My first trip to Chicago was an amazing experience, heightened by two tours with Chicago Detours. My husband and I took the Inside the Loop tour which explored the inside of several historic buildings as well as the outside. The next evening we were fortunate to be a part of the Good Times Historic Bar Tour. Elizabeth was our guide, passionate and filled with information about Chicago's rich history. I would recommend joining a tour early on in your trip. It lets you in on many inside stories of the buildings and architecture you will no doubt be walking by several times during your stay, allowing you to get your bearings and relish in each poignant story. Included in the tour is a list of recommended restaurants, bars and shops which give a fresh and local experience. We went to several of those recommended and they were spot on. I LOVE THAT! Thanks again Elizabeth and Chicago Detours for a memorable trip. Every city should take note! read more

This is a wonderful way to learn about Chicago whether you're a tourist visiting for a few days, or a native. The owner, Amanda is knowledgeable and really has a passion for history and travel. She takes you on an interesting two-hour walking tour and uses iPads to show even more interesting tidbits. I am a local and learned so many new things. I can't wait to take the other tours. The best part is, Amanda gives you a bunch of coupons for local shops and a Chicago button at the end of the tour. I have gone on many city tours when I vacation to other states. This by far, is the best one I've been on and I live here! ;) Go check out Chicago Detours! You'll enjoy it and learn a whole lot of cool things about the Windy City. read more

What a blast! We went on the Blues and Jazz History and Beyond Tour - it was wonderful! I really had no idea what to expect, but we went places I would never have known about, nor visited on my own! We started in Uptown, and I learned so much about the history of Uptown, and even about the architecture of the Aragon Theater - honestly, look up! Its amazing. We traveled south then north again - all on a bus that was interactive with music and videos - it was super educational and never, ever boring. And for someone with the attention span of a goldfish, I was literally intrigued the whole time. Amanda (founder/tour guide) is so great and personable, and she is just filled with awesome information. She was "on" the whole time, and obviously is super passionate about her company, her work, and Chicago history. I can't wait to do another tour with friends, and then invite my family to come along on one as well! read more

I received a promotional code from a friend for a free tour with Chicago Detours. On a rainy, chilly, early fall day we met a group of people and a tour guide. The tour we did: Inside the Loop: Explore the Unexpected We saw a few places that included Chicago Temple, Pedway, Marshall Fields, and the old Chicago Library. It was interesting to learn the history of all of the places we visited. I loved the story of how the Chicago Temple came to be and the Pedway was something I have never visited (inspired me to take a pedway tour). I loved the fact that they used IPads as props to display images and show us videos. It's much better than using paper displays. Major points for that! :-) I must say that I was not impressed with the tour though :-/. I went into it expecting to love it because my friend absolutely loved Chicago Detours, but I was a little bored on the tour. I felt like the tour guide wasn't passionate about the tour. I have been on other tours and I have had guides that left me longing for more information. I believe that more facts and history should have been given about all of the places. When we ended the tour here, I was ready for it to end. The guide was nice and all, but there just wasn't any spark in the tour. My suspicion is that this was a free tour meant for photographs to be taken for advertisement, so the tour wasn't performed to the fullest extent. In the future I may still consider this company for a tour, it might just not be my first choice, sorry. I am giving 4 starts and not lower because it wasn't awful, it just needed more information and more hype. read more

My husband and I recently went on Amanda's Good Times Historic Bar Tour for our anniversary. There were 3 other people on the tour along with our guide and it was the perfect size for a cozy, educational, and ridiculously fun trip through beautiful buildings and bars. I've been on most of the typical touristy tours but this gave me something way bigger than anecdotes and pat details about the same places. I felt like I got a sense of the city throughout time and found out way more than I would have ever known to ask or even wonder about. I am definitely looking forward to taking more detours. read more

