This is a must-do when you visit Chicago. The architectural tour was very fascinating and informative. While the tour is an architectural focus, Chicago's history is intertwined, and it was interesting to see how historical events influenced design and the planning of the area. Our tour guide, Jessica, was so knowledgeable and a great speaker. The tour lasted almost 90 minutes, and traverses the three branches of the Chicago River. The boat offers seating on the top deck and inside. For the best views, the top deck is better. We took the 10:00 tour, and there was ample seating in early June. read more

If you're in Chiago you have to do the Architecture tour at least once. If you're in Chicago during the Summer as I was you can seek sanctuary in the air conditioned lower level. I wish the audio was a little bit louder on that level due to the sound of the fans and people talking. If you like my reviews, consider "following" my profile for reviews all across the SF Bay Area . Why "follow" someone? It causes the person you follow's reviews to tier to top when you pull up a business. I find this very handy when researching venues. Rod's Review grading scale explained. Essentially I personally base it on the likelihood of a return visit and I try to be stingy with 5 star reviews since they should be "special" in my eyes. Price/Value also play a role obviously but there are $ and $$$$ littered across my grading scale. 5 stars - "I'll go out of my way" (approx 6 % of my reviews) 4 stars- "If I was in the area I'd go here and would recommend", (approx 38% of my reviews) 3 stars "Maybe if was nearby", (approx 37% of my reviews) 2 stars -"Would likely not return, Only if you want to go", (approx 16% of my reviews) 1 star -"No thanks, even if I was hungry", (approx. 3 % of my reviews) read more

I've had the river architecture tour on my list of things to do in Chicago for years and finally got to experience it. I reserved tickets online for a 4 pm weekday cruise and we arrived about 20 minutes early. The tour was not busy so we got great seats on the top deck. The boat is outfitted with nice restrooms and a full bar, so we got a couple drinks to enjoy during the 90 minute cruise. The tour is led by an unpaid volunteer docent - we had Sonia who was wonderful. She's a born and raised Chicagoan and sprinkled the tour with personal anecdotes. The sun was setting behind some of the tall buildings we learned about, which gave some reprieve from the heat. It was fascinating to learn about some Chicago history and the architects that designed many of the buildings that make up the iconic Chicago skyline. My favorite was the St. Regis, designed by Jeanne Gang. The flowing lines evoke the river it sits on, and is beautiful to look at. There are lots of art deco buildings and more modern designs as well. Some of the technology described was really interesting! Tickets are a bit more expensive than other tours, but part of the ticket sales support programs for Chicago youth, so it's a great cause. Your cruise ticket also gets you a discount on entry to the museum! read more

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Two floors with permanent and rotating exhibits [Chicago IL] On our second day in Chi-Town we reserved for parking in the same building as the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) so this was our first attraction for the day. Chicago Architecture Center is partnered with the First Lady River Cruise so they encouraged visitors to book for both the river cruise and the CAC to get a discount. Admission fee is only $5 if purchasing the boat tour (otherwise $15 w/o the boat tour). The boat tour price is starting at $56. Permanent exhibits included the Chicago City Model Experience which featured some 4,000 buildings and interactive elements. We played/educated ourselves around the Model with interactive touch screens. We also watched a short film and light show that illuminated the model. It told the story of Chicago's early growth, its rebirth after the Great Chicago Fire and its ever-changing skyline. We walked over the Wrigley Field model and exhibit. The following day, before leaving Chicago, we drove to the stadium on West Addison Street and visited the Home of the Cubs in real person. So very cool to see this historic ballpark! There were other exhibits throughout the two levels but those were the two main attractions that I enjoyed the most. There is a souvenir shop on the first floor. Review #3821 read more

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Enjoyed the river cruise aboard the First Lady! It was super informative and pleasant to be sailing along the river. We learned a ton of info about the history and the architecture of each cool looking building. The 7:30 pm time in July was perfect for sunset as the buildings lit up and sparkled in the night. Definitely a must-do for visiting Chicago the first time! It was awesome!!! read more

