architecture River Cruise for an unforgettable educational journey. This is a 75-minute boat ride that will show you a river perspective of Chicago’s architecture.

It showcases a variety of architecture with towering buildings made from the 1890s to the modern day, like the Wrigley Building, Willis Tower or formerly known as Sears Tower, and many more. 

Plus, you’ll be accompanied by an entertaining and knowledgeable local guide eager to share Chicago’s beauty from a different perspective, making it an excellent tour for those who love architecture and those new to the city!

2. Chicago Architecture Walking Tour: Dazzling Interiors™ of the Loop

Discover the hidden architectural gems of Chicago with the Dazzling Interiors™ of the Loop walking tour. This 2-hour tour takes you inside some of the most beautifully designed buildings in the city.

You’ll explore the stunning interiors of structures like the Chicago Cultural Center, its breathtaking Tiffany dome, and the Marquette Building, with its exquisite mosaic murals. 

Accompanied by an expert guide who cares about the city and its building, sharing the history of these must-visit wonders, the architects who designed them, and the periods these buildings came from.

This is a fantastic way to delve deeper into Chicago’s rich architectural heritage by letting you experience the city from a local’s POV.

3. Private Chicago Architecture Tour

Dive into the rich architectural world of Chicago with the Private Chicago Architecture Tour. It takes approximately 3 hours, and you will be led by a passionate and knowledgeable guide who will show you the views of Chicago’s most famous landmarks and beautiful interior designs. 

Marvel at historic buildings such as the Sears Tower, historic brownstones, and even the homes at Oak Park – made by none other than Frank Lloyd Wright, one of the most renowned architects in the world!

And you’ll be traveling on chauffeured Luxury Transportation for maximum comfort! This is a must for those who want to learn more about the masterpieces of the renowned architect, who designed 1,000 structures in 70 years and is an inspiration for architecture.

4. Chicago Architecture Walking Tour: The Underground Pedway & Secrets of the Loop

Uncover the hidden side of Chicago with the Chicago Architecture Walking Tour: The Underground Pedway and Secret of the Loops. This takes approximately 2 hours and will show you a different side of Chicago that even lifelong locals sometimes miss.

Take a stride at the Loop, a lively neighborhood full of history and architectural landmarks, such as the Chicago Pedway, Picasso Statue, Millenium Park, and more.

There’s no better way to sightsee the city than expand your knowledge on its state-of-the-art architecture! 

Imagine viewing stunning buildings inside and out while learning its history and secrets from a local guide — simply amazing!

5. Chicago Walking Tour : Tiffany Treasures

Discover the fascinating world of Tiffany’s incredible art glass on this special walking tour in Chicago. 

The itinerary takes you to three buildings with awe-inspiring glasswork created by the Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company, including the Chicago Cultural Center, Marquette Building, and Macy’s on State Street!

The stunning art and historical background make this tour an ideal choice for fans of architecture and history.

6. Chicago Architecture & Highlights with Local Treat – Small Group Walking Tour

Discover Downtown Chicago’s architecture and history by embarking on the Chicago Architecture & Highlights tour, including a local treat.

This tour, which lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, provides flexibility in choosing your preferred time. 

You’ll be on foot, exploring popular sites such as the Picasso Statue, Chicago Riverwalk, Magnificent Mile, and Millennium Park.

Your guide will passionately explain the city’s evolution and the architects who defined its skyline. The tour also includes a stop at a beloved local spot for a snack, seamlessly combining city sightseeing with culinary exploration.

7. Frank Lloyd Wright Robie House

Experience the architectural genius of Frank Lloyd Wright with a tour of the globally recognized Robie House. During this approximately 1-hour tour, a guide will provide detailed insights into both the exterior and interior of the building, one of Chicago’s architectural pride. 

The Robie House is emblematic of Wright’s Prairie style, marked by its horizontal lines, flat roofs with wide eaves, and windows arranged in horizontal bands.

The tour offers a deep dive into Wright’s innovative design principles, especially his concept of “organic architecture”, which promotes harmony between human habitation and the environment. 

