tour a architecture

Chicago River Boat Architecture Tours

Chicago River Tours | Fireworks Tours | Jazz/Cocktail Tours

River Boat Tours

Book your tour now, book by phone: (708) 488-6343, about the tours, chicago river boat architecture tours .

Welcome to Chicago River Boat Architecture Tours!  We’re proud to present you with an in-depth, expert architectural-based river boat tour that delves into one of the most remarkable American cities today. Known for unique, daring, and historical architectural pursuits, it’s hard to cover all of the design and building treasures that make up the Windy City today. If you’re ready to learning more about the designs, people, and innovations behind these creations, throw on your captains hat and get ready to cruise along the Chicago River and see what architects from around the world travel to see in Chicago.

About The Chicago River Boat Architecture Tours

Chicago is known around the world for its architectural feats, both inside and outside of the buildings. From the 100-year-old Art Deco, Neo-Classical, and Gothic Towers, to some of the tallest modern-day skyscrapers, Chicago is where old meets futuristic architectural endeavors. It has something for everyone in a way that no other city replicates today.

Why Tour Chicago’s Architecture with Us?

We are born-and-raised Chicagoans ourselves, passionate about the community that we know and love. That passion and desire spills into all of our tours, drawing on personal experiences for curating a tour that just can’t be duplicated by a book or a movie. We want you to experience everything firsthand. Why tour with us?

• Expertise: All of our tour guides are either architects, architecture students, or architecture historians, making for an in-depth and personally rooted kind of touring experience that covers all of the discreet details.
• Variety: We offer a variety of uniquely different tours that cover everyone’s individual taste. We offer the Chicago River Boat Architecture Tour that takes you down the famous Chicago River; there are several different options such as Architecture, History, Cocktail Cruises and Firework Viewing Tours
• Flexibility : We want you to enjoy your Chicago River Boat touring experience, which is why we’re happy to talk with you and learn more about how our tours can accommodate you, your party, or your corporate outing. Our tours run daily, with availability always posted on our website here.

Our Tours  

• Chicago River Boat Architecture Tour : When in Chicago, cruising down the Chicago River is  a must. Except with us, you’ll be taking in the architecture of the buildings that line the beautiful river. We provide detailed explanations of the construction and history of over 50 significant buildings, wrapping up at the end of the river.
• Chicago River Boat Cocktail Tour : Join us for this great Architecture Tour while sipping craft cocktails, beer or wine available for purchase at our bar on board!
• Lake Michigan Navy Pier Fireworks Cruise :  Fireworks, one of the Four Great Inventions of ancient China were invented in the 12th century. Chicago approved City-Wide Use of Fireworks on the 4th of July 1893,. Mayor of Chicago Patrick Eugene Prendergast issued a proclamation approving the use of fireworks to celebrate the World’s Colombian Exposition and to celebrate the nation’s 117th Independence Day. This fascination with fireworks, noise, and color continues today. The City of Chicago offers a fireworks show at Navy Pier on Saturday nights at 10:15 p.m. The Fireworks Cruise sails on both the Chicago River and Lake Michigan each Saturday at 8:30 pm.

Our Commitment to Your Touring Experience

We believe that tours should be entertaining, enlightening, informational, and perfectly organized, every single time. A tour shouldn’t feel laborious in any way; you should feel an effortless inclination to learn more about what we present at your fingertips. With our Chicago architectural tours, that’s exactly what we strive to provide, basing each tour from the perspective of an expert with the real-life example in the background.

If you’re thinking about booking a tour with us, know that our commitment to flexibility and accessible makes our Chicago Architecture Tours easy and convenient:

• 3 pm *Not Available Friday thru Sunday Summer Months*
• 6:30 pm (Jazz Band, Cocktail w/bar) *Sunday Only*
• 8 pm (Wednesdays)
• 8:30 pm (Saturdays)
• Seniors $48
• Youths $30 (7-12 years old)
• Children 6 and under Free

BOOK YOUR TOUR TODAY

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Chicago river boat cocktail tour.

Join us in the evening to sip cocktails while cruising the historic Chicago River! Get the same tour just with a cocktail in your hand! Premium bar on board with craft cocktails, wine and beer available for purchase. Drinks may be purchased individually with a credit card on the boat. Tour Information Pricing Adults $49… Continue reading Chicago River Boat Cocktail Tour

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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… Continue reading Chicago River Boat Architectural Tour

Lake Michigan Navy Pier Fireworks Cruises (w/ Architecture Tour)

Enjoy your favorite drink while gazing Chicago’s magnificent architecture and finish your cruise with fabulous light show, at Navy Pier. Fireworks, one of the Four Great Inventions of ancient China were invented in the 12th century. Chicago approved City-Wide Use of Fireworks on the 4th of July 1893,. Mayor of Chicago Patrick Eugene Prendergast issued… Continue reading Lake Michigan Navy Pier Fireworks Cruises (w/ Architecture Tour)

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CHICAGO'S ORIGINAL ARCHITECTURE TOUR®

BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE

Choose your adventure, chicago river architecture tour (90 minutes).

Take in the world-renowned architecture as our expert guides tell the story of 130 years of architectural innovation.

We like our drinks stiff, not our tour guides.

Chicago River Architecture Tour (45 minutes)

This family-friendly introduction to the Windy City's rich history and architectural heritage features highlights from Wendella's full-length architecture tours.

The Ultimate Chicago experience.

We're In the People Business

This was one tour that I can honestly say was worth doing & probably should be a must do/ see on your visit to Chicago.

Ginette, 2023

We were recommended the architecture boat tour by a few locals and it was absolutely amazing!! Beautiful views from anywhere you sat and an extremely knowledgeable and funny tour guide led the trip. Great value for money and so so worth it. Thank you!!

Jessica W, 2024

The skyline was beautiful and the buildings all shined differently. Pictures come out amazing!

Christina, 2023

SEE FOR YOURSELF

Book your experience now.

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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.

Photograph: Shutterstock

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

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

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 architecture tours and cruises

From Gothic Revival survivors of the Great Chicago Fire to the birth and evolution of the modern skyscraper, the Chicago skyline is a mesmerizing homage to legendary architects and groundbreaking styles. And the best way to dive into it all is on a Chicago architecture tour.

Here’s an overview of some of the city’s amazing architecture tours, from in-depth walking tours to boat cruises along the Chicago River or Lake Michigan shoreline.

In this article

Chicago architecture boat tours, chicago architecture walking tours, chicago architecture bus tours.

Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise A top-rated architecture experience, this relaxing boat cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady is known for its expert tour guides who share the stories behind more than 50 significant buildings.

Chicago Fireboat Tours Come aboard a real Chicago fireboat and cruise the same waterways where the historic ship once fought fires. The expert guides will highlight architecture, history, and the boat itself as you sail from Lake Michigan onto the Chicago River.

Wendella Tours and Cruises Choose your own adventure on Wendella’s architecture tours. This long-running cruise company offers lake and river excursions, with shorter and more in-depth options.

Mercury, Chicago’s Skyline Cruiseline Admire the city’s stunning skyline on this informative boat tour that covers both Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. The live narration covers the city’s rich history while pointing out architectural icons along the way.