Chicago Architecture Center - Historical Tours Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We took the First Lady cruise with Bob as our guide. It was very good. All the buildings are really impressive and the guide gave us good information. We took the 6pm cruise but it was cloudy so we didn't see a sunset but anyway it was a great experience and we totally recommend it. It was very windy and cold, so prepare for it! read more

Chicago Architecture Center - buildings from the cruise tour - Historical Tours Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I think though a tip I wish I had was that I didn't have to prebook so far in advance since it's spring and weather can be unpredictable. I would suggest (during spring season) to wait and book in person or just a few days before when you have a better idea on weather conditions. We did pre-book way in advance and I believe it's set rain or shine! No refunds. Although I was not super worried, these boats do have a covered lower deck area with tables and seating (like a dining room, but the views are just not quite the same as the upper-deck). Shout out to our docent, she did a great job in educating us on architecture. read more

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I cannot say enough good things about the Chicago Architectural Center boat tour on The First Lady and about our fantastic guide, Susan Frost. I grew up outside Chicago so the city is not new to me but even so, I learned so much on this tour! It was delightful! Ms. Frost was able to point out buildings and details and history and fun facts for a full 90 minutes without ever looking at notes, which was incredibly impressive. :-) I hear that all of the CAC tour guides are equally knowledgeable and dedicated to sharing the magic of Chicago's unique architecture. This is a must do -- don't wait as many years as I did to finally go on this tour! 5+ stars. read more

AMAZING!!! So much to see in the beautiful city of Chicago. We really enjoyed learning about the history of the architectural buildings in this city. It was an hour and a half of great and informative knowledge of the city and architecture. Also many picture perfect moments. I would highly recommend doing this tour. I would definitely do this tour again. If you want to relax and see the beautiful city and know more about the buildings, this would be such a great idea for you to do. read more

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This was recommended to us by multiple friends and it was definitely a highlight. Our tour guide Susan did an amazing job.

Easy to purchase the tickets and get on a boat. The tour provided so much history and knowledge about the buildings and the city. Very interesting and informative in 1.5 hours. Glad we took the tour. read more

Chicago Architecture Center - Historical Tours Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Amazing tour! So informative with a lovely guide, great views, very engaging. thanks so much.

We took the boat tour and had a great time! Lots of interesting history. Anne was a great guide! read more

Chicago Architecture Center - Historical Tours Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What a great way to see the city, and learn about the city's architecture - Kathy was wonderfully engaging and enthusiastic to share information. I was just headed out for a fun river cruise on a sunny day, but I was actually pleased to learn so much about how the city of Chicago was founded and developed, and how the neighborhoods were formed around smart city planning. Of course, I also got beautiful views of the area. Pricing is very reasonable at less than $50 per ticket for the experience, which lasted about 90 minutes. Reservations were easy to make in advance, and the embarking/debarking process was efficient. There are plenty of opportunities to take photos along the river, and this has some of the best views of the city overall. read more

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Chicago Walking Tour - Elevated Architecture Downtown 'L' Train We have previously taken the CAC boat tour and one of the surface walking tours (both of which were great), but this time we wanted something with a slightly different perspective while staying downtown. We chose the Elevated Architecture Downtown 'L' Train tour led by Andrew, our CAC docent. As no one else had signed up for the tour that morning, it became a private tour. Andrew was not only very knowledgeable about the architecture and friendly, but also, given that he works in planning at the Chicago Metro, was able to take us on an even deeper dive concerning the "L", its history, and some of the current challenges. As we were about 35' about street level for the tour, we were also treated to a different perspective of the building and their design/decoration, something that cannot be readily observed from street level. Thans again to Andrew for an information and entertaining tour above the streets of downtown Chicago-truly a unique experience. read more