A tour of the Robie House is not just a sightseeing activity—it’s a journey into the creative vision of a master architect!

8. Chicago Walking Tour: Historic Skyscrapers

Journey back in time and admire the architectural titans of yesteryears with the Historic Skyscrapers Walking Tour in Chicago.

This tour takes you around the Loop, showcasing early skyscrapers that shaped the impressive Chicago skyline.

You’ll appreciate the Chicago Board of Trade building, Monadnock Building, among other structures from the late 19th to early 20th centuries, while a knowledgeable guide from the Chicago Architecture Foundation shares insights into their creators.

This tour offers a rich perspective on the city, its rich history, and the architects who designed and sculpted its current form.

9. Chicago Walking Tour: Connecting Past and Present

Immerse yourself in Chicago’s rich architectural heritage with the Chicago Walking Tour: Bridging History and Modernity. Lasting about 1 hour and 45 minutes, this tour offers a wealth of knowledge from an expert in architectural history. 

You’ll learn about the city’s past, the varied building styles, their influences, and even get to explore the interiors of some buildings. The guide’s detailed commentary will deepen your understanding of the city, especially the awe-inspiring Chicago skyline.

Ideal for history enthusiasts, architecture fans, or anyone interested in the city, this tour is a must-experience in Chicago.

There you go! Chicago’s majestic skyscrapers have shaped its iconic skyline, and architectural tours provide an unparalleled way to explore these towering structures.

Looking for more activities to explore the city? Check out the best food tours in Chicago here !

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Chicago River Boat Architecture Tours

Chicago River Tours | Fireworks Tours | Jazz/Cocktail Tours

River Boat Tours

Book your tour now, book by phone: (708) 488-6343, about the tours, chicago river boat architecture tours .

Welcome to Chicago River Boat Architecture Tours!  We’re proud to present you with an in-depth, expert architectural-based river boat tour that delves into one of the most remarkable American cities today. Known for unique, daring, and historical architectural pursuits, it’s hard to cover all of the design and building treasures that make up the Windy City today. If you’re ready to learning more about the designs, people, and innovations behind these creations, throw on your captains hat and get ready to cruise along the Chicago River and see what architects from around the world travel to see in Chicago.

About The Chicago River Boat Architecture Tours

Chicago is known around the world for its architectural feats, both inside and outside of the buildings. From the 100-year-old Art Deco, Neo-Classical, and Gothic Towers, to some of the tallest modern-day skyscrapers, Chicago is where old meets futuristic architectural endeavors. It has something for everyone in a way that no other city replicates today.

Why Tour Chicago’s Architecture with Us?

We are born-and-raised Chicagoans ourselves, passionate about the community that we know and love. That passion and desire spills into all of our tours, drawing on personal experiences for curating a tour that just can’t be duplicated by a book or a movie. We want you to experience everything firsthand. Why tour with us?

• Expertise: All of our tour guides are either architects, architecture students, or architecture historians, making for an in-depth and personally rooted kind of touring experience that covers all of the discreet details.
• Variety: We offer a variety of uniquely different tours that cover everyone’s individual taste. We offer the Chicago River Boat Architecture Tour that takes you down the famous Chicago River; there are several different options such as Architecture, History, Cocktail Cruises and Firework Viewing Tours
• Flexibility : We want you to enjoy your Chicago River Boat touring experience, which is why we’re happy to talk with you and learn more about how our tours can accommodate you, your party, or your corporate outing. Our tours run daily, with availability always posted on our website here.

Our Tours  

• Chicago River Boat Architecture Tour : When in Chicago, cruising down the Chicago River is  a must. Except with us, you’ll be taking in the architecture of the buildings that line the beautiful river. We provide detailed explanations of the construction and history of over 50 significant buildings, wrapping up at the end of the river.
• Chicago River Boat Cocktail Tour : Join us for this great Architecture Tour while sipping craft cocktails, beer or wine available for purchase at our bar on board!
• Lake Michigan Navy Pier Fireworks Cruise :  Fireworks, one of the Four Great Inventions of ancient China were invented in the 12th century. Chicago approved City-Wide Use of Fireworks on the 4th of July 1893,. Mayor of Chicago Patrick Eugene Prendergast issued a proclamation approving the use of fireworks to celebrate the World’s Colombian Exposition and to celebrate the nation’s 117th Independence Day. This fascination with fireworks, noise, and color continues today. The City of Chicago offers a fireworks show at Navy Pier on Saturday nights at 10:15 p.m. The Fireworks Cruise sails on both the Chicago River and Lake Michigan each Saturday at 8:30 pm.

