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Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady

Architecture Adventure Awaits!

Explore Chicago’s iconic architecture aboard TripAdvisor’s #1 rated boat tour of the city. The only Chicago River cruise partnered with the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC), Chicago’s First Lady Cruises offers visitors the city’s most engaging 90-minute architectural tour experience.

Highly trained and enthusiastic volunteer CAC docents (guides) provide visitors with a compelling and detailed narrative of Chicago's numerous architectural styles and the stories of the legendary figures who designed and built our city.

Enjoy cruising in comfort and style aboard Chicago’s Finest Fleet, featuring unobstructed sightlines and guaranteed seating on our open-air upper decks and full-service cocktail and snack bars in our climate-controlled interior salons. You’ll see why visitors and locals alike consistently name our tour the best way to see Chicago.

Experience More!

Complete your architecture experience with a visit to the Chicago Architecture Center, just $5 with a General Boarding Ticket and valid for up to 7 days after your cruise.

Or, treat yourself to a Priority Boarding Ticket, which includes exclusive early boarding period, skip-the-queue during general boarding, and CAC admission.

View Route   Buy Tickets

General Boarding Tickets Start At

Ticket details.

• Priority Boarding tickets start at $69 and include exclusive early boarding period, skip-the-queue during general boarding, and Chicago Architecture Center admission.
• General Boarding tickets start at $54. Include a visit to the Chicago Architecture Center for just $5 more!
• Tickets can be purchased online , in-person at our dock during regular season hours or at the Chicago Architecture Center.
• Avoid the box office by choosing "eTickets" or "Print at Home" as your delivery method.
• Tour departures frequently sell out. Reserve your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.
• Select "Will Call" to pick up your tickets at our dockside ticket office; bring your confirmation number.
• Each person must have a ticket including infants and children.
• Prices are subject to change.

Full Schedule

Early Spring March 17 - April 25

• Mon 10:00 am 12:00 pm 2:00 pm 4:00 pm
• Tues 10:00 am 12:00 pm 2:00 pm 4:00 pm
• Wed 10:00 am 12:00 pm 2:00 pm 4:00 pm
• Thu 10:00 am 12:00 pm 2:00 pm 4:00 pm
• Fri 10:00 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 2:00 pm 3:00 pm 4:00 pm 5:00 pm
• Sun 10:00 am 11:00 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 2:00 pm 3:00 pm 4:00 pm

Late Spring April 26 - May 23

• Mon 10:00 am 11:00 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 2:00 pm 3:00 pm 4:00 pm 5:00 pm 7:00 pm
• Tues 10:00 am 11:00 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 2:00 pm 3:00 pm 4:00 pm 5:00 pm
• Wed 10:00 am 11:00 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 2:00 pm 3:00 pm 4:00 pm 5:00 pm
• Thu 10:00 am 11:00 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 2:00 pm 3:00 pm 4:00 pm 5:00 pm 7:00 pm
• Fri 10:00 am 11:00 am 11:30 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 1:30 pm 2:00 pm 3:00 pm 3:30 pm 4:00 pm 5:00 pm 5:30 pm 7:00 pm
• Sun 9:30 am 10:00 am 11:00 am 11:30 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 1:30 pm 2:00 pm 3:00 pm 3:30 pm 4:00 pm 5:00 pm 6:00 pm

Summer May 24 - October 14

• Mon 10:00 am 11:00 am 11:30 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 1:30 pm 2:00 pm 3:00 pm 3:30 pm 4:00 pm 5:00 pm 5:30 pm 7:30 pm
• Tues 10:00 am 11:00 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 2:00 pm 3:00 pm 4:00 pm 5:00 pm 7:00 pm
• Wed 10:00 am 11:00 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 2:00 pm 3:00 pm 4:00 pm 6:00 pm
• Thu 10:00 am 11:00 am 11:30 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 1:30 pm 2:00 pm 3:00 pm 3:30 pm 4:00 pm 5:30 pm 7:30 pm
• Fri 9:30 am 10:00 am 10:30 am 11:00 am 11:30 am 12:00 pm 12:30 pm 1:00 pm 1:30 pm 2:00 pm 2:30 pm 3:00 pm 3:30 pm 4:00 pm 4:30 pm 5:00 pm 5:30 pm 7:00 pm 7:30 pm
• Sun 9:30 am 10:00 am 10:30 am 11:00 am 11:30 am 12:00 pm 12:30 pm 1:00 pm 1:30 pm 2:00 pm 2:30 pm 3:00 pm 3:30 pm 4:00 pm 4:30 pm 5:00 pm 5:30 pm 7:30 pm

Early Fall October 15 - November 3

• Mon 10:00 am 11:00 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 2:00 pm 3:00 pm 4:00 pm 5:00 pm
• Thu 10:00 am 11:00 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 2:00 pm 3:00 pm 4:00 pm 5:00 pm
• Fri 10:00 am 11:00 am 11:30 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 1:30 pm 2:00 pm 3:00 pm 3:30 pm 4:00 pm 5:00 pm 5:30 pm 7:00 pm 7:30 pm
• Sun 10:00 am 11:00 am 11:30 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 1:30 pm 2:00 pm 3:00 pm 3:30 pm 4:00 pm 5:30 pm 6:00 pm

Late Fall November 4 - November 24

• Fri 10:00 am 11:00 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 2:00 pm 3:00 pm 4:00 pm 5:00 pm
• Sun 10:00 am 11:00 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 2:00 pm 3:00 pm 4:00 pm 5:00 pm

2024 cruising season begins March 17th and extends through November 24th. Tickets on sale now!

We are located at Michigan Ave and Wacker Drive, Chicago IL

Tour Details & Tips

• Tour Duration 90 minutes
• Arrival Time Make sure your entire party arrives 30 minutes prior to departure.
• Priority Boarding Tickets  include exclusive early boarding period, skip-the-queue during general boarding, and Chicago Architecture Center admission.
• General Boarding Tickets begin boarding approximately 15 minutes before departure.
• Seating Open outdoor seating is guaranteed for all guests. The number on your ticket does not represent a seat number.
• Tour Route The tour travels all three branches of the Chicago River. View tour route map.  Route subject to change without notice.
• Cruises depart rain or shine. Tickets may not be refunded or exchanged if you miss your boat - allow extra time.
• What to Bring Your sunglasses, cap or visor, as the sun can interfere with your view of the buildings.
• Parking Discounted parking available at 111 E. Wacker Drive with proper validation from ticket office. Visit our  Location page  for more.
• Did you know? A portion of your ticket fee supports the educational work of the Chicago Architecture Center!
• Food & Drink  A full-service bar and snack bar are available on every vessel
• Outdoor Seating Each vessel features an open-air upper deck which allows guests to safely enjoy the outdoors
• Restrooms  Well-appointed restrooms are available on each vessel
• Free Stroller Storage  Strollers will be folded and stored in the interior salon during the cruise. Children must be removed from strollers before boarding.
• Limited Mobility Services Available  See our Location page for river-level drop-off directions for guests with accessibility needs. Our staff is also available to provide early boarding services for those with limited mobility.

“I learned so much and left with a vastly greater appreciation of Chicago's stunning skyline.” - Jennifer S. TripAdvisor, IL

Photo Gallery

• What sets your tours apart from the others?

We are the only tour that partners with the Chicago Architecture Center to offer the official Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady. All of our tours are given by experienced, volunteer docents who receive hundreds of hours of training from the Chicago Architecture Center before guiding the river cruise tour.

• How long is the tour?
• Each tour is 90 minutes.
• Is there food/drink available onboard?

Yes. All boats have a full service bar and small snacks onboard. Outside alcoholic beverages are not permitted.

• Do I need to buy tickets in advance?

Advance reservations are recommended as many tours sell out during the busy summer season and on weekends.

• Is there assigned seating?

All seating is general admission. There is enough seating for all guests to sit on our open air upper decks safely and with proper distancing measures in place. While seat numbers are printed on the tickets, you can ignore these as they are not valid.

• Are tours offered in any languages other than English?

We are happy to offer free foreign language audio guides in Spanish, French, Japanese and Korean. Scan the QR code onboard for instructions. Mobile data for app download required.

• Do I have to print my tickets?
• You do not have to print your tickets. You can show your mobile ticket to our dock attendant with your smartphone, or you can have your tickets printed at the dockside will call window (be sure to bring a photo ID and your confirmation number).
• Does the boat go on the lake?

No, the tour is only on the Chicago River. If you’d like to take a lake tour, please check out our sister cruise line Mercury, Chicago’s Skyline Cruiseline .

• Are there restrooms onboard?

Yes, all the boats have restrooms onboard. There are also wheelchair accessible bathrooms on the Classic Lady, Leading Lady, and Emerald Lady. Please note: the restrooms close 15 minutes before the end of the tour for safety reasons.

• Can I bring luggage onboard?
• Due to security reasons, luggage cannot be brought onboard. There is not an area to store your luggage dockside either. We recommend having your hotel hold your luggage.
• Can I bring a stroller onboard?
• Yes, you can bring a stroller onboard. Children must be removed from strollers before boarding. Strollers will be folded and stored in the salon during the cruise.
• Are there changing tables onboard?

The Classic Lady, Leading Lady, and Emerald Lady have changing tables onboard in the family restroom. The Little Lady, Fair Lady, and First Lady do not have changing tables onboard.

• Are dogs allowed onboard?

Only service dogs are allowed onboard. Our sister company, Mercury , offers the popular Canine Cruise on summer weekends.

• How can I get to your dock without using stairs?

There are two ways to reach our dock along Chicago’s Riverwalk without using stairs: 1. On foot via the ramp located on Wacker Drive at State Street. 2. Vehicle drop-off area on Lower Wacker Drive. Visit our location page for more information.

• Can I trade my tickets for a different date/time?
• No, all tickets are nonrefundable and nonexchangeable.
• Do you cruise rain or shine?
• Yes, we cruise rain or shine. All the boats have two levels – the top deck is open-air, and the lower deck is an enclosed, climate-controlled salon. Each salon is surrounded by large windows so you can stay comfortable while still taking in the magnificent views. Tour commentary is broadcast over speakers on both levels.
• Are the boats wheelchair accessible?

Chicago's Leading Lady, Chicago’s Classic Lady, and Chicago's Emerald Lady are wheelchair-accessible. These vessels cruise at the 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 5pm departure times. When boarding, guests cross two ramps and enter through a 36-inch-wide opening (doorway). Crew members will assist in guiding the wheelchair across the gangway. Please present yourself to our staff if you prefer to board before general boarding starts. Guests unable to climb stairs to the upper deck may choose to sit in the open-air bow or the enclosed, climate-controlled salon with large windows. For safety reasons, motorized scooters and electric wheelchairs cannot be accommodated. Guests who are able to transfer may use the company's manual wheelchair based on availability. Visit our accessibility page for more information.

Chicago Architecture Center

The Chicago Architecture Center offers an engaging overview of the city’s long history of groundbreaking architecture, from Frank Lloyd Wright to Daniel Burnham to Jeanne Gang. It’s the perfect launch pad for discovering the city’s stunning buildings and their enduring legacy, whether you’re wandering the exhibits or setting off on an architecture tour.

Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the Chicago Architecture Center

About the Chicago Architecture Center

The acclaimed Chicago Architecture Center is a nonprofit organization that offers exhibits, tours, programs, and events that spotlight the city’s storied architectural legacy.

