Chicago Architecture Tour: Michigan Ave & State St Landmarks

Discover the iconic architectural landmarks of Chicago on a walking tour. Explore the buildings that shaped the city’s skyline and learn the stories behind their creation. Book now and support a nonprofit organization.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Chicago Architecture Center - Chicago Architecture Center; introductory remarks from the docent
  • Wrigley Building - View the Wrigley Building
  • Palmer House Hilton Historic Lobby - View the exterior and interior of the Palmer House Hotel
    Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required to enter this location.
  • Carbide and Carbon Building -…
What's Included
  • Admission to Chicago Architecture Center Galleries
  • Certified guide narration
  • Chicago Architecture walking tour
What's Not Included
  • Hotel pick-up or drop-off
  • Storage for luggage or strollers
  • Coat check
Additional Information

Explore the renowned architectural wonders on Michigan Avenue and State Street. The period from 1890 to 1930 witnessed the birth of some of Chicago’s most iconic structures, with a vast majority highlighted in this tour.
Following the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893, Chicago was fueled by ambition to develop into a prominent cultural and commercial…

Location
Chicago Architecture Center
East Wacker Drive
Meet at the Chicago Architecture Center at 111 E Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL, 60601
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.9
(383 Ratings)
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Robert
Jul 29, 2025
Architectural treasures of Chicago - A great tour guided by Ron R who pointed out features that we would never have appreciated and provided interesting facts about each building.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
U7012jobartb
Jul 28, 2025
Excellent Guided Tour - Excellent guided tour, with to the point explenations including facts, figures, interesting details ... all this without being becomes bored. Good pace through the downtown. Worth every cent.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rogerf2011
Jul 25, 2025
Expert guiding, no loud hailing. - Our guide Natali give a very capable summary of Chicago's classic buildings - some very noticeable and some easily missed among all that Chicago offers. Although us foreigners weren't familiar with many names we did indeed pick up the story. So enthused we re-traced our steps for a second look. Nice to have headsets to hear everything at a pleasant level.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
L3863atelizabethd
Jul 22, 2025
- Our guide was excellent. Knowledgeable, engaging, and willing to tailor the tour to our interests. Would recommend to anyone looking to explore Chicago!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Patrick
Jul 6, 2025
The architectural treasures of Chicago come to life - Burt was a wealth of knowledge and a fantastic guide, vividly bringing the architecture and Chicago of old to life. A fantastic way to spend a summer Sunday.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
A
Jul 4, 2025
Entertaining education - Our tour guide, Christopher, was extremely knowledgeable of the city and its architecture. He made the tour a fun experience for my group of 4 (visiting from Houston).
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tanya_s
Jul 3, 2025
Very professional, run by... - Very professional, run by the Chicago architecture center volunteers. Fantastic experience with a lot of cool history.
Review provided by Viator
Diane
Jun 27, 2025
Excellent tour and guide - Our tour guide Delta is obviously very knowledgable and excited about the Golden Age of Chicago architecture (1890s to 1930s). We saw examples of every decade in this timespan, and learned about the architects and rationale behind the designs. Very interesting and very informative. My favorite building was the 1927 (Art Deco) Carbide and Carbon Building in the shape of a green and gold champagne bottle.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michalmr8425tv
Jul 19, 2025
- The tour was okay overall, but it felt like something was missing. While it was informative and well-organized, it leaned heavily toward a lecture-style presentation-more like a school field trip than an interactive experience. The guide was knowledgeable, but the delivery was a bit dry and didn’t quite bring the city’s rich history to life in an engaging way. I’ve taken other walking tours in Chicago that felt more dynamic and memorable, with better storytelling and opportunities to connect with the city’s energy. This one might suit someone looking for a more academic or structured overview, but if you're after something lively and immersive, this may fall a bit short.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michal
Jul 10, 2025
Informative but a bit bland - It was informative and covered some interesting historical facts, but overall it felt a bit bland and lacked the energy or storytelling that makes a tour really memorable. Still, it's a decent option if you're into history and want a quieter, more traditional walking tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $35
up to 10 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).