Top Illinois Arts & Design in 2026

Explore the historic Loop District of Chicago on a private walking tour that delves into the city's architectural legacy. With an expert guide, visit iconic skyscrapers and stunning lobbies, learning the fascinating stories behind their designs. This 2.5-hour tour is perfect for architecture enthusiasts and curious travelers alike, providing a unique perspective on the birthplace of modern skyscrapers. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, discover why Chicago's skyline is renowned worldwide. - Private tour lasting 2.5 hours, perfect for families and small groups - Visit landmark buildings like The Sullivan Center and The Rookery - Expert local guide shares insider knowledge about architectural history - Flexible meeting points available for your convenience

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.

This self-guided bike tour traces Chicago's reinvention from the ashes of the Great Fire to the skyline that rose in its place, pedaling the Lakefront Trail with Lake Michigan on one side and the city's icons on the other. The route begins near Navy Pier and rolls through Museum Campus, past the Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, and Field Museum. Buckingham Fountain and the towering Willis Tower come next, followed by Millennium Park's Cloud Gate — Chicago's beloved "Bean." A quick pass through the Loop takes in the Chicago Theatre, State Street, and Union Station before crossing the Chicago River. Stories of the Great Fire and the innovators who rebuilt the city play through your headphones the whole way. Perfect for first-time visitors, casual cyclists, and anyone craving a fresh angle on the city. Download the VoiceMap app and enter the ticket code from your confirmation email to start riding.

Step into the birthplace of the modern skyscraper on this immersive walking tour through Chicago’s historic Loop. Discover the stories, innovations, and hidden details behind the buildings that shaped the modern city. What makes this experience unique: • Small-group tour for a more personal experience • Story-driven guiding that brings Chicago’s architecture to life • Focus on early skyscrapers and hidden architectural details • Visit iconic landmarks in the historic Loop • One complimentary copy of my book, Chicago Beyond the Bean, is included per booking.

Explore Chicago's iconic skyline on this enlightening Riverwalk architectural tour. Experience the rich tapestry of history and innovation as "you get your steps in" along the scenic Riverwalk, revealing the stories behind the city’s most celebrated structures. Expert guides will share insights into the work of renowned architects like Mies van der Rohe and Jeanne Gang, showcasing the stunning interplay of glass, steel, and water. Ideal for architecture enthusiasts and first-time visitors alike, this tour offers a unique perspective on the Windy City’s vibrant culture and architectural beauty. - Discover Chicago’s architectural evolution from Art Deco to modern designs - Guided insights from experts on legendary architects and their masterpieces - Enjoy a scenic stroll along the picturesque Riverwalk - Perfect for both architecture lovers and those new to Chicago

An amazing, local's guided tour of one of Chicago's coolest neighborhoods. Learn the history and get advice from a local who knows this area and make your Chicago experience a memorable one. Get out of downtown, come and experience the neighborhoods that make Chicago the great city that it is. Looking forward to seeing you!

Visit the most beautiful interiors in Chicago with a local guide bringing their stories to life. Step into stunning centuries-old architecture on a guided walking tour of downtown Chicago. We go in buildings no other walking tour explores. Enter the Gold Coast, historic churches, and hear stories of wealth, scandal, and corruption. Your guide will set off on a journey through the heart of downtown Chicago's Gold Coast. Visit historic sites tied back to Abraham Lincoln, Pope Leo, and even Al Capone. Hear about the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893, which ushered in a vision of 20th-century society. This tour is designed for casual travelers and architecture hounds alike. Go where no other walking tours visit, only on Chicago Architecture: Gilded Interiors.

Skip the lines and uncover ancient wonders at Chicago’s Field Museum, home to SUE, the world’s most complete T. rex. Marvel at dazzling artifacts, real mummies, and hidden treasures from lost civilizations. Step into a world of discovery and adventure! Tour is available in following language: English Spanish & French Highlights: • Explore the Field Museum of Natural History with a 5-Star Private Guide • Skip the line and dive straight into world-class exhibits with ease • See SUE the T. rex, ancient mummies, and dazzling gemstones up close • Learn fascinating secrets of dinosaur fossils and Ancient Egypt artifacts • Discover millions of years of history with expert insights at every step Stand face-to-face with a giant T. rex and unlock the mysteries of ancient worlds with Rosotravel! Experience the magic of Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History with Skip-the-Line Tickets and a Licensed Private Guide. Step into adventure with us today!

Dive into the center of the architectural boom of the roaring 1920s and take a chance to enjoy the grand facades of the Art Deco skyscrapers on this guided walking tour. Go back in history while admiring one of the epicenters of the style’s birth. Immerse yourself into the life of the Windy City between World War I and World War II, the time when the design evolved and turned into neo archaic Mesoamerican grandeur, which can’t leave anyone indifferent. Be delighted with the variety of decorations and geometrical shapes which distinguish Art-Deco from Neoclassicism. Uncover the stories behind the famous Loop district of Chicago. Delve into the atmosphere of the 1920s as you listen to more insights and facts from your enthusiastic local guide. Overview the history and pay attention to the details you wouldn’t notice without a tour. Grab the chance to get inside famous buildings and revel in the Art Deco interiors.

