Top Illinois Culture - page 7

Follow a self-guided adventure during this special smartphone-based game in Chicago’s Millennium Park. Learn about the city’s iconic works of art and architecture while enjoying views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. Play anytime you’d like, seven days a week, with no data or Wi-Fi needed.

It isn’t a trip to Chicago without tasting deep-dish pizza—and this private tour for food lovers will introduce you to true Chicago-style pizza, plus other Windy City specialties. Meet your guide downtown, and be sure to come hungry: You’ll eat hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, pizza, donuts, and more. Along the way, see highlights like the Wrigley Building and Magnificent Mile, and learn more about the city’s history and culture.

Chase away your Monday blues with Chicago’s coolest concert at sea! Hop aboard the historic Tall Ship Windy for a 2-hour live blues music cruise on Lake Michigan, featuring city skyline views and a rotating roster of top local and international artists. With a full-service bar and plenty of space to move, relax, and dance, this floating music event blends unbeatable atmosphere with legendary sounds—perfect for date nights, group outings, or music lovers looking for a summer highlight. VIP boarding upgrades and kid discounts available. Book early; these shows sell out fast!

Discover Chicago's soaring ambition and neighborhood soul with your self-guided audio tour, allowing you to explore America's most architecturally significant city at your own pace. Begin at Millennium Park where Anish Kapoor's Cloud Gate reflects the skyline that pioneered skyscraper design and continues to push architectural boundaries today. Wander along the Chicago Riverwalk where boat tours explain how the city reversed the river's flow and rebuilt in steel and stone after the Great Fire of 1871. Marvel at the ICAs world-class collection. Explore the Magnificent Mile's shopping and historic Water Tower, then discover the vibrant neighborhoods where Polish, Mexican, and African American communities have shaped Chicago's culture. Experience the blues at clubs where Muddy Waters and Buddy Guy defined a genre, then savor deep-dish pizza in the taverns that perfected this Chicago original.

See the best of the Windy City, all in just half a day—and learn the stories behind its best-known sights—on this private tour. In the morning, meet your driver at your Downtown hotel, hop aboard your private vehicle, and set off with a tour guide in tow. You can look forward to seeing sights like Grant Park, Navy Pier, and Buckingham Fountain—and stopping for photo opportunities along the way.

See three of the key sights of ancient Cairo in just one day with a guide to keep you informed and ward off hawkers on this fun and informative day trip. Start with the Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, and Valley Temple; continue to the Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, also known as the Step Pyramid; after a restaurant lunch, discover ancient Memphis, where the pharaohs who built the pyramids ruled.

Getting quality photos at Chicago's key landmarks independently means relying on other visitors for help or missing the angles and timing that make the difference between a snapshot and a usable portrait. This private shoot covers locations including the Bean, Riverwalk, and Wrigley Building, with a photographer who customizes the route to suit your group.

Discover the rich history and architecture of downtown Chicago with local expert Dave Lineal. Walking underneath the soaring buildings, we will learn how Chicago grew to become a global force in culture, commerce, and architecture. How did this roaring city come to be? We will hear the tales of Chicago history immersed in the places where it happened -- exploring historic building interiors like the world's oldest skyscrapers, City Hall, and the old library. This deep dive in city history and architecture aims to deepen our appreciation of what Chicago is today.

Get ready for the most complete adventure the city has to offer—an immersive Full Day Chicago Food Tour and Walking Tour that blends Chicago’s legendary flavors with its most iconic landmarks. Savor Chicago Pizza, Hot Dogs, Italian Beef, Garrett’s Chicago Mix Popcorn, and the original Palmer House Brownie, or elevate your day with our VIP craft beer upgrade. This unforgettable Chicago in a Day Tour explores Millennium Park, the Chicago Riverwalk, Michigan Avenue, Cloud Gate, Chicago Theater, and more, guided by true local experts. Enjoy a 5-hour journey through culture and cuisine, plus a FREE 2-hour bike or kayak rental to continue the adventure along Lake Michigan. Recently honored among the “Top 10 Food Tours in America” (USA Today) and “Top 20 Food Tours in the World” (TripAdvisor), this award-winning Culinary Tour is one of the top Things to do in Chicago. Don’t miss the most delicious, scenic Full Day Food Tour in Chicago—all in one extraordinary day.

