5352 @CP_Chicago Concierge Preferred

TOUR DE CHICAGO

If you’ve been to Chicago before, you may feel that you’ve seen the sights. Maybe you’ve even ridden a double-decker bus or gone on a boat tour. You’re exhausted of general Chicago facts! What do you do now? Well, all of the following tours fill some kind of distinc-tive niche in Chicago’s personality—pizza, gangsters, theaters—and promise to teach you a little specialized something along the way.

By Elizabeth Pierson

Chicago’s South Side is home to a heap of African American history ripe for exploring on the Restoring Bronzeville Tour (p.67). While Bronzeville has fallen on harder times in the last few decades, this cultural hotbed has seen an impressive restoration in recent years and is truly one of the city’s best hidden gems. Arrange a private walking or bus tour and let a South Side supporter show you the largest African-American Publishing company in the world, Obama’s hometown, the Victory Monument, Fredrick Douglass’ tomb and much more. Custom tours cater to your interests and availability, and can be 2-4 hours long.

If you only had time to catch one of your favorite shows while in town, but are still interested in Chicago’s unique theater district, Broadway in Chicago now offers Historic Theatre Tours (p.67). Every Saturday at 11 a.m., you can appreciate the glittering interiors, recent restorations, and historic interiors of the FCPA Oriental, the Cadillac Palace and the Bank of America Theatres. A guide will point out the infusion of cutting edge technology with century-old décor in each location and outline the shows that have taken each stage.

When it comes to Chicago landmarks, perhaps none is so loved as Wrigley Field. Step inside this historic stadium on a Cubs’ Wrigley Field Tour (p.67) and learn what makes this ballpark so unique from a tour guide who bleeds Cubbie blue. You will have the opportunity to sit in the fan-favorite bleachers, view the field from the press box, enter the clubhouses where your favorite players have been and step out of the dugout onto the hallowed field.

Enjoy beautiful fall weather and some of Chicago’s favorite snacks and drinks on Bobby’s Bike Hike’s (p.66) brand new “Bikes, Bites and Brews Tour”. Travel over 14 miles

sampling Edwardo’s deep-dish pizza, Swirlz cupcakes, Hot Diggity Dogs’ Chicago-style hot dogs and beer—Goose Island Brewery and RJ Grunts—along the way. In four hours, you’ll find out what makes these foods unique to Chicago, while burning off the calories, as you cruise through some of Chicago’s most popular neighborhoods.

Discover that Chicago isn’t only about deep-dish pizza, as you hop aboard Chicago Pizza Tours’ (p.66) bus (the Dough Force One, no less) and travel to four different pizzerias each

boasting unique crust, sauce and cheese styles. In just three hours, pizza enthusiasts will find out where Oprah prefers to get her pies and where the first deep-dish slice was served. Then disembark to meet the staff and try the pizza. Guests will sample Chicago classics like Gino’s East and Pizano’s and some off the beaten pizza path, like Apart Pizza Co. and Coalfire.

In the mood for a sweet view of Chicago? Chicago Chocolate Tours (p.66) will show you the way. As you walk the streets with fellow chocoholics, a guide will show you

where to treat your taste buds, explain the health benefits of chocolate (yes, there are some!) and tell how our favorite dessert moved from South America to Europe before nestling here in Chicago. Learn about the histories and specialties of each shop from the owners and staff and what makes their chocolate unique, and, most importantly, unique to this city. Guests will sample things as classic as truffles to items as bizarre (yet delicious!) as white chocolate bread. Over 20 tours are offered each week, including routes in the Loop, Magnificent Mile & Gold Coast, South Loop, Lakeview, and an all-new route for a Cupcakes Tour.

Wander the historic streets of Chicago’s Near Northwest Side, as a professional chef guides you to three different restaurants on Flight Chicago’s (p.67) Bucktown Flight. On this

tour, connoisseurs visit local gems—The Bristol, Feast, and The Southern—and are treated to three samples of chef-selected menu items and three different wines or other specialty beverages at each. What makes this tour extra-unique is that flights run midday, when most restaurants are otherwise closed to the public, which allows for personal conversations with the chef and a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of the restaurants. Flight Chicago also offers flights in the West Loop and West Town and customized routes any day of the week.

1BOBBY’S BIKE HIKE’S BRAND NEW “BIKES, BITES AND BREWS TOUR”

2CHICAGO PIZZA TOURS ABOARD DOUGH FORCE ONE

3CHICAGO CHOCOLATE TOURS FORCHOCOHOLICS

4VIP ACCESS THRU FLIGHT CHICAGO’S BUCKTOWN FOOD TOUR

LEGENDARY LANDMARKS

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See where your favorite movies were filmed with Chicago Film Tour (p.66). In less than two hours, guests will watch clips from more than 50 classic Chicago-centric movies aboard the bus and then promptly visit the sites where each was filmed. Visitors will be treated to sights from The Dark Knight, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, North by Northwest and many more.

