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Known for unique, daring, and historical architectural pursuits, it’s hard to cover all of the design and building treasures that make up the Windy City today. Experience the city’s legendary architecture from the best seat in the house—the river. Our experienced tour guides detail the 130 year long history behind the skyline, while our bartenders and staff keep you comfortable and entertained. This comprehensive tour navigates through the heart of the city on all three branches of the Chicago River. It’s the one thing everyone tells you to do in Chicago, done right. Explore Chicago’s iconic architecture aboard TripAdvisor’s #1 rated boat tour of the city.
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Other architectural styles represented in Chicago include Deconstructivism (Pritzker Pavilion), Gothic Revival (Tribune Tower, Chicago Water Tower), Spanish Colonial Revival (Wrigley Building), and more. Nonprofit organization with tours, exhibitions,programs and events for all ages. There are enough seats for all guests to have a seat outside, so you won’t have to sit inside unless you want to. Indoor seating is available for those who wish to stay out of the sun or adverse weather conditions.
Chicago architecture events
Wacker Drive into your GPS.Located at the northeast corner of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive, a black awning marks the boat dock entrance stairs that lead down to the river. If you have limited mobility, see these directions for an alternative way to reach the dock. You’ll learn how Chicago rose from the ashes of the Great Fire of 1871 to become the birthplace of the skyscraper and a major influence on the school of modern American architecture. Chicago's downtown is home to a number of striking and architecturally significant houses of worship.
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The following discounts apply; 50% off on Tuesdays for College Students with a valid Student ID from an accredited College or University. Military personnel and their spouses with a valid ID. $10 off Monday-Thursday for U.S. All discounted tickets must be purchased at the ticket office to receive the discount.
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Chicago news and updates for travel professionals: October 2023 - Choose Chicago
Chicago news and updates for travel professionals: October 2023.
Posted: Thu, 14 Sep 2023 19:20:16 GMT [source]
Explore Chicago’s green spaces and learn why well-designed parks and outdoor recreational areas are essential to the city. Steps off of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, our Michigan Avenue dock starts your tour in the heart of the Chicago River. Our Architecture River Tours depart from two docks, one at Michigan Avenue and the other at Navy Pier. No matter which dock you depart from, you’ll see all of the spectacular sights as you tour the Chicago River. Take in the world-renowned architecture as our expert guides tell the story of 130 years of architectural innovation.
Experience the Lake Forest Cemetery's park-like setting overlooking Lake Michigan in one of Chicago's most beautiful premier suburbs. Hear stories of Lake Forest's founding and those who made their mark from Civil War to modern times. Michigan Ave (John Hancock Center) dominates the northern end of Chicago’s skyline. On this tour, you'll learn how the building forever changed the character of North Michigan Avenue.
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Experience more of Chicago by boat than on any other architectural cruise. Be entertained by the expert and friendly tour guides as they explain the 130 year-long history behind the skyline, while bartenders and staff keep you comfortable with refreshments. Choose between the fresh air of the open-air decks or enjoy the comfort of the climate-controlled interiors during your cruise. The tour starts at the Michigan Avenue (DuSable) bridge and goes up the main branch of the Chicago River past Wolf Point. Don’t forget to take a selfie at the Grand Staircase at the front of the boat or pose for photos at the picturesque stern or bow of this classic vessel. Chicago is known around the world for its architecture.
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Chicago Galentine's Day Bottomless Mimosa Architectural Brunch Cruise on the Chicago River 02/11/2024 - Choose Chicago
Chicago Galentine's Day Bottomless Mimosa Architectural Brunch Cruise on the Chicago River 02/11/2024.
