Chicago Cultural Center Tours
6 Reviews
The Chicago Cultural Center is one of the city’s architectural gems. Though it doesn’t tower over the streets like the Willis Tower, it’s an equally impressive building, renowned for its opulent interiors and two dazzlingly beautiful stained glass domes.
Built in 1897 as Chicago’s first public library, the Cultural Center is now home to the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture, the Chicago Children’s Choir and several galleries. It hosts nearly 1,000 free cultural programs per year, including concerts, plays, art exhibits, film screenings and lectures. It was designated a Chicago Landmark in 1976, and is considered to be the most comprehensive free municipal cultural venue in the country.
While the cultural programs draw hundreds of thousands of visitors per year, many people also come just to see the impressive interior, which is decorated in a Beaux Arts style modeled on several classical buildings in Europe, including the Doge's Palace in Venice, the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence and the Acropolis in Athens. Inside you’ll find rare colored marbles and stone, antique brass fixtures and the most famous features, the two large stained glass domes. One of these domes can claim the title of the world’s largest Tiffany glass done, which is 38 feet across and contains an estimated 30,000 pieces of glass.
Built in 1897 as Chicago’s first public library, the Cultural Center is now home to the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture, the Chicago Children’s Choir and several galleries. It hosts nearly 1,000 free cultural programs per year, including concerts, plays, art exhibits, film screenings and lectures. It was designated a Chicago Landmark in 1976, and is considered to be the most comprehensive free municipal cultural venue in the country.
While the cultural programs draw hundreds of thousands of visitors per year, many people also come just to see the impressive interior, which is decorated in a Beaux Arts style modeled on several classical buildings in Europe, including the Doge's Palace in Venice, the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence and the Acropolis in Athens. Inside you’ll find rare colored marbles and stone, antique brass fixtures and the most famous features, the two large stained glass domes. One of these domes can claim the title of the world’s largest Tiffany glass done, which is 38 feet across and contains an estimated 30,000 pieces of glass.
Address: 78 East Washington Street, Chicago, Illinois 60602, USA
Hours: Mon-Thu: 8am–7pm,
Fri: 8am–6pm,
Sat: 9am–6pm and
Sun: 10am–6pm
12 Tours and Activities to Experience Chicago Cultural Center
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Chicago Architecture River Cruise
4607
Cruise down the Chicago River to see the city's famous architecture on this boat tour. With commentary from your onboard guide, watch the spectacular skyline glide by, including more than 40 notable buildings like Navy Pier, the Wrigley Building, and the John Hancock Building. Cover all three branches of the Chicago River, passing the East Bank Club, the old Post Office Building and the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower). From Memorial Day to Labor Day (May 29 - September 6,) each ticket includes a one-way water taxi ticket.
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From
$38.15
From
$38.15
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
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Chicago Loop Walking Tour
25
Step into the heart of Chicago with this 2-hour walking tour of the Loop. You’ll meet your local guide at the Chicago Cultural Center and make your way through the city’s downtown. Stop to check out the elevated “L” train, buildings by Burnham and Sullivan, busy commercial centers and lesser-known quiet corners of this vibrant area. You’ll come away with a deeper sense of Chicago’s rich history and architecture.
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From
$42.67
From
$42.67
Big Bus Chicago Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
701
Don’t spend time figuring out what to see in Chicago and how to get there—this hop-on hop-off tour provides a mapped-out itinerary of the city's top sights. With several strategically located stops, the tour allows you to explore the Windy City at your own pace. See the world-class Art Institute and landmark skyscrapers, while live commentary onboard gives you insight into the city's colorful history.
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From
$26.10
From
$26.10
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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Chicago Loop Secret Food Tour with Private Tour Option
245
Explore Chicago's buzzing food scene with a small group on this small group walking tour. Stroll around the 'Loop', stopping at hidden gems and hearing tales of the city from your guide. Taste classic Chicago foods, from deep-dish pizza to dipped Italian beef sandwiches.
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From
$193.20
From
$193.20
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More
Chicago Architecture Walking Tour: Dazzling Interiors of the Loop
216
See the overlooked highlights of Chicago’s Loop district with a 2-hour walking tour that takes in the best of the bustling, vibrant neighborhood’s inside spaces. Get behind the façades to explore stunningly designed interiors as you follow a specially-designed route with an experienced guide. Learn about the city’s architecture, art and history while visitng a side of Chicago that’s beyond the tourist trail, and experience the Windy City with a local perspective.
