Vamonde Creators

Cleveland might not be the first place travelers think to visit, and that has helped preserve its authenticity and integrity. The streets and buildings whisper stories of resilience and struggle for those who will listen. In the 200 years since it was founded, the city has built and rebuilt itself, always facing expectantly toward the open lake and its future.


"James A. Garfield Memorial" by wyliepoon is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

History of Cleveland

From 1915 to 1970, six million black people left the south to escape racism. Cleveland was a safe haven.

From 1910 until about 1960, Cleveland was one of the final destinations for the six million black people leaving the rural south to build better lives and more opportunities for themselves. Cleveland was home to a very strong white abolitionist community, and it was more welcoming than some of the other, less hospitable areas within the free states north of the Ohio River. This period of history, marked by the northward exodus away from violence and bondage, has become known as the Great Migration. 

Many of the migrants were single young men searching for employment. However, entire families also arrived, as did single young women who desired to train and become nurses. Although Cleveland’s climate was less hostile than other urban and rural areas, black people were still not exactly welcomed into white neighborhoods and spaces. The city's growing industry needed laborers, but it was not prepared to offer housing for such a large influx of people. Cleveland’s population grew 60 percent between 1910 and 1930 alone. This population increase led to the discriminatory housing policies initiated after WWI and what is now termed, White Flight.

Before WWI, as the population in Cleveland grew, several white activists and black business owners stepped forward to mitigate the housing shortage. The Majestic Hotel was the largest black owned-and-operated hotel in the city, which bordered the black neighborhood of Cedar-Central, current-day Fairfax. Many of the single men lived in the Majestic Hotel while they found work. The Majestic Hotel is largely gone, but it stood at the corner of E 55th and Central Avenue. Ms. Jane Edna Hunter, a black social worker, was concerned about the single young women arriving in the city who were not able to stay at the Young Women's' Christian Association (YWCA) because of discrimination. She founded the Working Girls Association to provide safe lodging and a training program that empowered the women to build their lives.

The Working Girls Association became the Phillis Wheatley Association, named after a former slave who became a Boston-area poet. It operated out of a building at 4450 Cedar Avenue, now called the Emeritus House. These significant historical sites are worth visiting. They serve as a reminder that the history is not so far in the past. 

Cover image: A drinking fountain labeled "Colored" at the Halifax County Courthouse in 1938 via WikiMedia Commons.

The Great Migration

After half a century, urban neighborhoods are slowly recovering from segregation and isolation.

In the years immediately following the end of World War II, many cities with industries based on manufacturing saw an increase in wealth and economic prosperity. However, racial tension simmered beneath the polished facade. Within a decade, it had boiled over into violence. As the river of wealth in the 1950s slowed to a trickle in the 1960s, economic growth favored the suburbs. White people who had the resources to leave Hough moved into the suburbs. In 1950, only 5 percent of the residents of Hough were black. By 1966, the percentage of the black population had risen to 88 percent. 

 At this same time, the railroad and steel industries restructured their operations, and many workers in Hough lost their jobs. The unemployment rate in Hough was twice that of the rest of the city. The eastern end of Cleveland sunk into hopelessness and despair as the remaining residents observed more privileged individuals and families leave to follow better opportunities.

On July 18, 1966, tensions erupted when a black man was denied a glass of water at the white-owned establishment of the Seventy-Niners Cafe located on the corner of E. 79th Street and Hough Ave. Police were unable to control the situation, and anger escalated into what is now called The Hough Riots. Four people died, 30 injured, and 300 arrested. The neighborhood was vandalized and looted, and the Sidaway Bridge was destroyed as its flooring was ripped out and set on fire. First-time drone footage from 2019 reveals what remains today. The bridge has not been used since the uprising.

According to an article posted on Cleveland.com, the 1967 National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorder reported that, “segregation and poverty created in racial ghettos a destructive environment unknown to white Americans.” However, a grand jury decided that the riot was the fault of black nationalists. 

