45 Minute Chicago River Architecture Tour

Table Of Content

• Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady
• Lincoln Park: From Cemetery to Sculpture Garden
• Skyscrapers
• Architecture River Tour
• West Wacker
• Chicago: 90-Minute River and Lakefront Cruise at Night
• Could Downtown Chicago Streets Soon Host a NASCAR Race? Here's What We Know
• Architecture of the Magnificent Mile

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Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady

AMA Plaza Parking Garage may be accessed off Wabash Avenue, opposite Trump Tower or on State Street near the Hertz sign. Wendella guests can receive a $5.00 off parking chaser coupon from our ticket office. Parking may be reserved in advance by visiting StateWabashParking.com ($5.00 off parking chaser coupon cannot be applied to parking reservations made in advance). The 90-minute tour on the Chicago River includes indoor and outdoor seating, a full-service bar and snack bar, and detailed storytelling of Chicago's many architectural styles and stories.

Lincoln Park: From Cemetery to Sculpture Garden

From hidden treasures to the city’s most well-known sights, you’ll view over 40 Chicago landmarks on our 75-minute Architecture River Boat Tours. A scenic 90-minute cruise along the Chicago River and Lake Michigan shoreline with views of Chicago landmarks like the Marina City, the Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower and Navy Pier. See beautifully preserved examples of domestic architecture of the early 1900s in this delightful walk along three blocks of Dearborn Street in the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast. 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.

Skyscrapers

Chicago is known around the world for its architectural feats, both inside and outside of the buildings. From the 100-year-old Art Deco, Neo-Classical, and Gothic Towers, to some of the tallest modern-day skyscrapers, Chicago is where old meets futuristic architectural endeavors. It has something for everyone in a way that no other city replicates today. A visit to the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) includes access to two floors of extraordinary exhibits.

See recently restored public spaces and renovated guest rooms while learning about the history of Chicago’s oldest continually operating hotel. As we explore a venerable section of Graceland Cemetery, we’ll discuss the meanings of and changes to gravestone symbols and shapes, from Victorian times to the present day. 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. Hear the stories behind the people buried at the beautiful and tranquil Oak Woods Cemetery on Chicago’s South Side, from important local African Americans who fought for Civil Rights to Confederate prisoners of war.

90-Minute Lake & River Architecture Tour 03/08/2024 - Choose Chicago

90-Minute Lake & River Architecture Tour 03/08/2024.

Posted: Fri, 08 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Choose one of CAC’s acclaimed architecture tours, from a selection of our guests’ perennial favorites. We believe that tours should be entertaining, enlightening, informational, and perfectly organized, every single time. A tour shouldn’t feel laborious in any way; you should feel an effortless inclination to learn more about what we present at your fingertips. With our Chicago architectural tours, that’s exactly what we strive to provide, basing each tour from the perspective of an expert with the real-life example in the background.

A two-hour 3D Fireworks Cruise sailing every week from the Chicago Riverwalk on Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the summer months. Enjoy a musical soundtrack and a firework display while wearing complimentary "3D" glasses. Marvel at the original marble, mahogany doors and decorative wrought iron found throughout the two lobbies and uppermost floors of this 1895 building, designed by John Wellborn Root and Charles Atwood. Experience the glamour, intrigue and excitement of the bygone "Grand Hotel" era at the Palmer House.

90-Minute Lake & River Architecture Tour 03/29/2024 - Choose Chicago

90-Minute Lake & River Architecture Tour 03/29/2024.

Posted: Sat, 30 Mar 2024 10:27:43 GMT [source]

Wendella vessels include sheltered areas and climate controlled lounges. However, in cases of severe weather, if the Captain deems it unsafe and cancels the tour, all guests will be refunded. A 90-minute history tour on the Chicago River from the comfort of an open-deck boat with views of the Civic Opera House, Wrigley Building, Willis Tower and more.

Architecture of the Magnificent Mile

Explore Chicago’s green spaces and learn why well-designed parks and outdoor recreational areas are essential to the city. Join us on one of our newest tours of the city, led by an expertly trained CAC Docent. Chicago's First Lady's fleet is available for groups of 2—250 to charter for your special events. You can find out more information by visiting cruisechicago.com/private-events.

Explore the new Old Post Office Building, whose early 20th-century design has been adaptively reused into a beautiful, modern Class A Office building. Tour the world’s tallest commercial building with load-bearing masonry walls and learn how the transition from masonry to steel frame skyscrapers transformed the workplace. As the first skyscraper built within the Loop after World War II, the Inland Steel Building became an instant symbol of Chicago’s prominence as a modern American city in the 20th century. 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. 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.

Learn about the architects who created our city's magnificent buildings—and the stories behind them. For more than 25 years, the CAC's expertly trained docent volunteers have led the CAC River Cruise, sharing fascinating stories behind more than 50 buildings along the Chicago River. Hear how Chicago grew from a small settlement into one of the world's largest cities in less than 100 years. In just 90 minutes, you'll get the best overview of Chicago’s architecture and its history.

If you have limited mobility, see these directions for an alternative way to reach the dock. Shedd Aquarium invites you to explore the wonders of underwater life from across the globe. From colorful fish in Caribbean reefs to the majestic beauty of beluga whales, the aquarium offers an immersive experience that educates and inspires.

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. Select a tour of architectural treasures throughout Chicago and its suburbs, brought to life as only a CAC docent can.

This classic tour aboard the city's most luxurious fleet, is a must for out-of-town visitors and Chicagoans alike. Advance reservations are recommended as many tours sell out during the busy summer season and on weekends. 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.

Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, Chicago's charm is bound to captivate your heart. 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 lively overview of Chicago architecture explores iconic buildings from the 1890s to present.