Shoreline Sightseeing Company Discover the city and its iconic skyline from the water on these guided tours. Choose between exploring all three branches of the Chicago River or sailing down the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Tall Ship Windy You’re in for a truly unique experience aboard this 148-foot, traditional four-masted schooner, where you’ll sail Chicago’s scenic lakeshore and learn about the history of the city and its world-famous architecture.

City Cruises Admire dramatic riverfront views while enjoying an elegant meal aboard this all-glass vessel, where your brunch or lunch is accompanied by informative narration and picture-perfect views.

Inside Chicago Walking Tours Hear about the hidden details and real stories of Chicago’s legendary architecture on an Inside Chicago Walking Tour. These in-depth tours take you inside some of the city’s most fascinating buildings, from Art Deco masterpieces to famous movie locations.

Free Tours by Foot The name says it all. These budget-friendly excursions use a “pay-what-you-can” model. Their architecture-themed tour takes you along the Chicago Riverwalk and throughout the Loop and Millennium Park.

Tours With Mike Led by an award-winning guide, Tours With Mike offers a unique perspective on the city’s architecture. One popular route is the Ugly Buildings tour, an “educational roast” of some of Chicago’s lesser-known spots.

Chicago Greeter For the architecture junkie who’s also on a budget, the free Chicago Greeter program pairs you with a local who’ll highlight either downtown or in your pick of the city’s neighborhoods. If you don’t get a chance to register in advance, look into an on-the-spot InstaGreeter  walk instead.

MetroWalkz Self-Guided Walking Tours Explore Chicago at your own pace with a free, self-guided walking tour. Just select one of MetroWalkz’s digital, mobile-friendly tours, showcasing several unique areas of the city. Their Loop Architecture Tour will give you a good overview of Chicago’s downtown.

Big Bus Chicago : These hop-on, hop-off bus tours are a great way to explore Chicago’s architecture at your own pace. The route cruises by all the city’s top landmarks. Hop on to hear pre-recorded commentary, hop off to get out and explore on your own.

Chicago Mahogany Tours : Immerse yourself in Chicago’s neighborhoods, from Bronzeville to Pullman, on these bus tours that touch on everything from architecture to culture, with an emphasis on Black history.

Chicago Architecture Center : These in-depth bus tours, led by seasoned guides, cover a wider variety of topics, like historic houses of worship, the Chicago World’s Fair, Gothic-style architecture, and beyond.

From this article

Tours & Attractions

Rookery building.

Absolutely Chicago Segway Tours

Chicago Detours

Online only

Skydeck Chicago

Inside Chicago Walking Tours

eVisitorGuide and MetroWalkz Tours

The Magnificent Mile

Special Event Venues

360 chicago observation deck.

Wendella Tours & Cruises

Mercury, Chicago’s Skyline Cruiseline

Shoreline Sightseeing Company

Streeterville

Chicago’s First Lady Cruises

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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.

Adults starting at

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.

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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Walking Tours

Experience L.A. architecture, art, and history with the Conservancy’s award-winning walking tours!

Not a member? Join today and get your free Union Station walking tour for FREE. No code needed. Must be logged in to access free tickets.

The Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, recognizing, and revitalizing cultural and architecturally significant historic places in Los Angeles. Through our tours, we bring people closer to the places important to the history of Los Angeles.

Featured Tours

Lawrence Halprin: Reconnecting the Heart of Los Angeles

July 13, 20, and 27.

Come experience famed landscape architect Lawrence Halprin’s plan to transform downtown Los Angeles through the use of open spaces.

Artistry in Architecture: A Millard Sheets Bus Tour

July 18, 2024.

Join us for an exciting bus tour featuring the iconic work of Millard Sheets in Los Angeles. Historian and author Adam Arenson leads us through some of Sheets’ most notable locations in Los Angeles.

Recurring Walking Tours

Our weekend tours are only $18 for members and $25 for the general public. 

Thank you for your support! Your purchase directly supports the Conservancy’s mission to preserve the historic places in Los Angeles County.

Check out our tour options below!

Angelino Heights

Every first saturday of the month at 10:00 a.m..

Explore this hidden Victorian neighborhood east of Echo Park, L.A.’s oldest suburb.

Saturdays at 10:15 a.m.

Everyone knows that L.A. is a glamorous city. But few know that true Old Hollywood glamour lies in the streets of downtown L.A.!

The Biltmore Hotel

Sundays at 1:00 p.m. (currently unavailable).

Known in its early days as “The Host of the Coast, the Biltmore Hotel has a glittering history to tell.

Unfortunately, the Biltmore Hotel tour is unavailable at this time. We hope to bring it back soon.

Broadway Historic Theatre and Commercial District Walking Tour

Saturdays at 10:00 a.m..

Step inside a lavish movie palace and learn how Hollywood history began on downtown L.A.’s Broadway.

Historic Downtown

Saturdays at 9:45 a.m..

Get a great overview of downtown L.A. history and architecture, from the eighteenth century to the present on this Saturday walking tour.

Modern Skyline

Second saturday of every month at 10:30 a.m..

Think skyscrapers aren’t historic? Think again! After seeing how downtown L.A. has evolved over the past century, you’ll see our beloved skyline in a whole new way.

Past Meets Present

Fourth saturday of every month at 10:30 a.m..

Stroll down L.A.’s Spring Street, one of the oldest in the city, and see a vibrant neighborhood thriving against the backdrop of this historic downtown corridor.

Union Station

Saturdays at 11:00 a.m..

Learn the backstory of L.A.’s iconic Union Station. This extraordinary Spanish Colonial Revival and Art Deco monument was built to serve as the gateway to Los Angeles – a role which, in many ways, it continues to play today. It continues to serve tens of thousands of commuters daily.

Group Tours (Virtual/In-Person)

Rates start at $240 for 12 people.

Arrange a private in-person or virtual walking tour for your group.

Student Walking Tour Field Trips

Rates start at $10 per student/one chaperone free per 10 students.

Conservancy student field trips are great choices for students, Scouts, youth groups, homeschoolers, and more!

Walking Tours FAQs

Learn more about our Walking Tour Program, including important policies and information.

Who Gives the Walking Tours?

Los Angeles Conservancy-trained volunteer tour guides primarily lead tours.

Who are the Los Angeles Conservancy Tour Guides?

Los Angeles Conservancy tour guides are highly trained individuals, passionate about sharing their love of  Los Angeles, history, architecture, and preservation with others. They come to the Conservancy with unique backgrounds and experiences, but they all have the same goal—to share the story of Los Angeles’ places with others and to inspire a love for its historic buildings.

Tour Guide Training

All tour guides are volunteers who dedicate their time, energy, and knowledge to serve as the face of the Los Angeles Conservancy’s Walking Tour Program. Each guide undergoes a rigorous six-week training course that consists of in-class and on-the-street training. They learn about architectural styles, the history of downtown and its diverse communities, and about preservation and the work of the Los Angeles Conservancy. They learn one to two different walking tours using scripts created by Conservancy staff and train under fellow Conservancy tour guides. Educational and safety workshops are held throughout the year that enable guides to continue their training and meet Conservancy walking tours’ high standards.

Please visit our volunteers page for information about becoming a Los Angeles Conservancy volunteer tour guide .

Reservations Required

Advanced registration is required for walking tours. At this time, we are not accepting walk-ups.

