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Offered languages
- English
More than 100 years later, stories of Prohibition-era Chicago still capture the public’s imagination. But the portrayal of that era in popular culture isn't always accurate.
On this tour, you’ll hear how the culture in turn-of-the-century Chicago helped bring about the 18th Amendment through stories of notorious vice districts along the Chicago River and the South Loop. We'll talk about the rise of Al Capone during the infamous “Beer Wars,” culminating in the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. Along the way, we’ll talk about how the city played a role in the popular and artistic growth of jazz, and how Chicago during the Roaring Twenties has been depicted on screen, in blockbusters such as "The Untouchables" and "Chicago."
Please be advised that this tour contains stories of murder and sex work. Although children are welcome on this tour, parents should use their discretion in determining whether it is suitable for those under 15.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
We'll meet in the plaza on Michigan Ave. between the Tribune Tower and the Apple Store. We'll talk about the first non-Indigenous people to come through the region and how it led to the birth and growth of Chicago.
The Art Deco design of the Carbide and Carbon Building is not only beautiful inside and out, but it also holds a secret related to the era.
Itinerary
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1Chicago Riverwalk
As we stroll the Riverwalk (or Wacker Dr., depending on crowds), we'll discuss the rise of vice districts and organized crime in Chicago, and how the city played a role in the fight to ratify the 19th Amendment, which ushered in the Prohibition Era.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse
Now a restaurant named after a beloved sportscaster, Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse was where Frank Nitti, Al Capone's bodyguard and successor as head of the Chicago Outfit, lived for a while. We'll talk about how he's been portrayed in the movies hasn't always been accurate.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
After crossing back into the Loop, we'll talk about the role Chicago played in the popular and artistic growth of jazz during the Roaring Twenties. We'll stop at the site of a now-demolished place where Capone and jazz intersected.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4The Chicago Theatre
The Chicago Theatre was built in 1921 and its marquee is an icon of the city and featured in dozens of movies and TV shows set in the city. We'll talk about women that inspired the hit musical "Chicago" and its many iterations.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5Palmer House Hilton Historic Lobby
A hotel whose history dates back to 1870, the Palmer House was renovated and expanded in the mid-1920s and remains an example of that era's wealth and elegance.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6Chicago Cultural Center
Opened in 1897 as the city's first public library, the Chicago Cultural Center was used in two crucial scenes in "The Untouchables."
15 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
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.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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