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
(65 Ratings)
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1 star
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
Pamhubenak
Feb 28, 2025
Amazing visit to the Chicago Architecture Center! - Oh, my goodness, what an amazing day! We entered the Chicago Architecture Center, this morning, planning to tour the new exhibit on Wrigley Field. I always like to begin our visits by watching the short video on the history of Chicago architecture. After the video, one of the nice docents, Mitch, asked if we had any questions. We began chatting with Mitch, then set off on our own personal walking tour. We were thrilled! We visited the Marquette Building, the Monandock, the Rookery and the Chicago Board of Trade. Mitch shared so much information with us along the walk and while we visited the buildings, which was absolutely wonderful. We cannot more highly recommend the Chicago Architecture Center and their fabulous docents, exhibits and tours. The river tour and walking tours are incredibly educational, making any trip to Chicago even more special. We love this amazing city.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lan
Jan 10, 2025
Informative and heartwarming - Great location. Exhibit and movie were informative. The volunteer staff Mitch even walked me to some closely landmarks, on a foggy and cold January.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Eliassix
Jan 6, 2025
Give yourself the opportunity to understand Chicago better - We made a brief stop at the Chicago Architecture Center while exploring the city when rain surprised us. It turned out to be a fascinating and informative visit, offering insight into Chicago’s architectural history as well as future plans for expanding and repurposing existing structures. The local volunteers were very happy to answer any and all questions we had. The center is definitely worth a visit, and we’d recommend going early in your trip. It gives you a deeper appreciation for many of the city’s buildings and neighborhoods, helping you see Chicago in a whole new light - especially from an engineering and design perspective.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Phvi2617
Dec 28, 2024
Interesting exhibits about architecture - While the Chicago Architecture Center conducts various walking tours, it also has several nice exhibits in their building. One of the galleries was under construction, so admission was half off, but the other exhibits about Art Deco buildings and the model of Chicago were very interesting.
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
D2739hudavidb
Oct 13, 2024
Disappointed by upselling - Why was I charged an additional $28.00 for the Chicago Architectural Tour. I ordered two tickets for $44.00 each. I should have been charged a total of $88.00 and I was charged $88.00 but an additional charge of $28.00 was added to my credit card. I want to know why?
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).