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Chicago Architecture Foundation
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Museums Hotels & Travel Tours Museums, Tours [Edit]
224 S Michigan AveSte 430
(between Adams St & Jackson Blvd)
Chicago, IL 60604
Neighborhood: The Loop
(312) 922-3432
- Nearest Transit:
-
Adams/wabash (Brown Line, Green Line, Orange Line, Pink Line, Purple Line)
Jackson-Red (Red Line)
Monroe-Red (Red Line)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 9 am - 6:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
Mention Yelp for Discount. Not valid with any other offer,or Saturday. Maximum 4 persons.
145 reviews for Chicago Architecture Foundation
Review Highlights
"The boat tour on the Chicago River is amazing."
(in 65 reviews)
"The guide was very knowledgeable and friendly."
(in 5 reviews)
"...tours, like of Sullivan's buildings or of Mies Van der Rohe."
(in 4 reviews)
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145 reviews in English
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Review from Matt R.
Oakland, CA
12/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
A wonderful introduction to a great city. And, it just so happened that the "treasures" tour fit perfectly inside my 4-hour drive-by (OK, fly-by) visit.
This totally justified a "mileage run" detour through O'Hare. -
Review from Valerie G.
New York, NY
1/18/2012
Definitely come here to take a look at the model of the city!
It's amazing...w/ lots of little facts & details about the larger buildings and the little neighborhoods within Chicago. Nice & quick way to get some knowledge in yo' brain!
Also amazing is the fact that it's not covered by a glass or any sort of protectant...and the fact that my clumsy self did not fall into it!
P.S. Make sure you peruse the gift shop for neat & unique gifts! -
Review from Kelly M.
12/4/2011
I've always wanted to take one of the boat tours while visiting Chicago and I finally got a chance when I visited in August. The thing that always turned me off was the price but it was totally worth it. I know a lot about architecture and Chicago but I learned even more on this tour. Our guide was hilarious and made small jokes the entire time. It was interesting and a different way of seeing a city.
Funny story: A few days later I happened to be wandering around downtown Chicago admiring the buildings while my friend was at work and i happened to stumble upon the architecture store. I went in and instantly wanted to buy everything in sight. I ended up just buying a cool Daniel Burnham mug (urban planning nerds represent!). I asked the clerk how long they had been there and he said a few years. I don't even want to think how many time I walked by this place not noticing it. -
Review from Heather U.
Chicago, IL
2/3/2012
I've been living in Chicago for more than 7 years, and one of the most significant things I've gained from my time here is an appreciation of architecture thanks to CAF. Before moving to Chicago I pretty much never thought much about architecture. It's all around you and with any luck it's functional and stable, but it rarely attracted my attention. A few years ago my company arranged for a CAF boat tour as a year-end celebration, and it just blew my mind. The docents bring to your attention the way that the building styles develop over the decades, the different ways that architects responds to the needs of the client, the ways that the buildings deliberately reference each other or deliberately stand apart. It's amazing to see the ways in which an architect can fulfill a practical need with a work of art.
Since doing that tour I've done a number of the walking tours, and they're pretty uniformly excellent. A note of caution: these tours are led by volunteer docents, so while they usually have a good grasp on the particular tour that they are leading they may have varying abilities to answer your questions, and I've occasionally gotten one who's a little batty. But it's hard to be put off when you have such a magnificent city to explore. From the Rookery and the early Chicago-school skyscrapers to Mies van der Rohe and the modernists to contemporary works like Aqua by Jeanne Gang, it's a veritable feast, and it's all been beautifully preserved with the help of organizations like CAF. Whether you live in Chicago or are visiting from out of town, this is on my must-do list. It'll open your eyes. -
Review from Katie F.
Chicago, IL
1/23/2012
Great tour guide with lots of facts. A bit dry at times. Had a volunteer on the 1:30 PM skyscraper express January 21st tour (possibly named Nancy) who was extremely rude to my mom and had a heart attack because we had two more stickers than the amount of people in our group. If she had not been on our tour, would've given it 5 stars!
Comment from Jennifer L. of Chicago Architecture Foundation 1/24/2012
Thank you for your feedback regarding the Skyscraper Express… More » -
Review from Justin O.
Chicago, IL
11/24/2011
Do you know why it is really called "the Loop"? One of the many interesting things I've learned from CAF. I love CAF and would recommend their tours to anyone visiting Chicago for the first time as well as life long city dwellers. There are a variety of tours to choose from that offered at different times and led by different Docents. I have become a member of CAF after participating in Open House Chicago and have since gone on a few of the walking tours. Check out a tour next time you have an hour to spare!
