Chicago World's Fair of 1893 Walking Tour
5
Chicago World's Fair of 1893 Walking Tour
By Chicago Detours
About
The Chicago World's Fair of 1893 was one of the largest and most significant events of its kind in history. On this tour, hear stories of the legendary event and its impact on America; admire architectural landmarks from the era such as the Auditorium Building, the Sullivan Center, and the Fine Arts Building; and enjoy a drink (own expense) at the historic Berghoff Restaurant.
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Ages 0-99, max of 8 per group
Duration: 2h 45m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
English
Highlights
- Guided walking tour of Chicago’s historic buildings
- Learn about the 1893 World’s Fair and its countrywide impact
- Interactive iPad multimedia: see images of 19th-century Chicago
- Stop for refreshments at the Old World-style Berghoff Restaurant
- Professional tour guide commentary
- Shared iPads with historic photos
- Game prizes and gifts
What's not included- Drinks not included. Pay cash at check-in for optional drink: beer, $8; wine, $10. Includes gratuity
- Tour guide gratuity.
- Departure details
- 520 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605, USA Departure Point: Inside the main lobby of Congress Plaza Hotel, 520 S. Michigan Ave. Address: 520 South Michigan Avenue Chicago, IL 60605 Directions: MEETING POINT - Be sure to print the map of our meeting point. We start INSIDE the main lobby at the north end of the Congress Plaza Hotel, 520 S. Michigan Ave. Please arrive 10 minutes in advance for check-in. Look for the guide with the name tag and clipboard. Come early to grab a drink at the bar! PARKING - If you are driving, Chicago Detours offers our guests a special discounted rate for parking at the Grant Park North Garage, accessible from Michigan Avenue at Randolph Street (directions here). Rate is $15 ($38 value), valid up to 12 hours. Upon check-in for the tour, ask the tour guide for a voucher for the discounted rate. Please understand that if you do not ask for the voucher at the beginning of the tour, we can no longer be responsible for giving it to you. The garage is about four blocks from the tour meeting point, and right at the tour end location.
Return details- 12 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603, USA TOUR END - Tour ends promptly 2.75 hours after your scheduled start time. We end inside the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, 12 S. Michigan Ave.
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 6475P5- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
- All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 6475P5
Itinerary
- You'll start at520 S Michigan Ave520 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605, USADeparture Point: Inside the main lobby of Congress Plaza Hotel, 520 S. Michigan Ave. Address: 520 South Michigan Avenue Chicago, IL 60605 Directions: MEETING POINT - Be sure to print the map of our meeting point. We start INSIDE the main lobby at the north end of the Congress Plaza Hotel, 520 S. Michigan Ave. Please arrive 10 minutes in advance for check-in. Look for the guide with the name tag and clipboard. Come early to grab a drink at the bar! PARKING - If you are driving, Chicago Detours offers our guests a special discounted rate for parking at the Grant Park North Garage, accessible from Michigan Avenue at Randolph Street (directions here). Rate is $15 ($38 value), valid up to 12 hours. Upon check-in for the tour, ask the tour guide for a voucher for the discounted rate. Please understand that if you do not ask for the voucher at the beginning of the tour, we can no longer be responsible for giving it to you. The garage is about four blocks from the tour meeting point, and right at the tour end location.See address & details
- 1The Congress Plaza Hotel & Convention CenterStop: 20 minutesSee details
- 2Auditorium BuildingStop: 10 minutesSee details
- 3Fine Arts BuildingStop: 20 minutesSee details
- 4The Berghoff RestaurantStop: 30 minutesSee details
- 5Monadnock BuildingStop: 5 minutesSee details
- 6Sullivan CenterStop: 15 minutesSee details
- 7Chicago Athletic Association - The Unbound Collection by HyattStop: 15 minutesSee details
- You'll end at12 S Michigan Ave12 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603, USATOUR END - Tour ends promptly 2.75 hours after your scheduled start time. We end inside the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, 12 S. Michigan Ave.See address & details
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About the operator
- Christine V00Historic Treasures of Chicago's Golden AgeKnowledgeable guides walk you through the city with information, stories and friendliness. The docent had a least a decade of experience with tours and a love of her city. She shared her passion for the unique architectural styles that can be found at every street corner. I would highly recommend this and any of their tours. I have already booked a second tour.