Hough is still rebuilding. The historical homes are recently renovated, and a monument stands on the corner of the vacant lot where the Seventy-Niners Cafe used to be, with a plaque that reads, “Hough is on a comeback trail. This is a new day in  Hough.” Entrepreneurial investments are improving community-based economic development in Hough. For example, The Economic and Community Development Institute located in Hough provides business loans and educational workshops. Community members still remember the protest, and they continue to work toward better lives and equality. 

Cover image: "Colorful Urban Animal Mural" by farrellink licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. 

A New Day in Hough

Cleveland's public transport system is user-friendly and modern, perfect for the Vamonde traveler.

Cleveland is one of the few American cities with a user-friendly and comprehensive public transportation system. During the early years of the city, a stagecoach offered lifts between the cities of Cleveland and Painesville, a 26-mile journey along bumpy, unpaved roads. The first rail line was laid in 1834, connecting the Public Square with Wade Park along the Euclid Corridor. Later, an omnibus service carried large groups of riders on a horse-drawn carriage between downtown hotels and restaurants. Over the next two decades, other uncoordinated forms of public transportation emerged, including steam lines and a street rail. Near the turn of the 20th century, the Cleveland transportation system consolidated into the first electrified commercial railway in the United States. By 1901, Cleveland had 425 streetcar trolleys operating along Euclid Avenue, around Public Square, and through the lively downtown district. 

Four Lines Connecting through Tower City Center

Today’s Regional Transit Authority Rapid Transit, called “The Rapid,” is a light rail and bus system serving greater Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. The four rail lines join at Tower City Center. The Red Line travels between the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport in the southwest to the Louis Stokes Station in East Cleveland. The Blue and Green Lines connect downtown Cleveland to the historical community of Shaker Heights. The Waterfront Line extends the Blue and Green Line from Tower City along the shore of Lake Erie, giving travelers access to the Great Lakes Science Center and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

One of the three lines in the Bus Rapid Transit system, the HealthLine connects the downtown Public Square with the city’s most visited tourist attractions along the Euclid Corridor, through University Circle, and into East Cleveland. The HealthLine offers 36 stations, with hybrid-electric buses passing every 10 minutes. Cleveland continues to set national standards. The HealthLine has been credited with receiving the most return on investment of any public transportation project in the United States, and best of all, each ride only costs $2.50. It is the perfect way for any traveler on a budget to see the sites of Cleveland.

Cover image by Juliano Ferreira is made available on Pexels.

Riding the Rapid

Dennis Kucinich has been one of Ohio's most controversial politicians since his term as Cleveland Mayor.

In the late 20th century and during the first decade of the 21st century, Cleveland faced turbulent economic challenges that earned it the nickname “the mistake on the lake.” In 1978, 31 year old Dennis Kucinich was elected Mayor of Cleveland- the youngest mayor of any major city in the United States. Unfortunately for the idealistic politician, his administration was riddled with scandal that initiated a significant economic downturn for the city. 

Three months into his term, Mayor Kucinich and his appointed police chief argued publically on television, and the police chief got fired. Concerned voters considered this move immature, and a recall of the Mayor was launched. Kucinich won the recall by only 236 votes, but his term continued along a disastrous trajectory as he continued to follow his path of integrity. One of his promises to the city was to cancel the sale of a publicly owned electric company "Municipal Light" to a private company. The sale had been initiated by his predecessor, but, as a man of the public, Kucinich wanted Municipal Light to stay in public control.

After the sale was canceled, the private company quickly sued Municipal Light for $14 million in damages, and Kucinich attempted to pay the settlement by cutting city expenses. However, the Cleveland Trust Company then demanded Kucinich to sell the utility company or else it would not renew the city’s credit on its loans accumulated through the preceding administration. Kucinich kept his promise to the public to not sell Municipal Light, and at midnight on December 15, 1978, the Cleveland Trust Company bankrupted the city of Cleveland. It was the first time in American history since the Great Depression that a city declared bankruptcy. 

