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About: Chicago Detours is a boutique tour company that tells Chicago stories through in-person tours, virtual tours, and custom content for corporate groups and special events. We are passionate about connecting people to places and each other through the power of storytelling.

Three Famous Chicago Musicians who Played Maxwell Street Market
As the weather gets nicer, I get excited for the open air markets in Chicago, chief among them the Maxwell Street Market. With the Chicago

Chicago Summer Beach Reading
Taking a book to the beach is a tried and true summer pastime. Chicago has no shortage of beaches and there’s certainly no lack of

Which Chicago Building Matches Your Zodiac Sign?
It’s easy to talk about Chicago architecture. Names, dates, styles, stories. The hard facts of history and design make our jobs as Chicago tour guides very tangible. But

Detour from Chicago to French Lick, Indiana
French Lick, Indiana has the kind of name that you know you learned about in history class. Was a Civil War battle there? Was a

Before Lincoln Yards: Chicago Mega-development History
Lincoln Yards, the controversial mega-development on the North Branch of the Chicago River, is just one of many enormous projects across the city. The sites,

Get to Know Chicago Detours Tour Guide Alex Bean
Being a Chicago Detours tour guide is very often a terrific job. We get to show people around a city we love and illuminate its history

Best Historic Wedding Venues in Chicago
In March 2018, I got married in one of the best historic wedding venues in Chicago — the drop dead gorgeous Chicago Cultural Center. As

Here’s What Happened at our Badass Women History Event 2019
Our “Badass Women of Chicago History” storytelling event on Friday, March 22 had good vibes all around and a packed house! We SOLD OUT with

Forgotten Chicago Nightlife History: Three Swanky 60s Clubs
Chicago nightlife history is full of fun and fascinating stories. From speakeasies in the ’20s to rooftop bars today, Chicago’s seen a lot of wild

The Amazing Architecture of the Auditorium Theater
Recently I wrote an article for the Detours blog listing the most overlooked beautiful buildings in Chicago. A few days later we received an email

Stories of Four Badass Ladies of Chicago for Women’s History Month
Women’s History Month is a natural time to reflect on all the women who’ve made Chicago a world-class city. We’ve got some heavy hitters, of

Book Tours for Your Chicago Conference Group
No one wants their Chicago conference experience to consist entirely of the whirlwind of massive expo halls and rushed meetings. Experiences and activities provide a