Chicago is a city that has it all. From magnificent architecture to world class museums, the Windy City offers visitors a wealth of fascination.
The streets of this famed city, home to young Senators who become President, monolithic financial institutions, theater, fashion and exceptional art galleries, offer something here for everyone.
On its broad shoulders rest the legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright and internationally acclaimed poet Carl Sandburg, who described Chicago as a resilient, hard-working hub of commerce – where Americans came to realize their dreams.
In the early part of the 20th Century, Chicago was the land of opportunity. This reality brought Americans from all over the country to take part in the city’s bounty, doubling its population every 20 years.
Frank Lloyd Wright house and studio.
It was in Chicago’s windy embrace that Frank Lloyd Wright was to live out the first 20 years of his renowned career as one of America’s most influential architects.
His former home and studio have been fully restored as a museum, where students can experience the vast reach of his work. Chicago is also home to many of his buildings, including the Unity Temple, Frederick C. Robie House and The Rookery.
Students of design will thrill to having a first-hand experience of this famed architect’s seminal work.
The Magnificent Mile.
North Michigan Avenue offers students much more than high end shopping. Located between the famous Loop (Chicago’s historical center) and the Gold Coast area, the “Mag Mile” also features some of the USA’s most incredible architectural achievements, including some of its tallest buildings.
The John Hancock Center can be found here, towering over the area, as well as landmarks like the Wrigley Building, the Chicago Water Tower and the Allerton Hotel.
There is nothing more quintessentially American than the skyscraper and Chicago’s internationally-recognized skyline features some of the most impressive in existence.
The Art Institute of Chicago.
Do over 40 centuries of art boggle your mind? Prepare to be dazzled by the broad sweep of history at the AIC. With over 300,000 pieces on display, students will experience the AIC’s impressive collections.
Its permanent collection features some of the most recognizable works of art in history, including American Gothic, by Grant Wood, a painting which has inspired satirists and artistic commentators since being created in 1930.
Works by Seurat, Van Gogh and Picasso invite educators to engage with their students, discussing the role of art in their lives and futures.
Chicago Board of Trade.
Referred to by Sandburg as the “hog butcher of the world” in his poem, “Chicago”, the role of the city as a hub of agricultural commodities trading is embodied in this institution.
Here, agricultural commodities continue to be traded on “open outcry”, the practice here since it was known as the Chicago Butter and Egg Board. The Board of Trade offers students a unique glimpse into Chicago’s past and the practice of trading agricultural futures as an enduring commercial reality.
Let Junior Tours show your students the amazing diversity of Chicago. Contact us.