Prices and Policies

Tours cost $10 for Los Angeles Conservancy members and youth seventeen and under; $15 for the general public.

Conservancy members can make  four adult reservations  at the member rate per tour.

All sales are final — no refunds.  You may change your reservation date if you contact us at least 24 hours before the tour date on your original reservation.

Please, no pets. Strollers are not recommended.

Please see our information about group tours for groups of twelve or more people.

Registration typically closes  2 hours before the tour .

Responsibility and Release

All participants in the Los Angeles Conservancy-sponsored Walking Tours knowingly and freely accept and assume all risks, both known and unknown ,  including contracting and/or transmitting COVID-19 and any other communicable diseases ,  and AGREE TO RELEASE, DEFEND, INDEMNIFY, NOT SUE, AND HOLD HARMLESS the Los Angeles Conservancy, its principals, officers, employees, volunteers, sponsors, agents and other participants from any and all claims, damages (including medical expenses and attorneys’ fees), injuries and expenses arising out of, or resulting from your voluntary attendance/participation in Walking Tours, including contracting and/or transmitting COVID-19 and any other communicable diseases and any and all other injury, illness, disability, death, or loss or damage to person or property.  All participants expressly waive the benefits of California Civil Code 1542 , which provides that: “A general release does not extend to claims that the creditor or releasing party does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release and that, if known by him or her, would have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor or released party.”

Check out what people are saying about our tours!

We are grateful for the kind support of our walking tours sponsor!

Major funding for the Los Angeles Conservancy’s educational programs is provided by the LaFetra Foundation and the Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation.

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Downtown Detroit's essential architecture: A walking tour

Lace up your walking shoes or hop aboard the People Mover : it’s time to take a tour of the best architecture in downtown Detroit.

Downtown you’ll find a variety of building styles—Beaux Arts, Art Deco, midcentury modern, postmodern—designed by a number of seminal architects like Albert Kahn, Minoru Yamasaki, C. Howard Crane, and more.

We didn't include all of our favorites, just the most recognizable. The Penobscot stands tall in the skyline, as does the Ren Cen and One Detroit (or Ally Detroit). While others, like the Guardian Building and the David Whitney, have some of the most beautiful lobbies in the city.

If you find yourself in Capitol Park or Harmonie Park , we have separate maps for those areas, which are both seeing a surge in renovations.

Time to head out and explore the city!

• Detroit’s most iconic buildings
• Detroit’s Art Deco masterpieces
• Detroit’s public art essentials

No tour of downtown Detroit is complete without a walk along the surreal, unique, and controversial Hart Plaza . A site for numerous public events, the largely concrete space that contains several futuristic sculptures can also lead you to the riverfront.

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Where to watch Detroit’s 2019 Ford Fireworks

One Woodward Avenue

Designed by Minoru Yamasaki and opened in 1963 as the Michigan Consolidated Gas Company, One Woodward stands 32 stories high right across from Hart Plaza and houses offices (most recently home to Fifth Third Bank). Also look for the ballerina sculpture out front.

Guardian Building

Detroit's Cathedral of Finance. Opened in 1929, the Art Deco masterpiece got contributions from a number of major architects: Smith, Hinchman & Grylls was the lead architect with additional designs by Wirt C. Rowland and Donaldson & Meier. The Guardian is blessed with one of the most incredible lobbies in the world. Pure Detroit leads tours on the weekends, and it's worth stopping in any day to take in the multicolor Aztec designs.

Penobscot Building

Smith, Hinchman & Grylls and Wirt C. Rowl also designed the 47-story Penobscot Building, opened in 1928. Another Art Deco gem in the city, the building was the tallest in Michigan until the Renaissance Center. It's home to offices now, and we're hoping that red orb shines again soon.

David Stott Building

The 38-story Art Deco building, designed by Donaldson & Meier and opened in 1929, features sculptures by Corrado Parducci. It was vacant for a few years due to burst pipes and flooding. Dan Gilbert and Bedrock bought the building, and redeveloped it into 107 luxury apartments.

The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit

Designed by Louis Kamper and completed in 1924, the Book Cadillac was abandoned in the 1980s and then underwent a $200 million renovation in 2008. It's now one of the classiest hotels in town, with condos in the upper floors that are going for more than $1 million .

The Italian Renaissance masterpiece designed by Louis Kamper saw its 13-story building open in 1917 and its 36-story tower open in 1926. Vacant since 2009, it was bought by Dan Gilbert’s Bedrock in 2015 and has since been undergoing renovations. It announced ODA as the architecture lead  for the redevelopment and released some preliminary design plans. It’s expected to  cost $313 million  and be finished in 2022.

The David Whitney

Built in 1915 and designed by Graham, Burnham & Company, the David Whitney Building has one of the most spectacular lobbies in the city. It underwent a $92 million renovation that finished in 2014, restoring many of the original details.

Detroit’s best hotels for architecture and design lovers

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Fox Theatre

The Fox Theatre, designed by C. Howard Crane and opening in 1928, contains an eclectic and ornate mix of decorations in Egyptian, Far Eastern and Indian styles. The over-5,000-seat theatre built for the Fox Films chain became a National Historic Landmark in 1989.

The Ilitch family bought the building in 1987 and soon after completed a $12 million restoration, built a new marquee, and in 2006, added the multi-story and now iconic “FOX” tower with LED lights.

The most beautiful interiors in Detroit, mapped

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Metropolitan Building

Many thought the beautiful Metropolitan Building and its neighboring Wurlitzer Building would face demolition at some point. Now, both of these buildings have been renovated into hotels. A great way to visit would be on the Element Hotel’s rooftop bar .

Old Wayne County Building

An ornate work of Beaux Arts architecture, the 44,625-square-foot, 18-court room Wayne County Building was finished in 1902. Though the county left in 2010, the building is still in good shape, unlike others on this list. Parts of the building  have been restored  over the years, most recently in 2018. 

One Campus Martius

The Compuware Building, or One Campus Martius, is owned by Bedrock and home to offices for Compuware, Quicken Loans, and more. Opened in 2003, the airy atrium has a huge water feature and bamboo.

First National Building

This Albert Kahn–designed office building (built in 1922) has an updated lobby, with the Roasting Plant and Central Kitchen + Bar on the ground level. The building itself wraps around the block in a unique, irregular shape.

One Detroit Center

This striking building, designed by renowned architects John Burgee and Philip Johnson, is undoubtedly Detroit’s greatest example of postmodernism . Opened in 1993, the building’s most notable features are its four Neo-gothic spires pointing to the sky. At 43 stories, it’s also one of the tallest buildings in the state.

Michigan Historical Markers in Detroit you never knew existed

Detroit’s most iconic buildings, mapped

GM Renaissance Center

Designed by architect John Portman, the first phase of Detroit’s tallest building opened in 1977. It's still separated from the rest of downtown, but likely the most recognizable structure in Detroit. Get lost (literally) in its winding corridors and then finish your walking tour along the Riverwalk.

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Architecture Tours L.A.

If you want a unique L.A. experience, then this is the tour for you!

WELCOME TO ARCHITECTURE TOURS LOS ANGELES

Are you ready for a different kind of sight seeing tour? This is an excellent way to get to know the City of Angels. Our tours are guided by an architectural historian and guidebook author who knows her way around. Looking for something off the beaten path?  See the exciting structures that make L.A. the dynamic city it is and see the REAL Los Angeles!!!