I couldn't recommend the Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise Aboard First Lady more. It doesn't matter if you're visiting the city for the first time, or a local--you will learn something new and interesting. The tour guide talked the full 90 minutes and kept our attention the entire time teaching us about the history and construction of the beautiful towers on the river. She also made fun of St. Louis, so I wish I could give her bonus stars for that. read more

Chicago Architecture Center - Historical Tours Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Whenever you're visiting to Chicago for the first time, book this cruise! I booked mine on Viator which was $44 per person. The location was easily to find but we booked uber just to be on time. While cruising the beautiful Chicago river, the tour guide present you the amazing architecture of the buildings (Trump Towers, Chicago Times, China town, etc). You can take many photos of them. Also there's a break for bathrooms or asking the tour guide any questions. Unfortunately there's no snacks or alcoholic beverages so make sure to bring your own. When you get the chance definitely take photos on tip of the boat! It was an amazing first time experience. Totally worth the price! read more

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I had a few hours to spare when visiting Chicago for business. I could have easily strolled along the streets, but really wanted to find a way to take in what the city offers in sights and architecture in the fastest way possible (I was flying home in the morning). The hotel recommended the First Lady Architecture Cruise. I was very lucky to have amazing weather, so this was a no-brainer. I purchased the ticket, got there 15 minutes before boarding (also recommended) and snagged a seat in front of the boat. It was amazing. The views and history were perfect. I loved hearing the stories of how certain things came about. Learning about the different designs as we glided up and down the river was so fun! The timing of this trip also coincided with a beautiful sunset. I HIGHLY recommend this tour (even if you don't care about architecture). It was a great way to see the sights. A++ for our guide as well. Sadly I didn't catch his name, but he deserves a pat on the back for his tours! read more

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Having grown up in the Chicagoland area for the majority of my life, I'd always seen the Chicago Architecture Boat Tours that rode along the Chicago River but had never found the opportunity to take a ride. Since I was in town for my mother's birthday, she requested we take the tour and I couldn't have been more happier. We purchased the tickets through Ticketmaster and parked at the Block Thirty Seven parking garage which was about a 10 minute walk to the Chicago Architecture Center. Since it was suggested we arrive a half hour early, we arrived a little after 1:30pm and patiently waited in the line to get on the boat. Around 1:45pm, we were escorted on to the boat and the tour started promptly at 2pm. The tour guide, Russell, was phenomenal. We booked a 90 minute tour and Russell provided us information regarding the types of buildings we were seeing, when they were built, the inspiration behind the building's architecture and an abundance of historical facts. Being up close to those beautiful skyscrapers was a sight to see! They were all designed so differently yet they fit together so well. Chicago is one of the most beautiful cities in the country!!! If you ever have the opportunity to take the Chicago Architecture Boat Tour you will not be disappointed! It's worth every penny! read more

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Incredible tour led by our guide Ronnie Joe and Captain Bryan. Ronnie Joe packed the entirety of the 90 minutes with information that was engaging and not at all dry like I was expecting. They recommend you arrive 30 minutes prior and when I did there was already quiet a line but still plenty of seats when I got on board. If you are going with a larger group recommend getting there at the 30 minutes early mark to ensure seats are together if doing the non-priority line. read more

Chicago Architecture Center - Historical Tours Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Loved this cruise! Bob P was an amazing tour guide blending humour and wisdom perfectly! Gave me such a deep appreciation of Chicago's history. read more

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Terrible customer service. They have no one you can call to reschedule or change anything. They tell you to email and then no one responds for 24 hours... I asked for a refund and they said no because of our 24 hour cancellation policy, kindof ironic. Will never use them again. Highly suggest you don't either read more

chicago architecture center boat tour on the "the first lady" was well done. very rainy day but a choice of remaining upstairs out in the open, where we were given a big umbrella which was nice, or some of our group went downstairs out of the rain. liz our docent was so knowledgable and informing, 11 out of 10 for her. read more

