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Kudos, April 2024

Mark Campbell 2023, Mark Lenhart 2023, or Mark Purdome 2019
River Cruise, April 2024
This was a great boat tour. Mark the tour guide was great. He was very informative about the architectural structure of the Chicago buildings. The boat takes you to each end of the river, so you get a pretty good view of the beautiful city. I will definitely do this again but in the summer sometime. Thanks again for great experience.

Mark Campbell 2023, Mark Lenhart 2023, or Mark Purdome 2019
River Cruise, April 2024
The tour is great. Our guide Mark was amazing: impressive in his knowledge, entertaining and engaging. We learned so much.

Kelly Marisol 2015 or Kelly Manteck 2020
River Cruise, April 2024
Excellent tour, made by the host Kelly whose knowledge was incredible and gave us a real insight to the history and architecture of Chicago. Michael O’H Garforth, UK

Marcia Matavulj 2008 or Marcia Ross 1994
Art Deco: Riverfront Favorites, April 2024
After taking another walking tour in the morning, we enjoyed this one in the afternoon with Marcia as our guide. I never realized how many fascinating stories there are about the buildings that surround us. I am certain I will not look at buildings the same way again, great experience, definitely worth the price. Cathi R

Jill
A Walk Thru Time, April 2024
Our tour guide, Jill, was so informative and her love for Chicago architecture was infectious. Highly recommend this walking Tour. You will not be disappointed. Brooke Teefey

Cynthia Bates 2016
River Cruise, April 2024
Amazing! You have to do this when visiting Chicago. Our docent Cynthia was exactly who we hoped for. Knowledgeable with the perfect amount of history and humour. Janice R

Phil Bierman 2023
River Cruise, April 2024
The guide Phil was amazing! Best part of the tour was our guide. He was very knowledgeable and took time answering queries patiently. Shel

Rene Cantu 2023
A Walk Thru Time, March 2024
Great way to learn Chicago’s history. I have known Chicago’s history but the way this tour showed it to me was fascinating. Our tour guide Rene was very good explaining how from the very origins Chicago got the first settlers and how was discovered. From the Chicago great fire and the way they’re built the city. How Chicago became a city and grew so fast due being the busiest trading port in the world.  He showed us pretty cool architecture through the years and how it has evolved since then including all the new latest additions to the city. We saw some cool Art Deco buildings like the Motor club, and contemporary styles like the St Regis. I really enjoyed this tour and I definitely will recommend it to everyone who is visiting or live in Chicago! Richard T

Monica Caparosa 2023
River Cruise, April 2024
Wonderful experience! Monica was our tour guide and she clearly loves what she does. She was so knowledgeable and passionate about Chicago, its history, and the amazing architecture. This is a must tour when in Chicago. Thank you, Monica! Theabreus Watertown, NY

Leslie Clark Lewis 2009
Art Deco: Riverfront Favorites, April 2024
I chose the Art Deco Skyscrapers Riverfront walking tour as I wanted to see inside the Carbide & Carbon building, which was as beautiful as I’d imagined. I think we visited the interiors of 5 buildings and our guide Leslie pointed out many others to us. Leslie was very knowledgeable and answered my many questions, even about buildings that were not on the tour. She really knew her stuff in terms of architects and dates. At the end of the tour, we asked for a cafe recommendation and she took us to an excellent one. Lisa H California

Alice Daniele 2019
Historic Treasures, April 2024
Absolutely fantastic tour! Our guide, Alice, was super knowledgeable and very good at connecting the architecture with the context of the time it was designed. More than worth the cost- although given how awesome all the tours are, it would have made more sense for us to become CAC members. Alison C

Rebecca Dixon 2003
Magnificent Mile, March 2024
Wonderful and fascinating tour of Chicago’s famous street. Rebecca is a terrific guide, knowledgeable, charming, and enthusiastic. Tim B

