Chicago Architecture Center: Explore 4,250-Building Model

Explore Chicago’s architectural marvels at the CAC. Discover a 4,250-building model, shop unique finds, and join family events. Support education and community projects.

Duration: 1 hour
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Chicago Architecture Center - Your voucher grants you access to two floors of imaginative exhibits at Chicago’s newest cultural destination - Chicago Architecture Center! Print the voucher or present it to box office staff on mobile device within 60 days of purchase.
What's Included
  • Admission ticket
What's Not Included
  • Storage for luggage, strollers, or coats
  • Guided Tour
  • Food or drink
Additional Information

The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) was founded in 1966 as the Chicago Architecture Foundation to save the historic Glessner House. Since then, the CAC has grown to become one of the largest cultural organizations in Chicago. Visit the CAC to view our 4,250-building scale model of Chicago, shop in our award-winning store or participate in a fun family…

Location
Chicago Architecture Center
111 E Wacker Dr
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.3
(68 Ratings)
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1 star
Christinecu4368qx
Nov 8, 2025
Chicago River Architecture Tour - This was an outstanding tour! Chris was our guide and he did an incredible job. This was such a great way to see Chicago. I highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Q504ulkrishnar
Nov 8, 2025
Excellent and highly recommended - This was an awesome architecture trip. We learnt a lot and it was a fun experience. A very good boat tour. We also did the museum visit which was informative.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lindatp3145tx
Sep 23, 2025
Nice Exhibit - Admission to the Chicago Architectural Center is included with any tour. The exhibit has a great model display of Chicago and other iconic buildings. Worth a visit for any fans of architecture.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jo2854
Sep 8, 2025
Beautiful Day at Graceland Cemetery - This was a fabulous tour. Mary Jo was so prepared and knowledgeable and engaging. We had a beautiful day for a walk and tour. This is one of the best tours I’ve been on with Chicago Architecture Center.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Fanofhockey
Aug 7, 2025
A must see stop when you’re in Chicago - A visit to Chicago should include a stop at the Center- centrally located near the corner of Wacker Drive and Michigan Avenue. Here you will learn about the transformation of the city following the Fire and how it has become a world renowned center for architecture and commerce. The Center’s exhibits are fun and informative. The walking tour are great. And the Center’s boat tours are the best. (Don’t be fooled by the copycat tours of the many commercial companies offering boat rides with tour guides.) The Center’s tours on the First Lady boats are far and beyond better than the others. The docents on the boats know their stuff and are experts, not actor/employees/comedians following the same script. The Center is a great place to visit when you’re in Chicago. By the way, if you’re in town for a convention and you are at the Hyatt Regency- you are just steps away from the Center. Take a short break and wander a half block down Wacker Drive and stop in at the Center. You may never go back to the boring convention hall!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mrtangawisi
May 20, 2025
Chicago Arvhitectural Center - a treasure - The warm welcome at reception was wonderful. The receptionists know their tours and can recommend nicely according to interests. We became member of the CAC and it is super worth while, also supporting a fantastic organisation!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Fellowtraveler173167
Sep 26, 2025
Very nice excellent and professional and very useful and highly recommended for anyone interested in learning about chic - Very nice and useful professional and exceptional service and unique service and entertaining and informative and satisfying
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Idyllwildgirl
Oct 1, 2025
Do a walking tour; very little at this museum for the average tourist - This physical museum is not set up well. We did a 90 minute boat tour focusing on architecture so we learned a bit and were interested in learning more. We walked into this museum thinking we’d learn more. Instead it seemed geared toward architecture awards along with a model of the city and some facts about the Wrigley Field. The postcards on the wall in a huge room were cute but not helpful to learn about Chicago. They could’ve done so much more with this museum space and I considered it a FAIL as a tourist trying to learn about Chicago. Meanwhile I see by other reviews that many people took “walking tours” which I wish the admission people (or even a sign in the museum) would’ve educated us about. That would’ve been far more interesting than this museum space. They do have a nice gift shop.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stephenah3723bn
Jul 23, 2025
- The museum was overpriced for the lack of stuff they had. Maybe I had higher expectations going into it. I left feeling like it was lacking interactive exhibits and information was bland. Expected to spend no more than 30 minutes there.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Petel92833
May 13, 2025
Disappointing - Disappointing Not much there except a Wrigley Field exhibit and a whole floor of Rebuilding Ukraine. Not what we expected to see about buildings in Chicago.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $15
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).