About this experience
Looking for iconic Mid-Century Modern architecture? What better place than Chicago with its triumvirate of modern architects (Mies van der Rohe, Bertrand Goldberg and SOM) and a city ready and willing to accept them. Find out what set these buildings apart from their predecessors and how they helped set the stage for the future.
If you’re interested in iconic buildings, public art, urban planning or government this is your tour. Find out the stories behind inland steel, Marina city, the IBM building and other "Mad Men" worthy skyscrapers.
As a certified nonprofit, all CAC ticket purchases directly support our education efforts and community engagement projects.
At a glance
- Duration: 1 hr 30 min
What is included
- Admission to the Galleries of the Chicago Architecture Center
- Walking tour of Chicago's modern and postmodern architecture
- Narration by a professional and certified guide
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Storage for luggage or strollers
- Coat check
Itinerary and highlights
Your tour begins at the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC), formerly the Chicago Architecture Foundation. Visit the CAC to view a 4,000-building scale model of Chicago or shop in the award-winning store.
View the Prudential Building.
View the Aon Center.
View the Inland Steel Building.
Marvel at Richard J. Daley Center, one of the first buildings to be covered in an unpainted steel called Cor-Ten. The docent will also discuss the famous "Chicago Picasso" artwork in the plaza.
Discuss the AMA Plaza, formerly home to the office of Mies van der Rohe.
Highlights include Marina City, a mixed-use residential-commercial building designed by architect Bertrand Goldberg, envisioned as an urban experiment designed to draw middle-class Chicagoans back to the city after more than a decade of suburban migration.
View the Apple Store on Michigan Avenue.
Meeting and pickup information
- Meet at the Chicago Architecture Center at 111 E Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL, 60601
Languages and tickets
- English — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Chicago Architecture Center
Meeting points and locations
Accessibility and practical details
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Pets are not allowed.
- The itinerary of this tour is subject to change without notice.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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