Enjoy a private photoshoot in Chicago’s beautiful urban jungle at the Lincoln Park Conservatory. During this 40-minute session, I’ll help you feel confident and relaxed while taking high-quality photos using iPhone, optimized for social media. You’ll receive about 50 digital photos, including 5 professionally edited images, delivered via a private online gallery. Please download your photos within 14 days after receiving access, as the gallery link will expire.

Roam the lively heart of Lincoln Square with its cafés, delis, and other fun and fascinating stores; stand beside the Berlin Wall; take in ghastly history, gorgeous murals, and 300-year-old oak trees; and, at your journey’s end, find yourself rewarded by the sight of an architectural gem. As you solve challenges, the story unfolds and exact directions on your phone will guide you to the next location. Join the game! Highlights include: • Explore Merz Apothecary, Gene's Sausage Shop and Delicatessen, Lincoln Square Mural and lesser-known places. • Enjoy a uniquely crafted story brought to you by our top-notch/gifted/talented writers. • Try a new type of experience, the perfect mix between a tour, outdoor escape game, and treasure hunt. After your booking you will receive an email with instructions on how to download and play the game on your phone. We recommend that each user purchases a ticket for an optimal experience, although several people can share a phone.

Don’t rely on strangers or selfies to capture your vacation memories—with this private photoshoot experience, you’ll walk away from your Chicago getaway with professional photos to commemorate your experience. For solo travelers, the 30-minute Bronze Package offers 20 edited, hi-res photos; the 60-minute Silver Package is ideal for couples, and offers 35 photos; and the 100-minute Gold Package is perfect for larger groups, and offers 60 photos.

Explore the best of the Great Lakes region on this four-day tour departing from Chicago. Travel through lakeside cities like Milwaukee, Green Bay, and Traverse City, discover national parks and stunning beaches, and visit the iconic Mackinac Island—ranked among the world’s most beautiful islands. Guided by local experts, you’ll enjoy scenic walks, museum visits, and the region’s natural wonders with comfortable transport and included breakfasts. This well-paced trip gives nature lovers and explorers the ultimate lakeshore adventure across Superior, Huron, and Michigan.

Explore historic Springfield and hear Lincoln's history and the stories behind the sites connected to Honest Abe. Go at your own pace and schedule. Advantages of this tour? Our app offers immersive location aware walking tours navigated by your smart phone. Go at your own pace, on your own schedule and on your own terms. It's like a real life tour guide. Best deal in town. We use professional narration, production and music to bring the history to life. Walk at your own pace and hear the stories of what you see. Stop anytime. The tour never expires. Listen remotely after taking the in person tour. You’ll see his old home, his church, his office, the buildings he frequented, murals of Abe and the places named in his honor. And I’ll share with you his coming-of-age story from a one room log cabin in Kentucky to becoming the 16th President of the United states.

Enjoy a flexible way to explore Chicago—and combine your sightseeing with a fun-filled scavenger hunt game—with this two-in-one smartphone excursion. Upon booking, receive access to the game on your smartphone, and set off at a time that works best for you. In between admiring highlights like the Chicago History Museum, Standing Lincoln Monument, and Lincoln Park Zoo, you’ll solve clues and participate in challenges.

Embark on an interactive adventure through Chicago’s Chinatown with the Dragon Kings Quest, a mobile escape game blending urban exploration, riddles, and local legends. Use your phone and the Questo app to follow clever clues, unlock stories, and discover must-see landmarks from Chinatown Square and colorful murals to hidden gems and Ping Tom Memorial Park. Go at your own pace, play solo or with friends, and experience the city in a totally new way. Fun for all ages—perfect for families, date nights, or teams seeking a unique outdoor challenge!

