Certainly one of the most exciting cities in the world, Chicago is the center of commerce and culture for the mid-west and a world renowned showcase of masterpiece American architecture.

Chicago features an impressive array of unique and sometimes revolutionary architectural styles dating from the 19th century into the 21st century and most certainly beyond.
 

Following the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 much of the city lay in ruin providing a ‘blank canvas’ of sorts for the architects of the age. In the early 1880s a commercial style of design, now referred to as the Chicago School, emerged and pioneered steel-frame construction. Within the next decade, The Chicago School also introduced the use of large areas of plate glass in architectural design. Together these innovations lead to the development of the modern skyscraper.

For any visitor walking, driving, or riding in downtown Chicago it is simply a matter of looking up (in nearly any direction, on nearly any street) to see an impressive example of Chicago School, world-class architecture.

Now to really appreciate any Chicago tour experience it's always best to know what you are looking at and perhaps know a little of the history behind it.  To help you out in that regard, there are a number of City Tour operators who provide very informative (and sometimes entertaining) city, neighborhood, gangster, ghost, Chicago Blues, and very specific architectural tours.

The tour conveyances offered (in addition to walking tours) include tours by bus, trolley, horse and carriage, bike, segway, and boat tours on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan.

Our favorite and most recommended are the boat tours on the Chicago River. The boat tours provide a wonderful, largely un-obstructed view of Chicago’s famous architecture.

Walking Chicago:

One of the best but least noticed city features for the tourist in downtown Chicago are the broad streets and wide sidewalks. These marvelous boulevards are likely the result of the Great Chicago Fire wiping out the older, more compact city layouts, allowing city planners and architects of the 1880’s to open things up a bit. Of course the streets are still quite crowded during rush hours or holiday shopping seasons.  The broad side walks make getting around a much more pleasant experience than in any of the older east coast cities like Boston or New York. Additionally, these broad Chicago streets offer a much more expansive view of the city around you.

Michigan Avenue and the Magnificent Mile

A masterpiece from a different time, the Tribune Tower Constructed in 1925

At the southern gateway to the Magnificent Mile, just as you cross the Chicago River, you will encounter two awe inspiring architectural masterpieces, The Tribune Tower and The Wrigley Building, these early example skyscrapers are both world renown.

In 1922 the Chicago Tribune sponsored an International Design Competition challenging architects to design "the most beautiful office building in the world," the result was the Tribune Tower.

This marvelous Gothic skyscraper, built in 1925, features soaring flying buttresses on the tower and artistically executed doorways, balconies and alcoves.  One of the most unique features of the Tribune Tower are the many fragments of other world monuments.

These architectural artifacts are at ground level so be sure to take some time looking for them.  You will find stones and carvings from The Taj Mahal, Edinburgh Castle, The Alamo, Ancient Chinese Temples, the Vatican and many, many more.  It might make modern day preservationists cringe, but as I said, this is a building from an earlier era, when archaeology was a true adventure, and industrialists funded their quests!

Located on Michigan Avenue on the north bank of the Chicago River, The Wrigley Building is one of America's most recognized and most attractive office buildings, it is also the quintessential symbol of the City of Chicago.

The architectural design of this gleaming white terracotta structure is quite unique and owes its beautiful design to a stylistic adaptation of French Renaissance combined with distinctive Spanish influences.   

The Wrigley Building stands 425 feet tall and has a combined interior space of 453,433 square feet.  At night the building is beautifully illuminated (as you very likely noticed in our banner photo at the top of this page.)
 

The Magnificent Mile, the best shopping in the world!

Chicago's Magnificent Mile is likely one of the most famous shopping districts in the world. The dreams of shoppers are answered here with over 460 retailers of all descriptions lining the street! 

The Magnificent Mile offers a diverse mix of American and International styles representing virtually all of the grandest names in fashion, leisure, and within the realm of 'uber bling.'  The street also offers unforgettable encounters with the tasty delights of some of the most famous confectioners in the world!  (Do not miss the Hershey's Chicago Store Bake shoppe!)

The Gardens and Art Of the Magnificent Mile.

As a benefit of the wonderfully broad streets and sidewalks the 'Mile' is lined with large planters, lush gardens, ornamental trees, and impressive sculpture.  The gardens are certainly an attraction in their own right and they also serve as a platform for continually refreshed sidewalk art shows and holiday displays.  Spend some time enjoying these colorful and fragrant exhibits.