- Stevei012900The first skyscrapersWe went on the tour of buildings built between 1890 and 1900. Our guide was Maurice. This was a really interesting tour. Maurice was great, very friendly and extremely knowledgeable. If you have any interest in seeing the first skyscrapers, I would definitely take this tour. Make sure you wear comfy shoes, because Maurice is a brisk walker.
- Janet S00An amazing all day private tourAmanda created a fantastic all day private tour for me and my husband. She has an unbelievable knowledge of Chicago's architecture, history, neighborhoods, and fun facts, and was great to spend the day with. It was truly a highlight of our trip to Chicago. She was flexible and accommodating to our needs, and took care of every detail. Our tour included hidden highlights on the U of Chicago campus, a forgotten jazz mural in Bronzeville, and a peak into the kitchen of a carnitas spot in Pilsen, just to name a few. I would highly recommend a private tour with Chicago Detours.
- suedH6644HQ00Private family driven tour of 12This tour was hands down, the best tour I’ve been on that shows so many different aspects of the city. We saw so many different areas and really cool interior as well as exterior architecture. When our guide said she had previously worked with Rick Steve’s, it all made sense. 10/10 I would highly recommend!
- DarandChad00Private Charter Architectural Tour of ChicagoWe booked a private boat charter through Chicago Detours! They were excellent to work with in planning the event and were sure to provide details to make the event special. Our tour guide, Amanda, was incredible and added personal touches to the tour to give us an amazing afternoon experience. Everyone was responsive, accommodating and very kind and friendly. Thank you Chicago Detours for a wonderful afternoon!
- Megkadlec00I loved it!This was actually a virtual tour, so you can join from anywhere you can use Zoom. It was fabulous! The tour guide is very knowledgeable as well as entertaining. I liked the first tour so much that I signed up for the next one. If you like or are interested in architecture, this is the type for you.
- SJK240000Virtual River TourMy wife gave me the virtual river tour as a birthday present. It was great. This tour had features that haven't been on previous live river tours. For instance, we started much farther down the south branch. We were also able to see the inside of some of the buildings (using Google Maps), such as the inside of the clock tour of the Encyclopedia Britannica building. I love the extras that Chicago Detours gives to people who already know quite a bit about Chicago. Informative, entertaining, and interactive.
- MartyandMia00Virtual toursI have really enjoyed the virtual tours! I can't wait to talk a walking tour when I get to chicago again. The tours are very interesting. And Alex has a great personality and is very informative.
- DMillSanFrancisco_CA00Fantastic Virtual ToursI can't say enough about how good the Chicago Detours virtual tours are. I have taken several of their virtual tours, and they have been terrific. The guides are superb--very knowledgeable and very interesting. I recommend them very highly!
- Holley5000Fantastic zoom tours!!!I have spent lots of time over the last month watching these zooms. I love Chicago and this is a great way to see it. When you are there physically you could not do all of these tours in the offbeat neighborhoods. They put together such interesting presentations that I think I will still do the zooms even when I can also go there again physically. Fantastic job!!! Don’t stop the zooming!
- Globalphile00I highly recommend them!!I have been really enjoying Chicago Detour's virtual Architecture Walking Tours and Neighborhood Tours. I have learned a lot on the Ravenswood, Lakeview, Uptown and cocktail tours. I thought my latest one of the Indiana Dunes and the Century of Progress homes was particularly good. I am exctied to go on an actual tour once things open up!!!
- NSBgrandma00Happy Hour Virtual TourRan across the Chicago Detour info while searching for something to do during the Covid Pandemic. My husband and I are seniors born in Chicago. We tune into these tours every week and so enjoy the fascinating informative tours. We’ve learned so much. Love them!
