The Amazing Architecture of the Auditorium Theater
Recently I wrote an article for the Detours blog listing the most overlooked beautiful buildings in Chicago. A few days later we received an email from an employee of the Auditorium Theater. She asked why their historic venue had not been included. I replied, in all honesty, that I didn’t think the Auditorium Theater was […]
Architecture and History of the Marquette Building
The Marquette Building, a landmark Chicago skyscraper from 1895, is a stunner. Right in the heart of the Loop, it’s one of the best extant examples of the Chicago School of architecture. Like many of Chicago’s architectural marvels, it fell into a state of neglect in the 20th century. Today, meticulous work has restored the […]
The Best Free Rooftop Views of Chicago
We want to highlight the best free rooftop views of Chicago. After all, paying for cover and drinks at the swanky rooftop bars isn’t exactly cheap. You can still get that sweet skyline view on the cheap, though! Heading into famous and overlooked buildings and finding a hidden vista is one of the great downtown […]
The Evolution of Wolf Point’s Buildings
Wolf Point, the Y-shaped spot where the North, South, and Main Branches of the Chicago River meet, is the at the very heart of Chicago. That junction hosted the first permanent settlement of Native Americans, French-Canadian fur trappers, and American settlers that became the city of Chicago. The ubiquitous Y-shaped municipal device that covers Chicago memorializes this location. […]
Chicago History Books for Your Holiday Gift List
It’s hard for me to imagine a better holiday gift than good Chicago history books. They hold the promise of gripping narratives, undiscovered facts, and greater perspective and understanding. It’s like manna from heaven for big ol’ history and architecture nerds, like yours truly. But which Chicago history books are worth gifting? To help you […]
Five Ways to Appreciate Chicago’s Historic Buildings
Chicago’s historic buildings are a three-dimensional manifestation of our city’s history and culture. If these buildings could talk, they would have endless stories to tell about the city and the many people that have passed through. Read here to learn how to better understand the architecture around you, and imagine, if Chicago’s buildings were among the […]
Underground Chicago: Exploring The Hidden Layers of the City
The term ‘Chicago architecture’ usually evokes images of soaring skyscrapers, but the architecture of underground Chicago is fascinating and essential in its own right. Virtually unknown layers of tunnels, passages, sewers, pipes, and other infrastructure crisscross below the city. We research stories from Chicago history, architecture and culture like this while developing our live virtual tours, in-person […]
Announcing the Chicago Detours Scholarship for Local History Students
We have some cool news to share! Our tour guides are very proud to help spread the word about the Chicago Detours scholarship for local history students. We want to support awesome scholars in Chicago history. And we’re also rolling out a grant program for local non-profits. We tour guides at Chicago Detours fund these […]
Why the Chicago Architectural Boat Tour is So Popular
Earlier this summer, TripAdvisor named the Chicago architectural boat tour the single most popular tour in America. That got me to wondering, what is it that makes it so popular? Sometimes our walking tour guides are hired out to lead a Chicago River boat tour, often on a private yacht charter via Anita Dee Yacht Charters. […]
Should We Trash or Save the Thompson Center?
The James R. Thompson Center is only thirty years old, but Governor Bruce Rauner announced in the fall of 2015 that he wants it sold and demolished. Just this month, in January of 2017, he floated the idea of a 115-story skyscraper taking its place. That raises a question for us Chicagoans to consider: should we trash or […]