INNOVATING LOCALly focused TRAVEL since 2010

An Experiential Learning Company

Impact on Chicago Tourism 

Chicago Detours was one of the first to foresee the trend toward local-based, authentic travel experiences. 

DETOURS BY THE NUMBERS

hyperlocal tourism company in the country!
1 st
in-person and virtual tour guests
0 +
reviews with average rating of 4.5/5
0 +
Curated walking, bus and boat tours in downtown and Chicago neighborhoods
0 +
donated to a youth theater program that shares stories of our neighborhoods
$ 0
blog posts about Chicago history, architectural design and things to do
0 +

our journey

2010

Chicago Detours was founded with a mission to bring people to explore Chicago stories and places that even locals didn’t know.

year timeline

We designed walking, bus and boat tours of downtown and Chicago neighborhoods. 

The team grew and established a reputation for creativity, quality, and professionalism. 

chicago expert neighborhood tour guide alex speaking chicago tour company

We rapidly pivoted the business during lockdown, receiving national recognition in outlets like Entrepreneur Magazine.

We also refreshed our branding after celebrating our milestone ten-year anniversary.   

 

10 year anniversary logo
2021

We officially scaled back and began to transition the business.

chicago neighborhood video production amanda with camera on shoot
timeline history year 2024

With a goal of expanding our impact, we are considering becoming a nonprofit. Please give us your input with this brief survey!

“Chicago Detours, a touring company…pushing the limits of what is expected.”

Entrepreneur Magazine 3/18/21

Actually Cool Things You Can (Still) Do in Chicago Right Now

thrillist 8/15/2020

How 5 Small Businesses Reinvented Themselves During Covid 

Inc Magazine 3/17/21

ALUMS

Amanda
Executive Director and Tour Guide

Alex
Content Manager and Tour Guide

Marie
Marketing Manager and Tour Guide

Ellen
Sales Manager and Tour Guide

Anthony
Tour Guide

chai headshot tour company assistant

Chai
Administrative Assistant

Our Chicago Tour Company Philosophy

We believe we can learn about our communities, ourselves and each other by exploring Chicago history and architecture.

We know that history is best told with a creative approach.

We are committed to telling a broad range of stories by amplifying the perspectives of marginalized voices from history, including minorities, women, and LGBTQ+ people individuals.

custom chicago neighborhoods building tour icon

We passionately support historic preservation efforts.

river city chicago architecture stories event

ready to book a tour?

Book an event!

© 2025 Chicago Detours

Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions

Ellen

Private Tour Coordinator and Tour Guide

There is no shortage of things to discover in Chicago—I love being an urban explorer and uncovering its hidden places. I have an MA in Public History from Loyola University Chicago, and I have worked as a museum educator and kindergarten teacher. My desire to learn new things fuels my passion for educating others, which I get to experience every day as a Chicago tour guide. I live in the northern neighborhood of Rogers Park.

“Our guide Ellen was exceptional and gifted with a great personal touch.”
Robert
GetYourGuide

Jen

Tour Guide

Whether you are a first-time visitor or a lifelong resident, the vibrant history and modern majesty of Chicago never ceases to amaze. I’m a graduate of Columbia College with an M.A. in Interdisciplinary Art. I’ve worked for many years as an educator at City Colleges of Chicago. As tour guide at Chicago Detours, I integrate my enthusiasm for culture and architecture with my passion as an educator. West Town/Noble Square area is home for me.

“Jen was a perfect storyteller and kept us spellbound for hours.”
Heather
TripAdvisor

Elyse

Tour Guide

With our Chicago neighborhoods, vibrant cultural institutions and nearly two centuries of larger-than-life stories, there’s never a dull moment here! I’m a fifth generation Chicagoan and a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis. In addition to guiding tours, I’m a creative writer and amateur genealogist. I also enjoy the city’s dynamic theater scene. You can also read overlooked stories from 19th-century newspapers on my “Second Glance History” blog. I live in River North.

Anthony

Tour Guide

Chicago is unique as it always evolves into the future while holding on to the past. I’m fascinated by how people latch on to old architecture but happily pave over others. My background is in theater and performance and I’ve been a tour guide here for more than 10 years. Currently I’m finishing my Master’s in Public History at Loyola University because I love to teach the history of this scrappy city. I’m in the Edgewater neighborhood.

Marie

Operations Coordinator and Tour Guide

Chicago’s history is so fascinating, you could spend a lifetime uncovering its secrets…I’m willing to give it a try! I have an M.A. in US History from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and then pursued doctoral studies in Urban History at the University of Illinois at Chicago. I love to learn new aspects of Chicago’s rich history and then share my knowledge as a tour guide with Chicago Detours. I live in Ravenswood.

“Marie was a bubbling fountain of information and contagious enthusiasm.”
Lorit
TripAdvisor

Sonny

Operations Coordinator and Tour Guide

As a fourth generation Chicagoan, I have been living and loving Chicago by bike, on foot, public transit or automobile. I am a graduate of UIC where through the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs, began my eagerness to understand the nature, history and impacts of urban planning and development. It is incredibly rewarding to give back to this wonderful city by helping out in the office of Chicago Detours. I live in the incredibly diverse neighborhood of Albany Park.
“Sonny was extremely knowledgeable about all things Chi-town.”
Wade K
TripAdvisor

Alex

Content Manager and Tour Guide

Chicago has so many neighborhoods, buildings, and by-ways that it’s hard to go long without seeing something new, or something familiar from a new angle. I studied Cinema History for my M.A. from the University of Chicago. I’ve worked as a culture writer for various publications and as an educator of the humanities at the City Colleges of Chicago. I’m thrilled to share my love of this city’s busy past and unique architectural spaces with Chicago Detours. I live in the Chicago neighborhood of Lincoln Park.

“Alex was fascinating to listen to. He clearly knows his history and it shows.”
Katie K
Yelp

Amanda Scotese

Executive Director and Tour Guide

I’m an interpreter of personal stories from the past and the city’s landscape. I love to imagine what originally happened inside old unmarked buildings, and what forces have shaped their design. I studied Chicago history, architectural history, and anything Chicago-related through my M.A. in the Humanities at the University of Chicago. My love for stories was enriched by my B.A. in Literature from the University of Michigan. I’ve written travel articles for publications like Rick Steves’ Italy best-selling travel guides, the San Francisco Bay Guardian, and The Chicago Food Encyclopedia. I live in the Chicago neighborhood of West Avondale.
“You can TELL Amanda is hyper-passionate about doing the research and getting the story that nobody’s heard before.”
Shelby F
Yelp

Book a chicago event

Let’s Connect!

[apptivocontactform name=”Virtual Tour Booking Form”]