- TravelEnjoyment200Zoom cocktail tour events right from your home! Fun!We are now experiencing the tours through zoom, what a delight! With the Covid sheltering, Amanda provides these tours and locations on the map which are 30 minutes or less. Great fun. She takes questions and is very inclusive. It's a fun experience to enjoy at the end of a work day (at home) or at the end of a day. I have passed along these tours to many of my friends here and afar!
- Ticketless5500Virtual Tours Are Great (can't wait to be able to do them live and in person!)OMG! Being stuck at home, this has been my portal to Chicago - the city I love. I am a tour director for student tours and am missing my groups and my city so much. Thank goodness I can tune in and see and learn new things! The time goes by quickly and I always want more! Thank you so much for bringing this format to us.
- megodish00Virtual Tour in Chicago!I very much enjoy Chicago Detours! It's like getting together with a bunch of friends, and learning a lot of the city I lived in for 30 years. Examples, the 1893 Colombian Exposition, tours on the Chicago River, bar hoping from my den at home. Not to be missed!!!
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
5.0
39 reviews
Excellent
35
Very good
4
Average
0
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0
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Jeanie K
Boulder, CO2 contributions
Feb 2020
My 2 daughters live in Chicago, so when I visited last weekend, I thought it would be fun for all of us and it was! We all learned so many interesting facts of early Chicago that most don't know about. Elizabeth was full of information, enthusiasm and passion about her city.
Now my daughters can pass by the Berghoff, The Palmer Hotel, and first skyscraper at 17 stories tall at Monadnock Building and know it's wonderful rich history. I can't wait to return and take another wonderful tour with Elizabeth!
Now my daughters can pass by the Berghoff, The Palmer Hotel, and first skyscraper at 17 stories tall at Monadnock Building and know it's wonderful rich history. I can't wait to return and take another wonderful tour with Elizabeth!
Written March 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AmandaDetoursOwner
Thanks for joining us on a tour while visiting your daughters! We love sharing stories and places even locals don't know, so it's fun to have a mix of both visitors and locals on the tours. We'd love to have you join us again the next time you visit, maybe for a neighborhood food tour!
Written March 8, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Penelope
8 contributions
Elizabeth was fantastic! This tour was a great way to spend an afternoon and was truly an interactive experience with locations, but also the games to really bring it to life. A total win!
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AmandaDetoursOwner
So glad you came on the tour with us and enjoyed your time with our tour guide, Elizabeth! Thanks so much.
Written March 8, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
debs
54 contributions
Sep 2018 • Friends
I live in Chicago and love doing the local tours just to learn more about the history of my wonderful city...and I also travel to Europe a lot and do tours there, so I've done a ton. THIS ONE is the best I've been on! It's unique, fun, informative and just a great way to meet people and enjoy some extremely interesting history about Chicago, the fair and the architecture from that time period.
You will see many gorgeous, old buildings! Our tour guide Elizabeth was excellent! She knew a ton of information and has a way of speaking fast and delivering it that you really understand it and get so much in in the three hours. There's not much walking, but you will hit a few blocks, but a lot of it is stops in amazing buildings to learn more, do a scavenger hunt, talk history. You'll learn a ton of fun facts and really get to feel like you were there in 1893. They keep it to a small group which makes it so much better than most large group tours. You'll love the places you stop at...and it's nice to have a drink along the way!! I highly, highly recommend this tour!!
You will see many gorgeous, old buildings! Our tour guide Elizabeth was excellent! She knew a ton of information and has a way of speaking fast and delivering it that you really understand it and get so much in in the three hours. There's not much walking, but you will hit a few blocks, but a lot of it is stops in amazing buildings to learn more, do a scavenger hunt, talk history. You'll learn a ton of fun facts and really get to feel like you were there in 1893. They keep it to a small group which makes it so much better than most large group tours. You'll love the places you stop at...and it's nice to have a drink along the way!! I highly, highly recommend this tour!!
Written September 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wow, this is so nice to hear! We love sharing more of the city with locals who want to learn more about Chicago's incredible history and architecture. We hope you'll join us for another one of our tours!