The one thing I wish I could see implemented is a Yelp-like review system for the different tours and Docents, aka tour guides. I haven't had a bad tour yet, but think its useful to hear what others are saying about the tours and the Docent. -
Review from Jan E.
Flossmoor, IL
1/14/2012
We've taken this tour several times and it's a must for out-of-town guests. What could be better than sitting on a boat, sipping a beer if you wish, and learning about the glorious architecture of this gorgeous city. Very knowledgable docents and each one has his/her own speciality. We've had one who shared anecdotes about the lives of the architects. Another shared stories about what happened in the buildings. Another offered more current cultural references. Nobody does this tour better than the Chicago Architectural Society. It's a Must-Do.
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Review from Kathleen C.
Chicago, IL
11/11/2011
I booked a tour with the Chicago Architecture Foundation for a work event for some visitors to the city. We had a blast! The tour guide was informative and fun and made sure to answer questions throughout. Being from Chicago, I thought I knew everything there was to know about some of these buildings...boy, I was wrong! A great tour and at a great cost as well!
Also check out their boat tour which rocks as well! -
Review from carlos a.
10/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
This tour sounds boring...but I was completely hooked for 90 minutes. Not only is it a great way to see the city but I feel informed about the architectural history and have a great deal of respect for the Chicago landscape now. I would make this a must see. Definitely worth the money.
My ONLY criticism is I hope you guys stop partnering with Ticketmaster. I have no problem paying you $45 but I hated paying $2 to print my own ticket and $8 in fees to them. I would gladly support the foundation but the partnership with Ticketmaster has got to go. My two cents. -
Review from Calvin Y.
9/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
"So typical of Trump to build something so big and phallic," says the Canadian behind us. Trump Tower Chicago is rather excessively large.
The architecture river tour is a great introduction to the buildings in the city by providing me a sense of layout and the history involved in the skyline. I thought it was helpful doing this the first day I was in town.
My only critique would be that the tour guide should use a mix of architecture vocabulary and some words for us common folk. I'm still not exactly sure what a buttress is but it has stuck to my memory for more reasons than one.Listed in: Chicago Showcase 2011
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Review from Scott L.
9/14/2011
These tours are done by locals, so it's a great introduction to Chicago. We did the El Train tour of the loop and North treasures downtown. For around $15 a tour it was an inexpensive, convenient, organized way to easily see some sights.
A good way to get acquainted with Chicago, like getting a tour from your cool Uncle who has a few stories.Listed in: Chicago Weekend Highlights
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Review from Niki C.
Chicago, IL
10/24/2011
I can't say enough good things about the Chicago Architecture Foundation. We went to the Devil in the White City tour with a gaggle of women from all over the Midwest. It was the perfect Autumn day (I'd be previously in January & trust me when I say it makes a difference). Our docent was super-friendly & knowledgable. The bus ride was smooth. I do recommend reading the book before the tour, however. That was Saturday, October 21st.
The next day, at noon, we took the architectural boat river cruise. What a fun day. Again, a gorgeous Fall day. I've lived in Chicago for almost 15 years & I learned so much about the buildings we tend to take for granted or walk past so frequently without a second thought. Super informative &, again, our volunteer docent was a joy.
I highly recommend one or both of these tours to tourists, newcomers, & locals alike. -
Review from Troy D.
10/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Took the "Chicago's Loop By Train" tour a little while back with a friend. And -- I've gotta say -- it was not only informative, but a heck of a lot of fun.
The walking tours are pretty reasonable in terms of price, and the one we took showed us a lot about architecture around the loop. The docent who guided our tour knew her stuff (although she was a little TOO overly cautious about us riding around on the L -- we get it -- stay away from the edge of the platform).
The friend I was with commented that "it was more interesting than I thought it would be." I have to agree. -
Review from Michelle F.
Mission, KS
9/15/2011
Took their river tour over the weekend and I must say that I really enjoyed it. Our guide was very knowledgeable and presented the information in and informative and entertaining manner. The bartender makes a tasty beverage, served in a cup with a lit to prevent spills. Good call! My only note, we were told to arrive 30 minutes early, you might make that more like 45 minutes as we were very near the end of the line.
Happy sailing! -
Review from Angeline K.
Cupertino, CA
9/5/2011
Ok, I have to admit that architecture isn't really my thing and I found the tour itself to be a little snooze worthy, but I liked it for a few reasons: 1) You still get see the gorgeous Chicago skyline from the Chicago River and learn about a lot of Chicago's history along the way, 2) Although the docents were somewhat boring, I could appreciate the amount of study and hard work that it takes to become one, and 3) If you really find it boring you can sleep comfortably on the boat, haha. #2 was most impressive to me, especially because the docents are volunteers.