Posted: Sun, 11 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Visit several of these sites, including "the tallest church in the world"—a skyscraper with offices, designed for worship and work. Discover this treasure trove on Michigan Avenue and learn how it went from a carriage showroom to a high-profile artists’ colony that housed tenants like Frank Lloyd Wright, Lorado Taft and Harriet Monroe. In addition to being the site of the 1893 World’s Fair, Hyde Park is also home to the University of Chicago and many significant buildings, including Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece, Robie House. Hear the history of this stately neighborhood, home to Chicago’s early industrialists, modern-day innovators and President Barack Obama. Learn about the life and work of Louis Comfort Tiffany as we visit some of Chicago’s most magnificent art-glass and mosaic installations, each designed and crafted by the Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company.
If you’re looking to dive into Chicago architecture, explore our must-see sites and packed list of architecture events, tours, and cruises where you can learn the fascinating stories behind the buildings. Led by the Chicago Architecture Center's expertly trained docent volunteers, this 90-minute cruise reveals fascinating stories behind Chicago's majestic buildings in a way no other tour can. Chicago’s stunning cityscape has been shaped by some of the biggest names in architecture — Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright, Mies van der Rohe, Jeanne Gang, Daniel Burnham, and beyond. No matter where you look, the city is full of architectural wonders, from soaring skyscrapers in the heart of downtown to historic landmarks in our vibrant neighborhoods.
This lively overview of Chicago architecture explores iconic buildings from the 1890s to present. We'll compare and contrast a wide range of buildings with varying architectural styles and see how older structures connect to new skyline additions. Ranging from minutes in length, sightseeing cruises offer guests panoramic city views along with entertaining and enlightening commentary about Chicago’s architecture and history. Enjoy the spectacular views as you listen to our tour guides tell you how Chicago’s buildings, architecture, and engineering made the city famous. This classic tour is a must for out-of-town visitors and Chicagoans alike.
Our Architecture River Tour takes you up and down the three branches of the Chicago River, providing breathtaking views of Chicago’s famous skyscrapers and landmarks at every turn. Start your tour down the Chicago River at our Navy Pier dock, which sits at the entrance to the iconic Navy Pier boardwalk. More than 100 significant buildings open their doors for the public to explore. Sites range from soaring skyscrapers to opulent mansions and exclusive private clubs, many of which are rarely open to the public. Chicago's First Lady's fleet is available for groups of 2—250 to charter for your special events.
A visit to the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) includes access to two floors of extraordinary exhibits. Admission is normally $15, but with the river cruise bundle, you get access for only $5! Chicago's Leading Lady, Chicago’s Classic Lady, and Chicago's Emerald Lady are wheelchair-accessible. These vessels cruise at the 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 5pm departure times. When boarding, guests cross two ramps and enter through a 36-inch-wide opening (doorway).
The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. This was one tour that I can honestly say was worth doing & probably should be a must do/ see on your visit to Chicago. All boats have a full bar available onboard, as well as local, Chicago-area snacks available for purchase.
Go inside the lobbies of Art Deco masterpieces built in the heart of Chicago’s financial district during the Roaring '20s. Learn how Art Deco reflected the era’s fun-loving optimism with lavish materials and geometric ornament. We recommend groups arrive 30 minutes prior to the tour time for a better chance of getting seats together. Boarding begins minutes prior to scheduled departure time.
Discover the history and architecture of Fort Sheridan, a former military base listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Tour the lobbies of five opulent Art Deco skyscrapers built near the banks of the Chicago River during the business boom of the Roaring '20s. Discover the exciting diversity of Chicago’s world famous architecture as we trace its development from the early days up to the present. Select a tour of architectural treasures throughout Chicago and its suburbs, brought to life as only a CAC docent can.
For safety reasons, motorized scooters and electric wheelchairs cannot be accommodated. Guests who are able to transfer may use the company's manual wheelchair based on availability.Visit our accessibility page for more information. Complete your architecture experience with a visit to the Chicago Architecture Center, just $5 with a General Boarding Ticket and valid for up to 7 days after your cruise. We believe that tours should be entertaining, enlightening, informational, and perfectly organized, every single time.