Top Illinois Arts & Design

Get a front row perspective on the exquisite buildings that line the Chicago River during a 45-minute architecture cruise. Hear live commentary about the history and architectural heritage of Chicago on this family-friendly tour, which highlights landmarks such as the Chicago Riverwalk, Michigan Avenue Bridge, Wrigley Building, and Willis Tower. Sit on the open-air top deck or the sheltered bottom deck for the ultimate view of Chicago.

Discover the hidden gems of Chicago’s Loop area on a walking tour that showcases the best of the neighborhood’s stunning interiors and architectural must-sees. Step behind the facades to explore beautifully designed interiors—from art deco spaces to stained glass mosaics—as you follow a carefully curated route led by a guide. Along the way, learn about the city’s architecture, art, and history, and experience a side of Chicago often missed by travelers, all from a local’s perspective.

Step aboard a boat for a comprehensive cruise that details the history of Chicago's architecture. Enjoy views of the Chicago skyline accompanied by architecture-focused commentary that points out each of the landmark buildings. As you cruise through Lake Michigan, snap photos of you and your party against the stretch of Chicago's 26-mile shoreline.

Voted the #1 Immersive Art Experience in America by USA Today readers in 2024, Color Factory Chicago celebrates the joy of color. Guests embark on a bright and colorful journey through 14+ immersive installations that inspire joy and human connection, expand boundaries of perception, encourage play, and engage the senses in unexpected ways. Fun for all ages, each visit includes surprise giveaways, sweet treats, and complimentary digital photos. From the lobby to the gift shop and every colorful moment in between, our spaces are as inclusive as they are dynamic and celebratory. Each room is designed in partnership with an exceptional roster of local and international artists and collaborators. Jump into color with us! Please note: At least ONE person's ID must match the name on ONE ticket. If no one in your party has an ID matching the name on one ticket, you will not be allowed entry. Minors under the age of 18 will not be allowed inside without a parent or guardian.

Admire some of the Windy City's most iconic views—and enjoy a time-saving, relaxing way to sightsee—aboard this pet-friendly Chicago River architecture boat tour. With commentary from your onboard guide, watch the spectacular skyline glide by, including dozens of notable buildings, like the Wrigley Building and the John Hancock Building. In just one tour, you cover multiple branches of the Chicago River and learn insider facts and stories you'd otherwise miss.

Explore one of the country’s great art museums—and discover many of its collection highlights—on this small-group Art Institute of Chicago tour. Meet your guide right out front, and see works from artists the likes of Picasso, Chagall, Seurat, O’Keeffe, and many more. As you go, your guide will share the stories behind the masterpieces, and will help bring the history of the museum and its collection to life.

The Art Institute of Chicago is home to over 300,000 works of art by local and international artists. With so much to explore, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all of the options during a visit. Sit back and let an expert guide handle the planning as they take you through the museum’s major pieces. Learn about the history and context behind each piece in this culturally enriching experience.

Relive this city’s most remarkable historic events while visiting the towering buildings, fascinating sculptures, and beloved public spaces built by generations of Chicago laborers who brought to life the ingenious ideas of some of the world’s most influential designers.

Exploring Oak Park, Illinois, where Frank Lloyd Wright resided during the crucial early years of his career, offers a captivating journey through the evolution of his architectural vision. The neighborhood is renowned for hosting the largest collection of Wright's work. Built between 1892 and 1909, your stroll through the neighborhood takes you to several private homes and Wright’s studio providing a fascinating glimpse into his creative progression and the birth of the iconic Prairie style. View the exteriors of nearly a dozen of Wright’s structures. This one-hour walking tour covers nearly a dozen homes on Chicago and Forest avenues and on Elizabeth Court.

Housed in the only remaining building from the 1893 World's Fair, Griffin MSI is a Chicago must-see. When visiting the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere, you'll experience a 40-foot tornado, climb aboard a World War II German submarine, take a run in a human-sized hamster wheel, descend into an Illinois coal mine, board a 727 hanging from the ceiling and much more! Griffin MSI is not a place where you walk around quietly and observe. You get involved in the fun — and learn — by doing. Just a few miles from downtown with convenient underground parking.

See the towers, piers and iconic landmarks along the Chicago River on an architectural cruise through the heart of the city. Enjoy complimentary refreshments on deck as you cruise down the historic waterway, while listening to fun stories and facts throughout the tour. Spot gargoyles that keep watch high above the city, and buildings that range from Neoclassical to Art Deco. Take in over fifty sites from Lake Point Tower to the Navy Pier, and see the Second City from the water.

See the Second City from the water with a sightseeing cruise along the Chicago River and the Lake Michigan shoreline, offering a unique perspective of towering skyscrapers and historic architecture. This tour offers stories about the city’s history and culture as you pass by Chicago's landmarks, museums, and buildings. Capture unforgettable images of the city skyline from Lake Michigan, ensuring a unique look at Chicago, perfect for all ages.

