Chicago Architecture Walking Tour: What's New

Overview

Available languages

English

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‘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

What To Expect

Start at the Chicago Architecture Center. Introductory remarks. Note: stop durations are estimates.

10 minutes • Admission Included

Discuss some buildings surrounding Pioneer Court

15 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

What's New

Reviews

5.00

73 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Great walking tour! Highly Recommend!
ModeenW,
Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We 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
5.00
Matt 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
5.00
The 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
5.00
Bart 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
5.00
We 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
5.00
Nice 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
5.00
Our 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
5.00
Great tour. Learned a lot, and had a wonderful time! Tour guide Mary Jo was very knowledgeable, personable, and enthusiastic. Highly recommend it!
Amazing walk!
alejandrodW6521DX,
Jun 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Fantastic Walking Architectural Tour with Paul Paul was an outstanding guide—knowledgeable, engaging, and passionate about Chicago’s rich architectural history. He brought the city’s iconic buildings to life with fascinating stories and insights, all while keeping the tour well-paced and enjoyable. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a local, this tour offers a fresh perspective on Chicago’s skyline. Highly recommended! Alex
New Insights!!
144marjorieh,
Apr 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a wonderful tour experience led by Paul S. of “What’s New” in Chicago architecture. I appreciated the breadth & depth of information shared and the “stories” presented about the architects, buildings, and community spaces viewed. Great tour for Chicagoans, as well as visitors to city. Learned a lot!