Chicago Architecture Crash Course Walking Tour Overview

What does Michael Jackson’s Thriller have to do with the design of a post-modern skyscraper? Or Andy Warhol’s soup cans with modernism? The Architecture Crash Course Walking Tour is designed for curious people. In just 90 minutes, you will learn about architectural styles from Chicago's earliest days to the present, and make fun connections with art and pop culture. You’ll look at lots of gorgeous buildings while expanding your understanding of architectural styles and Chicago history, right in the heart of downtown Chicago. Tour starts at the Michigan Avenue Bridge, where the city began, and finishes at Maggie Daley Park. 

All arts are a reflection of an age. Styles in creations like architecture, graphic design, fashion design, and pop culture have similar qualities when they come from the same era. In order to learn how to contextualize and identify architecture, this tour compares buildings with works from other media like these. Your tour guide will also explain how advancements in technology and engineering have shaped building designs. 

The fun and creative educational approach makes this unlike any other architecture tour in the city. The tour appeals to people looking for an introduction to Chicago architecture, as well as guests who are well-versed in art history. Book now!

Architecture Crash Course Walking Tour Highlights
-A gold-topped skyscraper
-Jeanne Gang's Aqua Tower
-A monument to modernism
-The fun and contemporary Maggie Daley Park
-Images of art history and pop culture comparisons

Stories and Ideas
-Fort Dearborn and the “simple life”
-The Chicago School of Architecture
-Art Deco and the Roaring ’20s
-The fun shapes of post-modern forms
-Recent trends in city living

Walking Tour Tickets Include

• Engaging tour guide commentary
• Special gifts
• Discounted flat-rate parking at Grant Park North Garage ($15)

Walking distance: 0.6 mile