I have heard that taking a guided tour of Chicago Architecture is a wonderful experience. Does anyone have any opinions about which programs are best, or a "don't miss" part of town? I am primarily interested in a couple-of-hour-to-half-day program, with commentary-- unless you tell me differently!

Go on the one by the Chicago Architecture Society. You can buy tickets on Ticketmaster or at the Chicago Architectural Society on Michigan Ave. You can go online to their Website to get all the info. This is the best tour as its guided by the people who know Chicago Architecture best!

Also if you are a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright, his home is in Oak Park and the whole building has been restored and tours are offered of the residence and the workshop.

There is also a shop in the building so you can pick up somthing with his design.

The house is on Oak Park Ave and within just a few blocks are several other homes he designed and built. They look just like they were built recently, and are breathtaking side by side.

Worth a trip out to Oak Park.

tweedy

The architectural boat tour is great. It's one of the tours presented by the architectural society and the vantage point from the water is quite interesting.
I also second the Oak Park idea. We took the tour of the home and studio plus the walking tour of the neighborhood. If you watched the documentary on Wright it even increases the interest.

Check out a book on Louis Sullivan at the local library. There is a good deal of his work to be seen in Chicago.

By joining the Chicago Architecture Society you get discounts that actually make your membership free. All walking tours (normally $8.00 per person) are included in the membership. Check it out at www.architecture.org

I've heard that the walking tours are excellent but defintiely include the boat tour on your itinerary and either reserve in advance of the trip or get tickets yoour first day there for one of the following days. It regularly sels out and is well worth the money and time. that and the Chicago Art Institute were the highlights of my last trip there - one I look forward to repeating.

I have not taken the boat tour. My favorite "don't miss" part of town is the Wrigley Building at the river. I would also recommend getting several books on the subject, and reading up before you get there.