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Chicago Historic Skyscrapers guided tour

410 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois

Description

The Chicago Historic Skyscrapers guided tours allow customers to discover and learn about the 19th century skyscrapers that made the city one of the pioneers in skyscraper design and engineering. Highlights include 1) Burnham and Root’s Rookery (1888), a transitional building with a Moorish and Romanesque exterior and a stunning interior atrium redesigned by Frank Lloyd Wright; 2) Adler and Sullivan’s Auditorium Building (1889), a masterpiece of acoustical and structural engineering; and 3) Holabird and Roche’s Marquette Building (1895), an outstanding example of the metal frame expression with traditional details and decorations. The tours are organized by the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) and led by CAC-certified volunteer docents who receive hundreds of hours of training about Chicago’s architecture and its history.

Access & Transport

The meeting point is at 410 S. Michigan Ave. There are bus services on S. Michigan Ave. and the following train and metro stations are less than 5 mins walk away: Van Buren Street (ME/SSL), Jackson (Red), and Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren (Brown, Pink, Orange, Purple).

Instructions & Recommendations

Advance reservations required; customers are requested to arrive 10- 15mins before the tour starts. CAC tours depart rain or shine, and tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.

Meta review

One of the best rated tours in Chicago and, although there is a natural skew because customers tend to be interested in architecture, the comments are consistently excellent. They mention the knowledge (and passion) of the guides and recommend it to anyone interested in architecture (especially Art Deco) and/or Chicago history. A minority seem to have been expecting a tour oriented towards more modern skyscrapers - for those there are other options available led by CAC as well.

Environmental & Social

Educational and not-for-profit without environmental impact. Nice!

Conclusion

Highly recommended for architecture enthusiasts but not only. We think everybody should make it a point of learning more about the city they visit and, in this case, how Chicago was at the vanguard of an urban movement that would reshape the skyline of countless metropolises.

Key positive

Very knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides

Theme is very well suited to the city

Key negative

None

Suitability

The tours look to be accessible and, though no min age is mentioned, we would think 8-10yrs old is the min. to get something out of it given some of the artistic and engineering technicalities

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

Updated in October 2023

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
Timing can change on a monthly basis. Tours last 1h30mins

av. transport time:0h 20m

est. visit time:1h 45m

Regulated hours

Monday13:15 - 15:00

Tuesday -

Wednesday -

Thursday -

Friday14:15 - 16:00

Saturday -

Sunday -

Pricing
Age band
Age band
Regular price / pers.
Senior
65 - 99
US$30
Adult
18 - 64
US$30
Child
8 - 17
US$30
Infant
0 - 7
US$0
There is no stated minimum age - the 8yrs old here is arbitrary.

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