Written October 1, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
KatherineMReading
Reading, UK59 contributions
Aug 2018 • Solo
Fantastic mix of learning about culture/architecture/history of Chicago and fun activities (including running around Target taking pictures of peas!) and a cheeky glass of wine with fellow travellers in one of the city's oldest bars. If I was staying in the city longer, I would work my way through the rest of the company's tours.
Written August 31, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for joining our 1893 World's Fair Tour, Katherine! I hope you'll join us for another tour (and perhaps another cheeky glass of wine!) the next time you visit Chicago!
Written September 6, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
natalie n
Chicago, IL51 contributions
Apr 2018 • Friends
A lot of walking tours are large groups of strangers where you struggle to hear what’s being said. You meet somewhere, plod along from place to place and most of the time you learn some interesting facts and history but there’s really it… It’s like a talking guidebook lacking passion. You leave thinking “that was fun, but was it truly worth the money?”
Fortunately Chicago detours is NOT that tour, and its 100% worth the price of admission!
For background, I have lived in Chicago for 11 years now and I always jump at the chance to play tourist in my own city! When I came across the 3 hour walking tour: Chicago World’s Fair of 1893 on Dabble I couldn't wait to experience it. On a random Wednesday after work my friends and I met our tour guide Elizabeth at a hotel I had walked past a million times but had never entered. After we signed in and picked our drink for the second stop (which was the process clearly listed on the website) we settled in for one of the most enjoyable tours I have ever been on. Elizabeth was an engaging mobile history professor, leading our small group through the history maze that is Chicago’s Loop. At every stop, regardless of if I had previously been there before or not I learned something new and amazing. Elizabeth was fun and engaging when she showed us places I never knew existed or sadly ignored like the artists building and its original elevator! We played interactive history focused games which got everyone stranger and friend alike involved, and we explored the honest and frankly disgusting, misogynistic world that was 1893 downtown Chicago. It seems silly but a game highlight was running through a Target I visit all the time on my way home from work, taking photos of all the things that debuted at the fair! It was such a fun and thought-provoking juxtaposition thinking about Chicago today and Chicago in 1893 and how so much from the time of the fair remains and influences us in our daily life. We ended at what I think is one of the best hotels in Chicago and were able to grab cocktails at its stunning rooftop bar and game room. I was actually shocked when it wrapped up because during this tour I never once looked at my watch and to be honest 3 hours could have easily been 5 for me, It’s just that good.
In a nutshell, Chicago is a multi-layered city where history and lore come together in a seamless existence and this tour highlighted that beautifully. I highly recommend it for visitors and locals alike!
Fortunately Chicago detours is NOT that tour, and its 100% worth the price of admission!
For background, I have lived in Chicago for 11 years now and I always jump at the chance to play tourist in my own city! When I came across the 3 hour walking tour: Chicago World’s Fair of 1893 on Dabble I couldn't wait to experience it. On a random Wednesday after work my friends and I met our tour guide Elizabeth at a hotel I had walked past a million times but had never entered. After we signed in and picked our drink for the second stop (which was the process clearly listed on the website) we settled in for one of the most enjoyable tours I have ever been on. Elizabeth was an engaging mobile history professor, leading our small group through the history maze that is Chicago’s Loop. At every stop, regardless of if I had previously been there before or not I learned something new and amazing. Elizabeth was fun and engaging when she showed us places I never knew existed or sadly ignored like the artists building and its original elevator! We played interactive history focused games which got everyone stranger and friend alike involved, and we explored the honest and frankly disgusting, misogynistic world that was 1893 downtown Chicago. It seems silly but a game highlight was running through a Target I visit all the time on my way home from work, taking photos of all the things that debuted at the fair! It was such a fun and thought-provoking juxtaposition thinking about Chicago today and Chicago in 1893 and how so much from the time of the fair remains and influences us in our daily life. We ended at what I think is one of the best hotels in Chicago and were able to grab cocktails at its stunning rooftop bar and game room. I was actually shocked when it wrapped up because during this tour I never once looked at my watch and to be honest 3 hours could have easily been 5 for me, It’s just that good.
In a nutshell, Chicago is a multi-layered city where history and lore come together in a seamless existence and this tour highlighted that beautifully. I highly recommend it for visitors and locals alike!