Get up close and personal with Chicago haunts on Weird Chicago Tours’ Weird & Haunted Tour (p.67). This two-hour tour walks you through detailed accounts of Chicago’s dark side, including the sites of the Eastland disaster, “Death Alley” and frightening tales of notorious Chicago killers H. H. Holmes

and John Wayne Gacy. These nighttime tours are led by paranormal investigators and include a special stop at Flounder’s Bar & Grill, allowing you

to peek at the site of their current investigation.

Get transported back to the Prohibition Era as you trace the tracks of infamous Chicago criminals Capone, Moran and Dillinger on the

Untouchables Tour (p.67). This two-hour tour takes you past the Biograph Theater, the scene of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, Dion O’Banion’s

flower shop and Holy Name Cathedral as the in-character gangster guides ensure you have a bang up time.

See Chicago’s magic by night

aboard Absolutely Chicago Segway’s (p.66) Fireworks Tour. Cruise from Millennium Park to the lawn in front of

the Shedd Aquarium for unbeatable seats to the spectacular

Navy Pier fireworks show. Guides

entertain riders with stories of the city as you admire some of the city’s most recognizable

landmarks by moonlight. This

tour also stops by the Buckingham

Fountain lights show and lets guests

test their Segways inside a deserted

Soldier Field.

Appreciate Chicago’s

architecture from a whole new

perspective: from below! Climb into a kayak and paddle

through the famous Chicago River on a Wateriders Kayak Tour (p.67). This relaxing tour is a good way to go green in the city and learn about

the iconic ironwork bridges, city

wildlife and giant skyscrapers as you share the autumn

weather—and water—with boaters

maneuvering to Lake Michigan.

Everyone wants a photo souvenir from the Windy City, and thanks to Chicago

Photo Safaris (p.66) you can learn the

tricks of the trade and snap frame-worthy

shots along the way. A knowledgeable

guide will teach you how to adjust your camera to get the

perfect lighting and composition to frame

all of your favorite Chicago monuments

and memories. Pick a Lincoln

Park, Millennium Park, or Navy Pier tour—by day or by night—and bring

home magnificent memories and a new-found photographic

prowess.

BUS TOURS

Outdoor Adventures!

59@CP_Chicago Concierge Preferred

AMUSEMENT CENTERSAmazing Chicago’s FunhouseMaze; M6;C4. Navy Pier, 888-893-7300. Stomp, spin, twist, and turn your way through 4,000-sq. ft. of sensory experiences.Legoland Discovery Center;M5;B1. 601 N. Martingale Rd., Schaumburg, 847-592-9700. Those famous blocks come alive at this amusement center/store.

DANCEDance Center of Columbia College;M6;G3. 1306 S. Michigan Ave., 312-344-8300. Chicago’s largest presenter of contemporary dance.Hubbard Street Dance; M5;C3.1147 W. Jackson Blvd., 312-850-9744. Innovative, contemporary dance company.The Joffrey Ballet; M6;A3.Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Pkwy., 312-739-0120. For tickets call 312-902-1500. Ticket prices vary.

MOVIESLandmark’s Century CentreCinema; M7;L2. 2828 N. Clark St., 773-509-4949. Showcases independent films. Navy Pier IMAX Theatre; M6;C4. Navy Pier, 312-595-5629. Unparalleled cinematic experience

in the heart of Navy Pier. For current showings, tickets and playtimes, visit imax.com/chicago.Omnimax Theater at the Museum of Science and Industry; M5;D4.57th St. at Lake Shore Dr., 773-684-1414. Chicago’s only five-story, domed, wrap-around theater.

MUSEUMS The Art Institute of Chicago; M6;E3.111 S. Michigan Ave., 312-443-3600. Houses one of the greatest art collections in the world. Open Mon-Weds: 10:30-5; Thurs: 10:30-8; Fri-Sun: 10:30-5. $18 for adults and kids under 14 are free.Chicago Children’s Museum; M6;C4.Navy Pier, 312-527-1000. Kid-focused blend of interactive exhibits, innovative educational programs and more. Ideal for kids up to 10 yrs old. Open daily 10-5. $12 for children & adults; $11 for seniors; kids under 1 are free.Chicago History Museum;M7;O3. Clark St. at North Ave., 312-642-4600. Presents the rich multicultural history of Chicago and Illinois. Open Mon-Sat: 9:30-4:30; Sun: 12-5.DuSable Museum; M5;D4.740 E. 56th Pl., 773-947-0600. The first independent museum in the U.S. dedicated to the African

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