Chicago Architecture Center

The Chicago Architecture Center is a museum in downtown that explores the city's building history and design. Its exhibits feature models, interactive displays, and detailed information about how skyscrapers and neighborhoods developed.

The museum opened at its current location in 2018, moving to a larger building to expand its exhibitions. This move allowed it to offer more comprehensive programs and reach more visitors.

The center helps visitors of all ages understand how the city was built and shaped over time. It shows why certain architectural choices matter to how people experience Chicago today.

Visitors can join guided architecture tours that depart from the center, with some featuring boat rides along the waterfront. These tours examine buildings throughout different parts of the city.

The center features a large illuminated model of the downtown area with thousands of buildings, activated by a light show. This installation reveals how densely packed the city is and shows the varied architecture across different neighborhoods.

Operator: Chicago Architecture Foundation

Website: http://architecture.org

GPS coordinates: 41.88809,-87.62362

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:44