Skip the hassle of planning your Chicago itinerary with this convenient hop-on hop-off tour, covering the city's must-see sights. With multiple strategically located stops, explore the Windy City at your own pace, hopping off to visit top attractions like the iconic Art Institute and famous skyscrapers. Enjoy insightful audio commentary as you cruise through the city, learning about its rich history and vibrant culture. Perfect for first-time visitors or those short on time, this tour offers flexibility and ease, ensuring you don’t miss any of Chicago’s highlights. Book your ticket today and experience the best of Chicago hassle-free!

Explore the architectural genius of Frank Lloyd Wright on a private, fully personalized tour in Chicago, home to the world’s largest collection of his buildings. Travel in comfort with your English-speaking driver, who shares insights into Wright’s life, ideas, and influence on modern architecture. Begin at the Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio, where he lived and developed many revolutionary designs. Continue through the Oak Park to admire beautifully preserved Prairie School homes and early residential works. Visit Unity Temple, one of Wright’s most celebrated modern religious buildings, then return toward Chicago to see The Rookery Building with its grand lobby and intricate design. Conclude at Robie House, a masterpiece of Prairie School architecture showcasing Wright’s signature horizontal lines and integration with the landscape. This flexible experience offers architecture enthusiasts a relaxed way to explore Wright’s legacy and the evolution of modern American design.

Step into the captivating realm of illusions, where reality is never exactly as it appears. Museum of Illusions is a one-of-a-kind, visual, sensory, and educational experience designed to engage your sense of wonder and challenge perceptions through the science behind optical illusions. We offer over 50 immersive, hands-on exhibits to explore. Our illusion rooms, installations and holograms let you defy gravity, grow and shrink your body, walk into a life-size kaleidoscope, and play tricks on your senses at every turn. It’s a mind-bending journey that deceives the senses and reveals how the brain interprets reality.

Explore the surprising beauty and history of the Windy City with this combo tour of Chicago’s Millennium Park and Riverwalk! Snap a picture by the famous Cloud Gate sculpture and get away from the hustle and bustle in the city’s most iconic park. Then, stroll along the picturesque riverside, admire Chicago’s totally unique architecture, and learn the fascinating stories behind the city’s skyline. This combo is the easiest, best way to get to know this complex city! After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

Discover the stories, styles, and spirit that built Chicago into the architectural capital of the world. On this walking tour through the Loop, you’ll explore the birthplace of the skyscraper, visit landmarks like the Chicago Theatre, the Pablo Picasso at the Daley Plaza, and Millennium Park, and see how the city rose from the Great Fire to define modern design. Led by a friendly local guide who’s passionate about Chicago’s history and architecture, this tour brings the skyline to life one building, story, and photo stop at a time. Whether you’re an architecture enthusiast, a first-time visitor, or a curious local, you’ll walk away seeing Chicago in a whole new way.

Get an insider's introduction to Chicago's most celebrated buildings during this architecture-focused walking tour of Michigan Avenue, State Street, and the vibrant Loop area. Revisit the heyday of the skyscraper and visit stunning, art deco-era interiors, from the Palmer House Hotel to the Chicago Cultural Center. Admission to the Chicago Architecture Center is included, with an introduction by the docent.

Delve into the world of natural history with admission to Chicago’s Field Museum. Choose general admission or upgrade to visit one or more special exhibits. Spend as long as you like exploring the museum's extensive collection of artifacts. Get to know SUE, the world's largest T. Rex, or stroll through the sparkling Hall of Gems. Also take advantage of daily tours led by knowledgeable Field Museum docents, free with admission.

Discover one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s enduring masterpieces—and learn all about the Prairie school of architecture—when you visit his Oak Park Home and Studio. Known as the birthplace for Wright’s vision of American architecture, the landmark is recognizable for its flowing rooms and rich, wooden textures. Book your ticket before you travel to guarantee your admission: you can join a tour offered by the venue.

Enjoy a quintessential Chicago experience—and see more of the city's highlights in less time—on an architecture-themed boat tour of the Chicago River. Pick from multiple convenient start times, and board your vessel directly from the Chicago Riverwalk. Thanks to your trained docent guide, receive a rich introduction to the Windy City’s history, key landmarks, and architectural highlights—and spy landmarks like the Marina City towers and Navy Pier from the water’s edge.

Chicago is famous for its architecture, and the best way to see it is on a cruise down the Chicago River. Glide by historic and modern marvels like the Civic Opera House, Wrigley Building, and Willis Tower from the comfort of an open-deck boat. Live narration reveals each building’s fascinating history, so you'll learn more than you would just observing on your own.

Experience Chicago like a true insider on this top-rated walking tour that blends the city’s most iconic food, awe-inspiring architecture, and rich history — all in one unforgettable day. From deep-dish pizza to legendary skyscrapers, you’ll taste, see, and learn what makes the Windy City a world-class destination. Led by expert local guides and limited to just 12 guests, this immersive, small-group tour is the perfect way to discover the real Chicago — not just the tourist spots.