Founded more than 50 years ago, the center has grown into one of the city’s largest and most active cultural groups. Hundreds of docents and volunteers serve more than 50,000 members and guests each year. The center’s physical location houses a variety of fascinating exhibits, along with a curated gift shop.

The Chicago Architecture Center is located at One Illinois Center (111 E. Wacker Drive), a building designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, a pioneer of modern architecture. Mies van der Rohe is recognized today as one of the most influential architects of the 20th century. Another great thing about the building: sweeping views of the skyline and proximity to the stunning Chicago Riverwalk .

Chicago Architecture Center exhibits

The Chicago Architecture Center is home to cutting-edge exhibits that explore the past, present, and future of Chicago’s architecture. The range of permanent and rotating exhibits has covered a variety of topics, including innovative architects, climate change, landscape architecture, Chicago neighborhoods, and beyond.

The centerpiece of the center’s Chicago Gallery is The Chicago City Model Experience ,  which includes more than 4,200 individual buildings, reproduced with detailed accuracy. Watch as dynamic video, touch screens, and light projections bring to life everything from the devastating Great Chicago Fire of 1871 to the triumphant rebuilding of the city and a new era of architectural wonder.

Chicago Architecture Center tours

The Chicago Architecture Center offers more than 85 architecture tours led by expert docents. Learn the captivating stories behind the city’s grand hotels, soaring skyscrapers, distinct residential styles, parks and public spaces, cemeteries, and so much more.

Guests can choose from walking tours, “L” train tours, bus tours, and popular river boat tours.

The Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady was voted Chicago’s #1 boat tour by TripAdvisor users. It’s led by highly trained Chicago Architecture Center docents, who tell the stories of over 50 buildings along the Chicago River. In the meantime, you’ll relax on a luxurious vessel and enjoy amazing views of the city skyline.

Chicago’s First Lady boats depart just below the Chicago Architecture Center on the southeast corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge at Wacker Drive, along the Chicago Riverwalk.

The Chicago Architecture Center , One Illinois Center, 111 E. Wacker Drive

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The best architecture tours of Chicago

Discover Art Deco skyscrapers, modern marvels and Frank Lloyd Wright–designed homes on these architecture tours of Chicago.

Even if you're a Chicagoan through and thorugh, there's something special about taking in the city's architecture on foot or from the water with the help of an expert. From glass and steel castles to ornate Art Deco buildings along the river to street art and cultural landmarks in various neighborhoods, there's a reason these tours are among the best attractions in Chicago . Nerd out over the design, city planning and construction behind the most beautiful buildings in Chicago on guided walks, bus rides and boat tours . First-time visitors will be happy to know that these architecture tours offer the most stunning views of the skyline —you might even be able to snap a few Instagram photos along the way. Here are a few of our favorite tours that are equally engaging for tourists and Chicago lifers alike. 

RECOMMENDED: Discover more of the best  Chicago tours

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Architecture tours of Chicago

Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise

For a comprehensive overview of Chicago’s skyline, there’s no better vantage point than aboard Chicago's First Lady. You’ll spy more than 50 architecturally significant buildings, from the Wrigley Building to newcomers like the St. Regis. An expert guide will give you the lowdown on Chicago’s rise from the Great Fire of 1871, the advent of balloon-frame construction and other crucial moments in the city’s history. Choose to cruise by day or watch the city light up with an evening option. 

Cost: $54 for daytime cruises, $59 for evening cruises

Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tour

You're certainly not short on great options to see Chicago's stunning architecture from the river. On Shoreline Sightseeing's signature 75-minute tour, you'll observe more than 40 landmarks, including Tribune Tower and Marina City. A knowledgeable guide shares the stories behind the architects, engineers, movers and shakers that gave us the nickname "City of the Big Shoulders."

Cost: $35-50

Wendella Chicago River Architecture Tour

Detailing the 130 year history of the Chicago skyline, this tour along the Chicago River is nothing short of breathtaking. Equipped with a full bar on board, a climate-controlled lounge and expert tour guides, Wendella brings luxury to the touring experience.

Cost: $44 for adults, $20 for children. 

Must-See Chicago

Want to check out Chicago's architecture but short on time? Try this 90-minute "Greatest Hits" walking tour from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, which offers an informative, fast-paced introduction to key landmarks. The tour includes stops at more than a dozen buildings, including the Chicago Theatre, Aqua Tower, Willis (Sears) Tower, the Wrigley Building and the Art Institute of Chicago. Make sure to bring something to take notes!

One of the coolest aspects of Chicago architecture is that it's always evolving, with new landmarks continuing to shape our skyline. This 90-minute walking tour from the Chicago Architecture Center is all about what's new in Chicago, taking guests to buildings like 465 North Park and the St. Regis and discussing their impact on the city's changing built environment and economy.

Frank Lloyd Wright Trust Bus Tours

These tours, led by experts dedicated to preserving and educating about the work of Chicagoland's most famous architect, are definitely not cheap, but a must for Frank Lloyd Wright superfans. (Frankenstans?) The "Wright Around Chicago" includes stops at the gorgeous Rookery Building and Wright's home and studio in Oak Park. Oh, and a prosecco toast at the Rookery Building is included.

Free Tours By Foot's Architecture Tour

If you're traveling on a budget, you can still get an excellent overview of Chicago's architecture thanks to Free Tours By Foot's pay-what-you-can two-hour walking tours. These volunteer-led tours take you to key landmarks like Cloud Gate, Marina City, the Leo Burnett Building and works by Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan and Mies van der Rohe. 

Cost: pay-what-you-can

Art Deco Skyscrapers

Take a trip back to the Roaring Twenties with this tour, which takes you through the history of many iconic Chicago buildings. Choose from the Loop route, which includes One North LaSalle and the towering Board of Trade, or the Riverfront route for the gold-topped Carbide and Carbon building and the Holabird and Root-designed 333 N. Wacker Drive. Admire the geometric shapes, vibrant colors and sophisticated elegance that Art Deco construction is so well known for on these two-hour walking tours.

Chicago Mahogany Tours

Although these tours (which are created and by civic historian and TikTok star Shermann "Dilla" Thomas) aren't exclusively architecture-focused, the built environment plays a huge role in their explorations of the history, contributions and legacies of South Side neighborhoods like Roseland and Back of the Yards. And from Bronzeville's beautiful boulevards to Pullman's historic workers' homes, there's plenty for architecture buffs to explore on these important tours.

Chicago For Chicagoans

Live in Chicago and feel like you've done all the downtown-centric architecture tours? Maybe it's time to give Chicago for Chicagoans a go. The tours, developed for locals by locals, are designed to build community and give Chicago natives a stronger appreciation for their neighborhoods and neighbors. Enjoy walking tours and fun scavenger hunts of Albany Park, Chinatown, Pilsen, Beverly and more—and the tours frequently end at local restaurants if all that walking works up an appetite.

Cost: $10-$20 (suggested donation)

Chicago Walking Tour: Modern Architecture

If you prefer sleek metal and glass designs to ornate Gothic architecture, you’ll want to book a spot on this two-hour walking tour of the city’s most famous modern buildings. Peep minimalist designs from Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, admire the towering Aon Center and ogle the unique look of Marina City, among others.

Devil in the White City Tour

The announcement that the World’s Columbian Exhibition of 1893 would be held in Chicago spurred an explosion of new construction. Beaux-Arts buildings sprung up all over Jackson Park and the South Side—so many sparkly new buildings, in fact, that the area earned the nickname “White City.” More than 125 years later, visitors can still see the architectural impact of the fair on the city. This tour includes a visit to Jackson Park's Garden of the Phoenix and the Midway Plaissance

Private Chicago Architecture Tour

Don’t want to share your tour guide with a group? Reserve a private tour to spend an entire afternoon exploring the city’s most impressive buildings. You’ll stop at everything from Willis Tower to Gothic facades on the Magnificent Mile to Frank Lloyd Wright homes in Oak Park. Did we mention you’ll be chauffeured from stop to stop in a luxury town car or SUV, too?

Chicago Women in Architecture

As in so many industries, women’s contributions to the world of architecture have only recently begun to get their moment in the sun. Discover some of the female architects leaving their mark on Chicago’s skyline on this 90-minute tour led by an expert from the Chicago Architecture Center, featuring sites like the Aqua Tower and Equitable Building. Who built the world? Girls!

Walk Pilsen

Explore the cultural influence and impact of the many immigrant groups who have called Pilsen home and the intersection of art and architecture on this tour from the Chicago Architecture Center. On this two-hour tour, you'll visit residential, commercial, residential and cultural sites, from the 18th Street Pink Line station's murals to the Sokols, century-old Czech athletic clubs.

Brick of Chicago

What's so exciting about brick? Common brick built much of Chicago, and this tour, created by local teacher Will Quam, takes you around neighborhoods like Logan Square, Hyde Park and Bronzeville to show how the built environment created our interesting and beautiful city. After marveling at churches and greystones and Gilded Age mansions, you'll find yourself taking a second, more appreciative look at the world around you.

Historic Austin

This two-hour, neighborhood-centric Chicago Architecture Center tour takes you through historic Midway Park, shows you works by prominent local architects including Frederick Schock, William Drummond and Dwight Perkins and gives you an opportunity to marvel at the neighborhood's grand Queen Anne and Prairie homes. During the tour, you'll also hear from Austin residents about their efforts to revitalize the neighborhood following decades of disinvestment and racist housing practices.

Absolutely Chicago Segway

Of course we had to include the Segway tours! Strut around the city in style aboard these two-wheeled marvels of tour-guide technology. From museum campus to an "insider" tour that reveals the lesser-known parts of downtown, these tours are a great way to cover a lot of ground without any of exhaustion. See the lakefront, parks and skyline like never before. 

Cost: $65-$72

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Chicago River Architecture Tour

Chicago's Original Architecture Tour®

Experience the city’s legendary architecture from the best seat in the house—the river. Our experienced tour guides detail the 130 year long history behind the skyline, while our bartenders and staff keep you comfortable and entertained. This comprehensive tour navigates through the heart of the city on all three branches of the Chicago River. It’s the one thing everyone tells you to do in Chicago, done right.

Schedule & Tickets

• Adult: $44.00
• Child (4-12): $20.00
• Under 4: Free (ticket required)

TICKETS ARE NON REFUNDABLE BUT ARE TRANSFERABLE.

• Parking & Directions
• More Information
• Boarding begins 15-30 minutes prior to scheduled departure time.
• All bags are subject to inspection.
• Prohibited Items: Outside Alcohol, Weapons of any kind (Firearms, Knives, etc.), Flammables, Explosives.

Your boat includes:

Drinks & Snacks

Full-service bar with wine, local beer, and craft cocktails, as well as an assortment of snacks, all for purchase. Pinkies up!

Expert Tour Guide

Never boring, always entertaining.

Accessibility

Everyone should be able to enjoy our tours. We make sure you can.

No need to hold it. We have changing tables for the little ones who don’t know what holding it is.

Climate-Controlled Lounge

Keeping you cool when it's warm and warm when it's cool (or freezing).

*Not all amenities are available on every vessel.

BOOK YOUR EXPERIENCE NOW

Chicago River Boat Architecture Tours

Chicago River Tours | Fireworks Tours | Jazz/Cocktail Tours

Chicago River Boat Architectural Tour

Forming a length of 156 miles when combined, the Chicago River is a system of rivers and canals the characterize the infamous skyline of Chicago today. The river, running through the city, including the city center Chicago Loop, is evident of man made design and infrastructure when completed craftily. In 1887, the river was reversed through civil engineering by taking water from Lake Michigan and discharging it into the Mississippi Watershed. Memorialized today, it’s a national landmark you have to add to your travel list.

