Top Experiences in Tribune Tower

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.

What's New looks at some of the most recent additions to the built environment surrounding the Chicago Architecture Center. This walking tour focuses on each building's height, structure, materials, ornament and its impact on the environment, the neighborhood and the city's economy. The tour showcases several recently completed buildings, including 462 N. Park and the St. Regis, and compares them to each other in order to observe emerging patterns. These new additions are also contrasted with some of the older buildings downtown as a way to highlight developments.

As a certified nonprofit, all CAC ticket purchases directly support our education efforts and community engagement projects.

Our Chicago Foodie Lovers Tour will take you to the most iconic and delicious spots in Chicago all in one day. If you are looking for a little bit of culture, great photos, and a ton of delicious food then this is the tour for you.
The day will start with meeting with your friendly local guide. From there your tour will begin as you start your day walking throughout Chicago and dining at the most famous and delicious food spots in Chicago.
This half-day tour will be fully packed with famous landmarks, yummy food and much much more!
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Full schedule
11:00 AM - Meet your guide at the Grand subway station
11:05 AM - Taste a famous Portillos hotdog
11:45 AM - Enjoy an Al’s Italian Beef Sandwich
12:35 PM - Drool lover a Chicago favorite... deep dish pizza
1:25 PM - Take some Garrett's Popcorn to go
1:35 PM - Check out Tribune Tower and Wrigley Building
2:05 PM - Try the delicious Do-rite Donuts
2:20 PM - Walk to Buckingham Fountain
3:00 - Get dropped off at the Millennium Subway Station

Our Chicago Walking Instagram Tour will take you to the most Instagrammable spots in Chicago all in one day. If you are looking for a little bit of culture, some amazing architecture, & a ton of great photos then this is the tour for you.
The morning will start with meeting with your friendly local guide at the meeting point. From there your tour will begin as you start your day walking throughout Chicago and exploring the most famous locations in the city.
This half-day tour will be fully packed with famous landmarks, vintage architecture, secretly located spots and much much more!
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Full schedule
10:00 AM- Meet your Guide at the Grand Subway Station
10:10 AM- Walk along Magnificent Mile
10:20 AM- Stop at Wrigley Building & admire Tribune Tower
10:50 AM- Explore Pioneer Court
11:20 AM- Explore Millennium Park & see Cloud Gate
11:55 AM- Check out an Iconic fountain
12:20 AM- Chicago Riverwalk
1:00 PM- Explore Navy Pier
2:00 PM- Get dropped off by your guide at Millennium station

Must-See Chicago is a fast-paced, 90-minute introductory tour to Chicago featuring some of its most famous buildings, including the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, the Art Institute of Chicago, Willis (Sears) Tower, the Chicago Theatre and more!

Get a brief overview of more than a dozen buildings—as well as Chicago landmarks like Millennium Park, the Loop and the Chicago River—on this whirlwind tour. There are lots of photo opportunities along the way, so be sure to bring your camera!

As a certified nonprofit, all CAC ticket purchases directly support our education efforts and community engagement projects.

To me, one can appreciate a given building, or piece of public sculpture, far better when a tour guide explains the historical and cultural context. What was important in that era, and what was the architecture of that era thus trying express? I do know a lot about this. Thus, you will gain this information about each point of interest. I have taken other tours here, and I just do not hear a word from that point of view. This tour will be like an open history book to an America that no longer exists: Roman and Greek architectural styles, as well as French and British-influenced styles. Of course, you will see the latest in office building architectural styles from around the world, for those of you who just love the modern era as well.

Immerse yourself along the Chicago River and admire the astonishing architecture and landmarks that have shaped the Windy City and beyond.

Our expert guides will show you Chicago through a new lens and explore this city’s history, architecture, and legacy with you.

Enjoy Chicago’s iconic skyline with an exciting architecture cruise on the Chicago River. Departing from Navy Pier, this 75-minute narrated cruise is the best way to get up-close views of Chicago’s unique architecture and famous landmarks. Seadog offers fun for the whole family (and the dog, too!) with live narration along the city’s shore. Enjoy the speed of Seadog afterward during a short speedboat ride on the lake!

