Prairie District Chicago Neighborhood Tour

Motors, Music and Mansions

Prairie Ave District: Street of the Elite

Tour runs Saturday.  

This extraordinary tour of the Prairie Ave District is one not to be missed.

Get a sense for how Chicago’s wealthiest residents lived around the turn of the century and what remains today. This unique Chicago tour begins with an exploration of one of the city’s newly-revitalized spaces: The stunning Chicago Athletic Association Hotel (12 S. Michigan Ave.) You’ll meet your guide in the street-level hotel lobby, near the information desk just off Michigan Ave.

A short ride on the Green Line takes us to the Prairie Ave District, home to many historic sites such as Motor Row, the former Chess Records and the oldest house in the city. As we wander along Prairie Ave, we’re treated to historic mansions and a beautiful park. The highlights of the tour, however, are TWO private, docent-led mini tours at the national landmark Second Presbyterian Church (with its many Tiffany windows) and the Glessner House. We’ll also take a mid-tour break at a local employee-owned/woman-owned cafe. Then we board the train back to the Loop for our final stop (and a sweet treat) at the elegant Palmer House Hotel.

 

 


Tour Highlights

Book Prairie Ave District: Street of the Elite

Duration: 4 hours

Extra time built in for train travel.

Price: Adult $75

  • Tour price includes transit fees, church donation and museum entrance fees. Food/beverages purchased by guests.
  • Days of operation: Saturday
  • Start time: 10 a.m.
  • Tours begin and end in the Loop.
  • Walking distance: 1.6 miles
Prairie Ave District: Street of the Elite Logo

Additional Information

Ticket Purchase Requirements

  • Must be able to climb stairs.
  • Tour requires minimum of 2 guests to run.
  • Tickets are required for all guests.
  • Children must be 12 years or older and accompanied by an adult (age 18 or older). Tickets for children are not discounted.

Tour Meeting Point and Stops