I'm currently living in Chicago and I signed up for the Inside the Loop Interior Architectural Tour with a two for one Groupon since my friend was visiting town. I will say initially I was kind of weary about how the tour was going to be since I had never heard of the company and never done a tour with them before. By the end of the tour I was totally won over and would definitely recommend Chicago Detours to anyone I know! I loved the locations they took us to and they info they gave was very insightful! I've been working in the loop for about a year now and we talked about and looked at some things that I just haven't noticed before. It was really awesome! The tour is very interactive. They ask for two people to be the "iPad controllers" as they reference short historical video clips & photos throughout the tour. Then the whole way through the tour guide, Elizabeth, would ask questions and wait for our response. At first I was kind of like oh geez this participation thing is going to be dumb, but again I was won over! I think it made the tour more fun and more relaxed for everyone. Anyway, overall I love this company and how the tour seemed kind of off the beaten path like you were really getting to know the city of Chicago. Also, our tour guide was very knowledgeable and extremely friendly. I can't wait to sign up for a different tour the next time my friends come in town! read more

If you are new to Chicago, in town with time spend, or just want to know your hometown a little better, Chicago Detours is for you. Business owner and tour guide Amanda Scotese leads you through a dizzying array of buildings and facts skillfully and professionally, with a touch a humor to boot. I was most impressed with Amanda's background as one of famed globetrotter Rick Steves' assistants, helping him edit his Italian Travel Guide Book and give tours in Italy. This experience really shines through as Amanda's handle on Chicago's history is strong and because of her command of this information, I can honestly say I learned a lot about my adopted hometown, even though I have been here for quite some time. So next time you're feeling curious about this great city, take a Detour...you won't regret it. read more

Had a great experience with Chicago Detours and our tour guide Elizabeth! It's a nice and long tour but you don't have to walk to far to see all of these things that you might just pass every day on your way to work. The implementation of the video clips and photos throughout the tour was a great way to tie in what we were seeing in front of us and then the history behind it in the photos or videos. Elizabeth did an amazing job not only giving us a nice history lesson, she made it super enjoyable and made the 2 hours fly by. I would recommend it for all kinds of people, whether its your first time in Chicago or you've lived here your entire life. read more

We had a fantastic time on our "Inside the Loop" tour this weekend. As newbies in Chicago, the tour was a fun way to get to know our new hometown a little bit better. It was a perfect combination of introductions to new attractions and the historic background of a few places with which we're already familiar. The two hours seemed to fly by since the tour's pace was steady without ever feeling rushed. There was plenty of "audience participation" too. Between the use of the iPads, the quiz competition, and a quick surprise treat, this tour was so much more than a simple walk/lecture format. I'm betting all the guides are great, but we were pretty excited to be led by Amanda, the company's owner. Although she designed the tour and has probably led it 100s of times, she was enthusiastic and engaged as if this was the first time she got to share the information. Chicago Detour's "Inside the Loop Tour" is a can't miss for Chicago residents or anyone visiting the city. I'm looking forward to checking out other tours the company offers. Ya gotta love supporting a growing local business! read more

I wasn't sure what to expect on this tour, the "Our Chicago Sound: Jazz, Blues and Beyond" tour, but my wife and I love Jazz and music, so we decided to give it a shot. Simply put, it was terrific! Amanda, the owner and tour guide was knowledgeable, entertaining, fun and best of all didn't take herself too seriously. It was pouring outside, but being on the dry bus and the use of multi-media elements created a bubble of good times. We have lived in Chicago for almost three years and this is a MUST do if you live in Chicago, and if you are a tourist, I wouldn't miss it for a fresh, off the beaten path perspective of the rich and fascinating history of the Windy City. read more

I was born and raised in Chicago and now live in the Seattle area. Yesterday, from the comfort of my home office, I checked out two free virtual tours from Chicago Detours. The first visited some of the oldest buildings in the Loop, built not long after the Great Chicago Fire. The second tour focused on five charismatic bars to visit someday. Both tour guides were knowledgeable and enthusiastic, sharing all sorts of fun trivia. I love my hometown and look forward to joining Chicago Detours for "in-person" tours on my next trip back. In the meantime, I'll make a donation to the company as they continue to host virtual tours during this time of pandemic. read more

