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Tours Tour Registration Form [PDF] MONDAY, MAY 5 Behind the Scenes in Chicago Tour MONDAY, MAY 5 Time: 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Departs from hotel Chicago is a city on the move, but how does it work? Have a look into the "back doors" of some industries that make up the energy of our town. Take a trip through the Merchandise Mart, the Chicago Theatre, and Margie's Candies! Stroll the floors of the Merchandise Mart, the world's largest commercial building, while learning about its history. Then take a tour of the Chicago Theatre, where the likes of Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli and David Copperfield have performed. Then, get spoiled at Margie's Candies, a famous Chicago candy and ice cream shop! Explore this wonderful city from every angle! Find adventure around every corner! Join our Behind the Scenes in Chicago Tour for an unforgettable experience! Cost $120 per person. Limit: 20 people. Architectural "L" Train Tour MONDAY, MAY 5 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. OR 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Departs from hotel Take a ride on the "L", the elevated light rail train that defines the Chicago Loop, for a unique vantage point to see the internationally renowned architecture in the heart of Chicago's business district. Experience the signature Chicago style architecture, as well as examples of Beaux Art, Art Deco, International, Post-Modern architecture. Allow our docent to teach you about famous architects including Louis Sullivan, Daniel Burnham, John Root, Frank Lloyd Wright, Mies van der Rohe and Helmut Jahn. Learn the history of the 170-year old downtown area and the elevated train system, and see Chicago's buildings from a new perspective. Cost $72.00 per person. Pastoral Wine and Cheese Class MONDAY, MAY 5 Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Departs from hotel Join us at Pastoral for an intimate wine and cheese class led by expert Cesar Olivares! Relax in this cozy environment and learn the difference between Old World and New World wines as well as the basics of artisan cheese. Cesar will lead you on a journey of wine and cheese discovery and will teach you how to successfully pair the two! Learn about the synergies between artisan cheese and wine as you experiment by tasting and pairing in this Lakeview specialty shop. Cost: $70 per person. Limit: 15 people. TUESDAY, MAY 6 Shop Walk Windy Neighborhood Tours TUESDAY, MAY 6 Time: 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Departs from Hotel Chicago is a city of neighborhoods- each having its own unique boutique scene. The Windy Neighborhood Boutique tours are customized with you in mind as well as ever-evolving with the changing faces of the neighborhood. Your Shop Walk guide will bring you to all the hard-to-find boutiques that you won't find back home or on the Magnificent Mile. And, because the tours are guided, you can walk the streets without a map and free your hands for shopping! Get some great gifts and home items during this unique shopping tour. All tours include Exclusive Discounts to the neighborhood's hottest boutiques. Cost $82.00 per person. Union League Club of Chicago Tour TUESDAY, MAY 6 Time: 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Departs from Hotel For more than 125 years, the Union League Club has been the place in Chicago where people have gathered to lay the groundwork for various civic projects and organize social and philanthropic undertakings. Established in 1879, the Club has been a contributing partner in the growth and development of Chicago. Today the Union League Club of Chicago is recognized as having one of the most important privately held art collections in the region, with more that 750 works of art, including paintings, sculpture, works on paper, and decorative arts- with particular strength in Midwestern arts. In 1997, it became the only Club in the city with a full-time curator and an in-house paintings conservator! Join us for a special one-of-a-kind tour with the Union League Club of Chicago as we explore their spectacular art collection including works by Monet, John James Audubon, Alexander Helwig Wyant, Richard Hunt, and Ed Paschke. Conclude your wonderful day of art with an equally lovely lunch. Cost $ 84.00 per person, includes lunch. The Devil in the White City Companion Bus Tour TUESDAY, MAY 6 Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Departs from hotel This tour concerns the remarkable events that occurred in Chicago in 1893 and their lasting impact upon us. That was the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, which introduced the world to electrically lighted buildings, the Ferris Wheel and Cracker Jacks. The Devil in the White City Companion Bus Tour is based upon Erik Larson's bestselling book, and expands upon many of its elements. We first visit the Fair through a slide presentation featuring many period photographs. Next, we will explore by bus many of the buildings and places that most Fairgoers would have seen. We will pay particular attention to the profound effect that the Fair had upon the people's lives at the time, and its lasting effects on Chicago and the nation. Those who have read the book will learn more about the circumstances surrounding the Fair. Those who haven't read The Devil in the White City will find this tour to be an introduction to the fascinating events in Chicago at the end of the 19th Century. Cost $64.00 per person. Chicago Blues Tour TUESDAY, MAY 6 Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Departs from hotel What comes to mind when you think of Chicago? Why the Blues of course. After this tour you will be an authority on what makes Chicago Blues unique! Glimpse some venues where blues happened, such as Black Ellis Island, Maxwell Street, the State Street Stroll and Muddy Water's house. A brief stop will be made at Buddy Guy's Legends for a few minutes to hear live blues. At Willie Dixon's "Blues Heaven" see a movie, "Sweet Home Chicago" about some of the old Chess artists like Koko Taylor, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, and Willie Dixon and others who sing and talk about how they got involved with the blues. Then tour the studio including artifacts from these artists. View the famous staircase and portrait of the blues artists face masks, Chuck Berry, Bo Didley, and Jimmy Lee Robinson. See for yourself what makes Chicago a Blues music town! Cost $74.00 per person. Near North Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour TUESDAY, MAY 6 Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Departs from hotel Taste your way through Chicago's Gold Coast, Old Town, and Lincoln Park neighborhoods! This guided, narrated tour starts in the heart of Downtown and continues through Chicago's beautiful Near North neighborhoods. Stroll among Chicago's historic mansions, hidden parks, and majestic houses as you experience a day of food tasting. This three hour walking tour brings to life spectacular food, unique neighborhoods, offbeat venues, and beautiful architecture. Experience the full spectrum of Chicago cuisine while tasting at ethnic eateries and specialty food shops. From pizza to fudge, and mansions to parks, you'll love our take on Chicago's culture and cuisine. Cost: $44.00 per person. Included: Enough tasting for lunch. WEDNESDAY, MAY 7 Lill Studio Design Your Own Purse Tour WEDNESDAY, MAY 7 Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Departs from hotel First pick the style, then pick your colors, and later have a great memory from Chicago! Join us for a tour of 1154 Lill Studio and participate in creating your very own handbag! Choose the style, shape, fabrics, and details for your bag and then have it shipped to your home! Experience a lovely afternoon in the neighborhood of Lincoln Park. 1154 Lill Studio is making a name for itself with clients including Oprah, Jessica and Ashlee Simpson, and Jennifer Garner! Get to know your creative self when you try on the role of handbag designer! Cost $70.00 per person, Plus the cost of handbag ($30-200 per bag) Chicago Neighborhoods Cooking School WEDNESDAY, MAY 7 Time: 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Departs from hotel Join us in the kitchen for a culinary experience that will lead you on a tour through many famous Chicago neighborhoods. Divide into teams to get started on making dishes such as Egg Rolls inspired by Chinatown, Chiles de Nogada from the Hispanic Pilsen community, and Baklava from Greektown! Allow our chef to instruct you on how to create wonderful, ethnically inspired dishes and then enjoy a prepared lunch! Make memories with this day of food, fun and creativity! Cost $ 117.00 per person.