Although the administration to follow Kucinich produced positive economic results, Cleveland faced other obstacles through the 1980s, the 1990s, and into the next millennium. It has only been in recent years since the Great Recession that Cleveland is finally reclaiming the vibrance that validates its beautiful architecture, hospitable neighborhoods, and creative potential. The past may have been rocky for this city perched on the shore of Lake Eerie, but residents and travelers alike are looking into its future for the next opportunities that Cleveland will certainly offer. 

Cover image: "Edgewater Park along Lake Eerie at Sunset" by Amanda Lynn Barker. 

Correcting the Mistake on the Lake

In 1930, Terminal Tower was the tallest building outside of NYC. 90 years later, its story continues.

In case you have not heard yet, Cleveland is a hub of community artists and grassroots activists initiating social change on the shores of Lake Eerie. Terminal Tower, located in Public Square, represents the struggles the city has experienced. The tower opened in 1930 after a decade of construction. At 52-floors, it was the tallest building in the United States outside of New York City. 

After celebrating half a century of success, Cleveland fell into economic decline in the 1970s. In an attempt to rejuvenate hope, a 1986 event called “Balloonfest” released 1.5 million balloons into Public Square. Unfortunately, wind and rain ruined the spectacle. Balloons rained from the sky onto the streets and into Lake Eerie, floating as far away as Canada.

As the Great Recession reached its turn toward recovery in 2009, Public Square was beginning to show signs of positive movement. Large scale renovations on the square were underway, and upon project completion in 2015, a green space now offers families on picnics and yogis alike stunning views of the historical architecture. 

After being closed to the public for nearly a century, the Tower's observation deck has finally reopened. Today, travelers on a budget can pay $5 for a 25-minute tour that reveals a 360-degree view of the city. From the 43rd floor, a visitor can see for 30 miles, past the urban core, and into the suburbs. The stunningly ornate architecture links the past with the present and visually represents 100 years of transformation. Cleveland thrives on a sense of renewed hope, and Terminal Tower is a symbol of the resilience that transported the city through its history - and now into its future. 

Cover image: Eastward View of Terminal Tower by Amanda Lynn Barker.

The Tale of Terminal Tower

Over the past century, the Cuyahoga River has caught fire 13 times. The effort to clean it continues.

Although the 1969 fire is the incident that finally launched environmental regulations such as the Clean Water Act of 1972, the Cuyahoga River caught on fire a total of 13 times with the first incident recorded in 1868. During the rise of industry in the second half of the 19th century, the river was essentially an open sewer flowing through the middle of the growing city. Nobody was planning for the future, and neither developers nor politicians were concerned about the environmental impacts of their activities. In 1912, the fire in the river killed five people. Another fire in 1952 caused $1.3 million in damages. For a century, the river collected oil, debris, runoff, and raw sewage.

The 1969 fire was different. It finally gained an audience. According to the Allegheny Front, a Western Pennsylvania Public Radio program covering local environmental issues, Time magazine covered the fire a few months after it occurred and featured an image from the 1952 fire. This placed Cleveland and its water issues at the forefront of the American mind, and the Cuyahoga became the beloved spokes-river of the emerging ecological movements of the 1970s. 

Half a century later, the river ecosystem has vastly improved. Since 2006, at least one pair of bald eagles has been spotted nesting at the river after 70 years of absence. 40 species of fish live in the river, even fish that are sensitive to pollution. Although parts of the river still have unhealthy levels of sewage, the Cuyahoga is evidence that with effort and attention, even the most severe environmental disturbances are repairable.