I'm still not sure if the price of the tour is worth it. If you really like architecture then it's a must. Otherwise, I don't think you'd be missing a lot if you didn't take this tour.Listed in: Chi-Town
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Review from beth i.
9/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Just went into this shop to pick up a gift for my dad (who's an architect) and assumed I'd find something funky and cool. Boy did I! I walked out with a dozen items for my dad and other people. I found seriously cool items I'd never seen before.
Lots of great home decor items like clocks and kitchen accessories plus artsy stuff. If you need a good gift to bring home stop here. I understand that they also sell tickets here to go on walking tours and will answer questions you have about the city, but if you don't have time for that, at least stop in to this store. It's conveniently located across the Art Institute. -
Review from Clifford R.
Manhattan, NY
9/8/2011
This review if for the CAF Architectural Boat Tour. Who would think that someone talking about skyscrapers for 90 minutes could be fun? Not me! Boy, was I wrong. I've taken this tour twice, and both time I've been captivated by the wonderful narrative given by our CAF (Chicago Architectural Foundation) tour guide.
The tour is interesting, but even if Architecture isn't your thing, you get a very unique perspective of the city. And the fact that they make drinks available doesn't hurt!
Tip: Show up early. We got there about 30 minutes early, and there were already a ton of people on line. We wound up getting ok seats, but if you want to make sure your group can sit together and be comfortable, you're gonna have to have at least one person stand on line 45 - 60 minutes before. -
Review from Jordan F.
Sammamish, WA
10/16/2011
The architecture cruise was truly great. At $45 (including tax and Ticketmaster fees if you buy online), it's one of the most expensive tours I've ever been on. It covers more than 50 buildings along the three forks of the river and gives an insightful view of Chicago's history, city planning and famous architects. It was worth the money.
The boat has a bar (that looked to be fairly well stocked), and they also sell hot chocolate, coffee, snacks, etc. -
Review from J. L.
Atlanta, GA
10/10/2011
I took three architecture tours offered by them. I love all of them and wish I could take some other tours. The tour guide on our river tour worked in the architecture industry, the other guides were not. However, all of them are friendly and knowledgable. They are all volunteers but you can tell that they love Chicago and its architecture.
BTW, for the walking tours in downtown, wearing comfortable shoes because you will walk and stand for two hours and have no place to rest. The gift shop does not have bathroom.Comment from Jennifer L. of Chicago Architecture Foundation 10/10/2011
Thanks for the great review of our tours! You're right,… More » -
Review from Sarah H.
8/15/2011
This boat tour is an absolute must-do when visiting the Windy City.
90 minutes of extremely informative history on Chicago's unrivalled architectural masterpieces including background on each individual architect. From the Great Fire of 1871, to Michigan lake-inspired buildings to the Chicagoan 4 star flag, you get a concise yet enlightening overview of Chi-town's history and spirit.
Let's just say that immediately following the tour we could confidently recognize 80% of all downtown buildings. It makes you appreciate the whole Chicago experience that much more.
Our volunteer tour guide, Lindy was quirky, fun, unbelievably knowledgeable & absolutely in love with the city and its architecture. This made us love it too, of course (not that we needed much convincing).
The $35 price tag is definitely worth it. -
Review from Kat L.
7/11/2011
Boat tour = AMAZING.
I too thought the $35/person was high, but afterwards my mom and I agreed that it was well worth the price. You get to see pretty much the entire city (as accessible by boat), and the docents are so informative you feel as though you know each and every building as well as a local might. (I also learned quite a bit about the differences between "Modern" and "Postmodern" architecture, which means I understand the buildings down in Houston and Austin a lot more!)
We took the 11-12:30 tour, which was great except 1) the sun was in our eyes most of the time and 2) we got pretty badly sunburned. So, I would recommend taking the first tour of the day or one a little more into the evening... or else, lathering up with some serious sunblock!
Like many others have said on here, I guess the price and length means not many children take this tour. (My Fodor's guide recommended Wendella for kids, as it's shorter and cheaper).
SECRET TIP: Don't go visit the ArchiCenter gift shop until AFTER your tour! Then you get a discount with your ticket receipts! -
Review from Pauline S.
Chicago, IL
9/3/2011
I just recently moved to this Giant City in the Midwest and within 2 weeks my parents were here to visit. We all took the boat tour, thanks to my dad, and had a Fantastic Time!
Our tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable, spewing out facts, dates, and names left and right as he guided us up and down the Chicago river. It's certainly an investment of time and money but Well Worth the information and experience. A great way to learn about the huge architecture of Chicago!
