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The Art of a City, Downtown Chicago Guided Walking Tour (Semi-Private)
Chicago, US
2 hours 30 minutes
Date
Today
What You Will Do
This 2.5-hour small-group walking tour (12 guests max) is perfect for exploring Chicago’s monumental public art up close—without getting lost in the crowds.
Chicago’s world-famous skyline tells only half the story. Scattered through downtown are masterpieces by Picasso, Chagall, Miró, and Kapoor, transforming the city into an open-air museum. After the Great Fire of 1871, Chicago rebuilt itself as a global architectural powerhouse, but its public art—often hiding in plain sight—adds color, depth, and character to the “City of Big Shoulders.”
Begin at Cloud Gate—Anish Kapoor’s gleaming “Bean” that reflects the skyline—and explore works of public art that define Chicago’s streets. From towering steel sculptures to vibrant mosaics and surreal installations, discover how some of the 20th century’s greatest artists left their mark on the city. Along the way, marvel at The Rookery, a stunning 19th-century skyscraper with a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed lobby, and gaze up at the soaring Willis Tower, once the tallest building in the world.
Whether you’re drawn to abstract giants or intricate murals, this tour unveils the bold artistic visions that make Chicago’s downtown an ever-evolving canvas.
Highlights: Cloud Gate ("The Bean") – Anish Kapoor
Chicago’s most recognizable sculpture, this seamless, mirror-like installation in Millennium Park invites visitors to see the city—and themselves—from a whole new perspective. The Chicago Theatre – Balaban & Katz, Rapp & Rapp
Admire the dazzling marquee of this 1921 movie palace, a masterpiece of French Baroque style and one of America’s most famous historic theaters. Untitled Sculpture – Pablo Picasso
See the first modern public art commission in Chicago, a towering 50-foot abstraction gifted by Picasso to the city in 1967. Buckingham Fountain – Edward H. Bennett
One of the largest fountains in the world, this Art Deco masterpiece in Grant Park symbolizes the grandeur of the city. Willis Tower (Sears Tower) – Fazlur Khan &...
Chicago’s world-famous skyline tells only half the story. Scattered through downtown are masterpieces by Picasso, Chagall, Miró, and Kapoor, transforming the city into an open-air museum. After the Great Fire of 1871, Chicago rebuilt itself as a global architectural powerhouse, but its public art—often hiding in plain sight—adds color, depth, and character to the “City of Big Shoulders.”
Begin at Cloud Gate—Anish Kapoor’s gleaming “Bean” that reflects the skyline—and explore works of public art that define Chicago’s streets. From towering steel sculptures to vibrant mosaics and surreal installations, discover how some of the 20th century’s greatest artists left their mark on the city. Along the way, marvel at The Rookery, a stunning 19th-century skyscraper with a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed lobby, and gaze up at the soaring Willis Tower, once the tallest building in the world.
Whether you’re drawn to abstract giants or intricate murals, this tour unveils the bold artistic visions that make Chicago’s downtown an ever-evolving canvas.
Highlights: Cloud Gate ("The Bean") – Anish Kapoor
Chicago’s most recognizable sculpture, this seamless, mirror-like installation in Millennium Park invites visitors to see the city—and themselves—from a whole new perspective. The Chicago Theatre – Balaban & Katz, Rapp & Rapp
Admire the dazzling marquee of this 1921 movie palace, a masterpiece of French Baroque style and one of America’s most famous historic theaters. Untitled Sculpture – Pablo Picasso
See the first modern public art commission in Chicago, a towering 50-foot abstraction gifted by Picasso to the city in 1967. Buckingham Fountain – Edward H. Bennett
One of the largest fountains in the world, this Art Deco masterpiece in Grant Park symbolizes the grandeur of the city. Willis Tower (Sears Tower) – Fazlur Khan &...
What's Included?
- Semi-private walking tour
- Semi-private" means group size is never more than 12 guests maximum
- Professional tour guide
- Duration 2.5 hours
- Tour will run, rain or shine
What's Not Included?