The Great Lakes Brewing Company, located near the West Side Market in Ohio City, recently updated their Burning River Pale Ale recipe. The brewers now incorporate locally-sourced hops and malt into their classic beer. Burning River Pale Ale, inspired by the 1969 burning of the Cuyahoga River, is celebrated as a commemoration of ecological renewal and as a symbol of the need to protect natural resources and environmental health.

Cover image: "Cuyahoga River Boardwalk" by EddieS licensed under CC BY 2.0.

River of Fire

The Public Square has been part of Cleveland since it was shared pasture land. Now it gathers people.

A Sense of Place within the Public Square

From its modest beginning as a shared pasture land for settlers’ livestock, the Public Square in downtown Cleveland is now considered one of the top 15 “Great Places,” according to the American Planning Association. Cynthia Bowen, President of the APA, described how Cleveland’s Public Square, “is a national example of how public spaces create a sense of place that creates access and opportunity for all.” The Public Square continues to provide a space for the community to gather and share resources, ideas, and conversation. 

Sense of place is what connects people to form a bond of community.  It enhances community-based psychosocial support networks. Throughout history, the Public Square has regularly served as a space for Cleveland locals to connect to their city. It was the first city square in the world to be lit with electric lights in 1879. Key Tower, 200 Public Square, and the Terminal Tower, which are the three tallest buildings in the city, all face the square. Additionally, the square was added to the National Registry of Historical Places in 1975. 

In 2010, as Cleveland began its slow recovery from the Great Recession, the city explored redesign concepts. The favored proposal outlined a massive overhaul, which would require significant and extended road closures to build a central green space. The final plan, approved through the Cleveland Landmarks Commission, closed only one street and maintained the prominent Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument. Construction began in March 2015, and the new Public Square was officially opened in June 2016. 

The Public Square is now host to many types of free gatherings, including yoga, live music, food truck events, and cyclist meetups. It is easily accessible by public transit from all areas of the city. Next time you pass through Cleveland, come out to the Public Square to create your own sense of place!

Cover image: "Ohio" by US Department of State is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

ANN ARBOR

ASHEVILLE

ATLANTA

AUSTIN

BALTIMORE

BOSTON

CHARLESTON

CHARLOTTE

CHICAGO

CLEVELAND

COLUMBUS

DALLAS

DENVER

DETROIT

GRAND COUNTY, COLORADO

GRAND RAPIDS

HARLEM

HOUSTON

KANSAS CITY

LAS VEGAS

MAINE

MIAMI

MILWAUKEE

MINNEAPOLIS

NASHVILLE

NEW ORLEANS

NEW YORK

ORLANDO

PHILADELPHIA

PHOENIX

PITTSBURGH

PORTLAND

RICHMOND

SAN ANTONIO

SAN DIEGO

SAN FRANCISCO

SAN JOSE

SANTA FE

SAVANNAH

SEATTLE

SHAWNEE FOREST COUNTRY

ST. LOUIS

TAIPEI

TAMPA

THE PALM BEACHES

TORONTO

TUCSON

VANCOUVER

VIRGINIA

WASHINGTON D.C.

INSPIRATION

Destinations

We are adding new cities every week!

Featured Cities

Plan your next getaway

Where Do You Want To Go?

Choose Chicago

Chicago Theatre

Chicago Museums

Experiences Near Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

Learning Expedition Chicago

SEMC 2019

Maine Archives and Museums

THINGS TO DO

event test

HI Chicago

Building Museums 2020

VAM Guide to Northern Virginia Museums

NCMC Annual Meeting Guide

DEMO - Winter park

Utah Museums Directory

VAMONDE

Plan your spring break family fun in Chicago! Check it out on the Choose Chicago channel on Vamonde.

Plan a family getaway the kids won't soon forget!

Spring Break Family Fun

Explore some of the locations of the Chicago blues scene of the 1960s with this VAMONDE adventure, based on the Chicago History Museum exhibition, "AMPLIFIED: Chicago Blues."

