Meet these great architects, businessmen, early pioneers of Chicago in life and death.

So much more than a typical "graveyard tour," this tour takes you on a path to discover some of the major architects and characters of Chicago’s rich history through what they did in life, and THEN we take you to visit and pay your respects to these great people at their graves. This is not just an ordinary "graveyard tour" with silly stories about hauntings and urban myths: this tour celebrates what real people did with their lives, and takes you to see their often beautiful graves in the peaceful oasis that is Graceland Cemetery.

We begin our exploration downtown with a handful of the most beautiful, important buildings in Chicago's architectural history, designed and built by major architects like Jenney, Burnham, Root, and Sullivan. We will pop into buildings to see their stunning interiors, and talk about the evolution of skyscrapers here in Chicago from the 19th century through the 20th. You'll get to experience gorgeous spaces, and take tons of photos!

After our downtown portion, we will jump on the L (Chicago's famous elevated train) for a 20-minute ride up to Graceland Cemetery, where many famous Chicagoans are buried. One architect was so important, he even got his own island in the middle!

We will learn about these great architects by walking through their masterpieces, and then visiting their final resting places. It's our unique way to teach about history!

Duration

3 Hours 1.5 miles on foot and more by train!

NOTE: This tour has a minimum of three guests to run, due to operating costs. We will cancel and let you know (and of course refund you) in the unfortunate event that low sales prohibit us from running the tour.

Highlights of the Tour

• Touch 120-year-old walls that tell the fascinating story of modern architecture’s evolution;
• Look up at the haunting, hidden faces that let an architect gaze at you from the past;
• See the stunning building from a man hired to build tombs for the rich, but who died too poor to afford his own tombstone;
• Much, much more!

Tour Details

• Runs rain or shine! We will be in touch in case of severe weather.
• Meeting Location: Lobby of Congress Plaza Hotel
• ###NOTE: This tour has a minimum of three guests to run, due to operating costs. We will cancel and let you know (and of course refund you) in the unfortunate event that low sales prohibit us from running the tour.