Chicago Architecture Foundation

A friend and I recently went on one of the Chicago Architecture Foundation's tours.  We chose "Modern Skyscrapers (1950s-Present)" from amongst the many walking tours available.  

As well as walking tours, the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) also offers boat, bus/trolley, "L" train, bike, and Segway tours; over 60 tours in all.  Between all these offerings and that the CAF is one of the featured participants in The Local Tourist's Passport to Chicago (with discounts good through May 2013), there's no reason not to go on a tour.

It doesn't matter if you've lived in Chicago all your life, as one of our fellow walking tourists had, there's always something to learn about such a large and diverse city.  Most of us on our tour were quite knowledgeable of Chicago, but the CAF docent was still able to leave us with significant new information about our great city.

We not only learned a lot but also had a great time on our tour.  We had the opportunity to take a lot of photos, a few of which you can see in the accompanying photo gallery.  

This weekend the CAF is sponsoring Open House Chicago, a chance to see behind the scenes of more than 150 buildings throughout Chicago.  This weekend is an opportunity to see areas that are usually only open to residents, employees, students, etc., of the structures.  

Best of all, access to all of the buildings is completely free.  Ever wondered about the view from the "easternmost" residential building in Chicago, Lake Point Tower?  Well now you can find out – for free.  Or perhaps you’ve been wondering how a brewery works.  Then make the trip to Rock Bottom Brewery and see how it’s done.  If you’ve always wondered what goes on in a mosque?  Get thee to Mosque Maryam and you’ll find out.

Whether you choose to participate in Open House Chicago or take any of CAF’s tours, the Chicago Architecture Foundation has a lot going on in Chicago.