Chicago History Museum

Explore some of the locations of the Chicago blues scene of the 1960s with this VAMONDE adventure, based on the Chicago History Museum exhibition, "AMPLIFIED: Chicago Blues." Southern black migrants brought the blues to Chicago, where the music helped them forge connections and transform an unfamiliar, often inhospitable city into a new home. The music was also transformed—electrified and amplified to compete with urban noise. The photography of Raeburn Flerlage captures the streets, clubs, homes, and studios where a community of musicians defined the Chicago blues sound.

AMPLIFIED: Chicago Blues

From a 20th century resurgence that rivaled the Harlem Renaissance, to spectacular displays of Victorian Era architecture, this South Side neighborhood is responsible for tremendous cultural and social advances that are not to be missed.

The heart and soul of Chicago lies in its 77 vibrant neighborhoods, and going beyond the loop (Chicago’s downtown business district) will give you a much needed escape from the hustle and bustle of the skyscraper district. As part of the Beyond the Loop video series, The Second City and Goose Island Beer Company have teamed up with Choose Chicago to explore the local hotspots in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. Discover why Bronzeville is more than just an artsy pocket on the South Side.

Bronzeville and Beyond

"How can I possibly be expected to handle school on a day like this?" We've all been there, even if we're not Ferris Bueller. After your mornings stretch, you look outside at the shining sun, soft breeze, and then wonder, "How can anyone expect me to handle work on a day like this?" So take the day off! While you're at it, follow in Ferris Bueller's footsteps too as Choose Chicago takes you through the film locations that made Ferris Bueller's Day Off such a wonderful adventure (but make sure Ed Rooney isn't on your tail).

It’s Ferris Bueller's Day Off! Take a day to explore the city, but don't get caught by the incredulous Principal Rooney! Kick it like a couple of wise-cracking high school kids at The Art Institute of Chicago and peer down from over 100 stories in the air with the Skydeck at Willis Tower. (Cover photo from @thiswashollywood via Instagram)

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Chicago’s legendary Second City comedy troupe and Goose Island Beer Company have teamed up with Choose Chicago to create the quintessential Old Town experience. Join us as we explore the historic neighborhood and discover its many claims to fame.

As part of the Beyond the Loop video series, The Second City and Goose Island Beer Company have teamed up with Choose Chicago to create the quintessential Old Town experience. Discover why this neighborhood has been home to immigrant families, gays, hippies and young professionals alike over the years.

Quintessential Old Town

The Second City and Goose Island Beer Company team up with Choose Chicago to how you why even 120 years after the Columbian Exposition, Hyde Park is still a profound point of historical and social importance in Chicago.

The heart and soul of Chicago lies in its 77 vibrant neighborhoods, and going beyond the loop (Chicago’s downtown business district) will give you a much needed escape from the hustle and bustle of the skyscraper district. As part of the Beyond the Loop video series, The Second City and Goose Island Beer Company have teamed up with Choose Chicago to explore the local hotspots in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. Join us as we show you why even 120 years after the Columbian Exposition, Hyde Park is still a profound point of historical and social importance in Chicago.

Hyde Park: Obama's Neighborhood

The Budget Savvy Travelers

Temperatures are rising and the days are getting longer. This is a sure sign that schools will soon be out for summer vacation. Families looking for fun, affordable ways to keep kids busy during hot days will appreciate this guide that shares some great ways to cool off around Chicago—most are even free.

Best Places to Cool Off in Chicago

Craving a getaway, but short on vacation time or extra travel funds? Why not consider embarking on a culinary adventure? Chicago is a great city to experience the world through food! There are over 100 different neighborhoods in the city, each with its own unique flavors and traditions to share. Chicago has always celebrated a diverse array of people, cultures, and cuisines. Therefore, it's not surprising that Chicago consistently ranks high in top foodie destinations in the United States. For those of us that can’t book a plane ticket to satisfy our travel “craving,” taking a culinary adventure is truly the next best thing. Chicago offers a great opportunity to be carried away to a dreamy, distant place–if only through our palates alone.