Throughout our signature cruise one of our award-winning Docents will present more than 50 skyscrapers, bascule bridges, and historic sites.

In a world of iconic architecture, only a few images are so instantly recognized they need no subtitle.

Think of the Venetian canals, a Shinto temple, the medieval Cathedral at Chartres, or the unmistakable skyline of Chicago. Each year thousands of architecture lovers travel to the City of Chicago, the birthplace of the skyscraper… and thousands book passage aboard our enthralling river tour, widely considered the best 90-minutes spent in Chicago.

On your Architectural Tour you will learn how the Great Chicago Fire jumped a river and allowed for visionaries of structural steel and plate glass, such as John Wellborn Root, William Le Baron Jenney, Louis Sullivan (Wright’s mentor) and Daniel Burnham, in less than ten years, lift Chicago from the ashes of the fire to new heights. Chicago’s ascent continued into the 20th century with titanic figures such as Bertrand Goldberg, Fazlur Khan and Mies van der Rohe – (higher/taller) buildings, sleeker – and it has soared in the 21st century with audacious new steeples such as The Trump Tower and Aqua designed by Jeanne Gang, an internationally known artist of architectural design.

Join us for a 90-minute Architectural Tour aboard Chicago Line Cruises.  On Saturdays, at 8:30 p.m. we offer a 2 hour Architectural / Fireworks Cruise.

A jaw-dropping excursion through a city that defied all expectations … even the laws of gravity.

Tour Information

• Seniors $48
• Kids under 6 go free!
• 3 pm *Not Available Friday thru Sunday Summer Months*
• 90 minute duration

Are you ready to learn more about Chicago’s architecture nestled along the Chicago River?

Be sure to bring your camera – you’re not going to want to miss these shots.

BOOK YOUR TOUR NOW

By Phone: (708) 488-6343

Tour departure location.

465 N McClurg Ct, Chicago, IL 60611

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• Architecture River Tour

Windy City wow

World-famous landmarks.

There’s nothing quite like seeing Chicago’s world-famous architecture from all three branches of the Chicago River. From hidden treasures to the city’s most well-known sights, you’ll view over 40 Chicago landmarks on our 75-minute Architecture River Boat Tours. 

Enjoy the spectacular views as you listen to our tour guides tell you how Chicago’s buildings, architecture, and engineering made the city famous.

Casting off

Our Architecture River Tours depart from two docks, one at Michigan Avenue and the other at Navy Pier. No matter which dock you depart from, you’ll see all of the spectacular sights as you tour the Chicago River.

Michigan Avenue

401 N. Michigan Ave

Steps off of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, our Michigan Avenue dock starts your tour in the heart of the Chicago River.

124 N. Streeter Drive

Start your tour down the Chicago River at our Navy Pier dock, which sits at the entrance to the iconic Navy Pier boardwalk. This dock is more accessible to wheelchairs.

Our Architecture River Tour takes you up and down the three branches of the Chicago River, providing breathtaking views of Chicago’s famous skyscrapers and landmarks at every turn.

Adults: $49.95

Children (3-12): $26.95

Children 2 and under: Free

Tour highlights:

• 75-minute, guided boat tour
• Unique views from the water create an entirely new perspective of the city
• 40+ landmarks including the Tribune Tower, the Wrigley Building, and Marina City
• Hear the stories of Chicago’s architects and engineers while viewing their magnificent buildings

Sightseeing in Chicago?

Chicago CityPASS® tickets save 48% on premier admission  to Chicago’s top 5 attractions, including the Architecture River Tour. Visit the attractions at your own pace, in any order, over a 9-day period. One easy purchase and mobile ticket delivery saves you time and money.

Book an Architecture River Tour

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What tour are you interested in?

Architecture River Tour

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Skyline Lake Tour

Save 48% at 5 top attractions

Where would you like to leave from?

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Please select Navy Pier. (Skyline Lake Tours are unavailable from Michigan Avenue.)

600 E. Grand Ave

When would you like to go?

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Note: Fireworks tours available Wednesday and Saturday evenings in the summer.

What time works for you?

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Now in its 83rd season, Shoreline Sightseeing operates Chicago's largest and most diverse fleet of cruise boats and water taxis with 11 major tour vessels and 7 water taxis.

(312) 222-9328 ext. 1 [email protected]

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Discover countries and cities through architecture

Browse among more than 90 cities where we provide guided tours and architectural itineraries. We incorporate the latest buildings and trends into our architectural itineraries and our explanations during architectural tours.

We hope you will be inspired to define your next destination, tour theme or make your custom architecture guided tour with us!

Discover our worldwide architecture trips

Discover our programmed and tailor made trips all around the world, focused on architecture and design. We incorporate the latest buildings and trends into our architectural itineraries and our explanations during architectural tours.

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We are a company that offers services created by architects for architecture lovers.

GUIDED TOURS BY ARCHITECTS

Our guides are professionals in the field of construction: urbanists, architects, landscapers, engineers… All residents of the cities of our tours and trips. Don’t miss the opportunity to live this unique experience where you will enjoy the experience and professionalism of our guides.

EVENTS AND CONGRESSES

As experts in architecture we will find the best location for your congress, hotels with an interest in design and architecture, the thematic activities best suited to your target or group, the best speakers, routes, guide-architects, services and caterings.

STUDY TRIPS

Organize your study trip to update your team or as an incentive for your clients or suppliers. We adapt the contents according to the interests of your company or institution. Delegate the success of your trips to our professionals and get the best possible performance to your budget.

We work in all phases of the organization of events: initial proposal, conceptualization, contact with the speakers, budgets, hiring premises and rooms, catering, hostesses, identification, control of registrants, collections, promotions and staging.

Comments from our clients

“La visita a Madrid nos ha gustado a todos mucho, pero era demasiado corta. ¡Hay tantas cosas que ver! Muchos recuerdos a Juan, lo ha hecho muy bien, sus explicaciones eran muy interesantes, su alemán es excelente y es muy simpático!”

It was a wonderful experience. Excellent trip! An unforgettable one! Besides the interesting tour we had an amazing and beautiful interaction inside the group ( we laughed and enjoyed the company of each other as we were a one little closed family 🙂 In my opinion this (the closed relationship among the group) was an positive additive element in this trip which can’t be ignored! It made the tour even more greater .. 🙂 … To suffice, I would like to thank you and all the crew for what you planed and gave to us . It will always stay as unforgettable trip and with good memories.

“Thank you so much for all your help, I can’t imagine doing the congress without your help, I think I would go crazy!! All our best to you, Fernanda, Cristina and Jordi!”

Tanto el profesor como los estudiantes me contaron que les gustó mucho el tour con Daniel y todo bien con la ruta. Me dijo el profesor que igual para la próxima vez que vengan a Madrid, les gustaría hacer un tour de la zona de Nuevo Norte. Muchas gracias de nuevo y seguimos en contacto para futuros grupos.

Dear Artchitectours, We definitely had a good time and the guides were great.  We will send you some pictures soon. Hopefully we will be able to work with you again in the future. Thank you and regards.

Este mail es para informarte que el viaje a Basilea que hemos organizado desde el Colegio de Arquitectos de Albacete conjunto a vosotros ha sido un éxito rotundo. Todos los compañeros han acabado muy contentos y no ha habido ninguna incidencia a señalar, las casi 60 personas que formábamos la expedición han tenido un comportamiento exquisito, y me han hecho muy fácil el ser jefe del grupo. Así que después de mucho negociar, discutir, hablar, etc… quería darte las gracias por todo, así como mi enhorabuena.

“Sevilla estuvo increíble, que ciudad tan linda! Seguro volveré para ver todo un poquito más tranquilo, me encanto! Los guías también eran muy buenos y amables, el tour del sábado de verdad ha sido muy bueno!”

Hello, It was wonderful, we learned a lot, it exceeded or expectations, thanks and see you next time! Herbert

“Solo unas líneas para decirte que el grupo ha quedado muy contento con su estancia. La visita que hicisteis ha ido muy bien.”

“Thank you so much for the tour today. Absolutely fabulous! A tour is only as good as the guide and that tour was one of the highlights of the trip. The architecture might have helped a little bit 😉 but you brought it to life. ¡Gracias gracias gracias!”

Me dijeron que estaban muy contentos del tour y que Nuria fue muy profesional, así que muchas gracias.

“En varias ocasiones tanto como escuela o en tours más pequeños he utilizado los servicios y asesoría de Jordi. Los viajes han todos resultado impecables tanto en las recomendaciones como en la organización, jamás un problema de ningún tipo. Los recomiendo de la manera más amplia, a Jordi y su equipo, que son muy profesionales y serios, sin ninguna duda.”

L’event en general va ser un èxit: la feina realitzada per tots els treballadors, que van haver de fer front a les diverses casuístiques del dia, va ser molt bona. Incloent en Ricardo, és clar. Per tant els clients van quedar contents, i nosaltres també.

Just wanted to let you know we had the most amazing day today with Gabriel in Brasilia– it far exceeded our expectations. Regards Steph

We had a wonderful time in Chandigarh! Thank you for setting this up!!

Dear Marta, Thank you for working so tirelessly to help make the first international trip for Dar Al-Hekma University’s Architecture Department so successful!  I apologize for any inconvenience related to our requested changes in the itinerary.  In the future, we will have a much better idea of the interests and capacity of the students. We learned that students can only absorb so many buildings at a time and need more free time to explore interesting neighborhoods during guided tours.  In any event, the students absolutely loved Spain and several plan to return in the near future!  The people we met were extremely kind and generous.  We truly appreciate the efforts of you and your team on our behalf. Sincerely, Tamsen

“Los tours fueron muy bien. La guía fue encantadora y super apasionada, el grupo quedó muy satisfecho.”

“A l’occasion des 25 ans de notre association ‘Childebert’, nous avions souhaité marquer le coup, et organiser un beau voyage. Chicago avait été choisi de manière quasi unanime. Nous n’avons pas regretté ce choix. Il a été magistralement organisé par toi Jordi depuis Barcelone et par toi Larissa, qui nous a guidé magnifiquement à Chicago. Ta gentillesse et ton professionnalisme ont fait le bonheur de tout le monde, je peux te l’assurer.”

Hi Artchitectours, I’m in São Paulo now, but my stay in Brasilia was fantastic. I cannot say enough good things about Gabriel; he was the most lovely, knowledgeable, accommodating guide I could have asked for.  We had a great time and I will be sure to recommend you and your company to anyone traveling here. What other  cities/countries do you operate in? Anyway, thank you for facilitating.  It was well worth it. My best, Martin

“Nous revenons de Séville, les yeux pleins d’images qui resteront dans nos esprits. Le séjour s’est très bien déroulé à l’hôtel EME, le guide Daniel,particulièrement sympa et avons beaucoup apprécié la collation dans le bus de Reims a Orly.”

Todo ha ido muy bien, la actividad tuvo mucho éxito y los clientes están encantados. Mil gracias a ti y a Daniel 🙂

We enjoyed our trip to Brasil very much. Wonderful country, great architecture and good company! We wish to thank you for your professional organisation.

They have organized trips and architecture tours with us …

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Chicago architecture tours – tickets, cost, hours, duration, departure address

The skyscrapers and buildings of Chicago have helped shape American architecture.

Legendary architects from different periods have contributed to building the iconic skyline of the Windy City.

