Embark on a profound, downtown walk-around, to discover incredible stories and secrets of the city on this not to miss feet on the street experience! During our loop around "Da Loop" we will peel back the layers of this Great Big Onion Town, going in and out of extraordinary buildings, admiring amazing art and architecture along the way as we uncover how it all came to be. Expect an engaging, entertaining and wide-eye-opening tour du jour of my sweet home, Chicago.

Chicago is home to some of the world’s earliest skyscrapers. Get an up-close look at these 19th Century marvels, learn about innovations used to build them and discover how they transformed Chicago into a center of skyscraper design and engineering. Highlights on this walking tour include Burnham and Root’s Rookery (1888), a transitional building with a Moorish and Romanesque exterior and a stunning interior atrium re-designed by Frank Lloyd Wright; Adler and Sullivan’s Auditorium Building (1889), a masterpiece of acoustical and structural engineering; and Holabird and Roche’s Marquette Building (1895), an outstanding example of the metal frame expression with traditional details and decorations. As a certified nonprofit, all CAC ticket purchases directly support our education efforts and community engagement projects.

Learn about the life and work of Louis Comfort Tiffany as we visit some of Chicago’s most magnificent art-glass and mosaic installations, each designed and crafted by the Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company. In the late 19th Century, the Arts and Crafts movement revived an interest in decorative glass. New, well-regarded homes and public buildings from the era were considered incomplete without decorative glass or mosaics. Louis Comfort Tiffany, the preeminent practitioner of this art, gained great exposure for a chapel he designed for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Today, the city is home to one of the largest collections of Tiffany art glass in the United States. This tour introduces some remarkable examples of Tiffany's work. As a certified nonprofit, all CAC ticket purchases directly support our education efforts and community engagement projects.

We start our tour at one of the most interesting buildings in the Loop — the Fine Arts Building. Built in 1884 as a showroom and office complex, the building was converted later into its present-day use. Then we're off to the Harold Washington Chicago Public Library, the design of which was the winner of a competition to design a new library for the city. From there, we'll view three Chicago landmarks built in the late 1800s, then visit the beautiful Marquette Building, the Field Building (built on the site of the world's first modern skyscraper) and then see the amazing atrium lobby of the world-renowned Rookery Building. Next, we're off to the beautifully-restored Quincy L stop (authentic 1897 design) to take the train to our last stops. We visit the iconic Macy's to see the beautiful Tiffany mosaic then we wrap up the tour at the Cultural Center to experience the world's largest Tiffany dome. Make a day of it and book our Pedway or Historic Pubs tour for the afternoon!

Ready to explore Chicago like never before? Whether you have just a couple of hours or a full day, my personalized city tours offer a unique and unforgettable experience, customizable from 2 to 8 hours. From the iconic skyline to hidden gems off the beaten path, I’ll take you on a journey that captures the heart and soul of this incredible city. I’ll also capture professional photos along the way, so you can take home memories of your adventure. With flexible pickup options, including quick tours during layovers at O'Hare, I make it easy to see the best of Chicago, no matter how much time you have. Book your tour today and let me show you the Windy City through the eyes of a local!

Discover the heart of Chicago’s architectural legacy on this guided walking tour through the historic Loop District. Step back in time as you explore some of the world’s first skyscrapers and venture inside a collection of the city’s most influential and iconic buildings. Your expert local guide will share captivating stories about the rise of Chicago, the Great Fire, and the visionary architects whose bold designs shaped the skyline we know today. This tour offers the perfect mix of history, design, and city energy—a must for architecture lovers and curious travelers alike. - Explore the birthplace of the modern skyscraper - Step inside landmark buildings like The Rookery and the Palmer House - Learn about the Great Chicago Fire and its lasting impact on the city - Enjoy a relaxed pace through Chicago’s vibrant downtown Loop