Our Commitment to Your Touring Experience

We believe that tours should be entertaining, enlightening, informational, and perfectly organized, every single time. A tour shouldn’t feel laborious in any way; you should feel an effortless inclination to learn more about what we present at your fingertips. With our Chicago architectural tours, that’s exactly what we strive to provide, basing each tour from the perspective of an expert with the real-life example in the background.

If you’re thinking about booking a tour with us, know that our commitment to flexibility and accessible makes our Chicago Architecture Tours easy and convenient:

• 3 pm *Not Available Friday thru Sunday Summer Months*
• 6:30 pm (Jazz Band, Cocktail w/bar) *Sunday Only*
• 8 pm (Wednesdays)
• 8:30 pm (Saturdays)
• Seniors $48
• Youths $30 (7-12 years old)
• Children 6 and under Free

BOOK YOUR TOUR TODAY

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Chicago river boat cocktail tour.

Join us in the evening to sip cocktails while cruising the historic Chicago River! Get the same tour just with a cocktail in your hand! Premium bar on board with craft cocktails, wine and beer available for purchase. Drinks may be purchased individually with a credit card on the boat. Tour Information Pricing Adults $49… Continue reading Chicago River Boat Cocktail Tour

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Chicago river boat architectural tour.

Forming a length of 156 miles when combined, the Chicago River is a system of rivers and canals the characterize the infamous skyline of Chicago today. The river, running through the city, including the city center Chicago Loop, is evident of man made design and infrastructure when completed craftily. In 1887, the river was reversed… Continue reading Chicago River Boat Architectural Tour

Lake Michigan Navy Pier Fireworks Cruises (w/ Architecture Tour)

Enjoy your favorite drink while gazing Chicago’s magnificent architecture and finish your cruise with fabulous light show, at Navy Pier. Fireworks, one of the Four Great Inventions of ancient China were invented in the 12th century. Chicago approved City-Wide Use of Fireworks on the 4th of July 1893,. Mayor of Chicago Patrick Eugene Prendergast issued… Continue reading Lake Michigan Navy Pier Fireworks Cruises (w/ Architecture Tour)

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Chicago Architecture and Tours

Chicago is home to an array of architectural marvels and historical landmarks —from the world’s first skyscraper to the Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park, designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry. Wondering how to see more of Chicago on your next visit? Book a Chicago architecture boat tour for spectacular skyline views, and then head to the Ledge at Skydeck Chicago to get the lay of the land from 103 stories up !

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Must-See Chicago Landmarks

That first skyscraper was designed by Chicago architect William LeBaron Jenney and completed in 1885. Since then, the Windy City has continued to grow its reputation as a hotspot for architectural innovation. Here’s a look at some of the landmark buildings you’ll see on your next Chicago architecture boat tour or walking tour:

Home Insurance Building

It’s just ten stories tall, but the Home Insurance Building’s innovative steel frame ushered in a new era in architectural history. Completed during the building boom following the Great Chicago Fire, it employed the “Chicago Skeleton” steel-frame building technique, which allows tall buildings to flex in the wind. The tallest skyscrapers around the world would go on to use it.

Carbon and Carbide Building

This eye-catching Art Deco skyscraper was designed in 1929. It’s pretty hard to miss thanks to glittering gold leaf details, dark green terra cotta, and polished black granite facade. Apparently, its unique materials and color scheme are inspired by a dark green glass champagne bottle topped with gold foil.

Willis Tower

Whether you’re a Chicago local or a visitor from beyond, we’ll hazard a guess that you’ve heard of the Willis Tower! Formerly the Sears Tower, it’s Chicago’s tallest building at 1,450 feet and 100 stories. Despite being completed back in 1973, it remains the 3rd-tallest skyscraper in the world.