- Tour price does not include hotel pickup or drop-off (we recommend uber or taxi)
- Tour does not include gratuities (optional)
Cancellation Policy
- Customers can cancel for a **full refund up to 24hrs before the tour start time**. No refund will be provided within 24hrs before the tour start time. Contact us by phone to cancel or Reschedule if necessary. *(reschedule fee may apply)*
- No-shows and latecomers will be charged the full price.
- If you have **booked through a third party, please contact them directly** to cancel or reschedule according to their Terms & Conditions.
Itinerary
Meeting Point
Next to the iconic lion statues (the lion on the left when facing the museum) outside the main entrance on South Michigan Avenue
1
Itinerary
Stops include but are not limited to: Art Institute of Chicago (Exterior Only) Admire the grand Beaux-Arts façade and the famous bronze lion statues of one of the world's greatest art museums . (10 minutes) Millennium Park: Cloud Gate (“The Bean”) & Crown Fountain Step into Chicago’s most famous park, where public art meets urban design and snap a reflection photo at Cloud Gate, Anish Kapoor’s beloved "Bean. "(10 minutes) Chicago Cultural Center & Tiffany Glass Dome Enter this architectural gem, once Chicago’s public library, to admire the world’s largest Tiffany stained-glass dome—a dazzling example of 19th-century craftsmanship. (10 minutes) Chicago Theatre & Nederlander Theatre Marquees Walk beneath the iconic neon marquees of two of Chicago’s most storied theaters. Learn about the city’s rich entertainment history, from vaudeville to Broadway. (10 minutes) Daley Plaza & Picasso’s Untitled Sculpture Encounter a massive steel sculpture by Pablo Picasso, a gift to the city and one of its most debated pieces of public art. (10 minutes) Miro’s "Sun, Moon and One Star" Across from the Picasso, see Joan Miró’s colorful and surreal sculpture, a playful contrast to its angular neighbor. (5 minutes) Chagall’s "Four Seasons" Mosaic Marvel at Marc Chagall’s vibrant ceramic mosaic, a visual celebration of Chicago’s changing seasons and cultural diversity. (10 minutes) The Rookery Building (Exterior & Interior) Step inside one of Chicago’s finest historic skyscrapers, where Frank Lloyd Wright’s redesigned lobby showcases his signature blend of light, space, and intricate detailing. (10 minutes) Willis Tower (Sears Tower) – Exterior View Stand beneath one of the tallest and most iconic skyscrapers in the world. Once the tallest building on Earth, this engineering marvel revolutionized skyscraper design and remains a defining feature of the Chicago skyline. (10 minutes) The Board of Trade Building & Exterior Sculptures Stand before the Art Deco headquarters of Chicago’s financial district, where monumental statues of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, watch over traders. (10 minutes) Monadnock Building (Interior Visit) Admire this early skyscraper, an engineering marvel that marks the transition from masonry to steel-frame construction, featuring its original 19th-century interiors. (10 minutes) Federal Plaza & Calder’s "Flamingo" Sculpture See Alexander Calder’s bold red "Flamingo," a striking modernist contrast to the surrounding Mies van der Rohe-designed buildings. (10 minutes) Grant Park & Abraham Lincoln Statue by Augustus Saint-Gaudens Discover Chicago’s “front yard,” where Saint-Gaudens’ lifelike bronze statue of Lincoln captures the spirit of the nation’s beloved leader. (10 minutes) Buckingham Fountain Conclude your tour at one of the world’s largest fountains, a stunning Rococo-style centerpiece that symbolizes Lake Michigan. Watch as its jets of water soar skyward. (10 minutes)
Additional Information
This activity is operated by Babylon Tours Chicago
- Accesibility: Near public transportation | Stroller accessible | Not wheelchair accessible
- Disclaimers: • The tour route may be affected by national celebrations. In such cases, we will provide guests with an alternative route, ensuring all highlights of the tour are still covered. Refunds or discounts cannot be provided in these situations. • Due to increased security measures at many attractions, sites may not be accessible for interior visits. • Latecomers risk missing the tour.
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