We purchased river cruise tickets online and showed up at the time we requested. We waited in line for 15 minutes and boarded the ship. We bought some drinks and after a brief safety announcement, were underway. It was night time and the weather was perfectly warm - no jacket needed. The architecture host/announcer spoke for most of the cruise. She was excellent - including lots of details and descriptions of the buildings, bridges, and Chicago history along the river. This was the best river cruise I've ever been on, even if it was at night. Chicago is beautiful at night and there was a full moon and clear sky to boot. I'd highly recommend this cruise and I think it was worth every penny. read more

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What a great , enjoyable and informative tour of chicagos architecture. Make sure to buy tickets in advance then you can relax. All the seats are perfect to get views all around. This was my second time in 6 years and I enjoyed it as much and learnt more. The tour is explained well on biard. Highly recommend. read more

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Quality/Quantity - My daughter did extensive research in finding the best option for the river cruise and this is the best one! Another must do when in Chicago. The docent was amazing, a volunteer from The Chicago Architecture Center and would NOT take a tip. You can see and hear the passion with Russ as he shares all the stories of all the architecture wonders here. 1.5 hours, also longer than their competitors. Make sure you bring your sunscreen, as today was another perfect weather day. Smooth boarding, no need to pay for priority boarding. Plenty of seats for our general boarding time slot, the boat was probably 50% full. Only $5 more to go to The Chicago Architecture Center; we choose to skip this. Full service bar, but too early for me to drink. Atmosphere - Open 7 days a week from 9am to 7:30pm, rain or shine. Double decker boat, but on a beautiful day like today, not one person was inside. Events available. Service - 6 stars, from the boarding process to the volunteer docent. Price - $53.85 per person; no need to order online, save the expensive processing fees. Slightly more expensive than their competitors, but in my opinion worth the extra $; sometimes you just have to pay for quality! Owner Comment - Thanks for a great experience, we will recommend you to everyone we know; plus all my Yelp friends. read more

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Are you a native Chicagoan or just visiting Chicago? Either way, don't miss experiencing the Chicago Architecture River Cruise on the First Lady. Our docent was Bill, aka the 'retired lawyer', and he was absolutely wonderful! He went through the history of the buildings, in which we learned about the architecture firms, the designs, its special characteristics, and its significance in Chicago history - there was never a dull moment, and the whole tour was super fascinating and informative. You'll definitely walk away learning more about this beautiful city! Look for the blue awning marking by the stairway entrance when you go downstairs to Wacker; there are several designated spots where you line-up; there is also a separate line for priority seating. Note that people do line-up early, so try to get there about half an hour prior. Try to nab a deck seat on the side, so you won't run into any (individuals) obstacles to take photos. Great for family outings, get-togethers, or for dates; they've recently added on evening river cruises, too! There are absolutely no refunds on these tickets - it's rain or shine, and the tours will happen, regardless. Don't deter and fall for the gimmicks of other river cruises because of their cheaper prices - this is THE best one as it's with the Chicago Architecture Foundation! There are restrooms on the lower deck of the boat, as well as public restrooms by the ticket station at the dock. If you're coming by vehicle, reserve a spot at a nearby garage or valet to avoid any stress. +you're lucky if you get Bill, the docent! +amazing cruise experience! read more

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Chicago has some amazing architecture, especially along the Chicago River. I did the boat tour with the Chicago Architectural Center, based on all the positive reviews. I had a great time with them. Our guide was very informative and knew all of the history with Chicago and all of the buildings. It was a really nice 90 minute boat tour. I recommend taking the evening boat tour for sunset views. I took the 5:30pm one and the sun was setting as our tour was concluding. The boat was clean and has a bathroom and open bar. I used neither. Unfortunately if you buy online, they use Ticketmaster as their ticketing agent so you're gonna have to pay for Ticketmaster's service fees and processing fees. I don't know if the box-office has those extra fees. You can pay extra to board early, but I don't think its necessary. All seats seems fine since you're looking up at the buildings. read more

