University & College Architecture Trip To Chicago

This is the most popular tour aboard Chicago’s First Lady. The city’s growth into one of the world’s busiest crossroads is interpreted through more than 50 architectural highlights, with certified volunteer tour guides bringing the story to life. This is a must for budding photographers with twilight trips providing a captivating new take on the cityscape. Please note this excursion is seasonal.

Not only the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, the Willis Tower is a hub of business and tourism in Chicago. From this cultural landmark students can see views of 40-50 miles from the Skydeck and experience The Ledge – a glass balcony suspended 1353 feet in the air.

Tip: To fully experience sunset and nightscapes from the Skydeck, arrive 30 – 40 minutes before dusk.

Students can experience first hand the pioneering work of architect Frank Lloyd Wright on the University of Chicago campus. This supreme example of the Prairie style was seen as a precursor to modernist architecture. Tours provide experience of one of the most important buildings in American history and the exciting restoration work in progress.

A pristine example of the work of architectural firm Graham, Anderson, Probst and White. The structure’s signature, gleaming facade owes to a solid exterior of glazed white terracotta and was built to house the HQ of chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. It is both a symbol of Chicago’s design excellence and thriving business community.

Take your group on a trip downtown to the world’s largest commercial building on the banks of the Chicago River. Built in the 1920s as a central marketplace, it has become an integral part of the city’s art, business and media culture. Over 38,500 people pass through the doors each working day, providing an important glimpse into Chicago life.

From the museum students can take a guided tour of the city’s oldest surviving building, Clarke House – built 1836 – and of Glessner House itself – a landmark for the decorative arts. As one of Chicago’s architectural treasures, the site on Prairie Avenue is a centre for understanding 20th century design innovation and the radical work of Henry Robson Richardson.