I really enjoyed the tour. I am a frequent tourist of Chicago, but I saw some new things. I also learned some new information about sites that I had previously visited. The pedway was really interesting. I plan on exploring more of that on my own. We were provided with nice color maps of the pedway to take home with us as well as some coupons for local restaurants. I was a little bored at first because the tour got off to a really slow start. (I was considering ditching!) I understand the view from inside of Chase Tower is excellent (and probably convenient in the winter) but there is very little seating and you can't take pictures. I would have enjoyed viewing the architecture from outdoors as opposed to through the windows. There is not a lot of walking, so if you're not in great shape you should still be able to enjoy the tour. I admit that was a concern for me, but I found it very manageable. However, expect to stand for long periods of time. The tour guide will stand and talk for quite a bit at a site, and there is nowhere to sit down. The Chicago Temple and the pedway were highlights for me. One note - The tour ends in the Chicago Cultural Center. Because of the time that the tour was scheduled, the Cultural Center was closing as we got there. If I had not previously explored the Cultural Center, I would have been very disappointed that there was no time allotted to look around. There is much to view there. I'm sure if your tour is early in the day, staying and exploring will not be an issue. Finally, being new to tours, I did not realize that people tipped at the end of a tour. Tips are given toward some charity - I wish it had been mentioned on the website though. I was fortunate to have cash on me. (not typical) Overall, I enjoyed the tour, and I would recommend the tour to others. read more

Amanda, the tour guide was fantastic. My husband and I went on this tour and were super impressed. She had lots of amazing stories to tell and took us to very cool places. Of course my favorite part was the harmonica lesson given to us by a real musician! This tour is without a doubt one of the best offered here in Chicago. She not only tells about the jazz and blues genres, but she also delves into racial history of Chicago, and the tensions between artists and producers. She did a lot of research for this tour and it definitely shows! You don't have to be a music buff to enjoy this tour--it's friendly to anyone open to learning more about this great city we live in! read more

I had one evening in Chicago following a business meeting. Traveling alone, I wanted a quick way to see the city in the evening. The historic bar tour was AWESOME!! Our tour guide Elizabeth was phenomenal. I even ended up grabbing a drink with some Canadians in my group after. Totally made my trip! Everything was so thought out and interactive. Do it. You will not regret it! read more

Chicago Detours - Enjoying a stop on the historic bar walking tour - Food Tours Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Had my first experience with Chicago Detours during a Yelp Biz All Stars event. You can TELL its owner, Amanda, is hyper-passionate about doing the research and getting the story that nobody's heard before. I loved getting an inside look at the Fulton Market District, from finding clues in weathered paint to interacting with business owners who had been there for decades. Well thought-out and memorable. Thanks, Amanda! read more

It was a nice tour, but I kind of wish for more historical information. I think the IPads are a nice touch but they don't actually make the tour interactive so a better use of those could be made. I would probably do another tour, but I'm more likely to just do a tour from the Chicago Architectural Society because they are tremendous. "Inside the Loop" tour, September, 2011 read more

I loved everything about the "Inside The Loop" tour. Amanda, owner and tour guide, devoted her masters' study to Chicago's architectural and human history, which, coupled with her personable personality and small tour size, made for an intimate and very insightful tour. I'd been touring Chicago for a few days before taking this tour and had already learned quite a bit about Chicago history and architecture at museums and on various other tours, and I gained a depth of new knowledge from Amanda. Chicago Detours also does outreach with local public high schools, which is so commendable for a small business. My only regret is that I don't live in Chicago to go on all of the other Chicago Detours tours.....the "Historic Bars" tour sounds awesome. Luckily I do have good friends in this city, so I will be back for more at some point. BTW, my two Chicagoan friends also really enjoyed the tour. Highly, highly recommend. read more

We went on the Pedway way tour, led by Alex. He's an excellent guide, very knowledgeable, and a good speaker. Never boring, good pace. read more

