Art Outside the Box: DIY Architecture Tour

To me a great building is no different than a great work of art. It's something to be observed, studied and enjoyed. One of my favorite things to do on a trip is to take in a walking tour of a city, while enjoying its architecture. Not an architectural historian? Get some help from the experts at the American Institute of Architects and build your own guided walking tour.

The American Institute of Architects has created a great series of guides to major US cities (like New York City, Washington, D.C., or Chicago), as well as some less-traveled spots (like Twin Cities or Atlanta.) What's great about these guides is that they give you digestible chunks of information about the important buildings in a city, complete with maps that allow you to create your own walking tour. The books are written by architects and architectural historians who know their stuff, so you won't feel as if you've been given the guidebook treatment.

Check out more AIA Guides at Amazon.