Traveling the World Through Food | Chicago

Haley Guidry

Only have a short time to visit Chicago? No problem! With this guide, you can fit it all in - in just a weekend!

Spending a Weekend in Chicago

Looking for some free activities to explore in Chicago? You'll be surprised to learn that there are many things to do around the city that are absolutely free of charge!

6 Chicago Hidden Gems to Explore For Free

Wrigley Field holds the very identity of the Chicago Cubs. But Wrigley isn’t the only spot that embodies the spirit of the Cubbies. Lakeview is home to so many rich businesses that are full of North side pride!

Lakeview Chamber of Commerce

Wrigleyville isn’t the only haven for fans of the Chicago Cubs. Take an adventure “Beyond Wrigley” into West Lakeview to explore some of the neighborhood icons and local businesses that are full of Cubbies pride!

Beyond Wrigley

Glessner House

Glessner House -

An architectural treasure in Chicago

Glessner House - An architectural treasure in Chicago

Welcome to the Chicago Cultural Center, a landmark home of the arts.

The People's Palace

CAC Open House

Chicago has long been a laboratory for architectural innovation and experimentation. Let the Chicago Architecture Center lead you through the stories behind some of the city’s most significant skyscrapers. Come on an adventure to unlock the secrets of 10 iconic Chicago Buildings.

Cover photo courtesy of Jessica Cabe

10 Iconic Chicago Buildings

Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce

An Adventure through all the Best Spots in the City

Must Visit Attractions in Chicago

Chicago has one of the most iconic skylines in the world. This insider guide shows you the best vantage points to capture a memorable photo of the skyline of Chicago. Best of all? These are all places that you can visit that are all free of charge.

Where to Find Chicago's Best Skyline Views for Free

Start on Chicago's South Side and travel back in time as you explore visit the homes of some of the most influential LGBTQ+ people in the city's vibrant history. Make your way through Washington Park and Woodlawn moving north towards Rogers Park.

Learn about Chicago's vibrant LGBTQ+ history on this cultural excursion through various parts of the City. This tour covers the historic markers and residences of some of Chicago's top LGBTQ+ luminaries. Find out how they left their marks from Washington Park and Woodlawn all the way up north to Rogers Park.

Explore Gay Chicago History: LGBTQ+ Landmarks Tour

Around every corner of The Magnificent Mile lie surprising pieces that make up the rich history of downtown Chicago.

The Magnificent Mile

Around every corner of The Magnificent Mile lie surprising pieces that make up the rich history of downtown Chicago. Unexpected turn-of-the-century ballrooms, lavish chandeliers, stained glass fit for royalty, atlases of the Renaissance, former mansions of America's elite, eclectic bars, iconic burger joints, classic cocktails, and unbeatable views make up our guide to the top hidden gems around the district.

The Magnificent Mile's Hidden Gems

Chicago is a city built of neighborhoods and cultures and Chinatown is the prime example. Just south of Chicago's Loop, Chinatown is bustling with people, traditional cuisine, and of course culture.

Chicago is a city built of neighborhoods and cultures and Chinatown is the prime example. Just south of Chicago's Loop, Chinatown is bustling with people, traditional cuisine, and of course culture. Hop on the Red Line, a bus, or even a water taxi and discover one of Chicago's most unique neighborhoods.

Chicago's Chinatown

This adventure, based on the Chicago History Museum exhibition, "Remembering Dr. King: 1929–1968," invites you to explore some of the locations Dr. King frequented in Chicago.

A Baptist minister and champion of nonviolent activism, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most influential figures of the civil rights movement. He spent considerable time in Chicago protesting racial discrimination, particularly in housing and education.
This VAMONDE adventure is based on the Chicago History Museum exhibition, "Remembering Dr. King: 1929-1968," and invites you to explore in person some of the locations King frequented in the city and to consider how Dr. King’s work remains relevant today, 50 years after his assassination.

