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Offered languages
- English
Forget the history you learned in school—Chicago’s story looks very different when told through the women who helped shape it. On this captivating 2-hour walking tour, discover trailblazers like Ida B. Wells, Jane Addams, Katherine Buckingham, and Jeanne Gang while exploring some of Chicago’s most spectacular and often overlooked architectural interiors.
Step beyond the famous landmarks to uncover women who challenged convention, created groundbreaking art and architecture, fought for justice, and helped shape the city we know today. Your expert local guide brings their stories to life, revealing fascinating details most visitors—and even locals—never hear.
- Discover the untold stories of extraordinary Chicago women
- Step inside beautiful, hidden architectural interiors
- See Chicago history from a fresh, empowering perspective
- Support a local, woman-owned small business
Starts near Roosevelt University and ends in Millennium Park.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
We meet directly IN FRONT OF the Congress Plaza Hotel, located at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Ida B. Wells Drive.
Depending on group pacing, this tour usually ends at or near Millennium Park.
Itinerary
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1Fine Arts Building
We visit one of Inside Chicago's FAVORITE downtown buildings, the Fine Arts Building -- the last building in Chicago that is still operated manually by elevator operators!
15 minutes • Admission ticket included -
2Palmer House Hilton Historic Lobby
We visit the stunning Palmer House Hotel, learning about its style and how it celebrates a famous Chicagoan's French-American heritage.
15 minutes • Admission ticket included -
3Downtown / The Loop
We weave our way through downtown Chicago -- "the Loop" -- making a couple more interiors stops and several exterior stops, exploring public art, green spaces, and more. We keep the rest of our itinerary a surprise not only for you but also because some competitors have recently been copying our tours, and we want to protect the integrity of our research and hard work!
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
4Chicago Cultural Center
We visit the interior of this absolutely stunning building -- once Chicago's central Library -- learning about women's essential contribution to the beauty you'll experience there.
15 minutes • Admission ticket included -
5The Art Institute of Chicago
We view and learn about the stunning green spaces and art just outside this world-famous hotel, spaces that visitors pass by all the time without ever noticing.
10 minutes • Admission ticket included
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
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Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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