Sip Hot Chocolate in These 4 Historic Spots
Cozying up with a mug of hot chocolate is an absolute must in the midst of a long Chicago winter. So why not check out some fascinating historic architecture while tracking down that mug of bliss? Here are four places to enjoy excellent hot chocolate in fascinating historic spots. Cheers! We research stories from Chicago history, architecture […]
Discover the Traces of Military History in Chicago
For Veterans Day I want to highlight some of the traces of military history in Chicago. Both downtown and throughout the neighborhoods, buildings, place names, museums and memorials bear tribute to the brave women and men who fought for their country. So, in memory of the sacrifices made for the country by our veterans, here […]
Take a Free Self-Guided William LeBaron Jenney Walking Tour
William LeBaron Jenney designed the world’s first steel-frame skyscraper in 1885, creating a new style of construction which would come to define the city. You can still see some of his groundbreaking architectural masterpieces in downtown Chicago using this free self-guided William LeBaron Jenney walking tour. As the inventor of the skyscraper, Jenney trained talented young […]
You Will Love This Creative New Chicago Neighborhood Guidebook
Belt Publishing, a Midwest-based independent book label, is publishing its new Chicago Neighborhood Guidebook on September 10th. They’ll host a launch party at The Hideout on September 11th at 5:30pm. We hope to see you there because The Chicago Neighborhood Guidebook is awesome. Led by editor Martha Bayne, the contributors to The Chicago Neighborhood Guidebook […]
Chicago Gay Neighborhood History
I started thinking about how Chicago being the “City of Neighborhoods” has intersected with the city’s LGBT history. Chicago’s Boystown neighborhood made history in 1997 when Mayor Richard M. Daley designated it the city’s official gay neighborhood. It was the first such designation in American history. Chicago gay neighborhood history stretches back over a century […]
Before Lincoln Yards: Chicago Mega-development History
Lincoln Yards, the controversial mega-development on the North Branch of the Chicago River, is just one of many enormous projects across the city. The sites, built by private developers with infusions of public money, aim to build entire neighborhoods from scratch. Obviously, these are “no little plans” as Daniel Burnham might say, and they have […]
Best Historic Wedding Venues in Chicago
In March 2018, I got married in one of the best historic wedding venues in Chicago — the drop dead gorgeous Chicago Cultural Center. As a bonafide Chicago history nerd (like all the Detours tour guides) my wedding had to be in a historic location, and luckily my husband was happy to go along with my […]
Looking Back at Sears Company Buildings in Chicago
Sears, the landmark Chicago-based retailer, has teetered on the brink of liquidation for months. Apparently, $5 billion from its current chairman’s hedge fund will keep the company afloat (for now). The retail giant impacted Chicago’s history and economy, but we often overlook its impact on our built environment. We decided to explore the Sears company […]
10 Overlooked Beautiful Buildings in Chicago
Chicago is known for having beautiful buildings and being a hub of architectural innovation. Iconic favorites like Aqua, the Robie House and the Carbide and Carbon Building show up on multiple lists of beautiful buildings in Chicago. We wanted to spotlight some beauties that are often overlooked. Let us know if we missed one of […]
New Buildings in Chicago – Vista, One Bennett Park and More in 2019
2019 may turn out to be the peak of the current building boom in Chicago. As a professional tour guide here with Chicago Detours, it can be dizzying at times to keep up with all these changes! To take account of the frenzy, I’m highlighting some of the new buildings in Chicago. Some of the big […]