Architecture Tours Los Angeles will introduce to you and explore the unique and fascinating architecture of Los Angeles. Long regarded as the city of the future, L.A. is home to some of the most original and innovative architecture in the United States and the world, as well as being home to virtually every conceivable historic style, reflecting the diversity and imagination of the people who live here.

Our various tours cover different neighborhoods in the city and highlight the architecture, history and culture of that area. The tours focus on unusual and outstanding architectural gems of this dynamic metropolis. You’ll see structures ranging in style from Egyptian Revival to Chateauesque and Tudor to sleek mid-Century modern to Post-Modern, all in the comfort of a deluxe van with bucket seats, strong air-conditioning and two sun roofs for maximum visibility.

Tour Descriptions

Tours offered daily usually at 10:00AM, by reservation Two person minimum required All tours driven in an air-conditioned mini-van with 2 sunroofs for maximum visibility More ...

Reservations

** Reservations are required! ** To make a reservation, call Architecture Tours L.A. at (323) 464-7868 or e-mail [email protected]. NOTE: Reservations are confirmed using Square, More ...

Books written by architectural historian Laura Massino Smith now available at http://www.amazon.com and http://www.schifferbooks.com Search by Author:Massino or Title:Architecture Tours L.A ** LATEST BOOK PUBLISHED More ...

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Together, our members offer specialised tours in 42 cities across 22 countries, hosted by knowledgeable local architects who are passionate about their cities., pick a city to find out more:, dubai abu dhabi, graz ljubljana, rio de janeiro, santiago de chile, download zone.

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The Best Way to See New York City Architecture

Aiany new york around manhattan architecture boat tour.

During this architecture boat tour of NYC, you will explore new and enduring architecture, engineering marvels, and the revitalized waterfront from the teak decks of Classic Harbor Line’s elegant motor yachts. This fully narrated NYC architecture boat tour is in collaboration with the AIANY (American Institute of Architects New York). The story of NYC’s development is described as a broad overview for visitors but includes deeper insights to satisfy demanding locals. During this New York architecture tour you’ll catch new and alluring sites including Little Island at Pier 55, the Hudson Yards “mega-project”, the continuing ascent of “supertall” luxury residential towers, and join a discussion of how cities might adapt in the post-Covid era.

Continuing education credits available »

Our AIANY Architecture Boat Tour makes a great gift! Purchase a CHL gift card at the link below

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AIANY Climate Change and Architecture Tour

Aiany industrial waterway tour into freshkills park, nyc architecture tours.

Join us for the best way to see NYC architecture as we cruise around the island of Manhattan with the American Institute of Architects (AIANY) as your guide. This is the most comprehensive and elegant sightseeing tour of the New York City skyline available.

Classic Harbor Line New York is proud to offer various architecture boat tours that are the best way to see New York City’s iconic buildings and classic architecture along the Hudson River, East River, Harlem River and NY Harbor. Tours include: AIANY Around Manhattan Architecture Tour, AIANY Climate Change Tour: Resiliency, Sustainable Architecture and the Future of NYC, the AIANY Around Manhattan Architecture tour in Spanish and AIANY Industrial Waterfront Tour to Freshkills Park.

Our meticulously designed 1920s-style yachts offer comfortable, teak-detailed, climate-controlled cabins with excellent sight lines to see all of NYC’s top landmarks. Guests are free to wander the decks for even greater New York skyline views!

What do the

Nyc architecture tours cover.

The best way to see the Manhattan skyline, are provided by AIANY guides and are scheduled almost daily. They offer visitors, locals, architecture tourists, and students insightful narration covering New York’s iconic landmarks, historic sights, modern architecture, and engineering feats including Art Deco spires, harbor monuments and infrastructure. See the Chrysler Building, World One Trade Center, the Statue of Liberty, and the Brooklyn Bridge, plus recent buildings by Frank Gehry, Renzo Piano and Bjarke Ingles, as well as other world-renowned architects. This NYC architecture tour is packed with the modern high-rise residential buildings, Super-talls, awe-inspiring structures that coat the NYC skyline!

The official NYC Architecture Cruise features are thematically linked to illustrate the transformation of NYC’s waterfront industry to booming residential development, ecologically-driven park design and resilient urban planning to accommodate storm surge and rising sea levels. The tour also covers themes related to housing and NYC infrastructure.

AIA CES 1.5 to 2.5 LU HSW Continuing Education Credits offered.

“A fabulous trip. There are many buildings in NY that are best seen from the water, and of course, the boat takes you close to the bridges. The docent was excellent – well informed, and his remarks were very well paced, giving us time to both listen and to look at the buildings (and landscape). The crew members were friendly and attentive, though never obtrusive. The boat feels quite luxurious, and there is a chance to walk around, go outside, or stay inside (the views from inside are very good. My friends and I had a wonderful time and learned a lot, and we plan to ask others to join us when we are all in NY. Very happy passengers, we were.”

– A Chicago Architecture Tour Guide

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Live Stream

Join the Times architecture critic Michael Kimmelman for virtual walking tours throughout New York City.

Chinatown: Time Travel Through a New York Gem

Wander down Doyers Street and then discover the monuments, parks and restaurants that have shaped the neighborhood for 150 years.

The East Village, Home of Punks and Poets: Here’s a Tour

Luc Sante, author of “Low Life,” chats about the neighborhood’s history, including CBGB, Warhol’s Electric Circus and the Tompkins Square Park riots.

Times Square, Grand Central and the Laws That Build the City

A virtual tour looks at the legal battles and innovations behind 42nd Street. Our critic chats with the Harvard professor Jerold S. Kayden.

Carnegie Hall and the Jewels of Midtown: Stroll the History

Our critic chats about the beloved stretch from the music hall to Lincoln Center around Central Park with the architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien

Jackson Heights, Queens: Walk Where the World Finds a Home

Stroll through the city’s most global neighborhood with the author Suketu Mehta, featuring Diversity Plaza, Roosevelt Avenue and the birth of Scrabble.

A Walk Through Harlem, New York’s Most Storied Neighborhood

Our critic chats with the architect David Adjaye about Hotel Theresa, Marcus Garvey Park, the home of Langston Hughes, the Y.M.C.A. and other landmarks.

When the Bronx Was a Forest: Stroll Through the Centuries

Yankee Stadium was the site of a salt marsh. Concourse Plaza was a valley. Our critic walks with Eric W. Sanderson, a conservation ecologist.

Take a Virtual Tour of the Financial District and the Battery

With workers in quarantine, the busy neighborhood now feels like a secret backyard for families. Our critic walks with the architect Claire Weisz.

Brooklyn, Before It Was a Global Brand: Walk Its History

A few hundred years in the borough, from the brownstones to the shipyards. Our critic chats with a fourth-generation Brooklynite and historian.

When Manhattan Was Mannahatta: A Stroll Through the Centuries

From lush forest to metropolis, the evolution of Lower Manhattan. Our critic walks with Eric W. Sanderson of the Wildlife Conservation Society

Brooklyn Bridge, Star of the City: Here’s a Tour

Our critic explores the bridge and the neighborhoods on either side with the architects Marion Weiss and Michael Manfredi.

Classic Skyscrapers Define New York. Take a Virtual Tour.