There are many ways to explore and learn about the architecture of Chicago.

This article covers everything you must know about buying tickets for the Chicago Architecture Tours.

Top Chicago Architecture Tours

# Chicago River Architecture tour # Chicago Architecture tour on Michigan Lake # Chicago Architecture Center’s walking tour

Table of contents

What to expect, where to book tickets, how do online tickets work, chicago architectural cruises ticket prices, chicago architecture tickets, chicago river architecture tour, chicago architecture tour on michigan lake, chicago architecture center’s walking tour, chicago favorite foods guided walking tour, speedboat architecture tour, chicago architecture center’s bus tour, best chicago architecture tour companies, shoreline sightseeing, shoreline sightseeing’s tour timings, review of shoreline sightseeing, wendella sightseeing, wendella boat tour timings, review of wendella sightseeing, chicago architecture center, chicago architecture center’s tour timings, cac tour departures, seadog cruises, seadog architectural tour timings, review of seadog cruises, how long do the chicago architecture tours last, boat tours during rain, boat tours in winter, chicago explorer pass architecture tour.

Take a dive deep into the modern architectural and cultural marvel that is the city of Chicago by opting for a Hop-On-Hop-Off bus tour, a Chicago River Cruise, a Speedboat cruise, or a Walking tour.

Sail down all three branches of Chicago on a cruise equipped with a bar and see the legendary landmarks of Chicago such as the Wills Tower, John Hancock Building, Tribune Tower, Buckingham Fountain, and more.

Step on the outer deck and feel the cool river breeze while you explore the beautiful city without the hassle of traffic or congestion.

Opt for a speedboat ride and see the city views with a thrilling ride that tears through the water, throwing water sprays all around.

Take the walking Art Deco tour and be led up close to mesmerizing Chicago buildings and their architecture, reading their motifs arising from a union of Cubism and the ancient architecture of the Middle East.

Visit Chicago’s most beautiful attractions, such as Millennium Park, and enjoy classic Chicago specialties like deep-dish pizza, hot dogs, and Italian beef sandwiches.

Be led by an expert guide on all tours who will entertain you with stories and insights about Chicago and the attractions you come across.

Use the evergreen Hop-on-Hop-off bus tour of Chicago to explore the best of Chicago from the unique vantage point of a big bus, getting on and off at the many convenient stops throughout the city.

Tickets for the Chicago Architectural Tour  are available online and at the attraction.

Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the attraction.

When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the ticket counters. 

Because Chicago Architectural Cruises sells limited tickets, they may sell out during peak days.

Booking early helps avoid last-minute disappointments.

Visit the ticket booking page for Chicago River Architecture Cruise: Skip-the-Ticket-Office , select the preferred date, time slot, and number of tickets, and buy the tickets immediately.

Once you purchase tickets, they get delivered to your email address.

There is no need to get printouts of the ticket. 

Show the e-ticket on your smartphone at the entrance and walk in. Please carry a valid ID with you.

For Chicago River Architecture Cruise: Skip-the-Ticket-Office , the general ticket for all ages above 13 costs US$51

Kids between three and 12 can gain access at US$29

Infants under three are not charged anything.

For Chicago: 45-Minute Family-Friendly Architecture River Cruise , the general ticket for all ages above 13 costs US$28

Kids between four and 12 can gain access at US$13

Infants under four are not charged anything.

For Chicago: 75-Minute Architecture Cruise by Speedboat , the general ticket for all ages above 13 costs US$60

Kids between 3 and 12 can gain access at US$48

For Chicago: Art Deco Skyscrapers Walking Tour , a ticket for all ages costs US$30.

For Chicago: Favorite Foods Guided Walking Tour , the general ticket for all ages above 13 costs US$80

Kids between four and 12 can gain access to US$70

Infants under four are not charged US$10 for participation.

For Chicago: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus , the general ticket for all ages above 13 costs US$49

Kids between three and 12 can gain access at US$36

Depending on your tastes and preferences, you have the option of booking a Chicago architecture tour on a boat, bus, speedboat, Segway, etc.

Or if you love walking, you can explore the city on foot as well.

We explain all the different types of Chicago Architecture tours available –

Architecture tours by boat

Tourists can choose from two types of Chicago Architecture boat tours.

You can book a scenic boat trip along the Chicago River or book a Lake Michigan tour.

This is a 75-minute boat tour best for those who want to understand the city’s architecture.

You will cruise along the Chicago River to discover architectural gems among the city’s renowned landmarks.

A local guide shares stories and anecdotes, keeping the atmosphere lively.

The boat passes more than forty buildings and sails under historic bridges.

The tour is available in English and Spanish.

Ticket Prices

Adults ticket (13+ years): US$51 Child ticket (3 to 12 years): US$29

Infants under three are not charged any fee.

If you want more of a joy ride with a little bit of Chicago’s architecture thrown in, you must book this tour.

During this 40-minute classic tour of Michigan Lake, you get to see Chicago’s shoreline and its iconic landmarks.

Adults ticket (13+ years): US$13 Child ticket (4 to 12 years): US$28

Infants under four are not charged any fee.

Walking tours

Many tourists prefer a Chicago Architecture walking tour to understand the architectural marvel of Chicago.

We have identified two of the best walking tours in Chicago.

During this 90-minute tour, you will explore the lobbies of five opulent Art Deco skyscrapers on the banks of the Chicago River.

Chicago Architecture Center, the city’s best authority on architecture, trains these guides.

This tour is wheelchair friendly.

This ticket also gets you access to the Chicago Architecture Center exhibits .

Ticket Price (All ages): US$30

This comprehensive three-hour tour allows you to see some of the most iconic sites, such as the Millennium Park, Magnificent Mile, Wrigley Building, and more.

You will get to sample some of Chicago’s most famous dishes, including the deep dish pizza, the beef sandwich, and the Chicago Hotdog, and can also opt for a craft beer.

You will be led by an expert guide.

Adult ticket (12+ years): US$80 Child ticket (4 to 11 years): US$70 Infant ticket (up to three years): US$10

If you want to cruise on both the Chicago River and Lake Michigan and explore the architectural marvel of Chicago, look no further than the Chicago Architecture tour by speedboat.

Besides the buildings, you will also pass through the historic Chicago Locks and sail under numerous bridges on the Chicago River during this tour.

Seadog Speedboat is an open-air vehicle.

Adults ticket (13+ years): US$60 Child ticket (3 to 12 years): US$48

Chicago Architecture Center, the city’s leading authority on architecture, offers the Chicago Architecture tour by bus.

During this three-and-a-half-hour tour, you will cover approximately 48 km (30 miles) of the city.

Being an extraordinary architecture tour, it is available only on Saturdays.

This tour also includes access to the Chicago Architecture Center.

Adults ticket (13+ years): US$49 Child ticket (3 to 11 years): US$36

Back to Top

Some tourists prefer to know about the architectural tour operator before booking their trip.

They have heard or read positive reviews about a tour operator and want to book their tour.

This section details the top five Chicago Architecture boat tour providers –  Shoreline Sightseeing ,  Chicago Line Cruises ,  Wendella Sightseeing ,  Chicago Architecture Foundation , and  Seadog Cruises .

Shoreline Sightseeing has the city’s largest fleet – 11 boats and six water taxis, and dozens of architectural guides, making it one of the most popular tour operators.

According to TripAdvisor, Shoreline Sightseeing’s architectural boat tours are usually the most booked in the whole of America.

With their state-of-the-art tour boats and well-trained guides, Shoreline Sightseeing presents the story of Chicago’s architecture in the best possible way.

If you are traveling with your family or want a laid-back excursion, look no further than Shoreline.

Shoreline Sightseeing’s tours  start from Navy Pier and Michigan Avenue, and both have the same timings.

The first tour sets sail by 10 am, and the last tour sets off at 5.45 pm.

There are eight other timings you can choose from – each 90 minutes apart in between these two slots.

If you want a tour with a Spanish guide, you have only one option – the 9.30 am tour starting from Michigan Avenue.

Shoreline Sightseeing departures

Shoreline Sightseeing’s boats depart from two places – the Navy Pier and Michigan Avenue.

While booking your ticket, you can decide where you want to start their architecture tour.

Navy Pier: Shoreline’s boat boarding line is at Navy Pier’s Polk Bros Park. Their Navy Pier’s address is 600 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.

Watch out for greeters in bright orange.

Michigan Avenue : This boarding line is by the Chicago River at 401 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago IL 60611. Head towards the East of du Sable Bridge (Michigan Ave. Bridge) and on the North Shore of the Chicago River.

Look out for tour operator’s folks in bright orange.

Shoreline Sightseeing has a high rating of almost 5 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor and 4.8 out of 5 on GetYourGuide.

Even though Shoreline Sightseeing offers a family-friendly atmosphere, a good chunk of reviews come from couples suggesting that the tour works out best for families and couples.

Most of the reviewers felt the tour offered was either ‘Excellent’ or ‘Very Good.’

Many of the reviews contained the terms ‘great tour’ and ‘highly recommend this tour’ to describe their experience.

Note: If you want to save money on Shoreline Sightseeing’s architectural tour of Chicago and other City attractions, check out Chicago Go Card

Wendella Sightseeing was the pioneer of Chicago’s architectural tours.

Wendella Sightseeing offers two flavors of architecture tours – the river-only tour and the river & lake tour.

This operator takes you through the heart of the city on all three branches of the Chicago River, even as the expert local guide enthralls you with stories on 130 years of design innovation.

Their ships are all climate-controlled boats, and you won’t have to worry about rain or wind.

The best part is the full-service bar, which serves snacks and a selection of beers, wines, cocktails, and soft drinks.

Wendella Sightseeing’s river tours  start as early as 10 am and go on till 9 pm during peak seasons.

The most popular Wendella boat tour is the one at 12.15 pm. Because both indoor and outdoor seating is available, tourists don’t mind the overhead sun.

The other favorite time slots are 3 pm, 4 pm, and 5.45 pm.

If you want to book a Wendella Sightseeing boat tour on both the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, your options are 10.15 am (most popular), 1 pm, 2 pm, and 4.45 pm.  Book Chicago River & Michigan Lake tour

Wendella Sightseeing’s departures

Wendella Sightseeing boats set sail from their Michigan Avenue Docks located in the heart of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile.

They have two docks (look at your voucher to know where your boat will take off from).

Main Dock : The Main Dock is located at 400 North Michigan Avenue at the NorthWest corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge, which is now called the DuSable Bridge.

This dock is on the Chicago River, at the base of the Wrigley Building, made of white marble. It is also known as the East Dock. Directions

Trump Dock : Trump Dock is at 401 N Wabash Avenue, on the west side of the Wrigley building on the Chicago River. It is also known as the West Dock. Directions

On Tripadvisor , Wendella Sightseeing has a high rating of 4.5 out of 5.

Even though the tour operator doesn’t differentiate, more couples seem to be booking this tour, followed by families and groups of friends.

Many of the reviewers used the terms ‘great tour,’ ‘great boat,’ and ‘guide was very knowledgeable’ to describe their experience.

The guides also came in for praise for the interesting facts they shared about the Chicago buildings.

Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) was earlier known as the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF).

This is why the architecture tours offered by Chicago Architecture Center are also often referred to as ‘CAF tours.’

The CAC provides beautiful Art Deco walking tours of Chicago.

The CAC Art Deco tours start at 10 am or 2 pm, depending on the day selected.

