🏘️🌿 Cobblestones, Comedy & Hidden Gems — Old Town Uncovered! 🎭🏛️

🏘️🌿 Cobblestones, Comedy & Hidden Gems — Old Town Uncovered! 🎭🏛️

Walking Chicago's Historic Old Town

Have Friday off from work & looking for something unique on a holiday weekend? Join us for a leisurely morning stroll through one of Chicago's most charming and historic neighborhoods! Explore the picturesque streets of Old Town, where Victorian homes, immigrant history, legendary comedy clubs, and hidden artists' studios come together to tell the story of one of the city's oldest communities.

✨ Step into Old Town and discover a neighborhood that survived the Great Chicago Fire, welcomed generations of immigrants, and became home to world-famous theaters, artists, architects, and entrepreneurs. Wander tree-lined streets filled with historic churches, beautiful row houses, unique plazas, and hidden architectural treasures while hearing fascinating stories from Chicago's past. 💫

Come walk, learn, and enjoy a summer morning with us — it's a wonderful way to experience Chicago and meet fellow history lovers! 🌇

🎤 Led by your passionate, ever-curious guide (that's me!) — perfect for architecture lovers, history buffs, comedy fans, photographers, and anyone who enjoys being a tourist in their own city! 😊

📍 LOGISTICS
🗓️ Friday, July 3, 2026
⏰ 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM (~2.2 miles walking)
📍 Start: Sedgwick Brown Line Station, 1536 N. Sedgwick St.
🏁 End: Carl Street Studios, 155 W. Burton Pl.
💰 $20 per person — due at start of tour
💵 Cash preferred (exact change appreciated) | PayPal, Zelle & Venmo also accepted
🌦️ Casual pace | Outdoors | Rain or shine

### Tour Highlights:

⛪ Historic churches & inspiring immigrant stories
🏛️ Beautiful Victorian homes, row houses & charming streets
🎭 Legendary comedy clubs & artistic enclaves
🎨 Hidden studios of Chicago's most celebrated artists
🍺 Historic taverns, restaurants & neighborhood landmarks
🌳 Tree-lined streets that predate Chicago's grid system
🔥 Survivors and stories from the Great Chicago Fire

⚠️ IMPORTANT PARKING NOTE
The walk ends approximately 4 blocks from the starting point — plan your parking accordingly! 🚗

🗺️ Route Highlights (stops subject to change):
🍴 Twin Anchors Restaurant
⛪ St. Michael's Catholic Church (Great Chicago Fire survivor)
🏯 Midwest Buddhist Temple
🍸 Margie's Still
🎨 Kogen-Miller & Glasner Studios
🏘️ Crilly Court Historic District
🏳️ Henry Gerber House
🏡 Olsen-Hansen Row Houses
🌳 Eugenie Triangle Park & Chicago Fire "Blob"
⛪ Moody Church
🏛️ Chicago History Museum
🏰 Former Germania Club
🎭 The Second City
🎬 Piper's Alley
🎨 Theophil Studios
🏛️ Sol Kogen & Edgar Miller Studios
🎨 Carl Street Studios

ROUTE MAP: https://tinyurl.com/5mwcxrc5

🌟 WHY OLD TOWN?
Old Town is one of Chicago's most beloved historic neighborhoods, famous for its cobblestone charm, Victorian architecture, vibrant arts scene, and rich immigrant heritage. Originally settled by German immigrants during the 1850s, much of the neighborhood survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, leaving behind some of the city's oldest streets and buildings.

Today, Old Town is a fascinating blend of history and culture. It's home to St. Michael's Church, one of the few structures to survive the Fire, the world-famous Second City comedy theater, remarkable artists' colonies created by Edgar Miller and Sol Kogen, and beautiful residential streets unlike anywhere else in Chicago. The winding streets of the Old Town Triangle even predate Chicago's street grid, making this neighborhood one of the city's most unique places to explore.

📸 Not a dedicated photo walk, but you'll definitely want your camera!

💟 WHAT TO BRING
👟 Comfortable walking shoes
💧 Water bottle
🌤️ Weather-appropriate attire
💰 $20 tour fee (exact change appreciated; cash preferred but Zelle, Venmo & PayPal accepted)

🍽️ OPTIONAL LUNCH AFTER
After the walk, join us for lunch at one of Old Town's neighborhood favorites! 🍴
💵 Bring cash — some restaurants don't do separate checks!
🍻 Woodie's Flat
🍝 Topo Gigio Ristorante
🌮 Adobo Grill
🍺 Corcoran's Grill & Pub

🚇 GETTING THERE
🚇 CTA Brown Line: Sedgwick Station
🚗 Driving: Street parking available throughout the neighborhood (watch posted signs). Parking garages are also available nearby through SpotHero or ParkWhiz
.
💡 Tip: Arrive a few minutes early to find parking!

📱 Lost or running late? Call/text (312) 835-4259

⚠️ NO-SHOW POLICY
😬 3 no-shows without updating your RSVP = 3-month event ban
⏰ Update your RSVP before the event starts; after that, message the host directly
🚫 Continual no-shows = removal from the group

🧭 Come discover where Chicago's oldest streets, legendary laughter, remarkable architecture, and fascinating history all come together — and experience Old Town in a whole new way! 🏘️🎭