(I would take children 10 and up on the tour- it may be a bit long for younger children and they would have more fun playing outside than sitting and listening on a boat.) -
Review from Laurie S.
Chicago, IL
10/2/2011
Today was the second time I've been on the river cruise tour, and I loved it both times! I've gone on a couple of other Chicago River cruise tours and they were fun, but the Chicago Architecture Foundation's is the best in terms of providing detailed information. The docents are very knowledgeable and friendly. The cruises do sell out, so it's best to buy tickets ahead of time and to arrive early, especially if you are coming with a larger group.
I haven't gone on any of the CAF's other tours yet, but I've been in their gift shop, and the staff there are also friendly and helpful. -
Review from Chris P.
San Jose, CA
7/9/2011
I took the architecture boat tour on July 5 and it was excellent. Given Chicago's sometimes troublesome summer weather, I waited for a good day and bought tickets online just a few hours before departure. If you want a railing-side seat (best for unobstructed photography) be sure to get there 20 minutes early. Our tour took place on a very hot day and, at $3 for a small bottle of water from the lower-deck bar, I wished I had brought my own supply. You are in the sun for about 80 of the 90 minutes. Our guide was superbly knowledgeable, had a good sense of humor, and the time really flew by. I will definitely try other CAF tours on my next visit.
Recommended for adults or mature teens/pre-teens only, it would not be very interesting for kids under 12. The $35 ticket price, which I feel is a little high, may be intended to help deter having boats full of kids - which ours was not. Full bar on board. -
Review from Kristi C.
10/9/2011
I highly recommend the boat tour. A great way to see the architecture that makes up the beautiful Chicago skyline. My suggestion is one of the tours towards the end of the day, the lighting for pictures is ideal.
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Review from Melissa H.
Broomfield, CO
7/18/2011
Excellent boat tour! Our docent was incredibly knowledgeable and managed to guide us through the entire river and had everything timed perfectly as we approached each building. I appreciate having a guide who has a genuine interest in the history and architecture of the city. That makes it worth every penny of the $35 ticket price.
If you're looking for a river tour - don't pass this up. -
Review from Kim K.
Amazing architecture river tour! The tour guide/docent was incredibly knowledgeable about Chicago, history, and architecture. She made the whole thing. The views from the river are unparallelled. Totally worth the price and the time. Dress in layers though, it gets cold on the water in the morning!
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Review from Kaitlyn P.
Chicago, IL
5/30/2011
I know CAF does about 80 tours; this review is for the architectural boat tour.
I took this tour with some architect friends of ours who were in town, and we were all blown away by how much we got for our money. To start with, we picked a beautiful day. I'm not sure how great the tour would have been if it was raining, but on a sunny day this is easily one of Chicago's best attractions.
The tour takes you up and down both prongs of the Chicago River and out to Lake Michigan. Our volunteer docent was extremely knowledgeable about both the architecture and the history of the city, which made for an incredible experience. She had something to say about almost every building we passed, and did a wonderful job of tying together different points she had made about the buildings and the city's history throughout the tour.
An excellent introduction to the city of Chicago, a great way to take a break from sightseeing on foot, and a beautiful way to appreciate the city from a unique vantage point. Whether you live in Chicago or are just visiting for a few days, it's definitely worth doing. -
Review from Maria C.
11/3/2011
awesome boat tour, definitely the highlight of our trip! PERFECT weather, incredibly knowledgeable tour guide -- what more can you ask for? make sure you get tickets ahead of time because they do get sold out!
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Review from Lan N.
10/24/2011
This is a great way to learn about the city of Chicago. The river tour is 90 minutes long. The guide is super informative and knows a lot about all the different type of architecture and even how many floors some buildings are. All the types of architecture the city of Chicago has, is amazing. I didn't catch all the history and architectual workings because I was busy taking photos. The boat doesn't move very fast so you should be able to get some great shots of the different buildings. The tour runs rain or shine so you'll need to be prepared for that. I got some rain during my tour, but nothing a rainjacket couldn't block.
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Review from Tina L.
The CAF has a fantastic store that sells more than just architecture-related merchandise. It is a design gift shop, with nifty kitchen gadgets, scientific toys, stationery, books, etc. The staff are nice and helpful, and you can browse to your heart's content.
After you've had your fill, you can proceed through the back entrance to the free exhibit. The current exhibit, "Chicago Model City," has a 320 sq ft precise scaled model of downtown Chicago, with interesting facts about iconic buildings. Every 15 minutes, the lights over the exhibit simulates the sunlight of the summer solstice.