The epitome of the ‘Mad Men’ era, the sleek midcentury buildings of Park Avenue glimmer. Our critic strolls with the architect Annabelle Selldorf.

The Hidden Feats That Built New York’s Towering Skyscrapers

The ingenuity of engineers helped build landmarks like Black Rock and the new supertalls. Our critic takes a virtual tour with Guy Nordenson.

Rockefeller Center’s Art Deco Marvel: A Virtual Tour

When the complex opened in the 1930s, some mocked it. Now it’s a symbol of New York’s glory. Our critic chats with the historian Daniel Okrent.

The East River Waterfront Dazzles. Take a Virtual Tour.

With views of the water, skyline, bridges and piers, the promenade encapsulates New York’s history. Our critic walks with the architect Deborah Berke.

Take a Virtual Tour of New York’s Museum District

With the Metropolitan Museum shut during its anniversary, our critic strolls with a historian along a posh stretch of Fifth Avenue called Museum Mile.

Broadway Is Shuttered but Its Buildings Sing: A Virtual Tour

David Rockwell, the architect and Tony-winning show designer, talks about the stories and history behind his favorite theaters.

Thanks for touring with us!

Why a Chicago Architecture Tour Is the Best Way to See the City

 Sure, Chicago is a world-class city with a lot to offer. But for my family of Lego builders, Chicago’s architecture is a big deal. So when we recently visited the Windy City, we knew an architectural tour of Chicago would be one of the best ways to see the heart of the city.

When considering which tour to take, we did a bit of research – and we consistently heard that the guided tours from the Chicago Architecture Center were the best in the city. I contacted the Chicago Architecture Center to find out more about their famous offerings, and they kindly invited our family to join them for a nearly 2-hour walking tour to see Chicago landmarks.

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The Chicago Architecture Center

Most tours start at the Chicago Architecture Center (the CAC, formerly known as the Chicago Architecture Foundation). The center is located near the corner of Michigan Ave and E. Wacker Drive, right by the Chicago Riverwalk. I recommend making time before or after your tour to explore the exhibits in the CAC. My kids loved the scale models of the world’s notable buildings (the Burj Khalifa – the tallest structure in the world – took up two floors!). But one of the coolest parts of the center is the model of Chicago found on the lower floor. Kids can control a special lighting system that allows them to highlight the size of the city at different points throughout history. And while we were there, a Chicago Architecture Center docent used a laser pointer to show us our hotel on the model.

Pro-Tip: The CAC is across the street from a Fannie May Chocolates store. With candy, ice cream, cookies, and drinks, the shop is a great place to grab a snack before or after your tour.

The scale model of Chicago on the lower floor of the Chicago Architecture Center fascinated my kids. Photo by Christy Nicholson.

Our particular tour was Chicago Architecture: A Walk Through Time , which focused on the development of the city. Our expert guide gave us an overview of Chicago’s history. She began with the Native American tribes who originally inhabited the land and moved through the settlement of European immigrants and – of course – the Great Chicago Fire. One of the most fascinating parts of the tour for me was when we saw the iron faćade on the Page Brothers Building and learned that, during the fire, iron had melted off of similar buildings and run down the street.

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We also learned about different American architecture styles throughout history and how we could see them in each building we passed. Buildings I had previously dismissed as boring glass and steel structures took on new interest as I learned about the architects behind them, like Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Louis Sullivan. (But my heart always belongs to the extravagant details on Art Deco buildings.)

I loved seeing the Marina City towers in person. On every block of the architectural walking tour, we saw countless iconic buildings and fascinating details. Photo by Christy Nicholson.

One of the highlights of our tour was our knowledgeable tour guide. She welcomed everyone’s questions and answered them thoughtfully. I was amazed at her breadth of knowledge about architecture and the city’s history. As it turns out, her family has been in Chicago for generations and actually lost their homes during the city’s 1871 fire.

My kids were the youngest people on the tour, and our guide took a few moments to check in with them specifically and see if they had any questions they wanted to ask. 

Our guide knew the answer to every single question our group asked. Photo by Christy Nicholson.

The Downside

The negative part of the tour was the audio devices we were given. Our guide had a microphone that broadcast directly to our portable receivers, and the CAC gave us headphones so we could hear the tour above the noise and bustle of the city. However, the headphones and devices were of poor quality and cut out frequently due to shorts. We found ourselves wiggling cords and headphone jacks to make them work consistently. My youngest son ended up sharing headphones with my husband for most of the tour.

These listening devices definitely had room for improvement. Photo by Christy Nicholson.

What Ages Should Go on the Tour?

I recommend the walking tours for ages 10 and up. Due to the size of the tour group and the pace of the tour, it is not a stroller-friendly experience. Younger children may have trouble keeping up as the group walks around the city for an hour and a half. We had to dash through crosswalks frequently, and my 11-year-old definitely complained about sore feet towards the end (although he later said he wished the tour had been even longer). 

The best option for families with younger children is to book a private experience , which can accommodate many people in the same group. These tours pack information into a shorter period of time and are a great way to ensure a kid-friendly adventure. 

The large size of the group and quick pace of the tour means this experience is best for older children. Photo by Christy Nicholson.

Here’s everything you need to know when you visit Chicago to decide on an architecture tour. It’s the best way to see the heart of the city.

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What Tour Should I Choose?

We were really hoping to try one of the Chicago Architecture shoreline tours, but we visited early in the year before the river cruises opened. The cruise – a 90-minute tour on a boat charmingly named Chicago’s First Lady – sounds amazing for anyone interested in architecture, but I especially would recommend it for someone with mobility or accessibility concerns. You’ll see over 50 buildings, including the Navy Pier, the Wrigley Building, Willis Tower, Tribune Tower, the Lyric Opera, and Marina City. Seating is general admission, and there is a full-service bar. 

The CAC offers tours for almost every interest. These are just a few of the highlights:

• Must-See Chicago, featuring some of the most important buildings in downtown Chicago, like the Chicago Theatre, Willis Tower, Trump Tower, the John Hancock Center, and the Art Institute of Chicago.
• Frank Lloyd Wright in Oak Park
• Chinatown, including a stop at a Chinese bakery
• Hyde Park, with the Frederick C. Robie House and the University of Chicago
• Grant Park and the Buckingham Fountain
• Lights, Camera, Architecture! featuring buildings used in famous films like Batman Begins and Ferris Bueller

Other tours focus on the Magnificent Mile , Chicago’s historic suburbs, the newer additions to the city skyline, and even a historic cemetery on the banks of Lake Michigan. 

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Want to know the story behind the Bean in Millennium Park? There’s a tour for that. Photo by Christy Nicholson.

Advance reservations are required for each tour (and are a great way to ensure your desired tour options don’t sell out). 

For an extra special experience , stay in one of the buildings featured in your tour. Contact the architecture center to find out more about your itinerary and whether it includes a hotel. 

Pro-Tip: If you visit Chicago often or want to take more than one tour, consider becoming a member of the Chicago Architecture Center. You’ll then be able to take any of their standard walking tours for free!

When You Go

Getting to chicago from la.

Spirit, United, American and Southwest Airlines all have non-stop flights that are about 4 hours long.

An excellent discount site for flights (and cars, hotels) is Expedia !