The tour lasts for 90 minutes

Chicago Architecture Center’s tours instruct you to arrive 10 minutes before departure at 30 N LaSalle Street and have your confirmation at hand.

The docent will check your name off a list of attendees. Get Directions

Watch out for the blue awning marking the stairway entrance.

Since Seadog Cruises specializes in thrill rides, their architectural tours in Chicago come with a twist – they happen on speedboats.

The speedboats make it an exciting learning experience for all age groups.

However, if you are elderly with back or neck problems or pregnant, this tour isn’t for you.

The  Seadog Speedboat architectural tour  has morning and afternoon options.

If you prefer a pre-lunch tour, you can book the 11.15 am or the 1.15 pm architectural tours.

If you prefer afternoons or evenings, there are three times you can opt for: 3.15 pm, 5.15 pm, or 7.15 pm.

Seadog speedboat departures

SeaDog boat tours sail from Navy Pier’s Dock Street, located at 600 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago IL, 60611.

You can’t miss Seadog’s speedboats just below the Ferris Wheel and across from the Grand Staircase. Get Directions

Seadog Cruises is rated 4.5 out of 5 on Tripadvisor .

Families, couples, and groups of friends reviewed the Seadog River and Lake architectural tours highly.

Many of the reviewers used the terms ‘extreme thrill ride,’ ‘a lot of fun,’ and ‘super fun’ to describe their experience.

If you would prefer a quiet and informative architectural tour, this isn’t for you.

Most popular Chicago architecture boat tours last around 60-90 minutes, and walking architectural tours usually last around two hours.

The duration of Chicago architecture tours depends on many factors, such as – the mode of transport (regular boat, speedboat, walking, etc.), the route to be followed, the number of buildings in the itinerary, stoppages, is it the river cruise or lake cruise or both, etc.

The minimum duration of any architectural trip is usually one hour.

Usually, tours depart rain or shine.

Some boats are covered, and some aren’t.

You may have to brave it and continue with the tour if it’s a drizzle.

However, the captain’s word is final in severe weather.

If he/she says that it is unsafe to continue and cancels the tour, all guests are refunded.

TripAdvisor is full of reviews of tourists who enjoyed their architectural boat ride (or walking tour) even though it was raining.

Even though winter is a great time to travel in Chicago (no crowd, lower prices, etc.), it is not the best time for architecture boat tours of Chicago.

The river freezes over every winter with a sheet of ice on it, making it dangerous for the boats to venture out.

This is why most tour boats get parked in the dry docks by Thanksgiving.

A few boats are listed as all-season tours, but we don’t recommend that because the weather won’t be conducive to being on the water.

If you are in Chicago during winter, the best option is the Chicago Food walking tour .

Our second best will be the three-and-a-half-hour Chicago architectural highlights by bus .

Did you know that with the Chicago Explorer Pass, you can book a Chicago architecture tour for free?

Chicago Explorer Pass is a discount card that can get you around 40% discount on top Chicago attractions, including Shoreline Architecture River Cruise, 360 CHICAGO, Skydeck Chicago, Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus, and 20 other attractions.

Since the card is valid for 30 days, you can pace your sightseeing.

You can skip the ticketing lines in all the attractions and thus save yourself a lot of time.

Popular attractions in Chicago

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This article was researched & written by

Jamshed V Rajan

He is a two-faced traveler, who enjoys both the hustle-bustle of an urban holiday and the serenity of a break from the rest of the World. During some of his vacations, he is a resort hopper, and on others, he barely spends time in his hotel. He loves to try mouth-watering local cuisines, especially non-vegetarian dishes. Favourite Cities: Amsterdam, Las Vegas, Dublin, Prague, Vienna

Edited by Rekha Rajan & fact checked by Jamshed V Rajan

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Architecture Tours America: US Building Walks

American Architecture Walking Tours, US Building Guides, Architectural Walks USA, Architects

Architecture Tours America

City Architectural Guides in the USA – Exclusive Building Walks tailor made for Groups

post updated February 20, 2022

Architecture Walking Tours in America

Book your city guide with e-architect at isabelle(at)e-architect.com

American Architecture Tour: Exclusive Guided Walks

Our American guided tours are specifically arranged to suit individual bookings: e-architect don’t allow bookings to be joined ad hoc. Guided Architecture Tours America are all exclusive to each client.

Should you be planning an office trip, a conference, or university trip in the USA please contact us noting what city you wish to visit.

American Architecture Tour – Introduction

e-architect have been doing guided architectural city walking tours since 2001.

We’ve architectural tour guides in most major American cities.

During recent years we have expanded our walking tours in more cities in South, Central and North America.

American Architecture Links

Architectural City Tours in America – Update

North America City Walks

e-architect offer architecture tour guides in these cities of North America:

New York Architecture Walking Tours

Chicago Architecture Walking Tours

Los Angeles Architecture Walking Tours

San Francisco Architecture Walking Tours

Washington, D.C. Architecture Walking Tours

Vancouver Architectural Walks

Boston Architectural Walks

Mexico City Architectural Walks

Miami Architectural Walks

Toronto Architectural Walks

Montreal Architectural Walks

Las Vegas Architectural Walks

Alaska Architectural Walks

e-architect offer architectural tour guides in these cities of South America:

South America City Walks

São Paulo Architecture Tours

Rio de Janeiro Architecture Tours

Buenos Aires Architecture Tours

Brasilia Architecture Tours

Bogotá Architecture Tours

More American architectural city tours will appear online soon. We have a global network of guides available in major cities.

American Architecture Walking Tours – Introduction

An e-architect architectural walking tour tends to focus on key contemporary American buildings. However our guides can usually incorporate specific architectural interests such as the major office buildings in Chicago or the most significant new skyscrapers in New York.

e-architect operate both architecture walking tours and architectural bus tours in America. Our American tour guides have an architectural background and quite a few of them are also architects. Each city offered in America has a standard tour framework but please contact us if you have specific interests.

Architectural Tours in America – Recent Cities Added

Latest American Architectural Walking Tours , launched:

tailor-made architectural tours for groups – these are not daily/weekly walks

North American Architecture Walking Tours

North American Architectural Walking Tours , alphabetical:

Alaska Architecture Walking Tour , USA

Boston Architectural Walking Tours , USA

Chicago Architecture Tour , Illinois, USA, North America The Windy City is located in the north of the United States of America . Major buildings include the famous skyscrapers – John Hancock Center and the Sears Tower – plus Crown Hall + IIT Buildings and 860-880 Lake Shore Drive . Celebrated architects with buildings in this city include Zaha Hadid Architects, Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Ben van Berkel / UNStudio and Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture. Famous 20th Century architects to build in the city include Mies van der Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright and SOM.

Mexico City Architecture Tour , Mexico

Montreal Building Tours , Ontario, Canada

Los Angeles Architectural Tours , USA

New York Architecture Walking Tour , USA

San Francisco Architectural Walking Tours , California, USA, North America San Francisco is located on the west coast of the United States of America. Major buildings include the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Contemporary Jewish Museum, the V. C. Morris Gift Shop and the de Young Museum . Famous 20th Century architects to have built in the city include Frank Lloyd Wright and Mario Botta. Significant contemporary architects with buildings completed or on site in the city include Daniel Libeskind, Foster + Partners, Herzog & de Meuron, Morphosis Architecture and Snøhetta.

Toronto Architectural Tour , Ontario, Canada, North America Toronto is located in the south of Canada and is the largest city in the country. Tours can be combined with Montreal or Chicago if groups have sufficient time. Major contemporary buildings include Royal Ontario Museum building by architect Daniel Libeskind and the Ryerson Image Centre by Diamond Schmitt Architects. A major proposed building is Mirvish+Gehry by Gehry Partners.

Vancouver Architecture Walking Tour , BC, Canada, North America Vancouver is located British Colombia in the northwest of North America. Celebrated recent buildings include the Jameson House and Vancouver Convention Centre West . Significant architects to build in the city include Canadian architectural studios Saucier + Perrotte and LMN Architects. Also working on designs for the city are international design offices Foster + Partners, John McAslan + Partners and BIG.

South American Architecture Walking Tours

South American Architectural Walking Tours , alphabetical:

Bogotá Architectural Tours

Brasilia Building Tours , Brazil, South America

Buenos Aires Architecture Tour , Argentina, South America The Argentine capital – nicknamed Paris of South America due to its elegant streetscape – is the second-largest metropolitan area in South America. The city is the most visited in South America, ahead of Rio and São Paulo.

Rio de Janeiro Buildings Walking Tours , Brazil, South America Significant buildings in the second largest city in Brazil include Cidade da Musica Roberto Marinho and the Niterói Contemporary Art Museum and the of course the various Olympic and World Cup stadiums and venues. Famous architects with buildings in Rio include Oscar Niemeyer, Le Corbusier, de Portzamparc and Richard Meier. Other key architects are BCMF Arquitetos, AECOM and Andrade Morettin Arquitetos.

São Paulo Architectural Walking Tours , Brazil, South America Dubbed the largest city in the southern hemisphere – with around 11 million inhabitants – São Paulo is buoyant economically. Much of the good new architecture in the city is residential and therefore mostly off-limits however our guide can provide a plentiful supply of other cutting-edge designs to visit.

Walking Tours in the United States

American Architectural Tours generally introduce the city’s principal buildings in the United States. However they can also be tailored to your group’s architectural interests, for example focused on high-rise curtain walling or new school buildings in a certain US city.

American Architectural Tours

Contact our office to arrange your US architectural tour: mob. +44 (0)7952 149814 / isabelle(at)e-architect.com

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Tour Wow!house 2024, the Marvelous London Decorator Showcase

By Alia Akkam

Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, London’s go-to resource for decorative arts, has once again been vivified by Wow!House . The third edition of the dazzling show house (on view through July 4) brings together an A-list roster of talents who have dreamed up 19 imaginative spaces imbued with Diptyque scents and eclectic music.

Past the façade’s sky blue doors and Mamou-Mani’s 3D-printed geometric mandala shapes, visitors are welcomed into the entrance hall by Benedict Foley, done up as a hedonistic Sicilian palazzo in collaboration with Zoffany. Bold hues also await in AD100 designer Ken Fulk’s dining room, which draws upon his work with the Rug Company. To complement the centerpiece carpet, an homage to the V&A Museum’s Poynter Room, the AD100 designer leaned into another opportunity to celebrate the cultural institution, taking inspiration from its Morris Room and cafe.

“Fromental donated a custom wall covering and a series of inset panels that reimagined some of our favorite animals, flowers, and figures that Ken Fulk Inc.’s art department initially drew for the rug ‘tiles,’” says Fulk. “We took that reference point one step further by commissioning our favorite porcelain artist, Linda Fahey, to create a pair of large swan centerpieces, dinnerware, and creatures that are individually collaged in a modern interpretation of the transfer-ware technique.”

A showstopping ceiling to mirror the rug’s gravitas was also essential for Fulk, so he was thrilled when gallerist Marion Friedmann agreed to loan him Thierry Jeannot’s prototype for the Transmutation 1 chandelier. “It’s a dramatic two-tier piece constructed from meticulously cut pieces of plastic bottles. From afar it appears to be traditional cut crystal, but upon further inspection, you realize it is made from the most modest of materials,” Fulk adds.

