Historic Downtown North - Treasures of Culture & Commerce Walking Tour in Chicago

Come see some of the great architectural landmarks of State Street and Michigan Avenue from the late 19th/early 20th centuries! This was a time when Chicago was determined to be a great cultural, as well as commercial, city as evidenced and encouraged by the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. You'll see buildings by Burnham, Sullivan, Holabird and Roche and other noted architects including the Reliance Building, Carson Pirie Scott & Co. (Sullivan Center), the Chicago Cultural Center, the Palmer House and the famous Michigan Avenue streetwall.

You'll visit beautiful interior treasures that even many Chicagoans don't know exist. You will hear the stories behind these architectural gems and the men and women who have added so much to the commercial and cultural life of this city. As icing on the cake, this tour also touches on Millennium Park, Chicago's exciting new 21st century park, outdoor gallery, garden and music venue. You won't want to miss The Historic Downtown North - Treasures of Culture & Commerce Walking Tour in Chicago!

Departure Time:

2:00 pm
-Friday, Saturday & Sunday
-January through February

Daily at 2:00 pm
-March through December

5:30 pm
-Thursday
-May through September

Reliance Building (Hotel Burnham):
In 1999, one of Chicago's most architecturally significant buildings was restored to its former glory. The original 1894 design was unique: it was the first skyscraper to use white glazed terra cotta for the façade and, while clearly in the classic Chicago School tripartite design, its glass curtain wall foreshadowed the International Style that developed nearly 30 years later. It was designated a National Historic Landmark (1970), a city landmark (1975) and a state landmark (1979). A state-of-the-art award-winning restoration, led by T. Gunny Harboe (McClier Corporation, Chicago), was completed in 1999. The tour includes the exterior, the lobbies, and two upper floors where much of the original marble, mahogany doors and woodwork, and decorative wrought iron work is still in evidence.

Sullivan Center (Carson Pirie Scott):
Explore the beauty of Louis Sullivan's largest commercial commission! Celebrate areas of ongoing historic restoration in this landmark department store. This tour features Sullivan's innovative building design and magnificent ornamental details.

Michigan Avenue, Chicago's Landmark Streetwall:
Enjoy the "streetwall," a landmark district of skyscrapers stretching for 13-blocks along Michigan Avenue, providing a magnificient vista for visitors to the new Millennium Park. This collection of buildings represents the work of many notable early Chicago architects and a variety of styles, including Beaux Arts, Venetian Gothic and French Revival. Find out what forces helped shape this unique street which continues to evolve. Learn about the adaptive reuse of older buildings for residential, educational and entertainment purposes and the addition of a stylish contemporary building with glass-faceted facade, all in keeping with the guidelines of landmark preservation.

Millennium Park:
Though you may have already visited the Park, our in-depth tour is sure to enhance your knowledge and experience. Find out how top architects, artists and engineers collaborated with Chicago?s movers and shakers to transform an ugly railway and parking lot into a place that has thrilled millions and become the envy of cities throughout the world. Our docents explain the inspiration for Anish Kapoor's huge reflective Cloud Gate sculpture, nicknamed the "Bean," and Jaume Plensa's ever-changing high-tech Crown Fountain. We explore the art and architecture of Frank Gehry's exuberant Jay Pritzker Music Pavilion and sculptural BP Bridge. Discover the many ways that Kathryn Gustafson's Lurie Garden symbolizes Chicago history and see how the Park has become the world's largest roof garden. Learn how the new addition to the Art Institute, designed by Renzo Piano, will connect to the Park.

This tour does not operate December 25 or January 1.

4 WEEKS MINIMUM ADVANCED BOOKING REQUIRED FOR GROUPS OF 10 OR MORE. Child rates include students ages 9 or older. Children age 8 or under are free. Reserve online, or call us toll-free at 1-800-745-1925.

4 WEEKS MINIMUM ADVANCED BOOKING REQUIRED FOR GROUPS OF 10 OR MORE. Child rates include students ages 9 or older. Children age 8 or under are free. Reserve online, or call us toll-free at 1-800-745-1925.

Cancellation Policy

There are no refunds. All sales are final.

Change Policy

If changes are allowed on a tour or activity, a $20.00 per reservation change fee will be applied for any change to a reservation. Please note that some tours and activities do not allow any changes. Date changes can only be made only if we can confirm availability on the new date. While we cannot guarantee any changes can be made, all change requests must be submitted a minimum of 24 hours prior to the tour departure and must be handled on an individual basis through our Reservations Center.