The Historic Chicago Walking Bar Tour was fantastic! We saw some interesting architecture and had some good beers and wine along the way, all while hearing interesting facts and stories from Morgan, who was very entertaining and knowledgeable. They really do their research to dig up details that you won't find by googling the buildings. read more

There is a reason why this company has 5 stars. We took the interior loop tour and such a great time. Learned about architecture, history, and geography of this great city. Elizabeth did a really good job making the the tour fun & educational. Highly recommend read more

Chicago Detours - Tiffany dome. So beautiful. - Food Tours Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Had a SUPER tour Monday morning with Alex. He provided a great amount of information. Learned some interesting facts about the sights and history of the buildings we toured or passed by. He used a couple of fun quiz formats as vehicles to share historical and current facts; when relating info, he spoke quickly but clearly to and appropriately loud for our group size; he allowed time for group members to take photos. We experienced the pedway; have you even heard of it?! The tour was a fun way to explore some sights we might have otherwise missed. read more

Fascinating, funny, and functional would be how I would describe our first (of many to come) trips with Chicago Detours. We did the Architectual/ Pedway tour. It was amazing how many spots I have walked by a 100 times had hidden secrets. Things like The Picasso, a Tifinni ceiling in the Marshall Fields building, Block 37, The Chicago Temple, and of course expanding my knowledge of the incredibly useful underground Pedway for traversing the Loop in the winter. read more

Morgan was great! Very informative and fun. I am not a big tour person, but would definitely recommend this one

Creative, thoughtful, and engaging! I loved our Interior Loop Architecture Tour with Elizabeth, who was incredibly knowledgeable, attentive, and personable. I learned so many new things about some of the places and things I have previously encountered but would have otherwise missed or never known! The attention to detail and to creating a good experience really shows! read more

We really enjoyed this tour. The guide was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about Chicago architecture. She explained things well and kept our interest with stories and little known facts. I think that even school-age children would enjoy this tour and learn a lot. read more

I recently went on the Fulton Market tour and it was great despite the chilly, rainy weather. The neighborhood is changing so quickly that it's a wonder they could keep up! Alex is a fantastic, knowledgable tour guide and the stops were perfectly timed and chosen. I highly recommend these tours if you're a local or a visitor. (These are a great touristy activity for visiting family and friends, there's tons of new information for even the most veteran Chicagoans.) read more

I just finished a Holiday Zoom Happy Hour party that Chicago Detours hosted. I'll admit that I was planning to make an appearance and half-pay-attention like we all do on these Zoom things, but I stayed, I had so much fun, and Chicago Detours even had me acting at one point! If they were able to make such an enjoyable experience out of a work Zoom party, I can only imagine what they can do in Normal Times. I'll definitely be checking out their tours in the future! read more

Thoroughly enjoyed this interesting tour of downtown Chicago. Our tour guide, Elizabeth, was extremely knowledgeable and charming. She kept us entertained with fun facts about the city while engaging and interacting with us. It was the perfect size group at 20 where you were given personalized attention without feeling like you were in the spotlight to answer all the questions. We learned so much about the history of Chicago while learning about its architecture which is a huge part of the city's story. Would definitely recommend!! read more

I had a blast on this tour! I love Chicago, and visit frequently, but I always like learning something new. This tour was an extremely pleasant two hours, and focussed on some of the lesser known facts about downtown Chicago. Rather than a list of information I could get from a simple brochure or a quick Google search, Amanda (the owner) really took the time to find information that is 'off the beaten track'. She was very knowledgeable and made the tour interesting and informative. I took this tour four days ago and I've already recommended it to many of my friends - it's a must-do when visiting or living in Chicago! read more

I wanted to thank Amanda for our wonderful tour. It was our first night when we arrived so we were pretty jetlagged. Amanda was so well versed in the Chicago area she took the jetlag away. I quickly learned a lot about the history of some of the buildings and she answered all of our questions. I would recommend this tour to anyone. Thank you, Lynn California read more