Written April 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for coming on the tour and for providing this feedback and review! Come see us again for another tour.
Written May 3, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Vee Kucinskas
Tampa, FL161 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
I finished "Devil in the White City" right before our trip to Chicago so I was anxious to get some of the good history of the city in the time period I had read so much about. This is definitely a different kind of tour. Not a whole lot of walking but a unique twist on your regular "i'll talk, you listen" tour. At one point we ended up in a super market doing a scavenger hunt which was odd considering it was supposed to be a history tour ( I won't spoil why). The guide knew a LOT of information. I was thinking from the website description there were going to be more snacks but I was disappointed about that, especially since we were in a German restaurant at one point. The best part was getting to see more of Chicago than we might have walked to, and pretending we were in 1893. It's not what I expected but I would recommend.
Written June 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A-travels-2013
Chicago, IL7 contributions
I was a little skeptical at first because I live in Chicago, I'd been to most of the buildings in the description of the tour and had read the Devil in the White City. I wasn't sure I'd learn alot. But it was fantastic! I learned so much and had a lot of fun. I even liked the games. Interestingly enough most of the people on the tour also lived in Chicago.
Written May 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for this review and for joining us! We pride ourselves on sharing places and stories even locals don't know, and it sounds like your experience is evidence of that! We hope you'll check out another one of our tours some time-- as a local you might particularly enjoy one of our neighborhood tours, like the Old Polonia and Wicker Park Walking Tour with Food. Thanks again!
Written June 2, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jim S
1 contribution
Mar 2018 • Friends
I'm a New Yorker and I love cities that you can walk around in, and Chicago certainly is such a city. While I'm endlessly fascinated with the history of my hometown, I'll admit to not knowing all that much about Chicago, beyond the broad strokes we all kind of know. Thanks to Chicago Detours, and its super-excellent guide Elizabeth, I now may know more about a small area of Chicago than many a native! My girlfriend and I had a wonderful time, and truly felt like we were touring the Chicago of 1893. The tour was everything I was hoping it would be and more-- Elizabeth is clearly passionate about her subject and was articulate, fun, witty, and incredibly informative. Her love for her city was contagious, and there was a never a dull moment as this 3-hour tour just seemed to fly by! This tour at first seemed very pricey, yet by the end, you know it's an amazing bargain, as it truly is a wonderful and unforgettable experience worth every penny!
Written April 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks, Jim! We shares stories and places even locals don't know, and it sounds like that was exactly what you were looking for! Come see us again some time for one of our other tours!
Written May 16, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mjschief
Holland, MI17 contributions
Mar 2018 • Solo
We have done walking tours in San Francisco and Seattle, loads of hop-on-hop-off tours and a couple tours by boat: the walking tours are the best! Seeing the buildings and hearing the stories in a small group with a knowledgeable guide is the way to go.
We had a great time on our walking tour. Elizabeth is very knowledgeable and personable. It was interesting to see the buildings from the inside as well. We definitely learned new things, and got to check out some really cool places. We'll sign up for another Chicago Detours tour next time we are in Chicago!
We had a great time on our walking tour. Elizabeth is very knowledgeable and personable. It was interesting to see the buildings from the inside as well. We definitely learned new things, and got to check out some really cool places. We'll sign up for another Chicago Detours tour next time we are in Chicago!
Written March 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much! Our tour guides love sharing new perspectives on history and architecture with our guests. Come see us again next time you're in town!
Written April 7, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Amanda Gilliam
2 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
Being a Chicago native I don’t think too much about going on these tours, but having experienced one has changed my mind. There were several stops along the way I’ve never seen or even heard about before. Alex was an extremely knowledgeable and personable host, and the interactive nature of the various activities really made the experience and the people enjoyable. Definitely worth it!
Written December 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AmandaDetoursOwner
Thank you for coming on the 1893 World's Fair Tour and for sharing your review! It's great to hear you learned something new and had a good time too.
Written January 20, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

