Another standout ceiling is found in the Swan Lake –inspired library by Andrea Benedettini. A romanticized take on nature, the interior adds an air of serenity thanks to a scenic ceiling wallpaper treatment and enveloping curtain wall. That calming aura also permeates the sunny morning room by Lucy Hammond Giles and Colefax and Fowler swathed in yellow Larsen linen; the kitchen by Studio Vero and Martin Moore (to be reassembled in a new location post-Wow!House) showcasing light timber and an earthy palette of green, terra-cotta, and tobacco; and the courtyard bedroom by Veere Grenney Associates and Schumacher flaunting large-scale windowpane check.

Tolù Adẹ̀kọ́ took a more brazen approach to his bedroom with Zimmer + Rohde, conjuring the golden age of travel. “By evoking the timeless appeal of historic voyages, we wanted to create a sanctuary that would transport guests to a time when travel was not just a means to an end, but a luxurious experience,” says Adẹ̀kọ́. His launch point for the interior was Zimmer and Rohde's silver-speckled Dimora fabric by Ardecora. From there, a faux vellum ceiling and faux bois timber embellished with gold-leafed studs encapsulate the transportive feel, while bespoke furnishings such as the Anu credenza from the Adẹ̀kọ́ and Co. Collection round out the space.

Michaelis Boyd opted for glamour in the House of Rohl primary bathroom too. “The whimsical and somewhat magical mood,” as studio partner Christina Gregoriou describes it, is elevated by floor tiles of various shapes that elicit an “Alice in Wonderland effect—the smaller the tiles, the more intimate the setting.” The protagonist of the sculptural room is the Victoria and Albert Taizu bathtub, its curvaceous design prompting the team to extend the organic flow with a cathedral-like dome illuminating a hand painted mural by Claire Basler that “immerses whoever bathes beneath it to be utterly spellbound,” points out Gregoriou, noting how the work’s illusion of movement “aligned with the sense of relaxation and decompression we wanted to achieve.”

There are plenty of other retreats in Wow!House 2024 too, from Anahita Rigby’s moody green study and the object-laden Legend room by AD100 designer Alidad and Watts 1874 to Fernando Wong’s tropical terrace with Summit. Sophie Ashby’s sitting room for United in Design is particularly inviting for lingering with a vibrant Priya Ahluwalia rug for Shame Studios and matte-finished cork flooring. Ashby and her husband, fashion designer Charlie Casely–Hayford, recently moved to a new home they’ve yet to renovate, but she envisioned her Wow!House space as one her family would like to unwind in for the long term, says Ashby, “somewhere that felt familiar, artful, calm, and full of soul, drawing inspiration from slow Sundays.”

The Design Centre Chelsea Harbour’s Wow!House 2024 is now open for tours, with ticket proceeds benefiting United in Design, the nonprofit founded by Ashby and Alexandria Dauley to foster inclusivity in the industry.

Step inside Wow!House 2024

Wow!House 2024 façade by Mamou-Mani Architects

Entrance hall by Benedict Foley and Zoffany

Study by Anahita Rigby

Library by Andrea Benedettini and Chase Erwin

Drawing room by Guy Goodfellow and Tissus d’Hélène

Morning room by Lucy Hammond Giles of Sibyl Colefax and John Fowler and Colefax and Fowler

Kitchen by Studio Vero and Martin Moore

Dining room by Ken Fulk Inc. and the Rug Company

Sitting room by Studio Ashby and United in Design

Primary bedroom by Charlotte Freemantle and Will Fisher of Jamb

Primary bathroom by Michaelis Boyd and House of Rohl

Courtyard bedroom by Veere Grenney Associates and Schumacher

Courtyard by Katharine Pooley and McKinnon and Harris

Bedroom by Tolù Adẹ̀kọ́ and Zimmer and Rohde

Bathroom by Maurizio Leo Placuzzi of Sicis

Legend room by Alidad and Watts 1874

Home bar by OZA Design

Dining space by Suzy Hoodless

Studio by Fosbury Architecture and Dedar

Terrace by Fernando Wong and Summit

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By Sarah Archer

By Stephen Treffinger

THE 10 BEST Dzerzhinsky Sights & Historical Landmarks

Dzerzhinsky landmarks.

• Monuments & Statues
• Churches & Cathedrals
• Points of Interest & Landmarks
• Sacred & Religious Sites
• Architectural Buildings
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• District South-Western (YuZAO)
• Butovo North
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Couples
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Nikolo-Ugreshskiy Monastery

2. Church of the Savior Transfiguration of Ugresh Monastery of St. Nicholas

3. Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin in the Ugresh Monastery of St. Nicholas

4. Temple of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist of Ugresh Monastery of St. Nicholas

5. Chapel of Phenomena Image of St. Nicholas in Nikolo-Ugreshskiy Monastery

6. Temple of the Mother of God of All Who Sorrow Ugresh Nicholas Monastery

7. Monument to Dmitriy Donskoi

8. Peter and Paul Church in Ugresh Monastery of St. Nicholas

9. Cathedral of St. Nicholas

10. Monument to Creators of Missile Shield of Russia

11. Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

12. Sculpture Crying Boy

13. Chapel of the Passion of Nikolo-Ugreshskiy Monastery

14. Monument to Dzerzhinskiy

15. Dmitriy Donskoi's Temple

16. temple of holy spirit.

17. Temple of Makariy Nevskiy

18. Palestinian wall of the Nikolo-Ugreshsky monastery

19. Chapel of Our Lady of the Perishing

20. Pamyatniki A. S. Pushkinu

21. Memorial of the Great Patriotic War

22. Monument to Veterans of Local Wars

23. Monument-bust to academician B.P. Zhukov

24. Monument to St. Nicholas

25. Tserkov' Pitmana Ugreshskoy

26. pamyatnik prepodobnomu antoniyu kiyevo-pecherskomu.

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Kelly Elliott and her son Mickey share a laugh in the original mid-century modern kitchen, which boasts pops of orange, red and yellow. Elliott shared that the kitchen is where the whole family gathers and that she still uses the original stove from the 1960s that came with the home.

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Mid-Century Modern Architecture Tour returns to Southfield

By: Kathryn Pentiuk | Southfield Sun | Published June 4, 2024

Sphinx Petroleum, built in 1967 and situated at 24472 Northwestern Highway, is a stop on the Southfield Mid-Century Modern Architecture Tour.

SOUTHFIELD — After a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mid-Century Modern Architecture Tour is making its return to Southfield at 2 p.m. June 9, taking off from Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, 27375 Bell Road, with free parking on-site. The tour is possible thanks to the Southfield Historical Society, the Detroit Area Art Deco Society and the Friends of Southfield Public Arts.

“It’s sold out every time we’ve done it. So it was time to do it again. We’ve been doing this tour since 2013. And then, obviously, ’20, ’21, ’22 and ’23, we didn’t do it. So we had a four-year pause. But we’re back,” Southfield Mayor Kenson Siver stated. The iconic mid-century modern architecture has surrounded Siver since he moved to Southfield in the 1960s. He expressed that it’s hard to pick a favorite building.

“The two neighborhoods that we got national historic designations for, they’re on the federal government’s list of historic places — Northland Gardens and Plumbrooke Estates. But I would also add Cranbrook, because there’s so much history with how that neighborhood was developed.

“I like all of the buildings. We start at Shaarey Zedek, which is just a phenomenal piece of architecture.”

While the tour will enter six buildings, Siver and Darla Van Hoey, the president of the Southfield Historical Society, will guide the bus tour past iconic Southfield landmarks such as the Reynolds Aluminum Regional Headquarters, the Ira Kaufman Funeral Home, Smokey Robinson’s home and more.

One of the six buildings that will be entered is Kelly Elliott’s 1963 home, located off of Bell Street. Elliott is a former school psychologist and is a co-owner of Bowlero Bowling Alley on Coolidge Highway in Royal Oak. She has also been a member of the Docomomo Michigan Chapter since 2021. Docomomo is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of buildings, sites and neighborhoods that were created during the modern movement.

Elliott is the curator, and her home is her mid-century modern museum. When she moved into the home in 2007, she was in awe that the original design elements remained intact, such as the Richard Harvey see-through bone walls, the Sputnik light fixtures, the travertine marble floors and the wall of mirrors designed by John Leslie, of Cranbrook. Elliott resides in her groovy oasis with her son, Mickey, fiancé, Rob Dey, his daughter, Estella, as well as their German shepherd, the Fonz, and Hank the cat.

Elliott explained that the house was only owned by two owners prior to her. The original owner was a housing developer who owned a company called Crescendo Homes and built houses in Warren and Sterling Heights in the ’60s.

“He built this house for his own family. So in 1963, he did all the things in this house that were cutting edge for design,” she said.

She joked that it was a miracle that the home’s design elements hadn’t been painted over during the shabby chic era. While touring other homes, the charm and character of this house stood out to Elliott.

“I’m picky and critical about design. Some of the things I saw that people have done in homes, it was like, why did you do that?” she said. “It was unfortunate to see that people have taken out original elements and tried to take out all the specialness that maybe the original designer had tried to impart into the design. That’s the other reason why I do this: because I want people to know and also not be afraid to design with color and put in what you love and what you think looks cool.”

The three-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bath home, equipped with a mother-in-law suite in the basement, is lined with hues of orange, yellow and red. Elliott is intentional in her design choices.

“The house kind of begged for something bright. And the kitchen’s already red and orange — that came that way. So, it makes sense. Plus, many, many months of Detroit weather is kind of drab and dull. And oranges and reds are energizing, and I like that. I like to live around that and be around that. And Bowlero is also that color palette,” she said.

While her house is a mid-century marvel, she’s not afraid to switch things up or escape the era. She adds art and furniture that inspires her or simply because she likes it. In 2018, when redesigning Bowlero, originally built in 1957, Elliott sourced authentic vintage pieces from local antique malls and estate sales. Some of her favorite local vintage shops are Oddfellows in Berkley and Vogue Vintage in Ferndale.

Dale Allen Gyure is the chair of architecture and a professor in the College of Architecture and Design at Lawrence Technology University. Gyure teaches the history of architecture. He explained that before becoming chair, his favorite class to teach was 20th century architecture, since much of his research focuses on the 20th century. He added that he especially loves the ’50s and ’60s. Gyure stated that the clean lines and simplicity of mid-century modern design were born out of what was happening in the world at the time.

“In the early 20th century, the modernists were arguing to remove a lot of the clutter. Like, if you think of a 19th century Victorian house, there’s a lot going on there. The form of the house is really busy, there are parts sticking out and receding, there’s a really interesting skyline, usually lots of different roof angles; you go in the house, and there’s all kinds of furniture with lots of carvings on it and patterns all over the carpet — the walls, the furniture, had patterns. It was just a riot of visual stuff happening,” Gyure said. “So they start to try to create architecture that doesn’t reflect back on history on styles, and is cleaner and sleeker. And it gets a little bit popular. But then, the early 20th century is a disaster. There’s two world wars. There’s a Great Depression, and all these things really hurt architecture. So roughly between the 1930s and 1950s, hardly anything gets built. And then when the world comes back around after World War II, and particularly the U.S., modernism is the way to go. Nobody in the late 1940s, early ’50s, in architecture is saying, ‘Let’s go back to the styles.’ They want to move forward.”

According to Gyure, mid-century modern design spans from roughly 1950 to about 1975. He shared that one of the most influential architects of the day was Asian American architect Minoru Yamasaki, who was based in Troy and Bloomfield Hills for several decades and designed the Reynolds Aluminum Regional Headquarters in Southfield. Yamasaki is near to Gyure’s heart, and he wrote a book on the comprehensive works of Yamasaki called “Minoru Yamasaki: Humanist Architecture for a Modernist World.”

