The Story Behind the Chicago-Style Hot Dog
The Chicago-style hot dog…there are plenty of places in Chicago to grab one, and we each have our favorite. Before I share a little tour of our Chicago dog options, let’s dig into some history of Chicago’s special spot in the world of encased meats. Chicago’s Meaty History It has a lot to do with […]
Gifts for Curious People: Gift Cards Now Available
Our blog is primarily for giving our dear readers new insights into Chicago architecture, history and culture. But every once in a while we will indeed use it to toot our own horn. Consider this some tooting. We now have gift cards for people you love who love Chicago! You can buy these gift cards […]
Obama in Chicago: His Hangouts and Life in Chicago
Let’s do a little history of Michelle and Barack Obama in Chicago. With the 2012 presidential elections coming up, I realized that I don’t know a whole lot about his life. Which is odd, since he’s President and calls Chicago home, specifically the Hyde Park and Kenwood areas. I’ve walked by his house many times, […]
Exploring a Downtown Chicago Religious Buildings
Earlier this summer, I had the joy of being guided around the Chicago Temple by our director Amanda Scotese. Those of you who have joined us for the Loop Interior Architecture Walking Tour have caught just a glimpse of what this marvelous skyscraper affords in history and architectural gems. Now we’re getting ready for our […]
Brainstorm: Promoting Chicago as a Travel Destination – Part 2
In Part 1 to this two-part post, I dug into how we should be promoting Chicago to visitors via the O’Hare Airport. By making the airport cool to the many people who stop-over without ever knowing what a world-class city Chicago is, we could make quite an impression to potential visitors in order to bring […]
A Summer Guide to Chicago Beaches and History
After two years as an ambitious, over-worked entrepreneur, I have decided this summer to make summertime fun in Chicago a top priority. But I still have history and guidance on my mind, even when relaxing. So here’s a guide to visiting some Chicago beaches. 63rd Street Beach This is the beach of Jackson Park, which […]
Biking In Chicago: A Long History of a Strong Community
I’ve been a proud to be biking in Chicago for almost two years now. Biking, to me, conjures feelings of childhood bliss. Memories of summers riding my purple Huffy, bedecked with psychedelic flowers. I’d ride it in a continuous loop in my parents’ driveway and, if I was daring, a neighbor’s sidewalk. Unfortunately, suburban sprawl […]
Chicago Tourism Industry Improvements at O’Hare
At the Choose Chicago Annual Meeting in April, Chairman of the Board Bruce Rauner encouraged feedback on our ideas for promoting Chicago tourism. We all want the city to be a top destination for business and leisure travelers. Here is one person’s two cents on how to make it happen. Promote Chicago Tourism Through Marketing […]
Illinois Governors Conference on Tourism
Last week, I attended the Illinois Governors Conference on Tourism, a three-day meeting for tourism professionals who work at hotels, restaurants, tour companies, transportation companies, and convention and visitors bureaus. We get updates on anything and everything in Illinois Tourism, and speakers often try to stress that we must not forget what’s outside of Chicago. […]
Beer + Poetry + History = Grand Success
Last Saturday night, Chicago Detours brought together a fabulous combination: writers and drinking at the historic Berghoff Bar. AWP award winners joined local artists and novelists to read a selection of Chicago Drinking poems that we at Chicago Detours dug up from library archives and old anthologies. Readers shouted out the poems amid clinking glasses […]
