Five Winter Things to Do in The Loop
We put together a list of five winter things to do in the Loop for you, since Chicago has a cold weather reputation. Winter weather can be a burden in disguise. Watching snow falling is always magical, of course. Gridlocked traffic and frigid temperatures are decidedly less delightful. Every activity we list here is indoors, fun, […]
Chicago Native American History for Thanksgiving
Our national holiday, Thanksgiving, reminds me of the Native American history in Chicago. Native Americans, of course, were the first settlers in this region. In school we don’t learn much about Native American history beyond Thanksgiving. But in Chicago there is much more to Native American influence on the city, beginning with its name. What’s in a Name? […]
Walking Tours of Chicago Questions Answered
We give walking tours of Chicago almost daily to locals and tourists alike. One of the many perks of my job as a tour guide is meeting so many curious people. Encouraging questions as much as we do means getting stumped every once in a while. Here are answers to some of those questions. Is […]
Chicago’s Innovation with Corten Steel
Let’s focus on a seemingly mundane material for a moment – corten steel. A guy named Mark Kurlansky has gotten really into telling history through a mundane commodity, food, or event. He wrote Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World in 1997 and Salt: A World History in 2002. So why not […]
Friendly Not Freaky Streets for Chicago Cyclists
Ok, it’s still a little freaky to be a Chicago cyclist on Dearborn Street. Those cars just a few short feet away seem to be coming right at you! It will take some getting used to. The opening of this new two-direction bike lane on Dearborn Street in mid-December also seemed unseasonable. We see bicyclists […]
Exclusive Entrance to the Union League Club on March 18
Last June, I presented at the Union League Club about the architectural history of the building, including its cultural context in downtown Chicago business and life and the relevance of historic architecture over time. We had a great time, and they’ve invited me back, and you are invited as well! In addition to experiencing the discussion […]
A Brief History of Living in the Loop
Most of us think of downtown as a place for big business and shopping, but a few people actually live downtown. Inspired by the construction of the new Waterview Tower climbing to the skies near the river, I decided to explore a history of residential architecture in the Loop.It’s a topic that comes up fairly […]
Chicago Architectural Spaces for Kissing Valentines
Looking for a place in Chicago to have a romantic moment during Valentine’s Day? I’m the new Chicago Detours Editorial Intern, and I went on a little winter walk to get some pictures for this “Top 3 List” of some of the best Chicago architectural spaces to sneak away for kissing your Valentine: 1) Ando Gallery in […]
New Chicago Pedway Map and Guide
With the help of some great designers, I decided to create a new Chicago Pedway map. Guests on our custom private tours often ask ‘Where do we get a map?’ I had come to know the Pedway system “inside and out” while designing our tours, which venture into building interiors and uses the Pedway to […]
1920s Towers of Downtown Chicago and the Oddities of Zoning Laws
How can you tell when a tower was built? A few key features can help you winnow it down, as we prove with these 1920s towers in Chicago. We research stories from Chicago history, architecture and culture like this while developing our live virtual tours, in-person private tours, and custom content for corporate events. You can join us […]