Gyure encouraged anyone interested in mid-century modern design and architecture to take the tour. “Southfield has a great stock of mid-century buildings that are very fortunate to have a large number of commercial buildings, and not just by famous architects — sort of everyday commercial architecture from the ’50s, and ’60s. And you can see it all over the place when you drive up and down the main streets in Southfield. A lot of cities don’t have that anymore.”

With only 55 seats on the bus, tickets are limited. Tickets can be purchased for $40 in advance and $50 on the day of the tour if available. Tickets may be purchased through the Mayor’s Office at Southfield City Hall, 26000 Evergreen Road, or via PayPal to [email protected]. Checks may be made payable to the Friends of Southfield Public Arts.

For additional information, visit www.cityofsouthfield.com .

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Chicago is known around the world for its architecture. Whether you choose to explore our fabled downtown or one of the city’s many distinct and charming neighborhoods, our expert docents will guide you by boat, bus, train or on foot and share the stories behind the buildings. Visit iconic skyscrapers, elegant hotels or the legendary houses of Frank Lloyd Wright. With dozens of tours to choose from, we won't blame you if you can't pick just one.

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Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard Chicago's First Lady

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A video tour inside the restored architectural wonder, Michigan Central Station

• Updated: Jun. 03, 2024, 12:30 p.m. |
• Published: Jun. 03, 2024, 6:01 a.m.

• Edward Pevos | [email protected]

DETROIT - Some Michigan residents never thought they would see this day come ... the restoration of one of the state’s most majestic buildings, Michigan Central Station . That day is now as we are giving you your first look inside after its painstaking six-year restoration.

The Station, located at 2001 15th St. in Detroit’s Corktown, had been shuttered since closing in 1988, left to the elements and vandals to have their way with what was once one of the grandest train depots in all the land.

The past is now the future after Ford purchased the building in 2018 and hired more than 3,100 skilled-trade workers to bring the Station back to life.

Tours of the interior will begin this weekend, one day after this Thursday night’s Michigan Central Grand Opening Concert , which will be livestreamed for free on Peacock and shown partly as a primetime special on NBC a few days later. 15,000 people will be on the grounds in front of the station to witness the concert.

In the meantime, you can learn more here on the meticulous restoration process which included the removal of more than 3.5 million gallons of water from the basement and nearly 4,000 cubic yards of debris from the building.

Stories by Edward Pevos

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A guide to Milwaukee walking tours, from history and culture to food and ghosts

If you're looking to learn more about the history, culture and architecture of your hometown (or you're visiting the city and want to learn more), a walking tour is a great way to do it.

Here are a few walking tours of Milwaukee sites and neighborhoods.

Historic Milwaukee walking tours

Historic Milwaukee is a nonprofit organization that hosts walking tours and events like Doors Open Milwaukee in order to raise awareness about the city's architecture and history.

Historic Milwaukee Special Tours are guided walking tours.

• German Heritage Walking Tour: Tourists will learn about notable German people and places in Milwaukee history. 2 hours. $20 for adults, $5 for ages 6-11, free for kids 5 and under.
• Beyond Brady: Polish & Italian Immigrants in Milwaukee: Tour explores how this east side neighborhood was the home of Polish and Italian immigrants and became Milwaukee's counterculture stronghold in the 1960s and '70s. 2 hours. $15 for adults, $5 for ages 6-11, free for kids 5 and under.
• Industrial Heritage, Walker's Point: Tour explores how the former warehouses and factories of Walker's Point have evolved into restaurants, places of business and homes. 2 hours. $20.
• Walker's Point Churches Tour: Tour explores the architecture and religious beliefs of several churches in Walker's Point, especially as they evolved throughout Walker's Point history as different immigrant groups made the neighborhood their worship home. 2 hours. $20.
• Yankee Hill Walking Tour: Tour explores the history of the Yankee Hill neighborhood. 2 hours. $20 for adults, $5 for ages 6-11, free for kids 5 and under.
• Yankee Hill Churches Tour: Tourists walk by seven churches in the east side neighborhood, to learn about their architecture and history. If church schedules allow, tour will also include a walk inside the churches. 2 hours. $20 for adults, $5 for ages 6-11, free for kids 5 and under.
• Wisconsin Avenue Churches Tour: Tourists learn the history of churches constructed from the 1860s through the 1920s with a focus on the architecture, traditions and different ethnic groups that have worshipped there. 2 hours. $20.
• Women's Milwaukee: Tour explores the history of downtown Milwaukee with a focus on the stories of women rather than the more typically told stories of Solomon Juneau, Byron Kilbourn and George H. Walker. 2 hours. $20 for adults, $5 for ages 6-11, free for kids 5 and under.
• Lulu & Rocky Family Tour: This family tour, recommended for kids ages 6-10 and their families, is based on a children's book that explores some of the famous and historical sites of downtown Milwaukee. 1.5 hours. $10 for adults, $5 for ages 5-11, $2 for ages 4 and under.
• Gargoyles, Grotesques & Dragons: Tour focuses on the meaning and history behind the "faces" that appear on downtown Milwaukee buildings. 2 hours. $20.

Historic Milwaukee mobile app tours highlight different parts of the city with self-guided routes with suggested stops and information about the sites. Unless otherwise noted, the downloads are free.

• Avenues West: a 2.5-mile tour with 23 stops just west of I-43, a neighborhood that includes Marquette University and historic mansions.
• Brady Street: a .8-mile tour with 27 stops, includes architectural and historic sites of the street. $4.99 to download.
• Clarke Square: a 1.8-mile tour with 17 stops, located in the heart of Milwaukee's Latin American community, once a predominantly Polish community.
• Diverse Downtown: a 2-mile tour with 18 stops through downtown Milwaukee told through the lens of Native Americans, women and people of color who shaped the area.
• Exploring the Beerline Tour: a 1.4-mile tour with 15 stops, through two Milwaukee neighborhoods, Riverwest and Harambee, with information about the Beerline rail line that was decommissioned in the early 1990s and became a multi-modal recreational trail.
• Harbor District: a 3.5-mile tour with 17 stops, of an area that was once a marshland, became an area known for tanneries and foundries with ships coming and going, and is now an area that groups are working to revitalize.
• Indigenous Milwaukee: a 5-mile tour with 27 stops that focuses on the stories of the many Indigenous communities who have made Milwaukee home.
• Layton Boulevard: a 1.7-mile tour with 17 stops, with historic and cultural stops on the historic street that is now part of 27th Street.
• Metcalfe Park: a 3-mile tour with 28 stops representing the culture and history of this majority-Black community.
• Milwaukee Moderns: a 2-mile tour with 18 stops that focuses on the architecture of buildings in downtown Milwaukee that are in the Postmodern, Brutalist and International styles.
• North Point Mansions South: a 0.8-mile tour with 24 stops in a historic neighborhood on the lower east side that shows off many historic mansions. $4.99 to download
• Silver City: a 1-mile tour with 15 stops of the area that got its name in the early 20th century when its industrial workers were paid in silver coins.
• Visiting Villard Avenue: a 1.2-mile tour with 20 stops that explore the culture and history of this part of "Old North Milwaukee."
• Yankee Hill: a 1.1-mile tour with 21 stops in the neighborhood that derived its name from its placement on a bluff and the "Yankee" residents who arrived from New York and New England in the 1830s. $4.99 to download.

Historic Milwaukee Self-Guided Tours are self-guided tours in printed form.

• Walking Milwaukee: 31 Tours of Brew City's Neighborhoods, Landmarks and Entertainment Districts: In this book, each tour includes commentary on topics like architecture, culture, history and trivia along with where to eat, drink and shop. There are photographs, a map for each tour, as well as distance and difficulty level. $16.95.
• Walking Milwaukee: Downtown Edition: The full set of cards includes 10 tour cards, each of which is a mapped walking tour, and eight landmark cards documenting the history of some downtown landmarks. Mini sets are also available for purchase on specific topics including Beer Barons of Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee's Downtown, Milwaukee's Lakefront and Yankee Hill. $2-$20.

Milwaukee Soldiers Home walking tour

The Milwaukee VA Soldiers Home historic district is a national historic landmark on the grounds of the Milwaukee VA Medical Center. The Milwaukee Preservation Alliance hosts tours of the historic buildings located on the grounds.

• Guided tours are 90 minutes long and can be scheduled through the Milwaukee Preservation Alliance website . The tours are free, although donations are welcome.
• An app is also available to download for people who want to take the self-guided tour.

Milwaukee walking tours that feature food and drink

Fun Beer Tours MKE : These guided beer-themed tours include historical facts and Milwaukee trivia, as well as stops where people can buy beer and other drinks (Cost of food and beverages are not included in the fee).

• Beer is famous. Milwaukee made it so: A tour of spots at the Pabst Brewery complex and Central Waters Brewing. 0.9 miles. 2 hours and 45 minutes. $20 for adults (21 and over).
• Downtown: History and architecture: Tour starts at the Milwaukee Public Market and loops through downtown to see historic sites such as City Hall and the Pabst Theatre. 1.4 miles. 2 hours. $20 for adults (21 and over), $15 for teenagers, free for kids ages 12 and under.
• Pabst: History and architecture: Starts with a tour of the Pabst Brewery complex, then continues on to see sites such as the Deer District, the Riverwalk and the 3rd Street Market Hall. 1.3 miles. 2 hours. $20 for adults (21 and over), $15 for teenagers, free for kids ages 12 and under.
• 'Take me to your liter' 3-craft brewery tour: A tour that includes MobCraft Beer Co., Indeed Brewing Co. and Broken Bat Brewing Co. 0.7 miles. 2.5 hours. $20 for adults (21 and over).
• Beer and pretty much everything else tour: Tour starts at 3rd Street Market Hall, then goes down Wisconsin Avenue and along the Riverwalk; it also includes stops at Safe House and Explorium Brew Pub. 1.3 miles. 2.5 hours. $20 per adults (21 and over).
• Quintessential Milwaukee tour: Starts with a tour of Broken Bat Brewing Co., then moves on to the Riverwalk and the Historic Third Ward; it also includes stops at the Public Market and the 3rd Street Market Hall. 1.3 miles. 2 hours, 45 minutes. $20 for adults (21 and over)

Milwaukee Food Tours are well-known for bus tours of various eateries, but they also have streetcar tours and a few walking tours.

• Brady Street Lunch Tour : Historic and cultural information about the neighborhood is intermingled with stops for pizza, cannoli, tacos, salami, prosciutto, olives, empanada and a Milwaukee-brewed beer. 1.25 miles with 5-6 stops. 2.5-3 hours. $74 for adults, $45 for kids ages 8-15, free for kids ages 7 and under.
• Around the Ward in 90 Minutes : Tourists will learn about the history and culture of the Historic Third Ward as they stop inside historic buildings and one food stop. 1.25 miles. 1.5 hours. $30 for adults, $10 for kids ages 8-15; free for kids ages 7 and under.
• Walker's Point Stroll, Sip, & Savor : Tourists stroll through the historic district, with four food and drink stops along the way (1 cocktail, 2 beers, tacos and a paloma). 1.25 miles. 3 hours. $99 (adults only).
• Streetcar History Tour : Tourists take a ride on the Hop as they learn about the history and culture of the different neighborhoods the streetcar drives through, and get off the streetcar twice for brief walking tours of the Historic Third Ward and Cathedral Square. There's also a stop for dessert. 1.25 miles. 2 hours. $30 for adults, $10 for kids ages 8-15, free for kids 7 and under
• InstaMKE Photo Walk : The tour guides are professional photographers who give photo-taking tips as they tell stories of different photo-worthy Milwaukee sites, including in the Historic Third Ward, on the Riverwalk, Wisconsin Avenue and outside the Milwaukee Art Museum. There's also a stop for a sweet treat. 1.5 miles. 2 hours. $30 for adults, $10 for kids ages 8-15, free for kids 7 and under.

