Prairie Avenue Historic District Tours and Tickets

Known in the early days as “Millionaires’ Row,” the Prairie Avenue Historic District was once Chicago’s most exclusive and fashionable neighborhood. Back in the 1800s, multiple mansions were constructed here, and the area quickly became famous for its lavish balls and wealthy residents. Today, historic mansions like Glessner House remain, and it’s a popular tourist attraction.

Yes, there is free parking in the neighborhood, but many parking spaces are open only to residents. Visitors can find free street parking on 18th Street between Prairie and Indiana Avenues; on Wabash and Michigan Avenues; and south of 18th Street on the east side of Indiana Avenue.

The spring and fall seasons are often the most pleasant weather-wise for visiting Chicago, especially if you plan on doing a lot of outdoor sightseeing. Winters are famously freezing, while the summers are peak tourist season. Glessner House offers events year-round, so check the calendar ahead of your visit.

Yes, you can visit the Prairie Avenue Historic District on a guided tour. On select Sundays, William Tyre, the director of Glessner House and author of a book on Prairie Avenue, leads small-group walking tours. You can also catch a ghost tour of the neighborhood on the weekends before Halloween.

While the neighborhood itself is accessible to visitors using wheelchairs or other mobility aids, be aware that certain attractions may not be. For example, the main residence of Glessner House requires climbing stairs to visit, but the visitor center and courtyard are wheelchair accessible, and a virtual tour of the house is available as well.

Yes, anyone in Chicago can easily visit the Prairie Avenue Historic District independently for exterior views of its mansions. However, to learn the stories behind ornate homes like Glessner House and the Grecian-inspired Clarke House (also a museum), it’s best to come with a guide who can provide context on Chicago’s Gilded Age.