CAC’s River Cruise
The heart of Chicago’s architectural tourism is the Chicago Architecture Center’s River Cruise. Originally started as a private boat tour for visitors to a 1983 design convention, the CAC River Cruise has become an essential introduction to Chicago architecture for anyone interested in the city and its buildings. Spanning an hour and a half, the cruise is a round-trip journey on the Chicago River and covers the history of more than 50 historic and modern Chicago landmarks, including the Willis Tower, the Tribune Tower, and the Merchandise Mart. Seating is on the roof of Chicago’s First Lady, so the tour only runs from March through November, with daytime and evening cruises available. (There’s a bar on the lower level if refreshments are needed.) There are similar architecture cruises offered through different boat companies, but the CAC’s version is the original.
Among major American cities, Chicago stands out for its dedication to celebrating its architectural history. And why not? Pretty much every famous architect has left their mark on the Windy City, which has also been the headquarters for many storied firms.
After the Great Fire of 1871 destroyed much of Chicago, its leaders were given the unique opportunity to reimagine the city largely at once, a stark contrast to the sprawl that guided its initial development. "The Great Rebuilding," as it became known, was a landmark moment in the field of urban planning, the impacts of which are still felt today. Notable Chicagoland architects include Frank Lloyd Wright, with his office in Oak Park; Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, who also served as the head of the architecture school at the Illinois Institute of Technology; and Louis Sullivan, the father of the skyscraper. The city also serves as the headquarters for the prominent practices of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and Studio Gang, founded by acclaimed architect Jeanne Gang.
Chicago's Pritzker family — the clan behind the Hyatt Hotels — helped to establish the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1979, often referred to as the Nobel Prize of architecture. The Pritzkers — native Chicagoans — described their family as "keenly aware of architecture" and it’s a sentiment shared by many Chicagoans, who live surrounded by an astounding display of great buildings.
Jonathan Solomon, Chicago architect and partner at Preservation Futures, a historical research think thank and consultancy, says, "Chicago takes a lot of pride in its architecture because it represents our growth and our ability to overcome hardships. We’re proud that Chicago architects are defining the future of architecture here and all over the world, and we’re proud of how architecture tells the complex history of our city and its people."
Here are some ways to explore the magnificent buildings of Chicago, whether it's by boat, by bike, on foot, or on a bus. The city is always changing and always building, with its history being written anew every day.
The Chicago Architecture Foundation Center’s River Cruise plies inland waters through the heart of the city.
Ready for a closer look at Chicago? Our local experts can help.
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The eight-lane Avondale Bowl, which dates to the 1920s, is a retro-lover's dream. Photo: Sean Henderson.
Open House Chicago
Each year, Open House Chicago flings open the doors to 150+ buildings in 20 neighborhoods across the city, allowing Chicagoans to peek into all sorts of spaces that are often closed to the public, and all for free. The annual event includes in-person visits, as well as virtual programs throughout the month of October. Starting in 2022, there’s a new app to helps attendees navigate the many featured locations, and allows users to sort by options like “Long Lines,” “Brewed in Chicago,” or “Skyline View,” as well as by neighborhood.
There’s something for everyone and it’s worth spending some time to pick out a few must-sees before setting out. View lovers should consider stopping by downtown to visit the terrace of the private Cliff Dwellers Club or the rooftop of One Two Pru. If you’ve always wanted to live in a palace, check out the Park Castle Condominiums with its turrets, towers, and indoor pool in Rogers Park or the Givens' Irish Castle in Beverly. Or stop by fun spots like Avondale Bowl with its restored, original lanes, or District Brew Yards, the first collective pour-your-own brewery.
The Chicago Avenue entrance of Frank Lloyd Wright's Home and Studio in Oak Park. Photo: James Caulfield, courtesy of the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust.
Frank Lloyd Wright Tours
Frank Lloyd Wright is arguably the most famous architect ever and Chicagoland is home to many Wright-designed buildings, notably in the suburb of Oak Park. The Frank Lloyd Wright Trust offers a variety of tours to see Wright’s designs in person: There’s Pedal Oak Park, a guided bicycle tour of 21 Wright-designed structures, including Wright’s own house and studio; Wright Plus Housewalk, an annual tour of eight or so historic homes in Oak Park where private residences are opened up for tours just once a year; and Wright Along the Lake, a bus tour around Chicago that includes a lunch at the Frederick C. Robie House, Wright’s Prairie style masterpiece.
If a tour doesn’t satiate your appetite for the Wright life, the architect’s Emil Bach House, built in 1915, is available as a nightly rental and sleeps up to six. Located in Rogers Park, the Bach house serves as a link between Wright's Prairie houses and his later work.
4448 S. Michigan Avenue is a stop on Brick of Chicago’s Bronzeville walking tour. Photo: Will Quam.
Brick of Chicago Tours
For an up-close look at Chicago’s buildings, take a walk with Will Quam of Brick of Chicago, who serves as a guide to the humblest of building materials: bricks. Learn all about Chicago Common bricks, which are bricks made from clay dredged from the Chicago River. Brick became a popular building material after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, when wooden buildings were banned, resulting in a wealth of brick buildings. Quam gives walking tours of Logan Square, Hyde Park, Old Town, McKinley Park, Bronzeville, and Rogers Park, focusing on the architecture and urban planning of each neighborhood, all through the lens of the modest brick. His Brick of Chicago website also has detailed photos of all the different styles of brick bonds (or the styles of brick layout) to look for—beautifully shot as Quam is an architecture photographer for his day job.
BY CLAIRE LUI
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As the birthplace of the skyscraper and the Ferris wheel, Chicago is proud of its architectural heritage, and rightfully so. Here's how to take it all in.