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

New buildings are forbidden in Millenium Park, so all of its above-ground structures are actually classified as art! That comes as no surprise when you look at the silvery folds and curls of the Pritzker Pavilion, designed by Canadian-born architect Frank Gehry. Its sculptural forms also help to amplify sounds on stage, while an overhead trellis of steel piping creates a sophisticated acoustic sound system over the great lawn.

Book Your Chicago Architecture Boat Tour

Ready to book your Chicago architecture boat tour? You have plenty of options, but here are a few of our favorites:

Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise

CAC river tours are guided by expert volunteers who share the fascinating origin stories of more than 50 iconic buildings. Get a crash course in Chicago architects, key Chicago figures, iconic landmarks, and over 100 years of history—in just 90 minutes! 

Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tours

Shoreline Sightseeing offers Chicago architecture boat tours from all three branches of the Chicago River. Explore everything from hidden gems to the must-see sights in a 75-minute tour.

Chicago River Boat Architecture Tours

Chicago River Boat Architecture Tours are guided by expert volunteers who will reveal the daring designs, innovative technology, and Chicago architects behind the city’s most famous landmarks.

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Want to know more about renting the Skydeck or how to get to Willis Tower after taking a Chicago architecture boat tour? Connect with us today—we’re happy to help you plan your visit !

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7 things that might surprise you about the Chicago Architecture Boat Tour

T here are plenty of ways to take in the sights, sounds (and smells) of Chicago, but you don't necessarily have to be on land to do that.

And you don't have to be a tourist, either.

In fact, one of the most beloved ways — among locals and visitors alike — to experience city is by journeying across the Chicago River and Lake Michigan while a tour guide talks about buildings and regales you on the untold story of Mrs. O'Leary's cow.

In other words: a Chicago Architecture Boat Tour.

"As you're going up and down the Chicago River and on Lake Michigan, you're seeing the city’s evolving architecture, which is changing every year" said Andrew Sargis, director of sales and marketing for Wendella Tours and Cruises .

Wendella, billed as Chicago's "original" architecture tour, in 1935 gave its first architecture tour of the city from a wooden diesel yacht out on Navy Pier, Sargis said. Now, upwards of 20 architecture tours are offered daily, with more on the weekends. On average, Wendella tours see roughly 100,000 passengers each month over the summer, Sargis said.

And though the majority of guests on any given Wendella architecture tour are tourists, Sargis said, locals take them, too.

MORE: Even Chicagoans can't get enough of this tourist attraction: ‘It's about the only touristy thing I do'

"I was surprised when I first started, we get a lot of repeat locals," Bobby Scheffle, a Wendella tour guide told NBC Chicago. "And always there's a lot of local people that come on when they have guests visiting them in town. They like to show off the city this way."

But there's something else about the experience that makes it so very Chicago.

"I think it is really unique to experience the city from a boat on a river, because we think about other big cities in the United States -- there aren't many that have a river that go right through downtown," Scheffle said. "You feel like you're in the city, you hear the noise, and you see the buildings and all that."

Whether you're taking the ride for the first time or the 50th, bringing out-of-town guests out for a memorable activity or just itching to be a tourist in your own city, here are seven things to know about the Chicago Architecture Boat Tour.

Will weather stop a tour from running?

Wendella's architecture tours run year-round, Sargis said, although "weather is a factor."

Weather events like ice on the river or significant snowfall can impact operations, Sargis said, but they typically don't, since the Chicago River -- a federal waterway -- must remain navigable year-round.

While Wendella's boats do have climate-controlled indoor lounges, tours during the winter may run at limited times. But rain, snow, extreme heat or wind, unflappable Chicagoans still show up.

"We went on drizzly day a few years ago," Kathy Rambo wrote on NBC Chicago's Facebook page. "There were only about 10 of us on the boat!

And most often, the tour will run — rain or shine — so don't hesitate to bring a raincoat.

"I have certainly [given tours] under thunderstorms and downpours, and I've gotten drenched sometimes," Scheffle said. "I've never had a tour get canceled because no one bought a ticket. There's always someone wanting to come out here in the rain or the cold."

