Chicago Architecture Walking Tour: What's New
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Over the course of 90 minutes, explore some of the newest buildings around the Chicago Architecture Center, focusing on construction elements and their impact on the city’s built environment.
What's New looks at some of the most recent additions to the built environment surrounding the Chicago Architecture Center. This walking tour focuses on each building's height, structure, materials, ornament and its impact on the environment, the neighborhood and the city's economy. The tour showcases several recently completed buildings, including 462 N. Park and the St. Regis, and compares them to each other in order to observe emerging patterns. These new additions are also contrasted with some of the older buildings downtown as a way to highlight developments.
As a certified nonprofit, all CAC ticket purchases directly support our education efforts and community engagement projects.
Additional Info
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
Access to building interiors featured on this tour may be subject to change without notice due to weekend and holiday schedules or unforeseen closures.
Pets are not allowed.
The itinerary of this tour is subject to change without notice.
What To Expect
Start at the Chicago Architecture Center. Introductory remarks. Note: stop durations are estimates.
Discuss some buildings surrounding Pioneer Court
Options
What's New
What‘s Included
Admission to the Galleries of the Chicago Architecture Center.
Narration by a professional and certified guide.
Coat check
Hotel pick-up or drop-off
Storage for luggage or strollers
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
88 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Chicago Architecture Legacy of Northalsted tour
Shawncago,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I just went on a 90-minute walking tour in the Northalsted neighborhood of Chicago, formerly known as “Boystown”, led by the Chicago Architecture tour guide Rene Cantu. This area of Chicago is one of the biggest and most vibrant LGBTQ+ neighborhoods in the country, and Rene did an excellent job of highlighting the architecture of the 'hood, both new and old, and tying it into the history of the LGBTQ+ community and their contributions to the neighborhood for over 100 years. Highlights include the rainbow pylons that help define the neighborhood and the Legacy Walk plaques installed on them; the Center on Halsted, a state of the art community center focused on the LGBTQ+ population, but offering programs and services for the whole community. The space includes a theatre, multiple gymnasiums, a computer lab, art galleries, meeting spaces, cafes and comfortable common areas; the Howard Brown Medical Center set on Halsted in the heart of gay nightlife; and mostly, the stories of the people who willed this neighborhood in to being, as well as those who still work to make a vibrant, safe and prospering environment for the whole population. Rene led us on about a mile of walking. It was a lovely summer stroll in Chicago, sandwiched between Wrigley Field and Lake Michigan. If you would like to feel some Pride, not just in the month of June, I highly recommend this excellent excursion.
Loop
Relax03986122424,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked through our membership with the Chicago Architecture Center for the art deco loop tour. The guide was phenomenal. Loved all the intricate details. Can't wait for the next tour!
Chicago architect walking tour: what’s new
yvonnedV7618UL,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is a wonderful tour, a continuation of the past history leading to the current skyscrapers of the city. Paul S. is very knowledgeable, friendly and enthusiastic about Chicago. We enjoyed the tour leaded by him very much.
All tours excellent! Just added the Bohemian National Cemetery to our list
A6714MAamyl,May 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We really love the Chicago Architecture Center tours and lately , we’ve been focusing on neighborhood tours. We’ve had tours of Pilsen, Uptown, Hyde Park, Wicker Park, Beverly, Old Town and the Gold Coast. All have been superb. We just went on the Bohemian National Cemetery tour this weekend and it was outstanding. We highly recommend the CAC tours if you are interested in history, architecture and culture.
Women in Architecture
Q4695QMcarrieb,May 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did the Women in Architecture tour and learned so much about their contribution to our city’s architecture. Highly recommend it!
Lakeshore Living Steel and Stone Tour
Navigate20459079020,May 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00While the tour was interesting, headphones would have been very helpful to hear what the docent was saying. There was a lot of street noise so instead of being able walk around a bit and look at the buildings, we all huddled close to hear what was said.
Informative, With Visual Manipulatives
AlgeredCook,Apr 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00John gave a detailed, informative tour with great props demonstrating architectural features. He is genuinely interested in Chicago buildings and construction design. Highly recommend!
Excellent way to get to an overview of Chicago architecture and history
patrickbgil,Apr 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent tour - our docent, Tom, was very knowledgeable, accommodating with questions and made the walking tour very enjoyable.
Highly Recommended
Melany B,Apr 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing experience on the architecture tour with the Chicago Architecture Center! Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and made the entire tour engaging from start to finish. One thing we really appreciated was the use of earbuds—it made it so easy to hear everything clearly, even in the noisier parts of the city. If you’re visiting Chicago and want to truly understand its architecture and history, I’d highly recommend booking a tour with them. Definitely a highlight of our trip!
Very interesting. Kenneth was amazing
Denasc123,Apr 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kenneth was incredibly- so knowledgeable and interesting. Highly recommend!
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Operated by Chicago Architecture Center