Barack Obama: My Kind of Town, Chicago Is...
"I saw a man, he danced with his wife ... in Chicago, in Chicago, my home town." Presidential, but very much a man about town, Barack Obama is a Chicagoan by choice, a politician and public servant by design, a parent, partner and community organizer by commitment. As he moves into his role as President of the United States, all eyes are on him and his hometown. Come, discover Barack Obama's kind of town, Chicago is.

Presidential Places: On the Trails of Lincoln & Obama
The comparisons are many, the places are plenty, where the presidential trails of Lincoln and Obama intersect. The historic elections of these two men to the presidency occurred in times which weighed heavily on the American people, each of them unifying the nation. Before serving in Washington, they served the people of Illinois. Come, trace the presidential trails of Lincoln and Obama in Illinois.

Community Building in Chicago: Addams to Obama
Chicago has a long tradition of community building. Its luminaries have also been its yeomen: Jane Addams, Saul Alinsky and Barack Obama, among others. Each responded to adverse situations and each built coalitions of people who tackled tough times, fought city hall, challenged poverty, created hope and inspired opportunity. Come, travel in their footsteps. [Also available as a program.]

Centennial Celebration: The 1909 Plan of Chicago
In 1909 the Commercial Club of Chicago published its plan for Chicago. It spawned ambitions and ideas, many of which came to fruition – changing, beautifying and improving the City. This tour revisits the envisioned City, the City that emerged and the City that might have been, always with an eye toward the Chicago that is yet to be.

Forever Open, Clear and Free: Burnham, Montgomery Ward and the Chicago Lakefront
Chicago has a waterfront like no other city in the world. Our city founders made way for that. Burnham expanded upon it. And Ward defended it. Come on out and enjoy the breezes. The view is fine.

Dillinger's Double Life: Indiana & Illinois
A Hoosier by birth, John Dillinger spent a good deal of his life as "Public Enemy Number One" in Chicago and Northwest Indiana. It was a double life spent on both sides of the state line, as well as both sides of the law. Come, explore Dillinger's life and the places he frequented. We will track him through the Calumet and up into Chicago, where he met his end thanks to the Lady in Red.

Phoenix Rising: the Great Fire of 1871 and the Rebirth of Chicago
Like a legendary phoenix rising from its ashes, Chicago arose transformed from the ashes of its 1871 fire. Only a frontier outpost a few years before, Chicago's 1871 population of 300,000 helplessly watched the City's core burn to the ground. Undeterred, and taking advantage of a clean slate, the City tripled its population over the next 20 years. The Great Fire was instrumental in transforming Chicago from a hardscrabble frontier town into an industrial leader, transportation center, and emerging world-class city poised to host the Columbian Exposition in 1893, and perhaps the Olympics 120 years later. On this tour we will soar with the "winds" of change through Chicago.

Four Red Stars & Five Stripes: the Events & Places Waving on Chicago's Flag
The four red stars in Chicago's flag represent four turning points in the city's history: the Fort Dearborn Massacre, the Great Fire of 1871, the World's Columbian Exposition and the Century of Progress Exposition. The white stripes represent the North, South and West sides of the city, separated by the two branches of the Chicago River. On this excursion, we journey into the storied events and places that proudly wave on Chicago's flag, revisiting the growth of a city. [Also available as a program.]

Streetwise: Jefferson and the Grid of Chicago
Did you ever notice? The presidents are all over the Loop. But, then, why is Jefferson west of the river? And, who was Clark or Dearborn? What about Clinton? And, why is there no 11th Street? Not even a place for 11th Street in the right angled grid of Chicago Streets. Speaking of the grid, do angled streets – Archer, Clybourn, Lincoln, Ogden, Clark – go North/South or East/West? What's with those angled streets? And can you even explain Wacker Drive? All of this lore and street wisdom finds its roots in the work of our third president: Thomas Jefferson. Come, take a stroll with us, and learn about the Grid of Chicago.

Lincoln, the Wigwam and the Land
All across this Land of Lincoln, we celebrate the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth in 2009, even in Chicago, a town that grew to great importance as Lincoln grew into his political career. The two came together, forever, in 1860, when Lincoln was nominated for the presidency in Chicago at the Wigwam. Today, the city is dotted with remembrances of this great man. Come, see how they grew side by side and how they are still linked today. [Also available as a program.]

The Little Giant and the Rail Splitter
We've all heard of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates. But how else were these two great men intertwined and embroiled for decades? They lived, they loved, they lost, they served. Had things gone a little differently, our license plates might read "Land of Douglas." Come, explore the lives and energies of these two men, as they intersected and influenced each other, as well as Chicago and Illinois.

Mary Todd Lincoln's Chicago
Behind every great man is a great woman, and behind every great woman are great resources. Come out and see the Chicago that was so important to Mary Todd Lincoln.

The Lincoln Highway: Motoring from Coast to Coast
Named in honor of our 16th President, the Lincoln Highway cuts across the mid-section of our country. It is one of the earliest roads developed for motoring, and connects the country from coast to coast, passing right through the Chicago area. Come, put on your car coat, and take a jaunt with us as we travel this byway.

Lincoln's Library: the Road Trip
Every President has his library. Lincoln's is in Springfield, capital of Illinois and the town our 16th President called home. In this excursion to Springfield, we'll visit the new Lincoln Library, a building that gives us the chance to interact with our native son. There, we will see his home, and pay our respects to him at his gravesite. Along the way, we'll see the Land of Lincoln.

City & Suburbs by Train: All Aboard!!
Choo-choo! Chug-a-chug-a-chug-a-chug-a ... Kids of all ages love the excitement of a train ride ... and Chicago is the rail hub of the nation. This tour will have participants all-aboard a METRA train for a tour from central city out to the end of the line to see our metropolis from the iron road. Along the way, we'll hop off for a bite to eat, a stroll about the town square, or to enjoy a festival. [Also available as a CTA rail tour.]

Riding the Rails: Celebrating the Centennial of the SouthShore
A century ago, the SouthShore Line came on line. It is an electric interurban train, one of many lines envisioned to connect every city in America. The SouthShore survives and thrives. And we can use it to connect between downtown Chicago and the rich communities, ecosystems and heritage of Northwest Indiana. Come, take a day trip with us aboard the SouthShore. Celebrate a century of views, connections and destinations. We'll pick up lunch. Maybe we can stop by the beach or somewhere else along the line.

War & Chicago
From before statehood through to the 21st Century, Chicago has been impacted and shaped by military events, actions and outcomes. To know about Chicago's long war heritage is to know about the city itself, how to interpret it and how to make it come alive for ourselves and those we meet along the way. On this day tour, we will visit landmarks and tour sites, drive roadways, and travel parkways. Our guides will be voices from the past and spokespersons from the present ... with ample opportunity for participants to share their knowledge.

Other Programs, Events, Topics
If there is an interest in other programs on the people, places and histories that about where we are, please do make an inquiry to InSites. We are open to suggestion and pleased to accommodate.