Chicago Neighborhood Tours explore the history, traditions and people of Chicago year-round. Among this season’s 24 different excursions are seven new Neighborhood Tours, all offering an insider perspective on Chicago’s communities. Tour these distinctive enclaves with local residents as your guides. Get up close with the world’s largest number of Mies-designed buildings at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT); immerse yourself in the Southeast Asian world of Argyle Street; shop for Swedish mementos and treats plus other unique finds in Andersonville; cruise through Back of the Yard’s landmark Sherman Park honoring city planner-architect Daniel Burnham’s father-in-law; and pay homage to the nation’s second oldest major-league ballpark in a neighborhood named after a chewing gum empire, Wrigleyville.
Now these affordable half-day bus tours come in two varieties. Choose from the Neighborhood Tours, visiting a broad range of Chicago communities, and the Taste of the Neighborhoods tours, combining visits to neighborhoods off the beaten path for delicious results.
At 312-742-1190 or www.ChicagoNeighborhoodTours.com, you can book any of the 2011 Chicago Neighborhood Tours or private, customized group tours for 30 or more.
NEW NEIGHBORHOOD TOURS
Andersonville & Edgewater. Experience the Swedish American Museum where the area’s Swedish heritage comes to life. Explore one-of-a-kind Clark Street shops. Head to Edgewater for the Art Deco and Tudor Revival architectural styles of the Bryn Mawr Historic District and stately lakefront homes. May 7, November 19
Avondale, Old Irving & The Villa. The heart of Chicago’s Polish community beats strongly in Avondale, where the magnificent St. Hyacinth Basilica anchors one of the city’s oldest Polish parishes. Find early 20th-century architectural gems in Old Irving and The Villa neighborhoods. May 14, July 9, October 15
Back of the Yards & Bridgeport. An imposing gate from Chicago’s legendary meatpacking past is all that remains of the once sprawling Union Stock Yards in Back of the Yards. Nearby Bridgeport’s experimental cultural center, the Co-Prosperity Sphere characterizes the vibrant arts scene taking root in this historically blue-collar community. Enjoy a photo-op outside U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox major-league baseball team. April 9, July 30, November 5
Bronzeville, South Loop & IIT Campus. Bronzeville is a living monument to the Great Migration and generations of African Americans who made it a thriving community. Visit the IIT campus for the world’s largest number of buildings designed by famed architecture Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Rem Koolhaas’ distinctive Campus Center. Swing by the Douglas Memorial honoring a famous Lincoln-era politician, before stopping at the South Loop’s architecturally stunning Second Presbyterian Church. May 7, October 1
Columbus Park & Garfield Park. See two of famed landscape architect Jens Jensen’s greatest masterpiece parks. Stroll Columbus Park’s hills, woodlands and lagoons inspired by the original terrain. Next is Garfield Park Conservatory: one of the nation’s oldest and largest conservatories exhibiting thousands of plant species. Aim your camera at Garfield Park’s landmark field house, a Spanish Baroque Revival beauty capped by a stunning gold dome. July 28, August 18
Lincoln Park, Lakeview & Wrigleyville. “Hip and happening” aptly describe the Lakeview and Lincoln Park neighborhoods. Amid Lakeview’s restaurants and boutiques are architectural gems such as the Elks Veterans Memorial. Travel through Wrigleyville, one of Lakeview’s most popular districts and home to Wrigley Field and the Chicago Cubs major-league baseball team, for great photo ops. June 30, July 21, August 11
Uptown & Argyle Street. Chicago’s rich architectural history and ethnic diversity intersect in the Uptown neighborhood. Along Hutchinson Street, behold one of the country’s largest treasure troves of Prairie-style mansions by architect George W. Maher. Check out the gleaming Beaux-Arts building at Broadway and Lawrence Avenue, formerly Uptown Bank. Easily imagine yourself in Southeast Asia while perusing the shops and eateries along Argyle Street. April 9, October 8
About Chicago Neighborhood Tours
Chicago Neighborhood Tours is a division of the Chicago Office of Tourism. For all tour descriptions and reservations, call 312.742.1190 or visit www.ChicagoNeighborhoodTours.com. These motor coach tours depart at 10 a.m. (9:30 a.m. check-in) from the Chicago Cultural Center (77 E. Randolph Street at Michigan Avenue) and include some walking. Each Neighborhood Tour is $30 ($25 for seniors 65+/students with valid I.D./children ages 8–12) and includes refreshments. Each Taste of the Neighborhoods tour is $50 ($45 for seniors 65+/students with valid I.D./children ages 8–12) and includes small-plate dishes along the way. Group rates are available. Reservations are strongly recommended as tours often sell out.
Visitor Information Resources
Visitors and Chicagoans planning to entertain out-of-town guests can receive trip-planning assistance and information by visiting www.ExploreChicago.org.
Brochures and information on Chicago’s exciting events and activities are also available at the Visitor Information Centers. Friendly Visitor Representatives can answer questions and assist in planning an unforgettable itinerary. The visitor centers are located in two of the city’s most popular areas: across from Millennium Park in the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph Street; and at the historic Water Works pumping station, 163 E. Pearson Street at Michigan Avenue.
For daily alerts about fun and free things to do in Chicago, follow ExploreChicago on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/ExploreChicago. Receive answers to your Chicago questions on the go, and tips on the latest citywide events and activities, via the FREE Twitter Concierge Service (@explorechicago) available daily.
The Chicago Office of Tourism is dedicated to promoting Chicago as a premier cultural destination to domestic and international leisure travelers and to providing innovative visitor programs and resources. For more information please visit www.ExploreChicago.org.
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