An art walking tour and a scavenger hunt

Sculpture Milwaukee : People can go on a self-guided tour of the urban public art exhibition that is spread over two miles in downtown Milwaukee and the Historic Third Ward. The online map will lead tourists past whatever sculptures they're interested in.

Milwaukee Scavenger Hunt Adventure : Urban Adventure Quest curates scavenger hunts for many North American cities. Milwaukee's tour covers 2 miles of downtown and takes between 2 and 2.5 hours. Tourists use their smart phones to get clues to lead to different sites where they will search for specific features. There are 17 challenges, and the cost is $49 for a team of two to five people.

Ghost Walking Tours

American Ghost Walks hosts tours in other Wisconsin cities like Madison, Waukesha and Lake Geneva. These are the Milwaukee tours.

• Milwaukee Third Ward Ghost Walk : Tourists are guided through different sites in the Third Ward with violent, ghostly or paranormal stories behind them, including stories that involve the mafia and gangsters and ghost sightings at Skylight Opera Theatre, the Italian Community Center and the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. Tourists will also hear ghost stories "with Third Ward connections," including at the Pfister and the Hilton Garden Inn. 1.5-2 hours. $25 per person
• Milwaukee Shadow of City Hall Ghost Walk : Tourists walk by the buildings of some of the most notorious of downtown Milwaukee's ghost stories including those at City Hall, the Pfister, the Pabst Theatre and the Hilton Garden Inn. 1.5-2 hours. $25 per person.

One more ghost tour deals with a different type of ghost — ghost signs. Milwaukee marketing agency Hoffman York developed a free augmented reality tour of the Third Ward, which allows users to hold up their phones to various buildings to see what the faded advertisements looked like in their heyday. Paper maps are available at the Milwaukee Public Market or Historic Third Ward Association, online at augmentedhistory.org

40 Facts About Elektrostal

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 01 Jun 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy , materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes , offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development .

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy , with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

Elektrostal's fascinating history, vibrant culture, and promising future make it a city worth exploring. For more captivating facts about cities around the world, discover the unique characteristics that define each city . Uncover the hidden gems of Moscow Oblast through our in-depth look at Kolomna. Lastly, dive into the rich industrial heritage of Teesside, a thriving industrial center with its own story to tell.

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Walking Tour: The Architecture of Madison Square Park

As the city moved rapidly northward in the 18th century, a series of small parks were established, anchoring neighborhoods such as Washington Square, Union Square, Madison Square, and Bryant Park.

In 1847, Madison Square Park (named for the fourth U.S. President, James Madison) was established as a residential neighborhood but quickly became a center for larger commercial and entertainment buildings. Today, it boasts a lively mix of insurance, finance, design, and residential uses. The park lays claim to home of the original Madison Square Garden, the founding of baseball, and the very first Shake Shack.

Early skyscrapers like the Flatiron Building, Metropolitan Life, and the NY Life Building will be discussed, as well as the architectural legacies of Stanford White, Daniel Burnham, Napoleon LeBrun, and Cass Gilbert.   

Guide: Joseph Lengeling, AIA

Health and Safety Guidelines: AIANY cannot be held liable and assumes no responsibility for any injury or loss incurred by participants in these programs. Tour is limited to 17 attendees. Walkups cannot be guaranteed a spot on the tour. 

Cancellation Policy:  AIANY Walking Tours take place rain or shine, please dress for the weather. There are no refunds, cancellations, or exchanges, unless we cancel a tour. 

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Explore a storied wind tunnel reimagined for ArtCenter at this ‘Supersonic' celebration

The creative school's south campus, which includes the storied building, will welcome the public for student showcases, a car show, panels, and more., by alysia gray painter • published 5 hours ago • updated 4 hours ago, what to know.

• ArtCenter College of Design celebrates the 20th anniversary of its South Campus, located at 870 S. Raymond Avenue in Pasadena
• The open-to-the-public party will feature talks, student art, a car show, and more, as well as a chance to step inside the 950 Building, built as the Southern California Cooperative Wind Tunnel in 1945
• The June 8 celebration, called "Beyond Supersonic," will also mark the opening of "the newly redesigned Mullin Transportation Design Center" at the campus

The beautiful bridge between art and engineering is so short, and so swiftly crossed, that talking about any significant distance between the two disciplines is an exercise best not undertaken.

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And wherever art and engineering do happen to intersect? You've got yourself a particularly crackling nexus, one that is full of ideas, innovation, and electricity.

ArtCenter College of Design has long shimmered at that exact spot, but the school's South Campus goes even further in the whole "uniting art and engineering" field: The largest structure on the South Raymond Avenue campus, the 950 Building, is the former Southern California Cooperative Wind Tunnel.

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The wind tunnel, as well as other ArtCenter buildings, will open to the public on June 8 , a celebration honoring both the 20th anniversary of the campus and "the newly redesigned Mullin Transportation Design Center."

Constructed as a joint venture and opened in 1945 — several prominent aviation companies were involved, while CalTech managed the capacious space — the wind tunnel has, in recent years, served students making their own contemporary creative explorations.

Visitors to "Beyond Supersonic," the powerful and apt moniker given to the upcoming event, can view several student artworks while also admiring the striking architecture and imaginative redesign of much of the campus.

You're invited to explore "several dynamic new state-of-the-art spaces — including tech labs, classrooms, and exhibition spaces — designed to provide professional-level learning and making experiences."

The campus is home to a diverse area of vibrant learning hubs, including the Sewing Lab, the Immersion Lab (think augmented reality and beyond), and Fine Arts Studios.

Free entry, fab cars: The Gilmore Heritage Auto Show is an Original Farmers Market gem

Dozens of shimmering sculptures will add new ‘Dimensions' to Sensorio Paso Robles

The Design Invitational — Disney Imagineer Bob Gurr, who designed Disneyland's Autopia automobiles, will be there — is on the schedule as well. Automobile enthusiasts can learn more about ArtCenter's vital role in transportation design and admire several eye-catching cars dreamt up by alumni.

Letterpress printing demonstrations at the Hoffmitz Milken Center for Typography, an ArtMarket featuring dozens of student vendors (shop whimsical wares like mugs and tees), and panels jumping into transportation, art, and what's to come are also on the schedule.

Your best bet? Blow by this site for more on the wind tunnel redesign and the "Beyond Supersonic" schedule before making for Pasadena on June 8.

Note that June 7 is a private invitation-only celebration. For more information, visit the ArtCenter site now.

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Summer tours slated at Hayes home

First art and architecture tour kicks off june 3.

FREMONT – New this summer, the Hayes Presidential Library and Museums is offering special tours of the historic Hayes Home focusing on the home’s art and architecture and the president and first lady’s love story.

The tours last a half hour. Tickets purchased to these tours include a site pass that offers a regular, one-hour tour of the Hayes Home and a self-guided tour of the museum.

Tickets include home, museum visits

Tickets for non-members are $20 for adults, $18 for AAA/military/senior discount, $10 for teens 13 to 18, $5 for ages six and older and free for ages five and younger. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums members are admitted for free.

Tickets for these tours are available online at https://www.rbhayes.org/news/2024/05/17/general/special-tours-of-the-hayes-home-offered-focusing-on-art-president-and-first-lady-s-marriage/. Ticket-holders can then schedule their standard Hayes Home tour when they arrive at the museum front desk.

First tour kicks off June 3

The tours are offered at 1:30 p.m. on the following Mondays:● June 3 ― Art and Architecture, a look at the paintings and other artwork that adorn the Hayes Home and the home’s Victorian architecture● June 17 ― 36 Years, a look at the love story between President Rutherford and First Lady Lucy Hayes● July 1 ― Art and Architecture● July 15 ― 36 Years● July 29 — Art and Architecture●Aug. 12 — 36 Years● Aug. 26 — Art and Architecture

Hayes Presidential is located at Spiegel Grove in Fremont. For information, call 419-332-2081, or visit rbhayes.org.

The News-Messenger/News Herald

Intel reveals Lunar Lake’s architecture, showing how its flagship AI PC processor will work

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Qualcomm made headlines when it was named the chipmaker for Microsoft’s Copilot+ PCs . However, that hasn’t deterred Intel from innovating for this new form of computing. The company had been working on chips to power AI PCs long before Microsoft’s news. In fact, on that very same day, Intel announced its Lunar Lake processor , a chip that would power more than 80 new laptop designs from 20 computer makers. The chip is scheduled to be released in Q3 2024.

Intel wants to power AI inside

This week at Computex, Intel is revealing architectural details about the Lunar Lake processor it claims will deliver up to 40 percent SoC power and more than three times the AI compute.

“The launch of Lunar Lake will bring meaningful fundamental improvements across security, battery life, and more thanks to our deep co-engineering partnership with Intel. We are excited to see Lunar Lake come to market with a 40+ TOPS NPU, which will deliver Microsoft’s Copilot+ experiences at scale when available,” Pavan Davuluri, Microsoft’s corporate vice president of Windows + Devices, remarked in May.

Intel is designing Lunar Lake with two microarchitectures: a Performance Core (P-core), codenamed Lion Cove, and an Efficient Core (E-core), codenamed Skymont. It will contain the company’s fourth-generation neural processing unit (NPU) that delivers up to 48 tera-operations per second (TOPS) of AI performance, three times more than the third-gen NPU. Also included is the new Battlemage GPU design that combines X e 2 GPU cores for graphics and X e Matrix Extension (XMX) arrays for AI. The X e 2 GPU is billed as providing more than 80 percent more gaming performance and more than five times the AI throughput than its predecessor. Intel claims it can also deliver more than 60 TOPS.

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In addition, Lunar Lake features an advanced low-power island, a novel compute cluster and a way to process background and productivity tasks with “extreme efficiency.”

The AI PC race heats up

Now that Microsoft has opened the floodgates for AI PCs, we’re starting to see a deluge of innovation around this computing platform—not a trickle. Intel’s Lunar Lake news comes a day after Nvidia and AMD disclosed their efforts to bring Microsoft Copilot+ PC AI features to more laptops. The former teased so-called “RTX AI PC” laptops from Asus and MSI and the latter has its Strix laptop CPU.

It’s estimated AI PCs will make up almost 60 percent of new PCs by 2027. The first 20 computers supporting Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC will go on sale in a matter of weeks. It would be foolhardy to think those would be the only ones to exist. To remain competitive, chipmakers must develop powerful NPUs to support the AI PC OS.

When launched “in time for the holiday season,” Intel’s Lunar Lake will help bring 80 more PCs to market, but the company hasn’t revealed the OEMs. Ultimately, the chip is expected to deliver Copilot+ experiences to users through an over-the-air update, including the controversial Recall feature .

Today’s announcement, along with Intel’s unveiling of its Xeon 6 chip and Gaudi 3 pricing , comes as the chipmaker responds to competitors swiping at what they see as the company’s waning market dominance. At Computex, Intel Chief Executive Pat Gelsinger took exception to one comment from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who has claimed Moore’s Law is dead. “Moore’s Law is alive and well,” he says before debuting the Lunar Lake chip.

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