Please arrive at the boarding location at least 30 minutes before your scheduled cruise time. The tour will begin promptly.

Discover the dazzling beauty of Chicago at night on the all-new Big Bus Sunset Live Tour. This 90-minute panoramic tour takes you on an exciting journey through the city's most iconic sights and landmarks. From the top deck of a double-decker bus, you'll be treated to unique views of the Chicago skyline, comprised of world-famous skyscrapers and revolutionary architecture. Capture a photo overlooking downtown from the Museum Campus in front of the Adler Planetarium and be amazed by the mesmerizing water and light display of The Buckingham Fountain.

Immerse yourself in the bustling nightlife of Chicago. See the Art on the Mart, an incredible light show displayed on the façade of the Merchandise Mart. Don't miss the chance to see the city reflect off The Bean (Cloud Gate) at the famous Millennium Park. As you explore, you'll also encounter architectural marvels such as the John Hancock Center, the Wrigley Building, the Chicago Tribune Building, and the Willis Tower.

Chicago has it all – amazing architecture, great food, and iconic sights both old and new. This walking tour takes you to some of the city’s best spots alongside a local guide where you’ll get the inside scoop on what makes Chicago so special. Not only that, we’ll throw in a couple of sweet, local treats to keep you going as we explore on foot.

Discover how a dirt road known as Pine Street transformed into a "Paris on the Prairie" and later into the Magnificent Mile, the city’s premier shopping district. Hear the secrets and stories behind the striking buildings on North Michigan Avenue that have become architectural icons.

Developed over the past 100 years, the street includes historically-inspired architecture in Parisian, Gothic, neoclassical and Art Deco styles sprinkled among Modern and 21st Century buildings. You’ll see skyscrapers, vertical malls, hotels, residential towers and some buildings that were designed to embody the brands sold inside.

As a certified nonprofit, all CAC ticket purchases directly support our education efforts and community engagement projects.

Ready to discover some of the best Chicago has to offer with a local by your side? Join us on an epic tour of some of the city’s greatest hits: incredible architecture both old and new, delicious local treats and iconic Chicago dishes, a uniquely Chicago transit ride, stunning river views and much more!

Discover Chicago's best on our Big Bus tour. Board our open-top, double-decker bus and see the city's iconic landmarks, from the Magnificent Mile to Millennium Park. Utilize our convenient stops to explore vibrant neighborhoods and attractions, including Willis Tower, the Chicago Riverwalk, and more.

Spend your day shopping on Magnificent Mile, enjoying Navy Pier's Ferris Wheel, or tasting authentic Chicago Deep Dish Pizza. Our flexible tour lets you create your own itinerary, with a free app to track bus arrivals.

Listen to digital commentary in multiple languages, offering expert insight into Chicago's history and culture, while recommending the best places to eat, drink, and shop. Offering comfortable seating and panoramic views, our Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour is an ideal way to explore the city. Hop off as often as you like within your ticket's validity period, and simply hop on again when ready to continue.

Get the whole Chicago experience combining our Chicago Architecture & Highlights Tour and Chicago Food Tour: Deep Roots to Deep Dish!

Our two-part tour begins by exploring the heart of downtown Chicago - with its iconic architecture, both old and new, views of the Chicago River, Millenium Park, and bustling city avenues (plus, a couple tasty local treats along the way).

From there, we’ll hit the Central Loop, where locals go to grab their favorite foods, day and night. Try the best of Chicago fare and get to know the history and how-tos (and how-not-tos) behind iconic street and comfort food staples - from the infamous deep dish pizza to sandwiches to a loaded hot dog!

Your local guide will entertain with fascinating stories and the everyday immigrant chefs and vendors responsible for Chicago’s eclectic food scene. By the end of the tour, you’ll have a deep appreciation for both the evolution of this excellent city and the role food has played in the lives of all Chicagoans!

Experience the best of Chicago with a Premier Plus Dinner Cruise and spend your evening on the Chicago River with dining, picturesque views, DJ entertainment, and dancing. While onboard, you’ll enjoy our chef-prepared plated menus, creative cocktails, distinctive service, and breathtaking views of Chicago’s skyline and attractions from our climate-controlled interior and open-air outdoor deck. Whether for a romantic dinner for two or for a special evening with friends and family, our dinner cruises are the perfect way to elevate any occasion and see Chicago from the water!

