Prairie Avenue District Walking Tour: Chicago's Gilded Age Elite
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This extraordinary tour of the Prairie Ave District is one not to be missed. Get a sense for how Chicago's wealthiest residents lived around the turn of the century and what remains today. This unique Chicago tour begins with an exploration of one of the city's newly-revitalized spaces: The stunning Chicago Athletic Association Hotel. A short ride on the Green Line takes us to the Prairie Ave District, home to many historic sites such as Motor Row, the former Chess Records and the oldest house in the city. As we wander along Prairie Ave, we're treated to historic mansions and a beautiful park. The highlights of the tour, however, are TWO private, docent-led mini tours at the national landmark Second Presbyterian Church (with its many Tiffany windows) and the Glessner House. We'll also take a mid-tour break at a local employee-owned/woman-owned cafe. Then we board the train back to the Loop for our final stop (and a sweet treat) at the elegant Palmer House Hotel.
Departure Point
- Find your guide inside lobby, immediately to left
- We end our tour with a sweet treat at this beautiful historic building
- Human tour guide - English
Points of Interest
Stop At: Chicago Athletic Association - The Unbound Collection by Hyatt12 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60603Meet your guide and kick things off with a tour of this historic hotel. Then we'll head to Washington & Wabash to board the Green line train to the Prairie District.Duration: 50 minutesStop At: Chess Records2120 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IllinoisAfter a brief stroll from the Cermak L station, guests will learn about the building that produced some of the most well-known and influential Blues music of Chicago.Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Second Presbyterian Church of Chicago1936 S Michigan Ave, , Chicago, IllinoisGuests will receive a private docent-led mini tour.Duration: 40 minutesStop At: The Spoke & Bird (South Loop)205 East 18th Street, Chicago, IL 60616Take a break and enjoy a snack at this unique employee-owned/woman-owned cafe (purchases optional).Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Glessner House Museum1800 S Prairie Ave, , Chicago, IllinoisGuests will receive a private docent-led mini tour.Duration: 40 minutesStop At: Clarke House Museum1827 S Indiana Ave, Chicago, IllinoisGuests will see the oldest house in Chicago and learn how elite Chicagoans lived at the turn of the century. Duration: 10 minutesStop At: Palmer House Hilton Historic Lobby17 E Monroe St, Chicago, IllinoisAfter our train ride back to the Loop, we'll explore the beautiful interior of this famous building and end the tour with a sweet treat.Duration: 40 minutesAdditional Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Should be able to climb stairs as not all train stations are equipped with elevators
- Transit tickets
- Church and Glessner House donation/fee
- Local expert guide
- Food and beverages
This extraordinary tour of the Prairie Ave District is one not to be missed. Get a sense for how Chicago's wealthiest residents lived around the turn of the century and what remains today. This unique Chicago tour begins with an exploration of one of the city's newly-revitalized spaces: The stunning Chicago Athletic Association Hotel. A short ride on the Green Line takes us to the Prairie Ave District, home to many historic sites such as Motor Row, the former Chess Records and the oldest house in the city. As we wander along Prairie Ave, we're treated to historic mansions and a beautiful park. The highlights of the tour, however, are TWO private, docent-led mini tours at the national landmark Second Presbyterian Church (with its many Tiffany windows) and the Glessner House. We'll also take a mid-tour break at a local employee-owned/woman-owned cafe. Then we board the train back to the Loop for our final stop (and a sweet treat) at the elegant Palmer House Hotel.
Departure Point
- Find your guide inside lobby, immediately to left
- We end our tour with a sweet treat at this beautiful historic building
- Human tour guide - English
Points of Interest
Stop At: Chicago Athletic Association - The Unbound Collection by Hyatt12 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60603Meet your guide and kick things off with a tour of this historic hotel. Then we'll head to Washington & Wabash to board the Green line train to the Prairie District.Duration: 50 minutesStop At: Chess Records2120 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IllinoisAfter a brief stroll from the Cermak L station, guests will learn about the building that produced some of the most well-known and influential Blues music of Chicago.Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Second Presbyterian Church of Chicago1936 S Michigan Ave, , Chicago, IllinoisGuests will receive a private docent-led mini tour.Duration: 40 minutesStop At: The Spoke & Bird (South Loop)205 East 18th Street, Chicago, IL 60616Take a break and enjoy a snack at this unique employee-owned/woman-owned cafe (purchases optional).Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Glessner House Museum1800 S Prairie Ave, , Chicago, IllinoisGuests will receive a private docent-led mini tour.Duration: 40 minutesStop At: Clarke House Museum1827 S Indiana Ave, Chicago, IllinoisGuests will see the oldest house in Chicago and learn how elite Chicagoans lived at the turn of the century. Duration: 10 minutesStop At: Palmer House Hilton Historic Lobby17 E Monroe St, Chicago, IllinoisAfter our train ride back to the Loop, we'll explore the beautiful interior of this famous building and end the tour with a sweet treat.Duration: 40 minutesAdditional Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Should be able to climb stairs as not all train stations are equipped with elevators
- Transit tickets
- Church and Glessner House donation/fee
- Local expert guide
- Food and beverages
Need To Know Info
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
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