Chicago Architecture Foundation Reviews

A very nice center that seems to be quieter than most places downtown. It made for a nice relaxing learning experience for the family.

This was one of my best experiences I so very much enjoyed doing and learned a lot about all the architecture in Chicago, very interesting! Oh and the young man, Danny was very funny and kept our history lesson amusing!!! Highly recommend everyone to go! !

Great quality souvenirs and gifts, a really fun store, but 4 stars because the selection doesn't ever seem to changes in the years I've been going there

You can find very curious souvenirs, but the important thing is that there you can find the tickets for the architectural tours.

They have amazing architecture stuff, an incredible model of Chicago city and a really nice store.

I went on the Must-See Chicago tour near the end of a visit to Chicago with my partner. I really regretted not having done it earlier because then we would have gone on more tours. It was a real highlight of our trip and we both learned quite a bit about the architecture of Chicago. When we return to Chicago, we will definitively make a point of taking more tours with them.

Great model of the chicago down town, you must go to have a great vision of the building and learn interesting stories about them.

If you love architecture and you love Chicago, you MUST visit CAC!

We moved out of Chicago the day the new location opened. But we finally made it back to Chicago this week and this was our first stop. We were not disappointed!! The models of the city are super cool. There is enough history to keep you interested and engaged but it s not so much that it s boring. The models in the second floor are also cool. I highly recommend stopping by!

Very nice environment, convenient location to work.

We took the 2 hour walking Art Deco tour on Saturday morning at 10 with Barbara Weiner. Not only was it very educational, we saw wonderful buildings inside the lobbies and out. Barbara was entertaining as well as a knowledgable guide. What a great tour!

The museum was perhaps the best sight I had seen in the whole of Chicago during my stay. It truly is a marvelous city and it's architecture is at the forefront of our modern country. It is easy to understand whether or not the customer has previous knowledge of architecture, so I would definitely recommend anyone to take a visit.

I have been on this tour 3 times and have always enjoyed it. The staff is fun and friendly and the drinks/snacks are great.

Great new headquarters where you can take numerous historical bus, river, or walking tours of Chicago. Become a member! There are so many wonderful tours that are included!!

Good experience for the kids to learn about the great architecture of Chicago and history

Can t say enough great things. The programs and center itself are truly amazing.

Great facility and location to start their architectural tour - which was fantastic. Great guide, really knowledgeable about the area and the topics. Price was well worth it, and was at a nice brisk pace. Facility needs more wait seating.

This was a fun store and had a model of chicago built in the architecture museum area.

Very informative displays of all important architecture marvels in the world. Great to visit during winter times. I didn't do any tours but would do next time if possible.

Participated in a Legos build event today at the Center. Good fun with our oldest granddaughter.
Love the exhibits, and the wealth of information available in the gift shop.

Best tours in Chicago!
They are the OFFICIAL institution for tours in Chicago.

The tour presenters (also known as docents) have an immense amount of knowledge on Chicago's history and architecture. Add to that, the fact that many of them have lived in the city throughout their lives - you end up with a living encyclopedia giving you the tour. They are friendly and well spoken.

Also, the visitor's hub has an amazing model of the city and a great presentation on Chicago.

Please take the river tour - it is Chicago's No 1 attraction. HOWEVER, please also take as many walking tours as well as bus tours as you can.

Every tour teaches you something new, even for long lived Chicagoans. The tours are always fun and interactive. They also offer tours in many languages and they are very flexible when requesting private tours for large numbers.

I am a member of the Architecture Center and I get to take many tours for free (at no additional cost after you buy the membership). They offer tours that talk about not only architecture, but also artistic movements, food, neighborhoods, etc.

You really get your money's worth during OPEN HOUSE CHICAGO. When you get to visit many buildings that are usually closed to the public and YOU DON"T HAVE TO WAIT IN LINE.

Please support this institution.

The boat tour was the by far the best part of our trip to Chicago.

They offer some wonderful tours. The Cruise is awesome, but what we REALLY loved was the fall architecture open house. Many buildings that are not usually open to the public are open. Foundation volunteers and staff are available to talk to you about the building. Really neat!

Really neat exhibits, parking a good deal if you're member.

A really amazing place! A very well done tribute to Architecture, and great meeting spaces as well.

Mediocre at best. Take a tour and avoid the on site tour. A waste of time. Tours are excellent.

Lots of interesting info for Chicago Architecture and offers some great walking and river cruises.

