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.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Start at the Chicago Architecture Center. Introductory remarks. Note: stop durations are estimates.
Discuss some buildings surrounding Pioneer Court
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
Options
What's New
Reviews
73 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Loved the “What’s New” walking tour!
Navigator26108539971,,Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We have been to several CAC walking tours and loved them all. This one stands out because it focuses on the more recent structures, while providing a comparison with the older ones. Mary Jo did an awesome job in the buildup to help us understand the historical influences and contrasts in style, construction technique, environmental factors and culture. Very informative and enjoyable! Highly recommended!
Excellent deep dive into Chicago's newest high-rises
philiphE139LI,,Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our volunteer docent, Mary Jo, gave a very thoughtful and interesting 90-minute tour of some of the new buildings constructed in the Streeterville and Lakeshore East neighborhoods. The route was well-planned and she offered a lot of unique perspective on the evolution of architectural styles in the city, what's currently being built, and the ways in which community organizers have played a big role in shaping the character of these neighborhoods through architectural details like green spaces, stoops, and balconies. I really liked the way that the tour placed buildings in conversation with each other - the tour built on itself as each building referenced, copied, or contrasted the last. I learned a ton and had a great walk as well!
Great walking tour! Highly Recommend!
ModeenW,,Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We thoroughly enjoyed our walking tour of Chicago treasures. Jessica did an outstanding job of conveying all the facts in a professional yet fun manner. I highly recommend taking one of these tours.
A delightful afternoon in Chinatown
debrakK1926LL,,Oct 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Matt was our tour leader on the Chinatown Chicago Architecture Center tour and was fabulous! He provided interesting facts about the community interlaced with Chinese history and architecture. He was knowledgeable and shared his knowledge in an interesting and entertaining manner! I highly recommend this tour and if you're lucky enough to get Matt consider yourself blessed!!! Wonderful way to spend an afternoon!
Rosehill Cemetery: Chicago's Civil War!
I9992USmichaels,,Sep 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The Rosehill cemetery tour was excellent Ellen was an Ideal guide and she really was interesting and factual. We enjoyed the tour very much and hope there other tours on Rosehill cemetery.
Fabulous walking tour of Chicago
annetteaL4458RH,,Sep 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Bart was a true wealth of information. He did a fantastic job and answered all of our questions. I highly recommend this tour
Excellent architecture tour with Mark
Sharon N,,Sep 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an excellent hour and a half tour with Mark. Mark was a knowledgeable, experienced guide, and we learned so much about the history of architecture in Chicago.
Nice tour with friendly...
Jennifer J,,Jul 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Nice tour with friendly knowledgeable staff. If you enjoy architecture and walking this is for you! I had already done a boat architecture tour the previous year and this was different enough to enjoy and learn some new things. Everyone in our group was from the Chicago land area. It was fun for locals and I believe would be as well for visitors.
New Chicago architecture
Maps310022,,Jul 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour guide Mary Jo was very informative, she speaks with the architects about their buildings for a personal insight. Learning about how the new architecture builds off the old, how it impacts the neighborhood and the skyline is impressive. I would recommend this tour to anyone.
Walking tours with Chicago Architecture Center
326bonb,,Jun 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour. Learned a lot, and had a wonderful time! Tour guide Mary Jo was very knowledgeable, personable, and enthusiastic. Highly recommend it!
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Operated by Chicago Architecture Center