When Daniel Burnham laid out his city plan for Chicago, the blueprints were written in arcane sigils, rendering his visions of public transit via waterslides and streets arranged by taste indecipherable and, ultimately, unrealized. Support further architectural forays with today’s Groupon for membership to the Chicago Architecture Foundation. This Groupon is redeemable online starting on Tuesday, September 7. Do not redeem in person. Choose from the following membership options:
- For $25, you get one year of individual membership (a $55 value).
- For $37, you get one year of household membership (a $75 value), valid for two adults and up to three children under the age of 18.
Redemption link will be on voucher after purchase.
The Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) is a nonprofit organization devoted to sparking and maintaining interest in architecture and design via numerous tours, exhibits, lectures, and special events, all built around Chicago’s stunning architectural legacy. One year of individual or household membership grants a number of benefits, including a buy-one, get-one-free ticket (individual membership; buy two, get two tickets free with the household membership) for a one-time trip on the Architecture River Cruise, a 90-minute nautical journey past more than 50 significant sights that challenges snooty ducks for the best view of the city’s buildings; discounts on bus and bike and Segway tours; and access to more than 65 free educational walking and bike tours led by CAF’s expert guides. Members can also call the members-only tour-reservation hotline to ensure that they’ll have a warm and waiting spot on the streamlined, Bauhaus-engineered back of any tour.
In addition to spurting a cornucopia of treats for lovers of architecture, membership to the Chicago Architecture Foundation helps support the organization’s educational programs, piped directly to young students to enhance their love of and appreciation for architecture. The CAF has been awake and kicking fussily since 1966, when a group of community members banded together to save the Glessner House, a former private home, historic landmark, and aesthetic masterpiece that’s still standing today in museum form thanks to their efforts. Join a cause with a greater impact than your weekly Jenga games and get a one-year membership to the Chicago Architecture Foundation.
This Groupon is valid for new members only, and is redeemable online beginning September 7. Do not redeem in person.
Reviews
More than 70 Yelpers give the Chicago Architecture Foundation an average of 4.5 stars, and TripAdvisors give it an average of 4.5 owl eyes.
- It's entertaining, fun, and the tour guides are extremely knowledgeable on all aspects of Chicago history beyond the architecture themselves. – Lorrie M., Yelp
- Their staff and docents are wonderful to work with, and their store has some amazing novelty and collector gifts, books, and tchotchkes (as well as watches and scarves). – Jessica D., Yelp
- Chicago is an architectural jewel box. These tours just magnified our view of the marvels of this town. – djsunshine99, TripAdvisor
Groupon Says
Secrets of Chicago Architecture
Becoming a member of the Chicago Architecture Foundation will also garner you access to its secret, underground candlelit library where the many leather-bound volumes of Chicago's architectural secrets are housed. What are only a few ancient secrets about Chicago's most famous landmarks?
The John Hancock Center: True to its name, this building features a glass case in the lobby where visitors can see the center of John Hancock.
Cloud Gate: Affectionately nicknamed "The Bean," this featureless globular chrome anomaly is actually the egg from which Mayor Daley's thousands of heirs will emerge.
Willis Tower: Contrary to myths that it was "constructed," the former Sears Tower settled upon a foundation of its own choosing after rising ominously from the depths of Lake Michigan in 1974, silent and faceless, murky water rolling off its inscrutable veneer on a moonless night when even Chicago's famous bears were silent and did not howl.
Comment on our feelings board
