Fall and Winter History and Architecture Tours of Chicago
Architectural River Cruise. Photo by Anne Evans.
If you find yourself in Chicago this holiday season, you might want to immerse yourself in the rich architectural history of this great city. There is no better way to do that than to take one of the Chicago Architectural Foundation's (CAF) 80+ river, walking and bus tours.
Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise
It’s not too late to go on CAF’s world-famous Official Architecture River Cruises aboard the heated cabin of the Chicago’s First Lady. Tours depart every day throughout the day through November 22.
See www.architecture.org for full schedule.
Bus Tours
Highlights by Bus
Fridays and Saturdays at 9:30am
This three and a half hour bus tour highlights Chicago’s wide range of architectural influence and design, exploring architectural landmarks such as the Mies van der Rohe’s IIT campus, the Rookery in downtown Chicago, and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House. The tour covers over 30 miles of the city including: Barack Obama’s neighborhood, the Loop, Hyde Park, the Gold Coast, and historic neighborhoods and campuses.
Devil in the White City Bus Tour
Nov 3, 8, 12, 22 and Dec 1, 6, 17 at 10am.
This compelling bus tour and slide presentation is based upon Erik Larson’s bestselling novel that chronicles the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition and the emergence of America’s first mass murderer.
Downtown Walking Tours
Palmer House
Saturday, Nov 7 and Dec 5 at 10:30am. This new 45-minute walking tour goes behind the scenes of this remarkable Chicago landmark. One of the oldest continuously-operated hotels in the world, the restoration of this historic treasure is an inspiring tale of perseverance, talent, and vision.
*Tour meets in the WABASH AVENUE lobby (between Monroe and Adams)
Modern Wing Tours – Art Institute of Chicago
Nov 14 and 18, Dec 12 and 16, Jan 9 and 20 at 12pm. Docents examine the context for the Renzo Piano-designed addition and its incorporation into the campus’s overall design.
Preserving Chicago Landmarks
Nov 28 and Dec 26 at 12:30 pm. This tour explores why choices to preserve are made and how those decisions shape the future of Chicago.
Historic Downtown (South Loop): Rise of the Skyscraper
Daily at 10am
Chicago Old and New: Intersections
Mondays and Wednesdays at 11am through the end of November. Focusing on five intersections in the Loop, this tour looks at the architectural elements that create Chicago’s unique urban fabric.
Magnificent Mile
Nov 7 and 10, Dec 8 and 19 at 10am. Docents explain the area’s transformation from an industrial, vice ridden district to the grand shopping mecca that we know today while exploring the area’s eclectic mix of architecture design.
Modern Skyscrapers
Daily at 1pm. This tour examines many of the buildings that helped place Chicago on the forefront of the modern architectural movement, from Mies van der Rohe’s Federal Center to the Art Institute’s new Modern Wing.
Historic Downtown (North Loop): Treasures
Nov-Feb: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 2pm
Downtown Deco
November-March Thursday, Saturday at 11am
Explore some of Chicago’s famous art deco interiors and exterior spaces.
Tiffany Treasures in Chicago
Wednesdays at 3pm. This tour looks at the magnificent work of the Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company in four late-19th century buildings: the Art Institute of Chicago, the Marquette Building, the Chicago Cultural Center, and Macy’s on State Street.
Willis Tower and 311 S. Wacker Drive
First Tuesday of the Month at 12:15pm
For a full schedule and ticket prices, visit www.architecture.org.
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