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From
$30.00
From
$30.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More
Cultural Mile Walking Tour of Chicago
4
Discover the sights and sounds of Chicago’s various cultural scenes on a 2-hour walking tour. The 1.5-mile route covers music, literature, art, and architecture within the Windy City. Hear insider stories about Chicago's cultural movements and visit little-known locations linked to iconic artists. Be sure to have your camera ready for the pièce de résistance, the Tiffany stained glass dome at the Chicago Cultural Center.
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From
$42.67
From
$42.67
Lake Michigan Sightseeing Cruise
139
Take in iconic views of the beautiful Chicago lakefront and its many landmarks during this 40-minute Lake Michigan sightseeing boat cruise. Climb aboard your vessel for a laid-back ride, enjoying panoramic views of the Windy City's skyline from a unique perspective. Along the way, you'll listen to informative commentary and take in views of the John Hancock Center and Willis Tower, along with many other landmarks. Plus feel free to bring your own lunch or grab a drink at the onboard bar, during your ride.
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From
$27.25
From
$27.25
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Learn More
We Love Chicago Walking Tour
4
Downtown Chicago is filled with gems. Some famous, others known only by select locals. Many of these spots are best seen on foot as opposed to a moving vehicle. We'll take you inside several of these architectural masterpieces, to where much of Chicago's real beauty can be seen. We'll also give you time to check out famous public art by the likes of Picasso and Chagall and see the world's very first skyscrapers! All of our tours are led by experienced guide that have been giving quality tours of Chicago since 2005 and have accrued well over 500 five-star reviews. People mostly comment on how our tours are both informative and entertaining. The walk is a little under 2 miles and conducted at a comfortable pace.
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From
$35.00
From
$35.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More
Chicago Scavenger Hunt: Chicago Loop
Let’s Roam is the #1 app-led scavenger hunt company. Walk to all the best landmarks and hidden gems, answering trivia questions and solving challenges. Work with your team or compete against them, as you learn new facts and create memorable experiences. Let’s Roam Scavenger Hunts are great as an everyday activity, or for bachelorette parties, birthday parties, corporate team building events and more! Each player chooses an interactive role, with challenges varying by person.
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From
$13.08
From
$13.08
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Learn More
Discovering Vintage Chicago: The Loop Walking Audio Tour by VoiceMap
1
Take a walk back in time through the history of Chicago's Loop on this app-enabled tour. After downloading the app and tour to you smartphone, you and your party will listen to author Amy Bizzarri, an author and expert in Chicago history, as she leads you through walking tour of the city. The GPS-enabled tour will trigger commentary at just the right times, and you can stop and start whenever you like for a flexible experience that lets you move at your own pace. Highlights include Daley Plaza, the Chicago Theater, Berghoff Restaurant, and the Art Institute of Chicago.
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From
$5.34
From
$5.34
Chicago Private Instagram Tour with Transportation
If you're looking for an exciting and stress-free day exploring the wonders of Chicago, then this is the tour for you. We can’t wait to show you around!
The morning will start with a private pickup from your hotel by one of our friendly, local guides. From there your tour will begin as you start your drive in one of our comfortable and spacious vehicles.
This full-day tour will be fully packed with famous landmarks, vintage architecture, secret spots and much much more!
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Full schedule
10:00 AM – Pick up from Hotel
10:15 AM – Check out Buckingham Fountain
10:45 AM – Arrive at Michigan Avenue Bridge
11:15 AM – Awe at the Chicago Cultural Center
12:15 PM – See Cloud Gate and explore Millennium park
1:00 PM – Lunch time
2:00 PM – Go to Chicago Theater
2:30 PM – See Garfield Park Conservatory
3:00 PM – Check out the Greetings from Chicago mural
3:30 PM – Snap a cool pic outside of Wrigley Field
3:45 PM – Return to hotel
4:00 PM – Arrive at hotel
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From
$798.94
Price varies by group size
From
$798.94
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More
Private 2-hrs Walking Tour: Chicago Loop interior architecture w/ licensed guide
Make the best of your visit to Chicago and explore the interiors of the emblematic Loop of Chicago downtown with a private licensed guide.
You will enjoy a private tour and discover the hidden architectural treasures of Chicago with a local expert
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From
$239.76
Price varies by group size
From
$239.76
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More
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