This small, independently owned company knows what it’s doing and the result is creative, informative, and fun tours. That’s because the owner of the company worked for nearly a decade as a tour guide and guidebook researcher herself. I recently went on a tour called “Interior Architecture of the Loop,” which has the bonus of being indoors for the majority of the time (I took the tour mid-winter), and was pleasantly surprised to find that my group was made up of 95% locals—a rave review if there ever was one. The tour took us through Chicago’s pedway, an underground system that lets downtown workers get from building to building without facing the elements in the winter, and also highlighted different pieces of public art and architecture, while sharing stories of developmental failures and weaving tales about famous Chicago names, like Marshall Field. The guide was well versed in history, art, architecture, and Chicago, and was also an excellent storyteller. Detours also offers tours that include a historic bar crawl.
Chicago› Attraction
Chicago Detours
53 W. Jackson Blvd. Ste. 1357, Chicago, IL 60604
Our Rating
Hours
Times are Mon 11am; Wed/Thurs 10am; Fri 3pm; Sat/Sun 11am, 1:30pm. Times are Thurs/Fri 5:30pm; Sat 5pm and 5:45pm
Phone
312/350-1131
Prices
Loop Interior Architecture Tour, $28/person; Historic bar tours, $36/person
Web site
Chicago Detours
Map
53 W. Jackson Blvd. Ste. 1357 Chicago IL 60604 ChicagoNote: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.