Where To Stay In Chicago

Use this interactive map to find homes and hotels in the area where you’d like to stay.

What We Learned

We took the architecture tour on our first full day in Chicago, and we found that it changed our perspective in a way that affected the rest of the visit. We knew about famous landmarks like Willis Tower, which was the world’s tallest building at the time of its completion and is still the third tallest building in the United States (it’s pronounced “Sears Tower” according to our tour guide). But the knowledge gained about other significant buildings made us take a closer look at every place we passed and appreciate the details. We also ended up making room in our itinerary to stop by several buildings we had heard about from the expert docents and guides at the architecture center, like Tribune Tower and the Chicago Cultural Center. 

The architecture tour gave us a perspective of the city that we carried with us throughout the week. Photo by Christy Nicholson.

There’s no better way to jump into your visit to Chicago than with a Chicago architecture walking tour. You’ll learn interesting facts about the city, find architectural gems, and see some of the best views in town.

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Christy Nicholson is a writer, editor, and recovering perfectionist from Nashville, Tennessee. When not traveling with family, she enjoys cozy days at home reading, gardening, making music, and wrangling two awesome kids. Christy writes at Any-Worth.com about travel and sustainable living.

10 Virtual Tours of Amazing Architecture Around the World

Visiting some of the world’s greatest architectural wonders—such as marvels of Frank Lloyd Wright and Zaha Hadid—has never been easier, thanks to virtual tours.

No need to strap on virtual-reality goggles—just click your way through these highly immersive, interactive visits for an architecture-themed trip from the comfort of your own home.

Courtesy of  Taliesin Preservation 

Once the personal residence of the godfather of prairie style, this 800-acre estate lies in the bucolic rolling hills of Spring Green, Wisconsin, just outside of Madison. It's currently home to the Taliesin School of Architecture and comes to life in this virtual tour of Taliesin , created by a fellow Wisconsinite. Paired with light classical music in the background, the narrator beings with the macro—why Frank Lloyd Wright’s elders settled in the Driftless Region—before diving into the micro, showcasing interior spaces (from the geometric-patterned area rug and barrel chairs in the Formal Living Room to the blue chaise cushions and Chinese art in the loggia , or second-floor patio) that Wright worked on between 1911 and his death in 1959. Bonus: visitors to Spring Green can never access the loggia.

Milwaukee Art Museum

In 2001, the Milwaukee Art Museum unveiled a Santiago Calatrava-designed addition that Time Magazine dubbed its “design of the year.” These soaring white wings are now forever linked to the city’s skyline. While normally the museum’s Haitian art and Outsider art collections are a draw, you can still experience a bird’s-eye view of Lake Michigan’s shoreline immediately upon entering, noting the way sunlight glints off Dale Chihuly’s blown-glass “Isola di San Giacomo in Palude Chandelier II.” Fortunately, Visit Milwaukee’s virtual tour of what locals call “The Calatrava” is the next best thing to actually visiting.

The Colour Palace

Courtesy of Dulwich Picture Gallery 

Need a burst of serious color? The Colour Palace in London, designed by Pricegore and Yinka Ilori Studio , and unveiled last year as the contemporary sibling to Sir John Soane’s 1811 Dulwich Picture Gallery design, is your remedy. Step into this virtual tour , which is so vivid you might need to wear sunglasses. A marriage of West African (particularly Lagos’ fabric markets) and European influences, the result is a boxy rainbow of color that shifts with the sun, and your own orientation (thankfully, through both real-time and virtual visits). If you like crossing bridges and climbing jungle gyms, then the elevated walkways are kind of like that.

Versailles Palace

Flowers are poking out of the soil and trees are in bloom right now at Versailles Palace , France’s royal residence (from 1682 to 1789), 12 miles from Paris. Step into the splendor via this virtual tour, of the palace’s Hall of Mirrors , commissioned in 1678; with so much “eye candy” in the form of ornate gold trim, it’s no wonder this is the palace’s most famed room. To replace a large terrace, the hall was created in 1684 by French Baroque architect Louis Le Vau, who was commissioned to work on other areas of the palace, too.

Walt Disney Concert Hall

Architect Frank Gehry’s signature sheets of undulating metal soar above downtown L.A. even before you approach the Walt Disney Concert Hall , which just celebrated its 16th anniversary. Offering not just one, but many virtual tours , you can choose to explore the sunny lobby, backstage area, garden, or theater (with its Douglas fir-lined interior). Designed to offer supreme sound quality for performances, including those by Los Angeles Philharmonic, you’ll have to visit in person when the hall reopens to see (and hear) for yourself. But in the meantime, there’s this.

Farm Street Church

Courtesy of Farm Street Church 

Seasoned travelers to Europe might quip that they’ve “seen it all” when it comes to churches, but in addition to the ones everybody knows (like Notre Dame in Paris), there are plenty of underrated sanctuaries. That includes Farm Street Church , a Jesuit Catholic parish in London’s Mayfair section and designed by Joseph John Scoles for its 1849 opening. Seeking a divine moment of inspiration? Make yourself a cup of tea and settle in for this virtual tour , which includes stained-glass windows, hand-carved wooden pews, and soaring ceilings.

Sacré-Coeur

Tucked into the Montmartre neighborhood of Paris—the basilica’s domed top is forever linked to the arrondissement and perched on Paris’ highest point— Sacré-Coeur stands as a symbol to France’s defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. Architect Paul Abadie designed the landmark, which opened in 1914, and it remains the second-most visited monument in Paris. To access the monument from your living room, visit the virtual tour here . There are two clickable maps, for the Domes and the Basilica, as well as sound options (because an organ or bells is what you might hear if you were actually there).

Sydney Opera House

Unveiled in 1973, this performing-arts venue hugging Sydney’s harbor was designed by Karl Langer, Peter Hall, and Jørn Utzon. As a consolation during this time of staying grounded, the opera house is releasing digital programming (dance performances, Sydney Symphony Orchestra concerts, interviews with notables, and more) on its website, to further enrich your virtual visit , which begins by entering it from outside, for the full experience. This year, the opera house celebrates 13 years since being named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Dominion Office Building

Designed by Zaha Hadid, this Moscow office building spans nine stories along Sharikopodshipnikovskaya Street and was completed in 2015, designed to provide workspace to employees in the tech and creative sectors. Explore further with this virtual tour , showcasing how dramatic a palette of only black and white can be when it comes to such large-scale design.

Sistine Chapel

One of Italy’s most visited sites— the Vatican , which serves as the Pope’s personal residence—is also a must-see for art and architecture lovers. One reason is that the Sistine Chapel is here, including Michelangelo’s “The Last Judgment” fresco, found on the ceiling. A virtual tour allows you to zoom in on the frescos in a way you wouldn’t normally be able to on a visit. There’s also no limit to the number of times you can “visit.”

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Take a Tour of the Country’s Weirdest Architectural Attractions

The Great American Road Trip has been done before; last year, Atlas Obscura published a detailed history of the first coast-to-coast car trek from California to New York City, 121 years ago. Jack Kerouac made it counterculture. Simon and Garfunkel made it soulful. Architecture critic and curator John Margolies made it iconic: Beginning in 1972, Margolies  traveled off the beaten path to photograph America’s roadside architectural marvels. Beginning in 2005, the Library of Congress acquired his images, making them easily accessible . Now, even if you’re trapped in your office on these long summer days, you can voyage through the country’s smallest towns and weirdest vintage attractions via the thousands of images available for public use.