Beth Douglass 2024 (Trainee) and Rose Jagust 2024 (Trainee)
Must-See Chicago, April 2024
My friends and I were looking at Chagall’s Four Seasons during our layover between Amtrak trains. It was our great fortune to overhear Beth and Rose who were training as docents. They allowed us to be a test audience. We not only learned about Four Seasons but also heard about Daley Plaza’s art pieces and buildings. Beth and Rose were friendly and enthusiastic. Their presentation was fun and informative. When I’m back in Chicago for a longer stay, I will definitely take a Chicago Architecture Center tour and I hope I’m in Beth and Rose’s group! Ronald G

David Ferguson 2020
Chicago Icons, March 2024
We did the walking tour with David. He was knowledgeable and we had really good time. We learned about the history and the details of the buildings. We will do another walking tour when we come back to Chicago I. Lee T Los Angeles, CA

Kent Foutty 2009
River Cruise, April 2024
Kent the on boat guide was phenomenal. You can feel his passion for architecture and the city of Chicago. Great, informational cruise. Jessica R

Delta Green 2008
Macy’s on State, April 2024
Delta’s tour of the former Marshall Fields building on State Street was fantastic! We learned so much about this building and its history. Highly recommended! Rhonda C, Buffalo Grove

Tim Harris 2019
River Cruise, April 2024
This was fantastically informative and picturesque. I was shocked with how much I learned from Tim (our guide). I’m so glad that I did this on day 1 of my stay in Chicago because it really anchored my visit. Highly recommend! Deanna C

Lynne Hensel 2010
Fulton Market, April 2024
We toured the Fulton-Randolph Market neighborhood tour with Lynne, who enlightened us with her broad knowledge of the historic/transformed/transforming elements of this Chicago neighborhood. As with so many CAC tours, we left with a deeper appreciation for an area we frequent quite often such that we look forward to future walks unattached to a restaurant destination. Highly recommended! Mark G Chicago, IL

Joni Hirsch Blackman 2013
River Cruise, April 2024
Amazing tour on April 8 at 4pm. Joni was our guide and she was so knowledgeable about the buildings, architect and history that went along with all. We will have our group back next year again. Ann B, Burton, OH

Mary Jo Hoag 2007
Chicago Women in Architecture, March 2024
The Chicago women in architecture walking tour was so great. Even as a long time Chicagoan having done other tours this one was deeply revealing and walked in places on Riverwalk and lake shore east I’d never been. I highly recommend it, and any tour by docent Hoag. She was terrific. Jonathan S

John Ivory 2023
Historic Treasures, March 2024
John I. did a wonderful job of explaining the history & architecture, punctuated with fun & evocative anecdotes. Personable & friendly. Kent K

Quentin Kossnar 2019
Elevated Architecture: Downtown ‘L’ Train, April 2024
Quentin was very knowledgeable, accessible and entertaining. So much history! Someone needs to test the audio sets; mine was terrible. Consider using potentiometer cleaner spray on the volume knobs, lt could help to avoid replacing a lot of them. Richard W

Tom Lenz 2020
Chicago Icons, April 2024
Tom was a very informative and friendly guide who provided lots of interesting stories about the development of architecture in Chicago. Highly recommend. Damon H Sydney, Australia

Amanda Lewis 2019
River Cruise, April 2024
It’s been 20 years since we’ve done this and it was as great as we remembered! Great tour guide (Amanda). Highly recommended! Andy B

Burt Michaels 2019
Historic Treasures, April 2024
My tour guide, Burt, was excellent!! Super informed, very personable, such a great resource. The architecture center is lucky to have him. Liza G

Molly Page 2018
Chicago Modern, April 2024
Went on the Modernism: Reviving the Loop tour with docent Molly and she was fantastic! She had really great stories and an infectious energetic attitude! I am currently studying architecture at a university in LA and this tour was really informing despite learning about modernism in many of my history classes. Kaitlyn N

Chris Pausch 2019
River Cruise, April 2024
Our docent tour leader was Chris. He was informative, pleasant, and provided fun facts and slipped in some jokes to keep us on our toes. Enjoyed the history of the city weaved in with the architecture. Highly recommend this tour! Fred

Bob Pratt 2019
A Walk Thru Time, April 2024
All the staff were friendly and helpful. Our walking tour guide Robert was awesome! He provided the basic facts along with stories about the life’s of the buildings we visited. He kept the tour interesting by exhibiting enthusiasm and a love of the history of the buildings. Herb R

