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Illinois

Go Solo: Art and Architecture in Chicago

Program No. 24935RJ
Embark on an adventure with other solo travelers, learning about Chicago’s historic architecture and diverse neighborhoods with local experts.

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Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

At a Glance

Thrilling and serene. Tough and sophisticated. Chicago is a city of contrasts best understood through its art and architecture. We’ll be on the go with a small group of solo travelers as we visit a range of neighborhoods with an architecture expert to see how the city’s evolution is told through its buildings. Then we’ll venture outside the city to learn about the life and work of Frank Lloyd Wright, as we visit his Prairie-style home and studio. Your schedule includes some open afternoons, during which you’ll be able to discover on your own the aspects of the city that speak to you most and why going solo with Road Scholar doesn’t mean going alone!
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to five miles on field trips.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Go inside the Art Institute of Chicago with an expert on the artworks of its world-class, 300,000-piece permanent collection.
  • Learn about the life and work of the iconic architect Frank Lloyd Wright, through an expert-led exploration of his Prairie-style home and studio in charming and historic Oak Park, Illinois.
  • Study city architecture on a walk with an expert and from a boat on the Chicago River, exploring the city with other solo explorers who love learning as much as you do.

General Notes

This program is exclusive to solo travelers attending the program without a travelling companion.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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Joe Cunniff
Joseph Cuniff writes about the theater and music scene in Chicago, and is an instructor at the School of New Learning at DePaul University. He has led classes at the Art Institute of Chicago for more than 10 years. He earned a master’s in fine arts and interdisciplinary learning from Loyola University.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Joe Cunniff
Joe Cunniff View biography
Joseph Cuniff writes about the theater and music scene in Chicago, and is an instructor at the School of New Learning at DePaul University. He has led classes at the Art Institute of Chicago for more than 10 years. He earned a master’s in fine arts and interdisciplinary learning from Loyola University.
Profile Image of Mandy Golec
Mandy Golec View biography
Mandy Golec is a Chicago native with a passion for history, both mundane and bizarre. Having grown up in the city, she now splits her time between Chicago and Milwaukee, primarily doing museum and local walking expeditions. She is certified in D.C. and New York City, is a certified International Tour Manager through IGA out of Denver, and has written a variety of walking programs for Chicago, ranging from art history to women's history to city history.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.





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