Mansions and Murals of Chicago: From the Prairie District to Pilsen

Where is the oldest house in Chicago? Where are the Chicago mansions of the Gilded Age? And how many murals can we see in one day? You will get all the answers when you take this driving tour -- and more. Stroll down Prairie Avenue and imagine Chicago, rebuilding furiously after the Great Chicago Fire. Then meander through the murals of both the Wabash Corridor, thanks in great part to Columbia College, and the Pilsen neighborhood, a vibrant community who celebrates art -- street art in particular. Before driving back to your hotel or location, we will swing by the site where the Great Chicago Fire began, where all new firefighters in the city now train.

- Pick up from hotel/location in private vehicle - Drive to the Prairie District, where we will disembark and walk through the Women's Gardens, where the oldest house in Chicago, the Clarke House, now rests - Learn about all the area's mansions (William Kimball, Joseph Coleman, Marshall Fields Jr, Glessner, Elbridge Keith, and the Charles Purdy row houses. See the Harriet Rees House and learn how it was moved in 2014 to make room for the new complex around Wintrust Arena) - Hear the story of the Fort Dearborn Battle nearby - Hop back in the vehicle to drive up and down Wabash to check out some of the most original murals in the area - On the way to Pilsen, detour to see the Native Man mural on Harrison - Take 18th Street to Pilsen and learn about the history of the area (from its Czech roots to its current vibrancy as a wonderful Hispanic neighborhood) - See where the Great Chicago Fire started, and hear about Mrs. Leary's cow finally being exonerated of starting the fire - Return to hotel