We wrote the book(s) on Chicago ghosts! Now in our 26th year! Ursula Bielski, our founder, has published more than a dozen volumes on Chicago's haunted history over more than two decades. Chicago Hauntings is the original Chicago ghost tour and still the best. Our tours are based on all original research, unlike the many other knock-off tours you'll find today. Beware of the imitations. Imagine walking in the steps of Chicago's most notorious criminals at the city's original courthouse, putting your fingers into actual bullet holes from Chicago's gangland days, feeling the haunting presences near the site of the old Cook County gallows, and gazing upon the waters where 844 souls lost their lives in the horrific Eastland disaster of 1915. Come along and experience all this and more.

It is a shopping tour, you can visit all of the certificated place which are controlled by the Egyptian government. You will visit the papyrus gallery, the cartouch factory and learn about the meaning of the different names according to the Egyptian belief. You will also visit the cotton shops where you will see everything is made from the Egyptian cotton. You will also visit the oil factory and enjoy the beautiful smells of the different incenses. You have the opportunity to visit the spices shop to figure out all the different spices.

Discover the vibrant Wicker Park neighborhood as you stroll from the Polish Triangle through the Milwaukee Avenue shopping and dining district. This guided walking tour circles Wicker Park, showcasing stunning Victorian mansions on Beer Baron's Row while sharing engaging trivia about the area’s rich ethnic and commercial history. Enjoy insights into the local arts and entertainment scene and uncover the best spots to eat and drink along the way. Test your knowledge with trivia, and compete for a special prize at the end of the tour. - Explore the historic Wicker Park neighborhood on foot - Visit iconic locations like the Polish Triangle and Beer Baron’s Row - Engage in neighborhood trivia for a chance to win a prize - Learn about the area's ethnic history, arts scene, and dining hotspots

Step into the shadows of Chicago’s past on this adults-only haunted pub crawl, where ghost stories, historic landmarks, and legendary nightlife collide. Beginning near the iconic Palmolive Building, this guided experience takes you through the city’s Gold Coast and beyond, uncovering the eerie aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire and the restless spirits it may have left behind. Along the way, you’ll visit a curated mix of historic sites and local bars, blending chilling storytelling with time to grab a drink and soak in the atmosphere. Adults 21+ only, must have valid I.D.

See a different side to Chicago on a haunted history tour of the city that takes you to spots you'd otherwise miss, including secret parlors and underground tunnels, plus movie theaters and speakeasies with chilling pasts. With a guide, explore the creepy past of one of Chicago’s most famous bootleggers, and stay entertained with chilling tales throughout.

Take a time travel journey inside Chicago's best-kept secret: a 125-year-old architectural marvel. This extraordinary building was envisioned by renowned architect Solon Spencer Beman, famous for designing the town of Pullman and the iconic Pullman Palace Car Company. Get ready to be transported through time and history as you explore the legacy of this architectural genius and the fascinating stories hidden within these hallowed walls. Join us for an unforgettable adventure into the past and witness the living testament to Beman's architectural prowess.

Dive into this captivating journey through the hallowed grounds of Chicago’s Graceland Cemetery. As we stroll amidst the stunning and serene beauty of historic resting places, you'll encounter the final resting spots of architectural visionaries like William LeBaron Jenney, John Root, Louis Sullivan, Mies Van der Rohe, and Daniel Burnham. This unique walking tour not only unveils the grandeur of tombs and mausoleums but also shares the stories of Chicago's celebrated architects, whose creativity shaped the city's skyline. But our journey extends beyond the architects' realm, as we also discover the final resting places of other notable figures with deep pockets—pioneers of industry such as Marshall Field, Palmer Potter, George Pullman, Walter Newberry, and more. Their legacies, intertwined with the fabric of Chicago's history, add an extra layer of richness to this immersive tour.

“Step into Fayoum’s hidden desert and feel like part of a Bedouin family: receive a gift that transforms your look, live their lifestyle, ride thrilling dunes in a private 4×4, sandboard across golden sands, explore ancient whale fossils at Wadi Al-Hitan, marvel at Wadi El-Rayan waterfalls, drift on the mystical Magic Lake, and savor a secret homemade Egyptian feast. Immerse yourself in authentic Egyptian culture and warmth, and feel right at home in the heart of the desert!”