What do the artists Picasso, Chagall, Miro, and Kapoor all have in common? Incredible public art hiding in plain sight amidst world famous architecture. Tour Chicago in a small group perfect for busy sidewalks and get up close to monumental art! Join one of our expert guides on this unique and exclusive 2.5 hour guided walking tour of Downtown Chicago. Highlights Include: Edward Kemeys’s “Lions” Juame Plensa’s “Crown Fountain” Anish Kapoor’s “Cloud Gate” (The Bean) Eduardo Kobra’s “Muddy Waters” Pablo Picasso’s “Untitled” Joan Miro’s “Chicago” Alexander Calder’s “Flamingo” Marc Chagall’s “Four Seasons” Louis Comfort Tiffany Art Glass Creation Augustus St. Gaudens “Abraham Lincoln” Marcel Francois Loyau “Clarence Buckingham Fountain”

• Skip the lines and explore the world-renowned Field Museum with a ticket and a digital tour - all in one app • Get into an Ancient Egyptian tomb and learn incredible facts about mummification and death rituals • Meet face-to-face with the largest predator that ever walked on Earth, SUE the Tyrannosaurus rex • Follow billions of years of evolution to see the 3.2-million-year-old Lucy, the oldest human fossil • Feel like on a wildlife-watching expedition walking along the Nature Walk amidst detailed dioramas

Don’t miss Chicago’s famous sights and fabulous views on this award-winning private sightseeing tour of the city. Travel through Chicago with an expert guide on a comfortable minibus, stopping at iconic locations like early skyscraper "The Rookery" (Frank Lloyd Wright architecture), Museum Campus (for the BEST skyline view in town), Millennium Park (The Bean), Buckingham Fountain, The Magnificent Mile, Lincoln Park, Chicago River, The Gold Coast, Lake Shore Drive and more! Along the way, your guide will provide historical and informational commentary about the area and its beautiful attractions. Your private tour ensures a more personal experience. If you would like to take the tour at a time other than what is offered, please note in special requests field when booking. The best way to tour at this time! Sanitized vehicles with just your group.

This short but sweet and unique adventure will take you on a 2-hour walking tour by the interiors of the most iconic buildings of Chicago downtown. Dive into the extravaganza of splendid hidden gems of the city as you explore the details that no mainstream tours can offer. The itinerary is thoroughly designed by a professional local guide who knows every corner of the Chicago skyscrapers. • Get beyond the famous facades to experience the surprising interiors of the neighborhood • Follow your local guide to discover what’s hidden from most of the tourists • Be provided with fun and surprising facts about the destinations • The tour is interesting for the Chi guests as well as for the residents.

Explore Chicago’s vibrant street art and creative neighborhoods on a private, fully personalized tour. Travel in comfort with your English-speaking driver, who shares insights into the city’s artistic communities, mural culture, and the stories behind each neighborhood. Begin in Pilsen Murals District, famous for colorful public artworks celebrating local heritage, then visit the National Museum of Mexican Art to see traditional and contemporary exhibits. Continue along 16th Street Murals Corridor, featuring large-scale murals reflecting social movements and cultural identity. Next, explore Fulton Market, a trendy district filled with galleries, restaurants, and creative spaces, and finish at Wabash Arts Corridor in downtown, where towering murals create a striking open-air gallery. This flexible, door-to-door private tour offers an immersive, relaxed way to experience Chicago’s dynamic art scene and creative spirit.

Skip the lines to the iconic Art Institute of Chicago and marvel at world-famous masterpieces by Monet, Van Gogh, and Picasso. Dive into a treasure trove of art, history, and culture at one of the oldest and most celebrated museums in the U.S. Tour is available in following language: English Spanish & French Highlights: • Private Tour of the Art Institute of Chicago • 5-Star Licensed Guide fluent in your chosen language • Skip-the-Line Tickets to the Art Institute of Chicago • Insightful stories about world-famous masterpieces, including works by Monet, Van Gogh, and Picasso • Expert guidance through Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and Modern Art collections Discover the rich art and cultural heritage of Chicago with Rosotravel on an exclusive private tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets to the iconic Art Institute. Enjoy the luxury of a personalized itinerary led by a Licensed Private Guide. Uncover the magic of Chicago’s artistic treasures today!

Step into Chicago’s past and explore the story of America’s first model industrial town on this guided walking tour through the Pullman Historic District. Once the heart of George Pullman’s luxury railcar empire, this neighborhood is now a National Monument that beautifully preserves its 19th-century charm and revolutionary history. Wander past rows of red-brick homes, elegant civic buildings, and historic landmarks as your local guide shares the fascinating rise and fall of the Pullman Company—and how a workers’ strike here forever changed labor rights across the country. - Explore a National Monument – Walk through one of the best-preserved 19th-century industrial communities in the United States. - Visit historic landmarks – See the Pullman Administration Building, Hotel Florence, Greenstone Church, and the Pullman Historic Foundation Visitor Center. - Discover labor movement history – Learn how the famous 1894 Pullman Strike shaped the future of workers’ rights in America.