A Perspective of Willis Tower Architecture: Foto Friday

Sears Tower Willis Tower Sears Company buildings in Chicago

We all recognize the giant black skyscraper with big antennas as the Sears Tower, or Willis Tower, or whatever you want to call it. I believe that all things change, so I have no problem calling this the Willis Tower. I ended up walking on the west end of the Loop the other day. Just […]

Things To Do In Chicago This Week

Not sure what to do in your free time this week? As always we have our top picks of things to do in Chicago in architecture and history. This week we feature a craft beer launch at the Field Museum, a weekend of gospel music, and a bus tour in Oak Park. 1. Hop To […]

Things To Do In Chicago This Week

Not sure what to do in your free time this week? As always we have our top picks of things to do in Chicago in architecture and history. This week we feature a craft beer launch at the Field Museum, a weekend of gospel music, and a bus tour in Oak Park. 1. Hop To […]

A Climb Inside a Skyscraper Tower: Foto Friday

Urban exploration right in the heart of downtown Chicago filled my afternoon yesterday. I had the very special opportunity to do something that no one does every day – I climbed the inside a skyscraper tower on the very top of the Chicago Temple Building. I’ve been fascinated by this 1920s skyscraper since I started researching its […]

Architectural and Historic Chicago Events In June

Each week we put together a list of our top three picks for events in Chicago architecture and history. Chicago events in June we feature this week include a lecture on the restoration of a historic recital hall, a tour of Howard Van Doren Shaw architecture, and tours of the Chicago ‘L.’ 1. Trailing Louis Sullivan: […]

Mies’ Architecture in Downtown Chicago: Foto Friday

Architect Mies van der Rohe designed modernist architecture in downtown Chicago, and on our tours we love telling people about how he revolutionized the shape of our buildings. People often default to finding these black box buildings to be boring, but the beauty of modernism lies in its simplicity. While IIT Campus is known as the […]

Architecture of Chicago Train Stations: Uptown Station History

I recently looked into the history and architecture of Chicago train stations and how they effect their communities. I dug into a few stations I’ve frequented and as I looked into the Wilson Red Line stop, I realized that the story of the Uptown station history deserved its own post. Don’t forget that we always […]

Events This Week In Chicago Architecture and History

We research events going on each week and bring you our favorite three in Chicago architecture and history. This week we feature a garden walk with historic buildings, Chicago’s annual festival of blues music, and a special tour of Chicago blues and jazz. 1. The Gardens at 900 – GARDEN STROLL 900 N. Waukegan Rd., Lake […]

Events This Week In Chicago Architecture and History

We research events going on each week and bring you our favorite three in Chicago architecture and history. This week we feature a garden walk with historic buildings, Chicago’s annual festival of blues music, and a special tour of Chicago blues and jazz. 1. The Gardens at 900 – GARDEN STROLL 900 N. Waukegan Rd., Lake […]

River City Architecture From Above: Foto Friday

Chicago mega-development River City Riverline the 78

Earlier this week I took the photo below of the River City apartments. I was working for a special event at the Willis Tower. It was a group of Italian doctors in town for the ASCO annual meeting (American Society for Clinical Oncology) in Chicago. While usually the special events I coordinate are curated private […]

Ellen

Private Tour Coordinator and Tour Guide

There is no shortage of things to discover in Chicago—I love being an urban explorer and uncovering its hidden places. I have an MA in Public History from Loyola University Chicago, and I have worked as a museum educator and kindergarten teacher. My desire to learn new things fuels my passion for educating others, which I get to experience every day as a Chicago tour guide. I live in the northern neighborhood of Rogers Park.

“Our guide Ellen was exceptional and gifted with a great personal touch.”
Robert
GetYourGuide

Jen

Tour Guide

Whether you are a first-time visitor or a lifelong resident, the vibrant history and modern majesty of Chicago never ceases to amaze. I’m a graduate of Columbia College with an M.A. in Interdisciplinary Art. I’ve worked for many years as an educator at City Colleges of Chicago. As tour guide at Chicago Detours, I integrate my enthusiasm for culture and architecture with my passion as an educator. West Town/Noble Square area is home for me.

“Jen was a perfect storyteller and kept us spellbound for hours.”
Heather
TripAdvisor

Elyse

Tour Guide

With our Chicago neighborhoods, vibrant cultural institutions and nearly two centuries of larger-than-life stories, there’s never a dull moment here! I’m a fifth generation Chicagoan and a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis. In addition to guiding tours, I’m a creative writer and amateur genealogist. I also enjoy the city’s dynamic theater scene. You can also read overlooked stories from 19th-century newspapers on my “Second Glance History” blog. I live in River North.

Anthony

Tour Guide

Chicago is unique as it always evolves into the future while holding on to the past. I’m fascinated by how people latch on to old architecture but happily pave over others. My background is in theater and performance and I’ve been a tour guide here for more than 10 years. Currently I’m finishing my Master’s in Public History at Loyola University because I love to teach the history of this scrappy city. I’m in the Edgewater neighborhood.

Marie

Operations Coordinator and Tour Guide

Chicago’s history is so fascinating, you could spend a lifetime uncovering its secrets…I’m willing to give it a try! I have an M.A. in US History from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and then pursued doctoral studies in Urban History at the University of Illinois at Chicago. I love to learn new aspects of Chicago’s rich history and then share my knowledge as a tour guide with Chicago Detours. I live in Ravenswood.

“Marie was a bubbling fountain of information and contagious enthusiasm.”
Lorit
TripAdvisor

Sonny

Operations Coordinator and Tour Guide

As a fourth generation Chicagoan, I have been living and loving Chicago by bike, on foot, public transit or automobile. I am a graduate of UIC where through the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs, began my eagerness to understand the nature, history and impacts of urban planning and development. It is incredibly rewarding to give back to this wonderful city by helping out in the office of Chicago Detours. I live in the incredibly diverse neighborhood of Albany Park.
“Sonny was extremely knowledgeable about all things Chi-town.”
Wade K
TripAdvisor

Alex

Content Manager and Tour Guide

Chicago has so many neighborhoods, buildings, and by-ways that it’s hard to go long without seeing something new, or something familiar from a new angle. I studied Cinema History for my M.A. from the University of Chicago. I’ve worked as a culture writer for various publications and as an educator of the humanities at the City Colleges of Chicago. I’m thrilled to share my love of this city’s busy past and unique architectural spaces with Chicago Detours. I live in the Chicago neighborhood of Lincoln Park.

“Alex was fascinating to listen to. He clearly knows his history and it shows.”
Katie K
Yelp

Amanda Scotese

Executive Director and Tour Guide

I’m an interpreter of personal stories from the past and the city’s landscape. I love to imagine what originally happened inside old unmarked buildings, and what forces have shaped their design. I studied Chicago history, architectural history, and anything Chicago-related through my M.A. in the Humanities at the University of Chicago. My love for stories was enriched by my B.A. in Literature from the University of Michigan. I’ve written travel articles for publications like Rick Steves’ Italy best-selling travel guides, the San Francisco Bay Guardian, and The Chicago Food Encyclopedia. I live in the Chicago neighborhood of West Avondale.
“You can TELL Amanda is hyper-passionate about doing the research and getting the story that nobody’s heard before.”
Shelby F
Yelp

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