I have gone twice in the last 10 years and both times were exceptional. The quality has definitely not gone down. You can tell the docents are well-studied and enjoy what they do. They are not there to entertain, but to pass on their wealth of knowledge in a pithy manner. If you're going just for the sights and not the information, there are several much cheaper tour options, and I even saw a few on Groupon, but you'd have to book in advance to get the times you want. My recommendation for getting tickets is to book online and add the tickets to your Apple wallet. This makes keeping track of them and scanning them when boarding really easy. As long as you book 2-3 days in advance, you should be able to get a slot. HOWEVER, If the weather is iffy and it's a weekday, I would recommend just buying your tickets in person 30 min-1 hour in advance to ensure the weather will be good for your tour since it won't be as busy. The tickets are not cheap and cold cloudy weather really diminishes the experience. The ticket office and boarding docks are located on the Riverwalk level on East Wacker Dr and Lower Michigan Ave. Just Google maps "Chicago's First Lady Cruises." The ticket seat numbers don't mean anything and it's just priority or general boarding. The priority line boards first and then general. You should get there 30 min ahead of time if you want to be closer to the front of the line. I saw many reviews say that the best seats were on the left since that's where all the stuff you're looking at is. For the best photos, I agree- you should sit in the first row on the left side if you want nothing obstructing your view. BUT for the best experience, I disagree- from the left side, I found myself craning my neck up at an awkward angle to look at everything and it was very uncomfortable. I would advocate for the right side. It's not like anyone is tall enough to block your view of skyscrapers... On board, they serve coffee, tea, and various other drinks and snacks. No decaf coffee or hot chocolate. Honestly I think they'd make so much money selling hot chocolate on chilly days. That's the only thing I would change! read more

Chicago Architecture Center - Stunning view from just south of Navy Pier. Hard to see half the buildings on a cloudy day though. - Historical Tours Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This tour wasn't quite what I thought it was going to be. I thought the architecture would be more interesting, but I think I'm just used to New York's old school skyscrapers. Many of the buildings were plain or were very modern, but it was still a fun time and there were a few neat structures. I also learned a lot about the Chicago river and some city history. The guide was very knowledgeable and had a microphone so he could be heard all over the boat. He was very clear and understandable. You can move about the boat freely and there is an upper deck, lower deck, and a restaurant/bar area inside. You can buy cocktails, beer, wine, and hard seltzers. I had a couple cocktails, which were a little sweet for my taste, but they were decent. They are 12-14 dollars for a plastic cup, probably 8-12 ounces. Bartenders were fast and friendly. The chairs are metal chairs with metal arms, so bigger people might not be as comfortable. They could have more comfortable and accommodating seating options. This ride was pricey. All tickets are general admission, but you can pay extra for priority boarding. Mine was around 85 dollars. And it's through Ticketmaster if you buy online, so there are fees, and tickets are non-refundable. I'm not sure the priority boarding is worth it. There really are no bad seats, and you're guaranteed to be outside, never inside. I was delayed and arrived just prior to launch and had no issue with seating. The ticket also includes admission to the Chicago architecture center, which is across the street. You do have to use the entry within seven days. There is paid parking right across the street (next to the architecture center). You can pay onsite or reserve through SpotHero. Easy access and reasonable price. There were several boat tours and this one seems to be the most professionally done. The boat is smaller and has fewer people aboard. Even though it wasn't quite what I expected, it was a relaxing and pleasant 90 minutes. They also have evening tours if you'd like to see the city lights. read more

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A great tour for old and young! A wonderful way to see the city, hear history and be together with all of the family. read more

Chicago Architecture Center - Skyline - Historical Tours Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I took a wonderful walking tour with an excellent tour leader. MODERNISM: REVIVING THE LOOP was fun, interesting, and thought provoking. Showing how Chicago was rejuvenated following the depression and the war and the formative role played by the first Mayor Daley, the tour showed me things that I have not noticed in 25-plus years of living here. I discovered public books I didn't know existed and learned things about buildings I see whenever I am 'in the Loop', I highly recommend this tour- and others from the city's jewel-the Chicago Architecture Center. read more

