chicago's magical holiday lights tour

Come experience Chicago's magical holiday traditions on this Holiday Lights Tour!

Bundle up and head over to the Chriskindlmarket in Daley Plaza where this tour begins.

photo credit ©adventuresofcitygirl

Christkindlmarket Market at Daley Plaza

Holiday Windows

The Great Tree in the Walnut Room

The Great Tree at Millennium Park

The Magnificent Mile

The Wrigley Building

Historic Water Tower

900 North Michigan Shops

Bonus stop - Butch McGuire's

Let's experience Chicago during the holidays on this special tour

Chicago's Magical Holiday Lights tour

near northside neighborhoods of the gold coast & old town neighborhoods

After the Michigan Avenue bridge was installed in 1920, the growth of the Gold Coast exploded. Potter Palmer first started out in the retail world and then got into real estate. He sold his wealthy client's land in the Gold Coast. Hard to believe this swampy marshland that once housed a cemetery now has some of the most historic & spectacular mansions.

This is a great tour to take after my Discover the Chicago River, the Magnificent Mile & the Historic Water Tower district tour.

875 N Michigan aka the John Hancock Tower

The Drake Hotel

This is Chicago's Rodeo Drive or 5th Ave. This is where Oprah Winfrey shops or she would if she still lived in Chicago. As you head north on the Magnificent Mile, the shops get progressively more exclusive. Oak Street is the culmination of the high-end shopping district. Harry Winston, Jimmy Choo, Hermes, Barney's & Prada, oh my! 

Oak Street

Rush Street

Division Street

Frank Fisher Apartments

John Wellborn Root House

Potter Palmer Row Homes

Original Playboy Mansion

Charnley-Persky House

Patterson-McCormick Mansion

Cardinal's House

Wooden Alley

Chicago History Museum

Crilly Court

Henry Gerber House

Ann Halsted Row Houses

Fire Relief Shantie

Midwest Buddhist Temple

St. Michaels Catholic Church

Let's explore the near northside neighborhoods of the Gold Coast & Old Town

Near Northside neighborhoods of the Gold Coast & Old Town neighborhoods

art, architecture & history, oh my!

Find yourself in downtown Chicago (aka the Loop, the central business district) and have a couple hours to spare? This route showcases the highlights of the Loop, which includes world-class public art, spectacular architecture & fascinating history. 

Ready for an urban adventure? 

If you are looking for more tours, I suggest taking my Explore the Chicago River, the Magnificent Mile & the Historic Water Tower district next. 

I am an independent contractor tour guide & blogger. I have been giving walking tours that cover the art, architecture & history of Chicago for the past 15+ years. I trained to be a docent with the Chicago Architecture Center while I was a stressed-out art director many years ago. 

Needless to say, I was bitten by the tour guide bug! I hope you learn a little bit about Chicago from my tours. I would be happy to tour you around in person as well!

If you are interested in all things Chicago, please check out my blog at www.adventuresofcitygirl.com.

The Chicago Cultural Center

Millennium Park - Pritzker Pavillion/Lurie Garden

Millennium Park - Cloud Gate (aka the Bean)

Millennium Park - Crown Fountain

The Art Institute of Chicago - The Great Lions

Palmer House Hilton Hotel

Federal Plaza

Marquette Building

Four Seasons mosaic by Marc Chagall

The Picasso/Daley Plaza

Exploring the Chicago Loop highlights include must-see public art, architecture & bits of fascinating history

Art, Architecture & History, oh my!

discover the chicago river, the magnificent mile & the historic water tower district

This is a great tour to take after my Exploring the Chicago Loop highlights tour (Art, Architecture & History, oh my!)

This tour starts at the Chicago River, the birthplace of the city!

What started as a small prairie trading post in the 1770s settled by Jean Baptiste Point DuSable, has grown into a bustling metropolis.

I'll share the Chicago Rivers' fascinating history and point out some of its prominent features.

Then we will stroll up north to the historic Water Tower & still functioning Pumping Station pointing out beautiful, iconic buildings & the along the way.

Ready for an urban adventure?

The Riverwalk

The Merchandise Mart/Art on the Mart

The Chicago River

SW DuSable Bridge Tower/The McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum

Site of Fort Dearborn

SE DuSable Bridge tower sculpture

NE DuSable Bridge Tower sculpture

John Baptiste Point DuSable bust

About Jean Baptiste Point DuSable

NW DuSable Bridge Tower sculpture

The Tribune Tower

Medinah Temple

The Cable Mansion

The Nickerson House/Driehaus Museum

The Historic Water Tower & Pumping Station

Learn about & explore the Chicago River, Magnificent Mile & the Historic Water Tower district

Discover the Chicago River, the Magnificent Mile & the Historic Water Tower district

Mimi Fron

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