What a wonderful and unique tour! Michael, our guide, was a wealth of interesting information as well as an excleent speaker. Loved the history, architecture and inside stories. One of the many highlights was the visit to the Methodist Church across from the Daley Center. What a hidden gem. I have been telling eveyone I have seen, even strangers on the train, since the tour about this excellent tour. We look forward to future Detour tours. read more

We took the Historic Pub Crawl tour while visiting Chicago for a weekend. We really enjoyed it - the tour combined a great look into history with a chance to visit a few different places, have a couple of drinks, and some good appetizers. Our tour guide Elizabeth was very knowledgable and friendly, and was willing to answer any questions. I'd definitely recommend this tour for anyone interested in seeing a bit of Chicago history. read more

Our family joined the Virtual Holiday Stories Happy Hour, and Chicago Detours made it an amazing experience for our family when we couldn't get together in person. We virtually took a tour of Chicago and learned all about its history as it relates to the holiday season. It was very interactive, engaging, and full of holiday puns! I highly recommend this for friends, families, ladies nights, etc. Grab a cocktail and your favorite holiday sweater to get into the spirit! read more

I was very disappointed with the content of this tour. When I saw, 'Historic Chicago Walking Bar Tour' I was super excited! I expected...history! bars!! and cocktails!!! I excepted a glimpse into Chicagos rich history of prohibition and speakeasies! I expected a sampling of each bars signature drink!! Unfortunately, this tour was none of that. It was a complete let down, as we stood outside a couple of buildings and talked about the outside facade. Windows popping out of plaster, proving the building we were standing ACROSS the street from used to be a bar...(what??? why??? and where's my drink???). As for the bars we did go in...we were served beer, wine, or soda, depending on what you paid for additionally, at the start of the tour, with cash. ...I opted for the red wine, which wasn't even good (and I like box wine, so what does that tell you!?!?). Oh, and the tour frowns upon ordering drinks from the bars, because it would take too much time. It's a shame because this tour has so much potential. read more

The wife and I just went on our 4th tour with Amanda and company. This latest tour focused on the Hyde Park and surrounding areas. This was our first bus tour with Chicago Detours. Tour content, coordination and execution were top notch. Until we run out of different tours to go on with this crew, they will remain our default "go to" tour company. read more

Loved, loved, LOVED our tour! We took the 1893 Worlds Fair Tour w/ Bars and had the best time! Both of us are into history stuff when we travel to new cities, and this tour was truly unique and interesting the whole entire time. Amanda, the founder of the group, was our tour guide and truly has a passion for the story she's telling. I don't want to give away all of the fun surprises of the tour- but there's food, drink, and fun involved all throughout, so don't hesitate to book this! read more

My husband and I are from the Chicagoland area and we absolutely loved the Historic CHICAGO Walking Bar Tour. We both know about CHICAGO history but were amazed with the amount of history that we walked by every single day and had no idea about. We can't wait to try their other tours!! read more

We attended the Historic Chicago Walking Bar Tour as an outing for a small group of co workers, and we all really enjoyed it! Elizabeth was awesome - informative, entertaining, engaging, and so organized. The tour went really smoothly and we had a great time! read more

The virtual tour of the 1894 World's Fair was exceptional. I was so surprised to see that there were many participants because our guide managed to make it feel like we were a small group. The use of the chat line for immediate comments and questions, the attention to detail, and the interactive games and exchanges all added to the experience. I have collected memorabilia from the fair for many years and am pretty well-read on the subject. However, she managed to keep my attention and showed me things I had not seen before. read more

This was my second time taking this tour. As the first tour delivered, this one did as well. We greatly enjoyed the information, fun facts, and legends shared on this tour. Our guide was phenominal I believe his name is Jeff. His enthusiasm and love for history is evident. We also appreciated how well he adapted to the weather, as it was a below-zero wind chill night in the Windy City. Jeff did a fantastic job of not cutting short on any information, yet protecting us from the frigid temps. I would take this tour again! read more