While planning our trip to Chicago, my husband and I received one recommendation the most: do the architectural boat tour. We're glad we did, and we're especially glad we did the Chicago Architectural Center's tour. The boat was lovely (special shout-out for a spacious bathroom!), and we were grateful for the snack and drink options on board. The bartender was super friendly and made great cocktails for us. I've forgotten the name of our guide, but the experience and her knowledge were absolute highlights. Architecture is interesting but not typically fascinating to me, but our guide told the story of Chicago's landmark buildings in a way that made them come alive as characters in the city itself. Days later, my husband and I would still remind each other of building facts and anecdotes while walking around the city when we passed a building that had been discussed by the guide. I am the type who digs into a city's history before visiting, and she both mentioned some of the most interesting facts I'd encountered about Chicago (such as its reversal of the river!) as well as new-to-me information that I caught myself jotting down to read about further. The 90 minutes flew by but didn't feel rushed. We left with a greater appreciation for -- and knowledge of! -- architecture and this wonderful city. I would suggest it for anyone who hasn't done the trip before and would happily do it again myself. It also made me prioritize other Chicago Architecture Center tour offerings for future visits. read more

Chicago Architecture Center - A beautiful view from the bow of the boat - Historical Tours Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Excellent river architecture tour. The ride was comfortable and our guide was very knowledgable and quite pleasant. read more

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We are newly transplanted to Chicago and had heard this was a must-do. We rushed over before the last tour at 7:30 PM and were able to get tickets at the gate! We went on a Monday evening, so it probably wasn't as crowded as usual. The weather was warm and humid, but once on the boat, the breeze and water cooled things down. There was plentiful seating with a bar and bathrooms available for all. We absolutely loved the tour. I was starry-eyed the whole time taking in the beautiful Chicago architecture. And because of the time of night, we were able to see the city after the sun went down. So, so beautiful. I took an embarrassing amount of pictures. Overall, I highly recommend this tour!! read more

Chicago Architecture Center - Historical Tours Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My wife, two teenage sons, and I enjoyed the 10:00am boat tour in July 2023. First, our docent (Bill, the retired attorney) conveyed a lot of passion and civic pride in sharing the history of Chicago architecture (from Beaux-Arts to post-modern). Second, the boarding process was easy and straightforward. You can line up for a regular seat, or pay for priority boarding (if you want to sit in the bow section). But otherwise, there's no reserved seating. Third, I really enjoyed the commentary on current events (e.g., the closing of the Chicago Tribune building and redevelopment plans). Finally, if the weather Issue nice, you are guaranteed to take some amazing photos! This is a must-do activity if you are visiting Chicago. If you like expert commentary on history and architecture, this is the boat tour for you! read more

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This is a MUST DO when you are in town, so educational, great boat, great staff, reasonably priced drinks. Its 45 minutes long and so enjoyable. Not many shady seats on a hot day so be forewarned. read more

Delightful experience! I grew up in Chicago and moved away half a lifetime ago for architecture school. (I ended up leaving the field but I maintain a keen interest.) I finally came back to visit when its not a cold month so I decided to cross this off of my bucket list. I liked to think I already knew something about Chicago architecture and history, but there was plenty of new information for me here. It's told from a river-centric perspective and goes over more recent developments. (They didn't teach us about the Contextual style back in my day, as just one example.) They do an expert job of crafting a story jumping from buildings on one side of the river to the other, then on the way back hitting all of the other buildings of note that they seemed to miss on the first pass. The underside of the bridges were awesome too, if you're into that sort of thing. Don't forget to apply and reapply copious amounts of sunscreen, and know that there will be very loud and startling boat horns. read more

We had a great time on this tour. Did the 730 and got to catch some in the sunlight and some of the city with the lights on as the sun went down. Our tour guide was amazing! read more

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I have taken the First Lady Architecture Tour four times, and it never gets old. Their docents are great teachers and storytellers. I tell everyone to put it at the top of their Things To Do in Chicago list! read more