Chicago Board of Trade Building Tours & Attractions

Explore some of the most stunning interior spaces you’ll ever see – spaces you’d surely pass by without a second glance if you weren’t shown them by a seasoned, in-the-know tour guide. Ranging from stained glass mosaics from the turn of the century to soaring Art Deco spaces from the Roaring 20s, these spaces are some of the most beautiful in the city -- and open to us to explore!
Duration: 2 hours.

Explore Chicago’s amazing architecture from the unique perspective of elevated trains and station platforms. Learn the history behind the famous "L" system and hear how it has shaped the development of buildings within the Loop.
The city's first elevated train started making trips in 1892. Now considered one of Chicago’s most defining features, the "L" offers incredible views of downtown. By being more than 20 feet off the ground, you'll see architectural details that are missed by most pedestrians at street level. This is our most comprehensive tour in the Loop, passing hundreds of buildings and highlighting ones of architectural significance. As a certified nonprofit, all CAC ticket purchases directly support our education efforts and community engagement projects.
Duration: 2 hours.

View Art Deco masterpieces built in the heart of Chicago’s financial district during the Roaring '20s. Learn how Art Deco reflected the era’s fun-loving optimism with lavish materials and geometric ornament.

Discover the origins of Art Deco and its hallmark motifs while admiring buildings like the Chicago Board of Trade, One LaSalle Street and the Field Building (now the Bank of America Building) -- all of which are designated Chicago landmarks.

As a certified nonprofit, all CAC ticket purchases directly support our education efforts and community engagement projects.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes.

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.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes.

This short but sweet and unique adventure will take you on a 2-hour walking tour by the interiors of the most iconic buildings of Chicago downtown.
Dive into the extravaganza of splendid hidden gems of the city as you explore the details that no mainstream tours can offer. The itinerary is thoroughly designed by a professional local guide who knows every corner of the Chicago skyscrapers.

• Get beyond the famous facades to experience the surprising interiors of the neighborhood
• Follow your local guide to discover what’s hidden from most of the tourists
• Be provided with fun and surprising facts about the destinations
• The tour is interesting for the Chi guests as well as for the residents.
Duration: 2 hours.

Whether you’re a movie fanatic or simply want to take a Chicago sightseeing tour that hits iconic landmarks, this walking tour is for you!

We’ll start our tour in the Chicago Loop, a lively neighborhood filled with incredible architecture and attractions. We’ll pass buildings that were seen in movies like Wayne’s World and The Negotiator, cross the Chicago River and salute the Marina Towers from The Hunter, then stop inside Union Station. You might recognize this historic hub from The Untouchables or Public Enemies.

While touring the Loop, we may also see filming scenes from The Blues Brothers as well as Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Your tour guide will point out iconic Chicago buildings including the Willis Tower and – if it’s on your wish list – the famous Bean sculpture in Millennium Park.

With the help of the ‘L’, we can ride north to see filming locations for My Best Friend’s Wedding, The Dark Knight, and Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Truly a unique way to explore Chicago!
Duration: 3 hours.

Dive into the center of the architectural boom of the roaring 1920s and take a chance to enjoy the grand facades of the Art Deco skyscrapers on this guided walking tour.

Go back in history while admiring one of the epicenters of the style’s birth. Immerse yourself into the life of the Windy City between World War I and World War II, the time when the design evolved and turned into neo archaic Mesoamerican grandeur, which can’t leave anyone indifferent. Be delighted with the variety of decorations and geometrical shapes which distinguish Art-Deco from Neoclassicism.

Uncover the stories behind the famous Loop district of Chicago. Delve into the atmosphere of the 1920s as you listen to more insights and facts from your enthusiastic local guide. Overview the history and pay attention to the details you wouldn’t notice without a tour. Grab the chance to get inside famous buildings and revel in the Art Deco interiors.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes.

Chicago’s Loop is home to some of the city’s most perfectly preserved Art Deco architecture designed during the Roaring 20s. See 7 stunning Art Deco buildings, all masterpieces in their unique & individual ways, as well as 4-5 other notable properties and outdoor sculptures on this fun and fabulous walk of Chicago's Financial District and parts of the North Michigan Avenue corridor. Your tour guide, interior designer, and historical architecture guru Ronnie Frey will paint a picture you'll not soon forget of modern life in the New Machine Age.
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes.

Enjoy a walking tour of beautiful and interesting parts of Chicago while following clues on your smartphone and solving interesting puzzles along the tour.

Play the game on your smartphone with your group as the game guides you through the city.

Score points for correct answers and try to get the high score on the leaderboard.

See major attractions as well as less-known gems of Chicago on this unique scavenger hunt and walking tour.

Play any time that fits your schedule! There is no in-person guide you have to wait for!

Tour Millennium Park and see Cloud Gate, as well as iconic sights in The Loop., amazing architecture, and much more.

Your group of 2 to 6 people works together to solve the 19 challenges on the scavenger hunt.

Wear comfortable shoes! You'll walk about 2 miles along this scavenger hunt tour.

Explore the city at your own pace
Enjoy fun challenges with family and friends
Discover Chicago's hidden gems and historic sights
Perfect for all ages
Duration: 2 hours.

Embark on an exclusive journey through Chicago's storied past with a private tour unveiling the city's 1920s Art Deco and Art Moderne architectural wonders. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, delve into Chicago's pivotal role in shaping the global Art Deco movement, an era synonymous with innovation and elegance. Marvel at the intricate facades and lavish designs adorning the city's iconic buildings, each a testament to the opulence and creativity of the Jazz Age. Gain profound insights into the architectural evolution that defined Chicago's skyline, from the roaring twenties to the present day.
This immersive experience promises a deep dive into the vibrant history and enduring legacy of Chicago's architectural heritage, offering a unique perspective on the city's rich cultural tapestry.

Duration: 2 hours.