Twin Towers Apartments, Hollywood Beach, Florida.

Margolies held an editorial position at Architectural Record and organized exhibitions with the Architectural League. In 1970, he curated a show of the work of Morris Lapidus, who at the time designed hotels in Florida in the style of what is now considered Miami Modernism. Titled "The Architecture of Joy," the exhibit, as characterized by Ada Louise Huxtable , was "presented as an exercise in mid-American, mid-20th-century popular taste in art and what 90 percent of the American public really likes and wants." She enjoyed such design for its "intimate revelations of the pop mentality" that she called "mind-blowing," but also critiqued the notion that elevating such a style into an "esthetic pantheon" was "intellectual baloney…uninspired superschlock."

Tower, vertical, Xanadu Farm House of Tomorrow, Route 13, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.

Mitchell Corn Palace, Mitchell, South Dakota.

But Margolies’s reverence for vernacular buildings and whimsical oddities continued. Over the next 40 years, he’d shoot 11,000 photos in which viewers find attractions like Maxie, the World’s Largest Goose, in Sumner, Missouri, or the Giant Artichoke in Castro, California. Two personal favorites, a dueling set of giant chest drawers (one is a building) are set against blue skies in High Point, North Carolina; The Iceberg Restaurant in Tulsa, Oklahoma, appears to be melting in the prairie sun. There are hundreds of mini golf figures shot on courses around the country, as well as old-school diners with angular neon signs, giant figures of cowboys, dinosaurs, and Paul Bunyan parks and rest areas.

Maxie, the world's largest goose, Sumner, Missouri.

Giant artichoke, Castroville, California.

Iceberg Restaurant, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The online collections feature hundreds of motels, as well. Some follow the quintessential Motel 6 configuration—stacked units connected via outdoor walkways. Many feature cottage and court-style stops. Myriad standalone mini-homes like the Fairyland Cottages in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, or the Pemi Motor Court in North Woodstock, New Hampshire, are perhaps sweeter examples of tourist accommodations beyond freeway Holiday Inns.

Alamo Plaza Hotel Courts, diagonal view from right, Route 90, Gulfport, Mississippi.

Fairyland Cottages, diagonal view, W. Lake Lane, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.

"Although much of the architecture Margolies documented was well past its heyday by the time he photographed it, he rejected the word ‘nostalgia’ in describing his work, stating, ‘I don’t want to be ahead of my time. I want to be in sync with it,’" reads a Library of Congress article . Maybe Margolies didn’t want us to be nostalgic for the days when McDonald’s restaurants deployed their golden arches as architectural features ; perhaps he doesn’t want Los Angelenos to mourn the loss of the giant Arby’s cowboy hat , or long for when you and your father would drive 600 miles to go fishing, to stay at a lodge where a giant fish is the literal front door . Millennials in the room might remember A Goofy Movie ’s road trip montage —old-school diners with modernist EAT HERE signs, amusement parks, and a cameo by The World’s Largest House of Yarn. Margolies’s images confirm that these were canonical to the American road-less-traveled. The vernacular, the weird, and the wild live in our swirling cultural memory. Today, at least we can savor the Longaberger Picnic Basket building, which will soon become a new roadside hotel .

McDonald's, Azusa, California.

Fish Inn, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Top photo by Robert Margolies.  Bomber gas station, diagonal view, Route 99 E., Milwaukie, Oregon. 

Related Reading:

A Napa Valley Motor Lodge Reinterprets the Classic Roadside Motel 

Honey, I Shrunk Everything: A Tiny Trip to the Miniatures Convention

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• Walking Tour

How NYC’s Most Dangerous Street Became a Popular Public Park

Released on 06/17/2024

[passersby chattering]

This elevated green space

weaves through dozens of buildings

by some of the world's most famous architects.

But none of this would exist

if it weren't for hundreds of deaths

on 10th Avenue nearly two centuries ago.

I'm Nick Potts, I'm an architect,

and today we're doing a walking tour

of the Highline in New York City.

[downbeat music]

This is the Highline Park in New York City's

Meatpacking District.

This is a neighborhood that got its name

from the industry that it once served,

which provided beef, veal, pork to markets and cities

all throughout the northeastern United States.

It also had a lot of railroad traffic

that originally was at the same level of the street,

which turned out to be quite dangerous.

Back in the 1800s, early 1900s, this area was known

as Death Avenue,

and several hundred people actually lost their lives

due to collisions with trains.

Because of this dangerous situation,

the city eventually built an elevated rail line

to permit the huge scale of industrial production

to coexist with the street level activity

of an active neighborhood within a growing metropolis.

After its decline as an industrial neighborhood

in the middle of the 20th century,

this neighborhood searched for a new identity.

The redevelopment of the Highline

from an abandoned rail line to a vibrant green space

catalyzed more development in the last 15 years

in this part of New York City than anywhere else.

It's really a unique situation

to have this concentration of contemporary buildings

designed by star architects in one area.

And without the Highline,

none of these buildings would've been built.

Behind me is the Chelsea Market.

But if we take a bit of a trip back into history,

the reason why the Highline as a rail line existed

was because of a building like this.

This was the Nabisco factory.

And so because this was an industrial district

prior to its current form,

a lot of the buildings around here would've been

similar to this,

multi-level industrial warehouse buildings

connected to the Highline

and connected the goods being made in this building

into the rail system in the country.

You can see there are these sky bridges that connect

horizontally from site to site

in these very authentic relics of its industrial past.

As the meat packing industry

and industrialized food production moved elsewhere,

this neighborhood went into decline

and relics that were left really contributed

to its decline further and further.

And it took the redevelopment of places like

the Chelsea Market and the Highline itself

to really kind of bring people back

and take what had been a bit of an urban liability

and turn it into an asset.

In terms of the redevelopment of the Chelsea Market,

it was a bit of a pioneer.

It was one of the first projects in the country

that kind of took advantage of these disused

industrial sites

and turned them into commodified marketplaces,

kind of glamorizing the grit.

Rusted steel, exposed brick,

this kind of romanticized industrial style.

And so a lot of those warehouses, buildings

kind of remade themselves into new spaces

within their existing forms,

spaces for creative industries, for film studios,

originally for art galleries.

There are people like Diane von Furstenberg,

who very early came into this neighborhood

and built a headquarters in a studio and

the sorts of things that showed up in this building.

Because it was converted into a market,

it really planted the seed for retail

within this very small footprint

of what used to be an industrial neighborhood.

Behind me is 520 West 28th Street.

This is a building designed by

British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid.

This is an example of what we would call

a designer building.

It's a phenomenon that you see pop up again and again

around the Highline.

In the 15 years since the Highline opened in 2009,

it's attracted a collection of buildings

from the most famous architects practicing in the world.

People like Frank Gehry, Jean Nouvel,

Jeanne Gang, Shigeru Ban.

It's almost like a collection of designer clothes

in a fancy department store.

It's a phenomenon that's really unique in New York City,

to have this level of famous architects

working in one area,

and it's all enabled by this very famous, very public space,

the Highline, that catalyzed all of these

luxury developments.