Don't miss this! The 3D display of Chicago is excellent. And the history of Chicago that accompanies it is worth the price of admission. The historians who are there are knowledgeable and eager to talk about their city. A must see!

Whether you're a tourist or a lifelong Chicago resident, you will love this place. It has something for everyone. The scale model of the downtown is great, and their tours/boat rides are even better. Of all the river cruises, this is the best. The walking tours are awesome as well. Be sure to check this place out.

It is a place for lovers of good design and architecture ...

Incredible tours and knowledge guides. Our only problem is that we don't have enough time to take all of their tours!

Awesome building models! Located right on Michigan avenue and close to bus and EL. Also offers boat and walking tours for anyone wanting to know about Chicago,

If your booked one of their tours, you get in at a discounted price! The space has some interesting exhibit on Chicago and skyscrapers around the world. Nice gift shop if you are an architecture buff! I took their architecture cruise and it is very well organized and the narration from our guide was so so good. It only she was knowledgeable but also funny as hell! Thoroughly enjoyed it!

An entertaining way to learn about the American city.

A good overview of Chicago buildings/history plus a comparison to contemporary buildings around the world.

One of the best places to visit in Chicago if you are an Architecture or simply like Architecture, art or Design.

Really cool place. They know a lot about architecture and can really make the history of Chicago come alive.

The Foundation provides a great service to the city of Chicago. It runs numerous tours, walking, bus and boat to show the architectural wonders and works of art in Chicago downtown and neighborhoods. All the tours are run by volunteers who are well trained and passionate about architecture in Chicago. We moved to downtown Chicago 2 years ago and have enjoyed the tours ever since. I highly recommend the tours if you are visiting. It pays to become a member. The membership fee is roughly equal to the cost of two tours. Members can go to almost all the tours free of charge.

Not cool. Too expensive for just 2 floor of exhibition.

I needed a Chicago postcard to send to someone in Japan, and I wanted to get them something a little different than the kind you get at the tourist souvenir shops. On a whim, I stopped in at the Architecture Foundation and found some really nice postcards. They had quite a selection. Plus, I felt like their cards were higher quality and better represented the city than what you normally find. The cashier was very friendly, too.

Great shop, really knowledgeable guides. Many tours to choose from.

This is the go to place for Chicago walking tours. The docents are very knowledgeable and fun. Each tour has a different feel because there are over 450 volunteer docents. The exhibits at the center are great. The model of downtown is fantastic and there is a short video that highlights parts of Chicago history. The organization also puts on special events like Engineering Fest and Chicago Open House. I can t recommend this place enough. Lastly, the river boat tours with Chicago s First Lady are the best in town and a great activity for locals and tourists alike.

We went on the Hotel Boom tour. Great choices if buildings and a very knowledgable guide.

This is a must for any tourist coming into the city. Whether you are looking to refresh your history of the birht of modern Arichtechture or just looking for a nice cruise down the river while sipping a beer this is a great to spend an hour in the city. Make sure you leave enough time to check out water tower place, and make sure to check the schedules.

A two-floor architectural museum.
On the first floor is the city of Chicago. However, since it is pure white, there is no diorama and the skyline can be confirmed.
On the second floor, models of various high-rise buildings around the world are displayed. This is also white.
The floor area is small, and each floor takes about 10 minutes.
There is no commentary on the architecture of Chicago, nor are there any exhibits on wall decoration or structure.
The river cruises organized by the museum organizers are much more familiar and fun with Chicago architecture.
It s like watching a cruise.
In fact, entrance fees are discounted for those who participate in the cruise.

Very cool Architecture type place. Has many building sets and books on Chicago architecture. Must see if you are a builder type

Thoroughly enjoyable experience. We did the architectural cruise and a walking tour and both were excellent. Along with the afternoon spent at the Art Institute, these tours were the highlight of our entire trip to Chicago. Highly recommended.

This place was really interesting but it's kind of expensive for the small size.

Extremely expensive for one room with few models. Actually is nothing interesting inside.

I recently moved to Chicago and a local friend suggested getting a membership at the Chicago Architecture Foundation.
This has been the best decision I've made since I moved to Chicago. I highly recommend all their tours. Their docents are inspiring, engaging, passionate and care about architecture in Chicago. Highly recommend it.

Excellent cruising, interesting information about the striking buildings crossed during the excursion.

Really cool scale models and a fantastic presentation about the city of Chicago. Boat tour was very nice as well. The presenter was knowledge and entertaining.