A 1-year individual membership is only $55, which is a steal, considering the 85+ tours available. -
Review from Mr. and Mrs. G.
Oakland, CA
7/5/2011
This review was for the River Cruise. It would have been 5 stars had they not charged us for our baby, too! Seriously, each ticket was $35, and for our 1 year old they charged us $25!!! That was just plain mean considering she sat on our lap the entire time. Apparently, even with newborns you have to pay the full $25. Ridiculous.
That said, the tour was amazing and very thorough. Our tour guide's explanations of the buildings were seamless and very knowledgeable. I would still recommend this tour, but it's really for adults only. -
Review from Andrew G.
Santa Barbara, CA
11/7/2011
I highly recommend the CAF boat tour! We had a great docent who knew the city inside and out. Since the river winds through the whole city, you get a great view of all the major buildings. You wont regret it!
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Review from Steve S.
Philadelphia, PA
7/7/2011
Took one of their 2 hr. walking tours - Historic Downtown (north loop) Treasures of Culture & Commerce tour. Keep in mind the guides are volunteers. Our guide was just ok. He was not very dynamic - stumbled all over his words and facts throughout the tour. My suggestion would be to call and inquire about the guide for the tour you plan to take.
The tour itself was good - saw lots of amazing design and details. The CAF store was very cool. Definitely worth a trip just to the store if your into architecture.
Post Review Comment: I received a very nice email from CAF voicing their concern that our tour was not as good as we had hoped for. They were appreciative that I was able to help identify our docent/tour guide, so that they can address if any additional training or coaching was need. Because of their professionalism and concern that our experience was not as good we expected, I am raising the 3 stars to 4 stars. Great job Jennifer! Thanks! -
Review from Sumit D.
8/18/2011 12 photos
If I was rating just the boat tour itself, I would probably give it four stars. But, when you take into account the 80 year old tour guide that reminded me of that teacher in Ferris Bueller's day off, I had to bump it down to 3 stars. Other than that though, beautiful ride up and down the river through the entire city!
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Review from Greg O.
9/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Absolutely fantastic boat tour. We had tried to go a day earlier, when it was nice and sunny out, but of course they were already sold out that day (lesson- buy tickets in advance!) so we had to go the next day, which was cloudy and pouring rain at some points. But it couldn't dampen this tour one bit. Touring the city by river is a great way to see the downtown architecture from a new perspective, and without wearing a hole in shoes trying to walk it all. The docent was excellent, the staff was friendly, and it was great tour, rain or not.
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Review from Jason H.
Chicago, IL
10/9/2011
This place is awesome, it has a very unique gift store, a model of the City of Chicago, great info, helpful staff and the place looks great! I just can't wait to go back for the tours.
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Review from Patrick M.
North Hanover, NJ
10/1/2011
Can't say enough good things about this tour. Worth every penny! We learned so much about the city and it's architecture during this river boat journey.. I do recommend you take this tour at the beginning of your trip and to get in line 40 minutes early to ensure a great spot on the top level of the boat.
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Review from Sarah J.
11/22/2010
For architecture buffs and non buffs alike. Although I have never been on the boat tours, which I hear are pretty great, I think I prefer the walking tour simply because you can get a close up of the buildings and even go inside them! Perfect when it's a super chilly Chicago day like it was when I was there.
We went on the tour entitled "Rise of the Sky Scraper." I liked this tour in particular because you got a dose of history in addition to learning about the variations in sky scrapers. I never knew that Terra Cotta was so popular because it's super durable (as opposed to iron that was used in the earlier days that would melt in the heat!). I learned about load bearing versus skeletal structures, and boy does Chicago like its art deco design. And did you know that the first sky scrapers were only three to five floors high? Very interesting! And maybe the most important part of the tour: that lady who everyone blamed for the Chicago fire did not in fact cause it! Turns out that story was made up by a reporter. Poor girl.
Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and encouraged any and all questions. The guides are all volunteers, so you know they're there because they want to be. Enthusiastic guides make for good tours.
Highly recommended for those who like history, beautiful buildings, and walking. Next time I'm in Chicago I'm checking out the modern architecture tour!Listed in: Get Movin'
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Review from Sara G.
Washington, DC
9/20/2011
Unfortunately it started pouring rain during out boat tour but we stuck it out! I'd say this is a must-do when visiting Chicago. A great way to take in many of the beautiful sites of the city and learn something about its history. Our tour guide was knowledgeable but a bit dry - the narration could have been a lot more entertaining and captivating. (I wouldn't recommend for children). However, the skyline spoke for itself. Also, the bathroom on the boat was really big and nice. But maybe that's something that only makes me happy.