These buildings are really about a brand

and they're about a premium product

being marketed to buyers,

both from New York and globally.

You think about a building like 520 West 28th,

which is an apartment building,

and this very public element

in this aspect of people taking pictures of your building

while you're inside of a very private,

you know, intimate space

is really engaging in this game of urban peacocking of,

you know, it's a private building that wouldn't exist

without existing on a very public right of way.

And it's showing off in a very kind of ostentatious,

you know, look-at-me sort of way,

but it's still encompassing and holding a lot of

very private spaces.

So, like a lot of designer goods,

there's almost an aspect of look-but-don't-touch with this.

None of the buildings on the Highline

can be entered from the Highline.

So you're looking, you're interacting visually,

but you're physically not permitted.

The buildings are actually separated.

None of them touch.

You don't have doors going onto the Highline.

And so the relationship that these buildings have

is purely visual.

You're looking at it as an amenity,

but you're physically not engaging with it.

[gentle music]

Behind me is the Whitney Museum of American Art.

And in terms of location,

the Whitney is also the first building a person encounters

as they enter the Highline from the south.

It's this very kind of opaque building

that doesn't really engage

with this amazing linear realm

that the Highline has created.

Really, the Whitney was trying to, you know,

add their piece as a public building,

as opposed to the private architect buildings

that the rest of the Highline has.

This is kind of your standard approach

when you're building a new museum,

is to attach a name to it.

Here it's Renzo Piano.

This is after the Chelsea Market.

This is after kind of the first phase of

kind of the retail takeover of this neighborhood happened.

But what's interesting about it is

partially how it references the industrial history

of this site.

It's almost appropriating the language of a factory,

here in a very vertical form.

You can see the vertical, aggressive,

almost industrial expression of the building,

which is a fairly interesting expression for an art museum.

The Whitney really doesn't showcase

anything about what's going inside the building.

It looks opaque, it's kind of mysterious.

The only time that you really engage with the Highline

is when you're inside the Whitney,

looking down from the balconies

or from space at the ends of the galleries

that are designed to look out over the Highline.

As the most public building on the Highline,

it's interesting to think that it's also one of

the most unapproachable and severe.

Would it have made sense to be

a little bit more public facing,

be a little bit more welcoming?

Over my shoulder is Hudson Yards.

It's a 15 million square foot development

at the northern end of the Highline.

The Highline grew from south to north,

starting around 14th Street.

Here we're at 30th Street,

and by the time this was ready to be built,

it was very apparent that the West Side

could take a development of this size.

Because the Highline was so successful

in bringing people and bringing money to this area,

developers decided to go big

and to create this major commercial,

residential, and retail development

right here at the northern end of the Highline.

Here at 30th Street, this is really where

the spur of the Highline connected back

into the train network.

If you think back to the origins of this place,

everything behind me was originally

essentially a parking lot for trains,

ringed by a ramp that brought the trains

that ran on the Highline up a level

to separate them from the street grid.

At Hudson Yards, they were able to raise the ground plane

up to the level of the highline.

It's really the reconnection of the pedestrian flow

that the Highline enables

into the new shopping center,

into the new public plaza.

Where the Highline originally connected the trains

back into the the train network,

now people, essentially, have taken on that role.

Through this direct connection from the raised level

of the Highline

to the raised level of Hudson Yards.

You think about The Shed,

you think about these giant towers,

you think about the Vessel,

you think about these mega developments and this mall.

It was all really made possible

by the proving of the thesis of the Highline,

which is that these designer buildings,

these kind of mini branded moments,

can coalesce into an intense, vibrant, urban setting.

And over the last 15 years,

the success of the Highline really catalyzed

the complete redevelopment of the Meatpacking District.

The Highline has really proved itself out,

and the fact that the Meatpacking District and Hudson Yards

have been the center of development

in the largest redevelopment project in Manhattan,

it's really because of the seed that was planted

with the Highline.

For more stories about how architecture

can transform our built environment,

check out our other episodes of Walking Tour.

Architect Reveals Hidden Details of Washington, D.C.

Architect Reveals Hidden Details of Brooklyn

Architect Reveals Hidden Details of Georgetown

Architect Explores New York City's Greenwich Village

Architect Explores New York City's Upper East Side

Architect Explores San Francisco's Distinctive Styles

Architect Explores Chicago's Hidden Architecture & History

Rockefeller Center, Explored & Explained

Architect Explores Chicago's River North Neighborhood

Architect Explores Wall Street's Details & History

How SoHo NYC Became The Cast Iron District

Architect Explores Downtown Los Angeles’s Diverse Architecture & History

Why The World’s Tallest Apartment Buildings Are On The Same Street

How Walt Disney Concert Hall Was Designed To Be Pitch Perfect

How The Upper West Side Revolutionized NYC Apartments

Architect Tours New Orleans’ Most Haunted Houses

How Central Park Was Created Entirely By Design and Not By Nature

Architect Breaks Down 200 Years of NYC Mansions

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Why this adorable historic Arizona town is a top summer getaway: Local hidden gems

From overlooked roadside attractions to offbeat museums and obscure natural wonders, Local Hidden Gems will showcase some of the unique and unexpected treasures that make America extraordinary. We will emphasize charm, surprise and delight.

Local hidden gem:  Bisbee, Arizona

To travel into the past, you only have to drive a little more than 200 miles southeast of Phoenix, Arizona, to a former mining town in the Mule Mountains.

Bisbee was once the largest city in Arizona, bolstered by a thriving mining economy that produced 8 billion pounds of copper over a century. Mining ended in the 1970s; today, people can go underground in the mine that propelled the city to prosperity.

The Copper Queen Mine , which opened in 1877 and operated for nearly a century, was where miners descended into constant 47-degree temperatures to find precious metals beneath the Earth’s surface. Miners found a strain of turquoise exclusive to the area , which became known as “Bisbee Blue.”

Learn more: Best travel insurance

Today, visitors can don hard hats and headlamps and ride a small train down into the Copper Queen Mine. Guides who worked in the mine share their experiences.

Local hidden gems: A spotlight on the American treasures in our backyards

Old Bisbee’s historic downtown delights travelers with its quaint small-town ambiance, abundant in eclectic shops and art galleries housed in colorful storefronts. Don't miss the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum , a Smithsonian affiliate, filled with exhibits from when Bisbee was one of the biggest towns between St. Louis and San Francisco.

There's a handful of culinary institutions, including Patisserie Jacqui, revered for its scratch-made croissants, and fine dining emporium Café Roka ( it’s up for sale ). The smallest bar in Arizona , the Room 4 Bar, is in Bisbee.

The city’s famously steep steps inspired an annual tradition, the Bisbee 1000 Stair Climb, a race held every October that traverses 4.6 miles of the numerous staircases built into the town's hills .

People don't wait for Halloween to go ghost hunting in Bisbee. The Old Bisbee Ghost Tour is open year-round. The Copper Queen Hotel is said to be haunted .

Bisbee's charm and nostalgic appeal have made it a must-visit destination in the U.S., recently overcoming a fire that destroyed two historic buildings in February . The steps, mining history and historic downtown drew attention from Atlas Obscura, which named Bisbee alongside Mongolia; La Paz, Bolivia; Greenland; and Vanuatu as one of the five best places to visit for 2024 .

More info: discoverbisbee.com .