Planning a trip to the Windy City? After you've taken in a ballgame at Wrigley Field and sampled enough deep-dish pizza, we recommend you try a Chicago Neighborhood Tour.
The 2010 calendar of tours has been released, featuring 25 itineraries, including five new ones. These half-day bus tours allow visitors to see Chicago's communities like an insider.
The new tours include:
Jefferson Park, Portage Park & Six Corners tour, available April 17, July 10 and November 6. This tour visits residential streets, the 1920s beaux-arts Portage Theater, the Spanish-rivial Our Lady of Victory Church and the Gateway Theater.
Wicker Park & Ukrainian Village tour, available June 5, August 21 and October 9. See Wicker Park's impressive Victorian-era mansions and experience Ukrainian Village's Eastern European roots.
Daniel Burnham's Chicago tour, available June 19 and August 14. This tour invite travelers to see the works of the aritecht responsible for Chicago's lakefront and numerous parks.
The South Chicago Tour is available June 26 and October 2. It visits a National Shrine at Chicago's oldest Mexican parish. Another popular stop is the Calumet Park Field House.
Returning Tours
South Shore Neighborhoods, available March 27 and July 17. This itinerary visits the South Shore Cultural Center, the site of President Obama's wedding reception; the Saint Philip Neri Catholic Church; and the Gary Comer Youth Center.
Hyde Park & Kenwood Tour, available April 24, July 24 and September 25. Drive by President Obama's Kenwood home, see the University of Chicago campus, explore St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church and the Oriental Museum. This tour is topped off with a walk through Jackson Park's Osaka Garden.
Other returning favorites are the Devon Avenue Tour (June 12, September 18), Land of Lincoln Tour (May 8, August 14) and the Great Cemeteries of Chicago Tour (June 12, July 10, August 7).
Special Interest Tours
The White City tour, available April 10, May 22, June 26, July 31, August 28, September 18 and October 23. This visits the site of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Another popular tour is the Taste of the Neighborhoods, available February 20, March 13, April 17, May 15, June 19, July 3, August 21, September 25, October 23 and November 20. This visits trips to ethnic restaurants throughout the city.
All tours depart by motor coach from the Chicago Cultural Center. Each tour is $30 ($25 for seniors and students) and includes refreshments. Special interest tours are $50 ($45 for seniors and students and includes lunch). For a full list of tours visit www.chicagoneighborhoodtours.com.