ARCHITECTURAL VISIT OF THE LOOP WITH AN ARCHITECT
From Skyscrapers to Cultural Centers: Walk the Chicago Loop with an Architect (4 hours)
Highlights: The Railway Exchange and The Reliance Building, both by architects from D.H. Burnham & Co., the Chicago Cultural Center by architectural firm Shepley, Rutan, and Coolidge, The Sullivan Center by Louis H. Sullivan, and more.
See the skyscrapers of the Chicago “Loop” with a knowledgeable architect as your tour guide! The “Loop,” delineated by Chicago River to the North, Michigan Lake on the East, and Roosevelt Rd. to the South, is known as Chicago’s Financial District. After Manhattan in New York, this area ranks second in national commercial and business importance. We will pass by key historic and modern skyscrapers, among other noteworthy buildings. You will see the Auditorium Building of Roosevelt University and the Auditorium Theater, built in 1889 to make culture available to the masses. Go through the Beaux Arts Railway Exchange, designed by Frederick P. Dinkelberg of D.H. Burnham & Co., the Reliance Building, by John Wellborn Root and later C.B. Atwood, also of D.H. Burnham & Co. Hear the crazy story of how its building began—with its original tenants still living inside the building! See Tiffany’s largest stained-glass dome at the Chicago Cultural Center by the firm Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge. We will stop by The Sullivan formerly the Carson, Pirie, Schott & Co. Store by Louis H. Sullivan and the Chicago Federal Center by Mies van der Rohe. We will not skip the Monadnock Building: the tallest load-bearing brick building and The Rookery, both by J. Root, and the Chicago Building by Holabird & Roche. Finally, let us not forget the towering Willis (formerly Sears) Tower. This soaring skyscraper—the second tallest in North America—was the tallest building in world until the Petras Towers overtook its record in 1996. Are you a thrill seeker? Check out our Willis Skydeck tour…
Private tour: From 1 to 40 people.
Duration of the tour: 4h – 8h.
Meeting point: Will be emailed with your booking confirmation.
Period: All year round.
4h guided tour:
1-4 people: $750
5-9 people: $890
10-19 people: $1100
20-29 people: $1400
30-40 people: $1700
8h guided tour:
1-4 people: $1200
5-9 people: $1590
10-19 people: $1950
20-29 people: $2100
30-40 people: $2490.
Transportation, meals and admission not included.
20% surcharge on Sundays and holidays for the tour, translator, construction site, or architect’s office.
Surcharge for visiting a construction site or an architect’s office: $500
Visits to listed buildings may incur additional fees.
Special requests due to possible changes in these prices.
Additional fee for a translator for 4hrs starting at: $490
Additional fee for a translator for 8hrs starting at: $850
Travel agencies and Travel professionals: Please contact us for your preferential rate.
Transportation may be suggested during the winter and will increase the rate.
Add-on Transportation 4hrs (Friday to Sunday):
6-10 guests by minivan: $920
11 guests to 19 guests by minibus: $1079
20 guests to 40 guests by bus: $1190
Add-on Transportation 8hrs (Monday to Thursday):
1 to 2 guests by sedan: $950
3-5 guests by SUV: $1200
6-10 guests by minivan: $1499
11 guests to 19 guests by minibus: $1700
20 guests to 40 guests by bus: $1909
Add-on Transportation 8hrs (Friday to Sunday):
6-10 guests by minivan: $1579
11 guests to 19 guests by minibus: $1790
20 guests to 40 guests by bus: $1990
Services included: 4h walking tour with an architect. You will see: The auditorium building, The Railway Exchange by C.B. Atwood, The Reliance Burnham and Racine Building, The Chicago Cultural Center by Sepley, Rutar and Coolidge, The Sullivan Center.
Services not included: Tips for the tour guide, personal expenses, transfer by subway.
Accessibility: This tour is possible for people with disabilities in wheelchairs, contact us for the rates and logistics.
This tour is available for the hearing impaired. We can provide a translator for sign language. Please contact us for rates and availability.
Guide: Our licensed guides reserve the right to cancel the scheduled tour due to weather conditions (rain, storm, snow or other). In case of cancellation, we can offer you an alternative date or a total cancellation, in which case we will give you a full refund.
Cancellation Policy: If you send us a cancellation request more than 15 days before the day of your tour, a 50% refund will be given. If you send us a cancellation request less than 15 days before the day of your tour, no refund will be given.
Videos and pictures: We reserve the right to record video footage and photography in connection with future promotional and publicity for MAD Tours and Events on social media and website.
Belongings: Mad Tours and Events is not responsible for any personal items which are lost, stolen or left behind.
Passenger Voucher check-in Instructions: On the day of tour or activity, please arrive 15 minutes early to the tour departure point at the indicated address sent with your confirmation.
Pet: As much as we love them, they are not allowed.
Taxes & Booking fees: They are not included in the rate. Those fees will be indicated once you start the booking reservation process.
Request to reschedule your tour: All requests to reschedule your tour must be made in writing and sent to us via email more than 15 days prior to your tour or activity. There are no exceptions. Without an email, we will not be able to reschedule your tour.
No show: Please note that if you do not show up on the day of your tour or activity, your tour is forfeited.