Mitch Rosenfeld 2016
Art Deco: Riverfront Favorites, April 2024
Mitch, my docent, was knowledgeable and enthusiastic, as well as willing to answer my many questions. I’m glad to have chosen this tour, as it was delightful to have access to the breathtaking lobbies of these architectural and design gems (and to touch the marble and gneiss and to exclaim over amazing letter-drop boxes). Lee M Augusta, GA

John Schneider 2017
Old Post Office, April 2024
I took the architecture tour for the Old Post Office with John S. This past week and I must have to say I was fascinated with the beauty of this building. Learned how important and busy the post office was back in the day in Chicago! Also it was very cool seeing how the building has been readapted and reused for a new purpose, especially after being abandoned for many years! We saw the pretty interior and how they have changed the inside of it. Also we visited the rooftop and seeing the green roof they have to be environmental friendly. He showed us all around and took us through the history and beauty of this building. I definitely will recommend this tour to my family and friends who live in Chicago! TraveleRGuy Chicago, IL

Nancy Schwab 2011
Must-See Chicago, March 2024
Nancy was our guide and she did a great job. It was pretty cold that day, so it was tough for our kids to hang in there for the entire 2 hour tour. However, I am really glad that we did it. It is obvious that Nancy is passionate about architecture and that always makes the difference! TennFo Tullahoma, TN

Russ Seward 2005
Historic Treasures, April 2024
Our guide Russ was very knowledgeable and shared his enthusiasm and appreciation for Chicago and its architecture with personal anecdotes and insights. I would do 100% recommend this tour and hope to go on more CAC tours in the future. Megan S

Peter Shearn 2023
River Cruise, April 2024
This was an excellent river tour. Our docent for the trip, Peter, was perfect- SUPER knowledgeable, tied in some humor. You could just tell he LOVES his city. And he made us love it, too! Highly recommend this company to learn the history of these beautiful, engineering marvels. Wendy F

Matt Sheffer 2019
Must-See Chicago, April 2024
Our guide, Matt, was great. He told the stories and the facts with both knowledge and humor. I liked the higher pace which made us see much of the loop. Jesper H

Lydia Spettel 2023
River Cruise, April 2024
The 90 minute tour was fabulous. Not only were the views of the city from the river beautiful but the docent- Lydia- provided a wonderful and informative backdrop of history. myopinionisthis2

Maureen Waller 2023
Historic Treasures, April 2024
Maureen was an absolutely fabulous guide, and this tour is a must-do. So much insight and information. So glad we put this in our itinerary. Thank you, CAC and Maureen!! dutchgirl1009 Fountain Valley, CA

Peter Weil 2015
Historic Treasures, April 2024
We enjoyed this tour so much! Our guide, Peter, was a lot of fun and told us very interesting histories and details about the architecture of the buildings as we went by. We learned so much, we even went to have chicken pies at Marshall Fields building in the Walnut room after he shared the history there. It was wonderful. We enjoyed this tour so much, thank you Peter for making it a great experience. Cathi R

Mike Weiland 1984
River Cruise, April 2024
Mike the mapmaker, the volunteer docent who narrated the tour, was fabulous! This was a very informative and enjoyable tour. If you want to really learn soon things about Chicago, and not just sit through corny jokes for tourists, this is the tour for you. Sarah D

Elizabeth Wells 2013
River Cruise, April 2024
Was looking for something to do after going to a couple ball games. Reached out to my brother and asked if he had done the cruise and said yes it was great but do the one run by the architecture organization. It was a smooth ride and we had an amazing guide, Liz. Her knowledge and delivery were so enjoyable. She made architecture not only beautiful and historically significant, but fun!! If you are going to Chicago I highly recommend the architect River cruise. I guarantee you won’t regret the decision. Bobby D


Contributor: Betsy Jenkins

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This Post Has One Comment

  1. Suzy

    Wonderful to read all of the kudos! No wonder people love Chicago visits!
    All of our volunteers should feel proud!
    Suzy Ruder

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