Are you looking for the best architecture Chicago tours? These are some of the most recommended ways to explore and interact with famous Chicago architecture.
Planning a trip to Chicago is super exciting! If you’re anything like me, you’re here because you love to research and plan your trip ahead of time. As a midwest girlie, I am giving you ideas for the best ways to experience architecture in Chicago.
You are going to learn about tours to experience by boat, walking, and opportunities to learn about famous architects. After learning about these tours, you are going to be ready for your next Chicago travel adventure!
This post is my 7 of the Best Architecture Chicago Tours.
Architecture Chicago Tours
Surprisingly, Chicago has so many different types of architecture styles. From art deco, prairie school, contemporary, to mid-century modern, there is a style for everyone. One of my favorite things to do when I travel to a new city is to do an architecture tour. I always learn so much about the city’s history, style, and a lot of fun facts. In Chicago, there are so many exciting ways to experience architecture. Check out below 7 of the Best Architecture Chicago Tours.
1. Boat Tour
One of the most popular ways to experience Chicago architecture is on a boat! Along the Chicago River, there are several famous buildings built in different time periods that can be appreciated. It’s also a unique experience to see these buildings from a lower vantage point. There is something special about sitting on a boat and looking up at these marvelous works of art.
I highly recommend Wendella tours and cruises. They have been in operation for over 80 years! They offer several different types of cruises, and either a 45 minute or 90 minute architecture tour. Definitely go for the 90 minute tour because you’ll need those extra 30 minutes to really appreciate the engineering. Many of my friends have lived in Chicago, and this is the company that they always recommend to their friends and family when they visit.
The Chicago Architecture Center recommends taking a tour with the company Chicago’s First Lady. On our most recent visit to Chicago, we chose to do this tour. It was a lot of fun (despite the rain)! They offer a variety of tours as well, and we chose to do the hour and a half long option. When weather is unpredictable, I like having the option to sit on the open deck or below where it’s covered from the elements.
On these Chicago River tours, you’ll have a chance to see famous buildings like the Willis Tower, Navy Pier, the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, Merchandise Mart, Lyric Opera, 333 West Wacker, and Marina City.
2. Kayak Tour
Another option on the Chicago River is to do a kayak tour! If you’re looking for a more intimate experience, check out Wateriders. They offer a variety of themed tours, but I would definitely do their history and architecture tour. You’ll be able to see the iron work of the river’s bridges up close and personal from the seat of your personal kayak. I like how this tour combines historical fun facts while also learning about the architectural styles of landmark buildings.
For those who may not be experienced kayakers, Kayak Chicago provides a review of paddle strokes, safety, and rules of the water before every tour. Their tour is 3 hours long and will showcase a variety of Chicago’s best architecture styles and stories of its past.
3. Walking Tour
Moving on from the Chicago River, the next best way to experience architecture in Chicago is on a walking tour! The Chicago Architecture Center offers a variety of walking tours.
For an introduction into history and architecture, I recommend doing their A Walk Through Time tour. It’s a 90 minute, guided tour that goes in chronological order, experiencing early skyscrapers to high rise buildings.
If you’re more interested in Art Deco like I am, consider doing the Art Deco Skyscrapers: The Riverfront tour. This tour explores many of Chicago’s beautiful Art Deco buildings. Not only will you see the exterior of these buildings, but also experience their stunning lobbies. Discover buildings like the Carbide and Carbon Building (now Pendry Chicago), the Chicago Motor Club Building (now the Hampton Inn) and the wonderful Trustees System Service Building (now the Century Tower).
Other than Chicago Architecture Foundation, Free Tours by Foot offers a 2 hour architecture walking tour. This tour starts in daylight and ends after dark. I love the idea of exploring the city’s landscape in both light and dark settings. In the daylight, you’ll be able to appreciate the details of buildings’ facades and at night see how the city sparkles.
The fun thing about Free Tours by Foot is that all of their tours are on a “name-your-price” cost, making it budget friendly. Check out their website to find more walking tours and other cities to explore.
4. Bus Tour
Next up on my list of best architecture Chicago tours, is to tour by bus. Another Chicago Architecture Center tour is the Architectural Highlights by Bus. This bus tour is 3 and a half hours long and explores a variety of Chicago neighborhoods such as Hyde Park, Kenwood, Bronzeville, the Loop, the Gold Coast and the Magnificent Mile. You’ll see architectural masterpieces at stops in the Loop, Hyde Park, Illinois Institute of Technology and the Museum Campus. The cool part about this tour is that some interiors are included, like the Frank Lloyd Wright restored Robie House, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site (which you’ll learn more about in this post).
If you’re looking for a more casual option, consider Big Bus Tours Chicago. They offer a hop on hop off tour which is great if you are short on time or are looking to explore a specific area. The tour includes 13 different stops throughout Chicago. This is a great way to explore the city’s architecture while also having a chance to spread it out over the course of a day or weekend.
5. Segway Tour
A very unique way to explore Chicago’s architecture is by doing a Segway tour. If you’ve never done a Segway tour and want to learn more about my own first experience, check out my post 3 Extraordinary Days to Travel North Carolina.
In Chicago, Absolutely Chicago Segway Tours offers an Art and Architecture tour! This tour starts in the Southeast corner of Millenium Park. Not only will you see artwork, architecture, and famous landmarks, but you’ll also see the beauty of the lakeshore and gorgeous public parks. I highly recommend doing a Segway tour. It’s a really cool way to explore a new city, is faster than walking, but still allows for a close up experience.
6. Self-Guided Tour
Sometimes we’re in the mood to just walk around a city at our own pace and without the help from a tour guide. When I’m feeling that way, I enjoy taking a self-guided tour. I love that self-guided tours allow the freedom to explore what I want, when I want, and I can adjust it to what I want to see most.
I love using GPS My City guides for self-guided tours. They offer several guides in several cities. For Chicago architecture I would recommend the Loop District Architecture Walking Tour.
Another great option is the EVisitor Guide’s Grant Park/Art Institute Tour. Grant Park is one of the spaces which Daniel Burnham, famed architect and city planner, envisioned for Chicago back in 1909. Today it is the site of many of Chicago’s summer festivals, including Blues Fest, Taste of Chicago, and Lollapalooza. What I like about these self-guided tours is that they include audio! It eliminates the tedious job of reading while walking, making it a more relaxing experience.
7. Frank Lloyd Wright Tour
Last but not least, I highly recommend doing a Frank Lloyd Wright tour. A superstar American architect, Wright is the pioneer of the prairie school movement. Many of the houses, offices, skyscrapers, churches, and schools he designed during his 70 year creative period can be found in the midwest. Chicago offers a variety of Frank Lloyd Wright’s pieces and can be found in the form of houses, churches, and offices. Below are two of my most recommended tours.
Chicago Architect Center offers an hour-long Frank Lloyd Wright in Oak Park tour. The tour covers almost a dozen homes! Because the tour is so robust, it only allows for viewing of the exteriors of the homes.
For a more intimate experience, Wright Around Chicago is a small-scale bus tour hosted by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation that goes throughout Chicago to see many well known sites and homes. Included in the tour are two UNESCO recognized works, the Unity Temple and Robie House.
If you are super passionate about architecture and have enough time to do several tours, consider becoming a member of Chicago Architecture Center. Once a member, all of their tours are included! This is a great way to save some money while also supporting an amazing organization.
Recommended post for more architecture: 4 Days in Savannah Georgia | What to do in Savannah Georgia.
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