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Chicago Cultural Center

Chicago Cultural Center: Our most recommended tours and activities

Chicago: Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour

1. Chicago: Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour

Experience the Windy City like never before with our hop-on, hop-off double-decker sightseeing bus tour! Marvel at the stunning skyscrapers of Chicago, including the iconic John Hancock Center, the towering Willis Tower, and the historic Wrigley Building. Our knowledgeable tour guides will provide you with fascinating facts and insights into Chicago's rich history as you explore the city's most impressive landmarks. Hop on and off as many times as you want to visit attractions such as the world-renowned Shedd Aquarium and Field Natural History Museum. Travel along the famous Magnificent Mile, considered one of the world's great avenues, and cross over the Michigan Avenue Bridge, which offers breathtaking views of the Chicago River. With our convenient stops located throughout the city, it's easy to navigate your way around and explore at your own pace. Choose between a 24 or 48-hour ticket, and take your time discovering all that Chicago has to offer. Don't miss out on this unforgettable experience - book your hop-on, hop-off bus tour today!

Chicago: Treasures of the Golden Age Walking Tour

2. Chicago: Treasures of the Golden Age Walking Tour

This Historic Treasures of Chicago tour covers the most significant historic architectural landmarks in Chicago’s Loop. Your expert guide, trained by the Chicago Architecture Center, will focus on great cultural buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which harkened back to earlier time periods and were designed in revival styles such as Beaux Arts, neo-Georgian and neo-Gothic. Marvel at exteriors and interiors of dazzling beauty and startling originality, and get a glimpse inside some of the city's most beloved buildings.    The highlights of this walking tour will include the Chicago Cultural Center, home to the world's largest Tiffany dome; the iconic Marshall Field's department store, now Macy's on State; and the Palmer House, a beautifully restored hotel from the 1920s. 

Chicago: Downtown Architectural Interiors Tour

3. Chicago: Downtown Architectural Interiors Tour

Jump right into beautiful architectural interiors of the Roaring '20s, taking in the class and elegance of a classic Art Deco masterpiece. Go back 50 years to the 1880s and explore the structure and style of one of the most famous and oldest buildings in downtown Chicago. Next, you'll marvel at a vaulted ceiling from the Postmodern era, surrounded by Moorish details. Finally, you'll end looking up at the world's largest Tiffany stained-glass mosaic, and very close to the world-famous Millennium Park with one of the most famous landmarks of Chicago, "The Bean."

Best of Chicago: Skydeck, River Cruise & City Walking Tour

4. Best of Chicago: Skydeck, River Cruise & City Walking Tour

At Willis Tower, take the first elevator of the day up 103 floors to the Skydeck, the 3rd tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. On a clear day views extend to 4 States!! Back on ground level, it’s time to traverse Chicago’s Loop, alongside your local guide and see the city’s Art Deco architecture will be laid out before – or rather, above – you! Pass the magnificent Board of Trade Building and take in the statue of Ceres, Ancient Greek goddess of the harvest, looming over the skyline three stories high. The Loop may be a business district but it’s much more than that—including the birthplace of the world’s first skyscraper. At the Monadnock Building where your expert local guide will be waiting to take you on a journey through the city’s most storied structures Next, walk through the awe-inspiring lobby designed by Frank Lloyd Wright at the Rookery. Many elements here only an expert can point out, including the secret glass mosaics adorning the lobbies. You’ll listen to the history of the cast of characters that brought Chicago to world-wide fame, admire one of the world’s most historically significant doors and get a view of the largest Tiffany glass dome in the world. Millennium Park is the next stop where the iconic Cloud Gate can be found. After getting a picture in front of ‘The Bean’, it’s time to walk up Michigan Avenue for more architectural stories and history. The last stop of the day is Chicago’s iconic Riverwalk for a 90-minute architecture cruise, passing down the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. Enjoy the snacks and refreshments available to purchase on board, and take in the day’s discoveries from the water.

Other Sightseeing Options in Chicago Cultural Center

Want to discover all there is to do in Chicago Cultural Center? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Chicago Cultural Center

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 643 reviews

With so many buildings and architecture to see, which ones are the most significant and relevant? This is where the tour comes in. The tour guide did not disappoint; you enter into some of the buildings where if you go by yourself, you wouldn’t dare. The tour is awesome and it leaves you with a nice feeling of appreciating the architecture of the city. Buildings we entered: Chicago Cultural Center Palmer House Marshall Field and Company Building - this is the Macy's store, its public, but the surprise is something that you wouldn't see if you are wandering by yourself (Ceiling with Tiffany Mosaics). Impressive and highly recommended.

This was an amazing tour! The guide was incredibly knowledgeable and engaging. We got to see a lot of places we wouldn’t even think of going into and they were all gorgeous! Definitely a tour to take if you’re just exploring Chicago or looking for a wedding venue. Great way to start a trip to Chicago as we learned about a lot of places we went to later on in our stay.

Our docent was extremely knowledgeable and the tour was well worth it.

Great content. Wonderful guide. Kylie is knowledgeable and personable

We had a great time in Chicago. This app was one of the reasons why!