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The Local Tourist Chicago

Experience the fascination of a tourist; Feel the comfort of the local

  • History of Chicago
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History of Chicago

Dig into Chicago’s past with these in-depth stories of the Windy City.

Mural of Benjamin Marshall in About Last Knife, the restaurant inside Hotel Julian Chicago

Hotel Julian Chicago: From Demolition-danger to Luxurious Lodgings

How an abandoned building designed by one of Chicago’s preeminent architects found new life.

Hotel Julian Chicago: From Demolition-danger to Luxurious LodgingsRead More

Clarke House Museum is considered Chicago's oldest house. Learn the story behind this 1836 Greek Revival home.

Fortitude and Grit: the Story of Chicago’s Oldest House

The Clarke House Museum tells a remarkable story.

Fortitude and Grit: the Story of Chicago’s Oldest HouseRead More

Chicago History Museum, photo courtesy Choose Chicago

Explore Chicago’s Past at Chicago History Museum

The Chicago History Museum showcases the city’s complicated history and is itself a piece of history. Chicago has a lively past, with tragedy, innovation, and a cast of characters that could fill (and have) several novels. The museum began when Chicago didn’t have much history itself. It was founded in 1856 as the Chicago Historical …

Explore Chicago’s Past at Chicago History MuseumRead More

Exploring the Past on the Magnificent Mile

Take a step back to yesteryear with these pieces of Chicago’s history.

Start where it all began at Pioneer Court.

Exploring the Past on the Magnificent MileRead More

The Curses and Legends of Billy Goat Tavern

Few restaurants or bars are as famous, or as infamous, as Chicago’s Billy Goat Tavern. It’s a tourist destination and a haven for local reporters.

The Curses and Legends of Billy Goat TavernRead More

The Chicago Theatre: Chicago’s Comeback Kid

If there’s one theater that says Chicago, it is, quite literally, The Chicago Theatre.

The Chicago Theatre: Chicago’s Comeback KidRead More

The contract for building the Buckingham Fountain was awarded in 1925, soon after architect Edward Bennett and donor Kate Buckingham returned from a trip to Europe where they met with the artist Marcel Loyau who created sculptural elements. Chicago History Museum, DN-0081336, ca. 1925.

Buckingham Fountain: A Sister’s Love & A City’s Front Door

Buckingham Fountain, the centerpiece of Grant Park, is one of the most spectacular landmarks in Chicago and one of the largest fountains in the world.

Buckingham Fountain: A Sister’s Love & A City’s Front DoorRead More

Chicago Public Library 1920 - now the Chicago Cultural Center

Chicago Cultural Center: The People’s Palace

The Chicago Cultural Center is a downtown landmark and one of Chicago’s brightest gems. Known as The People’s Palace, it was the nation’s first free municipal cultural venue, and today its programming in the arts makes it one of the most popular attractions in the city. A Brief History of the Chicago Cultural Center The building was …

Chicago Cultural Center: The People’s PalaceRead More

John “Bathhouse” Coughlin: Masseur, Alderman and … Poet?

Chicago’s history is full of colorful characters.

John “Bathhouse” Coughlin: Masseur, Alderman and … Poet?Read More

The Everleigh Club

The Everleigh ClubCirca 1900
Admission: $10
Bottle of Champagne : $12
Dinner: $50
A night in the Everleigh Club: Priceless

The Everleigh ClubRead More

Hilton Chicago

Hilton Chicago

The Hilton Chicago overlooks Grant Park in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood. Located on Michigan Avenue, the grand hotel is one of the city’s largest. In addition to being a favorite among conventioneers, it holds the distinction of hosting every United States President since it opened in 1927 until President Barack Obama. The building that houses …

Hilton ChicagoRead More

Michigan Avenue Bridge

The Michigan Avenue Bridge was built in 1920 to connect the north and south sides of Chicago with a grand boulevard. The bridge was part of Daniel Burnham’s Plan Of Chicago, an ambitious vision that encouraged modernization of the civic infrastructure. A New Type Of Bridge The Michigan Avenue Bridge is a double-deck trunnion bascule …

Michigan Avenue BridgeRead More

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