Please arrive at the boarding location at least 30 minutes before your scheduled cruise time. The tour will begin promptly.

Includes
- 2.5-hour dinner cruise on the Chicago River
- 3-course, chef-prepared plated menu
- Spectacular views of Chicago’s architecture from the water
- DJ curated music
- Guaranteed table for your party size
- Complimentary coffee, hot tea, and iced tea

Experience the best of Chicago with a Premier Plus Architectural Lunch Cruise and spend your afternoon on the Chicago River with dining, picturesque views, and a narrated architectural tour of the city. While onboard, you’ll enjoy our chef-prepared, plated menus, creative cocktails, distinctive service, and breathtaking views from our climate-controlled interior and open-air outdoor deck. Whether for a celebratory lunch for two or for a special afternoon with friends and family, our Architectural Lunch Cruises offer the most breathtaking views of Chicago with an accompanying narrated tour highlighting the history of the city from the water.

Get the best of Chicago with a local guide on this walking tour featuring the city’s best neighborhoods, top attractions, and the Chicago ‘L’!

We’ll start by exploring the Chicago Loop, home to an array of mind-blowing architecture. See the Willis Tower, Union Station just across the river, and admire the Beaux-Arts beauty of the Art Institute of Chicago. No downtown Chicago experience is complete without a stop at Millennium Park’s Cloud Gate, AKA The Bean.

We’ll then head north to stroll along the Chicago Riverwalk before exploring the River North neighborhood, home of the iconic Wrigley Building.

Over in the Magnificent Mile district, grab post-tour tickets for the Museum of Contemporary Art or brave the 94 floors up to 360 CHICAGO observation deck. End your tour here or nearby in the attraction- and entertainment-filled Navy Pier.

During your tour, your guide will treat you to a local snack as well as a $5 train pass so we can really maximize our time sightseeing in Chicago!

On this private walking tour our expert local guide will take you to see some of Chicago’s best-known attractions!

The day will begin with you meeting with your friendly local guide at Millenium Park, home to Cloud Gate.From there, your tour will begin as you start your walk through Chicago, exploring the most famous and beautiful locations in the city!

On this tour your guide will take you on a walk around Chicago’s historic Loop District where you will get to see some of the oldest skyscrapers in the world and we'll take you inside some of the city’s most influential and iconic buildings.Your guide will share the history of Chicago and explain the multiple architectural influences that helped shape the city's incredible skyline!

Schedule:

10:00 AM
Meet your guide at The Fine Arts Building

10:15 AM
Visit the Marquette Building

10:30 AM
Visit The Rookery

11:00 AM
Visit The Palmer House

11:15 AM
Visit The Sullivan Center

11:30 AM
Lunch time!

12:00 PM
Visit The Chicago Athletic Association hotel

12:15 PM
Visit The Chicago Cultural Center

12:30 PM
Visit the Wrigley Building and the Tribune Tower

1:00 PM
End tour around the Wrigley Building

Experience one of the world’s most beautiful cities on a cruise down the historic Chicago River. On this architecture cruise, head down the main branch of the Chicago River, up the north branch to the East Bank Club, and then south past Willis Tower (Sears Tower) to the old Post Office Building. Take in magnificent city skyline views as you see more than 40 notable buildings, including the John Hancock Center and the Wrigley Building, and learn about their distinctive architecture from your onboard guide, an expert in architecture.

Welcome to Chicago’s scenic Riverwalk. Spanning from Lake Michigan west to Franklin Street. Called the city second Lakefront', the Riverwalk contains restaurants during the summer months, seating areas to relax, boat rentals, and theater-style seating for various performances. Other attractions along the Riverwalk include the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza, and the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum and if you are lucky enough, see a bridge lift from inside the bridge house.

After booking, you can check your email before downloading the Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. The preceding steps require good internet/wifi access. Simply follow the audio instructions and the route from there.

This is not an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

New, extra validity — now, it’s yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!