Chicago Walking Tour: Historic Skyscrapers

Chicago is home to some of the world’s earliest skyscrapers. Get an up-close look at these 19th Century marvels, learn about innovations used to build them and discover how they transformed Chicago into a center of skyscraper design and engineering. Highlights on this walking tour include Burnham and Root’s Rookery (1888), a transitional building with a Moorish and Romanesque exterior and a stunning interior atrium re-designed by Frank Lloyd Wright; Adler and Sullivan’s Auditorium Building (1889), a masterpiece of acoustical and structural engineering; and Holabird and Roche’s Marquette Building (1895), an outstanding example of the metal frame expression with traditional details and decorations. As a certified nonprofit, all CAC ticket purchases directly support our education efforts and community engagement projects.

1. 1

   Fine Arts Building

   10 min

   Meet here to start the tour.

2. 2

   Auditorium Building

   10 min

   View the building from the outside

3. 3

   The Rookery Building

   10 min

   View the building from the outside

4. 4

   Chicago Board Of Trade Building

   5 min

   View the exterior of the building

5. 5

   Marquette Building

   5 min

   View the building from the outside

6. 6

   Monadnock Building

   5 min

   View the exterior of the building

7. 7

   Chicago Architecture Center

   1 min

   This building is not directly part of the tour, however, the tour ticket includes admission to the galleries at the Chicago Architecture Center

• 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

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.