What's the best time of year (or day) to go?

It depends on when exactly your favorite time of the year is, and what you're hoping to see.

For Sargis, it's late summer. "There's this point of time in September when the weather is beautiful, but there's not that summer rush."

There are other times that Chicagoans may want to consider, too.

"St. Patrick's Day Celebration when they dye the river, and any Wednesday or Saturday night [over the summer], watching the fireworks over Lake Michigan , especially if you're local" Sargis said.

During the summer months, Wendella's tours run start as early as 9 a.m., with the day's final tour not ending until 10 p.m. or 11 p.m., Scheffle said, "so if you want to come for a ride to see the city lights, you can come late, and it's also beautiful, just a little more difficult to see the colors on the buildings if that's what you want to see."

Laura Pubins, who lives in a suburb outside of Chicago, agrees.

"My favorite one was when we were on a boat at sunset," Pubins wrote to NBC Chicago on Facebook. "It was an awesome new view of the city."

What's the most photogenic spot on the tour?

For Sargis, it's "anything out on Lake Michigan," with the skyline in the background.

On the river though, there's one moment that captures the city best, Scheffle said, no matter what time of day you're taking the trip.

"The best place to take a photo on the 90-minute river tour is when we come up the south branch from Chinatown," Scheffle said. "That's the best place because you get the whole skyline from the south. It's really beautiful."

For locals though, it may not be what you're looking at, so much as how you're looking at it.

"You're looking at [the city] from underneath," said Chicago resident Nick Pappas, 55, who recently found himself on a 90-minute river tour. "It's just a different perspective on the river that you don't get on the street level. As amazing as that sounds, you're only, like, 20 feet down, but it gives you a whole different perspective."

What does the training for a tour guide look like?

According to Sargis, all Wendella tour guides are trained in-house -- and the spots are competitive.

"There's high demand," Sargis said, of the position. "There are more people that want to be tour guides than space available. It's certainly a popular job, and people want to do it." While the tour guide of any given architecture tour isn't made public, many people do request certain ones for private events, Sargis said.

For the tours, there's a general script, with highlights that must be mentioned, Sargis said. But improvisation, along with sharing personal history is encouraged, too.

"All of the tour guides have their own experience in the city, and will add parts of their history in it," Sargis said. "We have a tour guide that is a retired police officer, and he will interject anecdotes form his career. We have a tour guide that's a Vietnam War Veteran, and when we go by the Vietnam War Memorial, he will always discuss the importance of it to him."

For Scheffle, the training included joining multiple tours a week for two weeks and flashcards.

"For a while, I, just drove Uber and Lyft," Scheffle said. "And then, I remembered that I really liked Chicago. I like learning fun facts about it. And there are people in the city that have that as a job -- to tell people fun facts about Chicago and I started looking into tourism jobs in the city."

What's the most common question tour guides get?

Believe it or not, it's not always about The Great Chicago Fire , or Mrs. O'Leary and her cow, at least on Scheffle's tours.

"My favorite thing on the tour that happens is probably when little kids ask questions," Scheffle said. "The common question that a kid will ask, because I talk about the tallest building, second tallest building, third tallest building, a lot of times a kid will ask what's the shortest building in Chicago? Which I don't have a good answer for."

Are you supposed to tip your guide?

"It's up to the discretion of the client," Sargis said. "I would say a lot of our passengers do tip our tour guides."

What's the absolute best part of the tour?

Sure the tour is photogenic, and the city's history is fascinating. And though some may go on the tour to find out what buildings are new, others prefer to think about the old.

"My favorite building to talk about is probably the Board of Trade building," Scheffle said. "Just because I remember walking by it much younger and always, I remember, really being impressed by it, thinking was such a cool big city building."

For a local on the tour, the memories are nice. But a day out on the water in Chicago is just hard to beat.

"It's great. I don't have to work," said Pappas, who has lived in the city for 55 years. "Every time, it's a little treat to go down the river."

Video editors Ivonne Ramirez and DS Shin produced and created the video for this story.