Exploring Chicago’s History One Story at a Time

Explore Chicago beyond the tourist attractions and discover stories, neighborhoods, and experiences that many visitors—and even locals—often miss? That’s exactly what my new book, Chicago Beyond the Bean, is all about.

Few events in American history capture the violence and mystery of the Prohibition era like the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. What happened on a cold February morning in Chicago in 1929 shocked the nation,

Chicago’s famous “L” train system as been used by passengers for over a hundred years. It began during one of the most important moments in the city’s history. In the late 1800s, several private railroad companies competed to build elevated train lines across the rapidly growing city.

If you’re visiting the city—or even if you’ve lived here for years—our Chicago Early Skyscraper Walking Tour in the Loop on Viator offers a fun, personal, and unforgettable way to explore the architecture, history, and energy that make Chicago one of the world’s great cities.

“Discover how Chicago’s Reliance Building was lifted on jack screws while tenants stayed inside. A fascinating story of innovation, architecture, and 1890s engineering.”

Chicago is known for its skyline, its architecture, and its grand monuments in places like Grant Park. But some of the city’s most powerful war memorials aren’t towering statues or lakefront landmarks. They’re standing quietly on neighborhood street corners.

A closer look at the Gage Buildings reveals how Chicago architects used light, structure, and design to reinvent the modern city.

Discover the Marquette Building, one of Chicago’s most beautiful hidden landmarks. Learn its history, architecture, and stunning Tiffany mosaics inside this Loop icon.

Chicago is known for its towering architecture, bold flavors, and rich cultural history — but did you know it was once America’s candy capital?