Martin Luther King Jr. in Chicago

Join Julia Bachrach, former Chicago Park District historian, on a journey through Humboldt Park to learn more about the role the 150-year-old park served as key experimental grounds for Jens Jensen's Prairie style of landscape architecture.

Julia Bachrach

Established 150 years ago, Humboldt Park can be thought of as a living landmark with layers of history that reflect contributions by important landscape designers, architects, and artists. The most noteworthy, Danish immigrant Jens Jensen (1860 – 1951), revered the indigenous scenery of the Midwest and created the Prairie style of landscape architecture. Humboldt Park provided important grounds for his process of experimentation. Jensen went on to design estates for prominent businessmen such as Julius Rosenwald, Harold Florsheim, and Henry Ford. Join Julia Bachrach, former Chicago Park District historian and author of "The City in a Garden: A History of Chicago’s Parks," on a journey to learn more about how Humboldt Park served as Jens Jensen’s Experimental Grounds.

Humboldt Park: Jens Jensen’s Experimental Grounds

The Art Institute of Chicago is no stranger to "best museums” list, but beyond Michigan Avenue there are many amazing galleries displaying works from heavy hitters like Keith Haring and Hebru Brantley. Get inspired by these galleries and their collections

Chicago Scene

Chicago is home to countless world renowned cultural institutions. The Art Institute of Chicago is no stranger to "best museums” list, but beyond Michigan Avenue there are many amazing galleries displaying works from heavy hitters like Keith Haring and Hebru Brantley. There’s something for everyone at these galleries, whether you’re simply an appreciator of art or a seasoned collector.

Art Galleries: Beyond The Museum Campus

Not your everyday Chicago adventure, these unique outings go inside, behind-the-scenes, and even underground to show off a different side of the city.

From the lair of a notorious Chicago gangster to the infectious groove of a legendary blues club, this adventure will have you socializing, singing, and exploring the city all day (and night!) long. Personally curated by the Vamonde team (a group of foodies, architecture buffs, music fanatics and bar-hopping explorers) this adventure will provide you with the incredible stories and secrets behind some of Chicago’s notorious and renowned spots. Did we mention gingerbread cookies at the Waldorf Astoria?

A Chicago Insider’s Adventure

Join the American Writers Museum on a journey through Chicago's neighborhoods to learn the fascinating stories of some of the city's literary landmarks.

American Writers Museum

Join the American Writers Museum on a journey through Chicago's neighborhoods to learn the fascinating stories of some of the city's literary landmarks. A special adventure created in honor of the 2017 American Library Association Annual Exhibition and Conference.

Chicago Literary Landmarks Hunt

Photojournalist Paul Natkin captures his love for music through the lens of his camera and has worked with the biggest names in music during his 40-year career. Paul speaks with blues experts to help you explore Chicago’s blues scene past and present.

Paul Natkin

Photojournalist Paul Natkin captures his love for music through the lens of his camera and has worked with the biggest names in music during his 40-year career. In this adventure,  Paul goes beyond the Chicago Blues Festival to speak with blues experts to help you explore Chicago’s blues scene past and present.

Beyond the Blues

Choose Chicago® is the official destination marketing organization for Chicago, Illinois. When you’re in Chicago, you’re home. With the countless experiences there are to have here, you're absolutely welcome to do any and all of them.

History of Cleveland

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

A New Day in Hough

A New Day in Hough

Riding the Rapid

Riding the Rapid

Correcting the Mistake on the Lake

Correcting the Mistake on the Lake

The Tale of Terminal Tower

The Tale of Terminal Tower

River of Fire

River of Fire

A Sense of Place within the Public Square

A Sense of Place within the Public Square

Download our app to experience the content you're previewing right now.

Watch, Listen, and Learn

Stories happen here

Find your inspiration