Chicago History and Moveable Bridges: Foto Friday
While I haven’t personally counted moveable bridges in cities across the world, and I have no idea why anyone would, I am pretty sure it’s true when people say Chicago has some of the most moveable bridges of any city. The Chicago River and its canals snake through the city and historically Chicago’s many train lines […]
Chicago Blues Tour During Blues Fest
During Chicago Blues Festival weekend, yours truly (Chicago Detours) will offer a rare chance for local music lovers. Our Jazz, Blues, and Beyond Tour will be available to the general public. It’s normally only bookable by private groups, like field trips and corporate outings. This very special event on June 14 starts at 10:30am, before the […]
Architectural And Historic Things to Do This Week
Every week we look for our favorite architectural and historic events in Chicago to share with you. This week we feature a lunch talk about endangered historic places, an exhibition reception with an architectural intervention, and a public meeting to save an architectural icon. 1. Landmarks Illinois–Ten Most Endangered Historic Places – LUNCHTIME TALK 224 S. […]
Chicago Skyscraper Architecture on a Rainy Day: Foto Friday
Our spring showers came a little later this year in Chicago. While the dreary days got to be a little cumbersome, they can provide some interesting photo opportunities of the skyscraper architecture downtown. This view of skyscraper architecture we see on our Loop Interior Architecture Walking Tour that we offer six days a week. It’s a cool perspective […]
Architecture of Chicago Train Stations: Beyond the Commute
Many of us commute via Chicago public transportation as a decent and fairly inexpensive way to get around the city. As a regular Blue Line commuter, I began to think about the varied architecture of Chicago train stations and what role they play in our communities. So I decided to look into a few of the train […]
Special Events In Chicago Architecture And History This Week
Each week we pick three special events in Chicago architecture and history to recommend for your awesome social calendar. This week we feature an architecture sketching workshop with drinks, a tribute performance to Nat King Cole, and an unofficial architecture tour by bike. 1. Drinks + Design in the Studio: Speed Sketching – WORKSHOP 224 S. Michigan […]
History and Neighborhoods of Chicago Television Shows
Recently I was guiding a private group tour of Chicago, I was asked by a group of newcomers about television shows filmed in Chicago. On our Historic Chicago Walking Bar Tour, we mention movies filmed in Chicago, but I found that the history and neighborhoods of Chicago television shows were more difficult to discuss. So […]
Spring Events In Architecture And History This Week
Our weekly list of top picks for events in architecture and history this week will certainly get you out of Chicago winter hibernation-mode. These adventurous spring events include getting dirty with an archeology dig, a prohibition-era inspired theater workshop, and a jazz jam session. 1. Camp Douglas Archeology Dig – ARCHEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION 3200 S. Calumet – […]
Architectural Textures and Marina City: Foto Friday
After ending a private group tour with current and prospective students of the Illinois Institute of Design in River North, I decided to walk back to the Chicago Detours office in the Loop. It was a beautiful afternoon and as I moseyed down Dearborn Street, I noticed the iconic towers of Marina City. But of course, […]
Bughouse Square: Young Studs Terkel in Chicago
When Studs Terkel talked about his formative years, he often spoke of Bughouse Square. When I see the Studs in this video, I see the Studs I always think of: old, clever, and charming. “Old” is a part of that. With Let’s Get Working coming up this weekend, an entire festival dedicated to Studs, I decided to […]
