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Everything you need to know about chicago!

About: We bring curious people to explore, learn and interact on live, virtual events of Chicago history and architecture.
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Architecture

Take a Free Self-Guided William LeBaron Jenney Walking Tour

William LeBaron Jenney designed the world’s first steel-frame skyscraper in 1885, creating a new style of construction which would come to define the city. You

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October 23, 2019
Chicago Neighborhoods

Four Unconventional College Student Group Activities in Chicago

We often hear from guests that it’s tricky finding interesting college student group activities in Chicago. Our private tours are popular with university groups looking

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October 16, 2019
Riccardo's Ric's Ric riccardo Chicago deep dish pizza history
Chicago History

Where’d Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Come From?

Chicago deep dish pizza is our city’s most famous culinary creation, but layers of mystery and uncertainty shroud its origins and early history. It’s rather

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October 2, 2019
podhale poland region
Chicago Neighborhoods

Mysteries Solved on Our Wicker Park Neighborhood Tour

We’re going to answer some questions and solve some mysteries from our Old Polonia and Wicker Park Neighborhood Tour. Sometimes our tour guides get questions

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September 25, 2019
Second City facade SNL Chicago Tour Louis Sullian Garrick Theater Chicago theatre history
Chicago Art & Culture

Peek Behind the Scenes of Chicago Theatre History

2019 is the Year of Chicago Theatre, so we’re looking back on the history of Chicago theatre in all its varied forms, from its legendary

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September 18, 2019
Indiana Dunes poster Quincy Station
Chicago History

Detour: Take an Indiana Dunes Day Trip

For over a century, an Indiana Dunes day trip has been one of the best detours from our big city. Many Chicagoans still make this

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September 11, 2019
Chicago Neighborhoods

You Will Love This Creative New Chicago Neighborhood Guidebook

Belt Publishing, a Midwest-based independent book label, is publishing its new Chicago Neighborhood Guidebook on September 10th. They’ll host a launch party at The Hideout

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September 4, 2019
Chicago History

Chicago’s Radical History and the Origins of Labor Day

Labor Day weekend is usually filled with cookouts, cold drinks, and last-minute summer trips, yet the origins of Labor Day could not be less tranquil.

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August 28, 2019
Harry Carray's historic bars near the mag mile
Answers to Tour Questions

Three Cheers for These Historic Bars Near the Mag Mile

Guests on our Historic Chicago Walking Bar Tour often ask for the guides’ recommendations for other historic bars near the Mag Mile. So we polled

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August 21, 2019
Chicago fireboat 1940s Chicago River grain elevator fire
Chicago History

Cruise on a Piece of Local History with Chicago Fireboat Tours

Our team of Chicago tour guides recently got the chance to take a sunset cruise with our new partners at Chicago Fireboat Tours. We’ll be

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August 14, 2019
century of contrasts south loop walking tour
Chicago History

Five Fun Things to Do Near McCormick Place

McCormick Place can often feel like a very nicely-appointed island in the South Loop. Its relative distance from downtown’s hot spots can leave both visitors

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August 7, 2019
Chicago Girls Weekend Getaway Restoration Hardware 3 Arts Cafe
Contemporary Chicago

Five Creative Ideas for a Chicago Girlfriends Getaway

A girlfriends getaway to Chicago is not foreign here at Chicago Detours. We are a female-owned and operated business. We know all about the importance

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July 31, 2019
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January 16, 2021

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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

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