Five Reasons to Book a Small Group Private Tour
At Chicago Detours, we offer all kinds of small group private tours by foot and by car, in downtown and in our Chicago neighborhoods. “Small” can get a bad rap, especially in the city of “Big Shoulders,” super tall skyscrapers, almost three million people and one Great Lake. At Chicago Detours we know that even […]
Five Real Historic Irish Pubs in Chicago
Irish pubs are the stalwarts of Chicago’s drinking scene. Easily found in many parts of town, these public houses are an abode of questionably-authentic Irish drinks and décor. Only some historic Irish pubs really love up to the name, though. So we tracked down five authentically historic pubs filled with craic. The lovely dives we’ve rustled […]
Five Chicago Soul Food Restaurants
In honor of Black History Month we want to highlight five delicious Chicago soul food restaurants. Soul food, of course, is the delectable Southern cooking tradition associated with the African-American community. Ever since the Great Migration, when millions of African-Americans fled the Jim Crow South, soul food has become a culinary highlight of Chicago’s food […]
The Forgotten Chinatown in Downtown Chicago
Chicago’s Chinatown is one of the city’s densest and busiest neighborhoods. Located on the South Side, it’s the beating heart of Chicago’s Chinese community. But it’s not the first such Chinese neighborhood in the city. The original and now-forgotten Chinatown is right on the southern edge of the Loop, hidden behind the financial district. Sadly, […]
Chicago 2017 Holiday Season in Photos
These are our Chicago 2017 holiday season photos that we tour guides have taken on our explorations of Chicago. The past month has been magical. Lights, crowds, and festivities always make this a special time of year. It’ll be neat to look back on these years from now and see how the city has changed. […]
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 […]
Best Stops for Student Performance Groups in Chicago
We often play host to big student performance groups in Chicago for their annual trip. It’s always a kick to guide these student groups. Hanging out with them often feels like time travel, since I’m a former high school drama kid and marching band groupie myself. I’ve also grown to appreciate just how hard it […]
Big Ideas Behind the Little Chicago Alleys
What’s in Chicago alleys? That which we might call an alleyway actually makes our city smell so sweet. That line is some mock Shakespeare, of course, but it’s still true. Chicago alleys are one of the instrumental parts of our cityscape. They predate the city itself. They’re an invaluable part of the city’s infrastructure. They even […]
A History of Gay Pride in Chicago
The 48th Annual Chicago Pride Parade will take place on June 25th. In anticipation of one of the city’s most joyful events, I wanted to take a look back at the long and vibrant history of gay pride in Chicago. Whether they know it or not, the million or so revelers who will descend on […]
The History of Chicago BBQ
Innumerable backyard grills will be fired up for summer holidays, like Memorial Day weekend and Fourth of July. In honor of that, I wanted to dive into the greatest possible use of a grill: barbecue. The history of Chicago BBQ is tied directly to the city’s history of industry and immigration. Taking a look at […]