
What we’re about
This group is for LGBT-friendly food lovers and travelers who don’t want to wait on their friends to finally say “yes” to get out to enjoy some good eats, socialize, and see the world. Life is too short and the world is too big!
The food events in this group are member-driven so if you’d like to host a Meetup in your area (i.e. brunch, cooking class, happy hour, a meal out at a new restaurant, etc), feel free to let me know and I'll help you get it set up in the group!
The trips in this group are usually 90% solo travelers but everyone is welcome, female/male, solo/couple/friends, straight/LGBTQIA+! So let’s travel together with fun, like-minded travelers! If you have an open mind and are kind to fellow travelers, you will fit in perfectly on these trips!
NOTE: The people on these trips are from all over the States but you’ll always be connected with people from the same city on a trip so you can meet up face to face and get to know your future travel buddies prior to the trip. You’ll also be connected to the whole group via email prior to the trip so you can virtually get to know those that are from different areas. On average, the people on each trip are 90% solo travelers but it’s hard to predict the exact demographic for each trip so please keep this in mind.
Feel free to join the Facebook group to connect with past travelers on these trips, see pictures, ask questions, funny travel memes, travel-related articles, etc: https://www.facebook.com/groups/613025845523107
The trips in this group are put on by a tour company called Globe Drifters and they focus on small group trips geared towards solo travelers with the mission of giving new meaning to travel by putting the human experience at the heart of their trips. The groups are small, usually with 12 people maximum per trip and about 90% of everyone on each trip are solo travelers so you’re not stuck being the odd man out on trips with mostly couples. You’ll have the best of both worlds, solo travel with the security of a small group of other solo travelers for some company on your adventure! To contact Globe Drifters directly, you can email [info@globe-drifters.com](mailto:info@globe-drifters.com).
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- 🚘🎹From Cadillacs to Chess Records: South Loop Walking Tour! 🏙️ 🏛️Chicago Firehouse Restaurant, Chicago, IL
🚘🎶Cadillacs to Chess Records: South Loop Walking Tour! 🏙️ 🏛️
Motor Row & Record Row: Chicago History on Foot!
Step back in time on a Saturday stroll through the South Loop, where Chicago’s automotive and musical legends come alive! Explore iconic Motor Row showrooms, historic Record Row studios, stunning architecture, grand churches, and the fascinating stories that shaped this vibrant neighborhood.
🗓️ Sat, Aug 23, 2025
🕚 12–2 PM (~2 miles)
📍 Start: Chicago Firehouse Restaurant – 1401 S Michigan Ave
🎯 End: Quinn Chapel AME – 2401 S Wabash Ave
💰 $20 (cash preferred; Zelle/Venmo/PayPal accepted)
🚶 Casual pace | Outdoors | Rain or shine 🌦️⚠️ Walk ends 1 mile from start — if driving, consider parking midway!
🔍 What You’ll See
🚘 Chicago’s first “auto row” – Cadillac, Buick, Ford & more
🎶 Record Row – Chess, Vee-Jay & the birth of Chicago R&B
⛪ Grand historic churches & immigrant stories
🏛️ Vanished businesses & reborn landmarks
🏗️ Amazing early 20th-century architecture📸 Not a photo walk but bring your camera!
🗺️ Route Highlights:
🚒 Firehouse Engine Co. → now Firehouse Restaurant (1401 S. Michigan)
🎤 Jerry Butler’s Songwriters Workshop (1402 S. Michigan Ave)
🎵 Constellation Records (1421 S. Michigan Ave)
🎶 Vee-Jay Records & Brunswick Records (1449 S. Michigan Ave)
📀 Garmisa Distributing Co. (1455 S. Michigan Ave)
⛪ Old St. Mary’s Catholic Church (1500 S. Michigan Ave)
🎼 One-derful Records (1827 S. Michigan Ave)
🏭 B.F. Goodrich Co. Building (1925 S. Michigan Ave)
⛪ Second Presbyterian Church (1936 S. Michigan Ave)
🚗 Locomobile Company (2000 S. Michigan Ave)
🎹 Chess Records (320 E. 21st St)
🎸 Chess Records (2120 S. Michigan Ave)
🏨 Former Lexington Hotel (2135 S. Michigan Ave)
🍽️ Mama Batt’s Restaurant (112 E. Cermak)
🏢 The Lex (2138 S. Indiana Ave – former Lexington)
🐦 The Bird Company (2210–12 S. Michigan Ave)
🚘 Hudson Motor Showroom (2222–28 S. Michigan Ave)
🚙 Marmon Car Co. Showroom (2230 S. Michigan Ave)
🚗 Quality Car Co. (Premier Cars) (2329–31 S. Michigan Ave)
🏛️ Illinois Automobile Club (2400 S. Michigan Ave)
🚘 Former Joyce Ford → now New City Fiat (2401 S. Michigan Ave)
🚘 Pierce Arrow Showroom (2420 S. Michigan Ave)
⛪ Quinn Chapel AME (2401 S. Wabash Ave)🏙️ Fun Facts:
🎶 Record Row – Chicago’s hub for blues, jazz, soul & R&B (1950s–70s). Chess & Vee-Jay defined a generation before Motown.
🚘 Motor Row – America’s largest intact early “auto row” with 100+ makes sold between 1905–1936, from Cadillac to Marmon.👟 Bring:
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Water bottle
• Weather-ready gear
• $20 fee (cash preferred)🍽️ Optional Lunch After:
Join us at nearby spots:
• Fat Pour Tapworks 🍺 https://fatpourmccormick.com/
• Il Culaccino 🍝 https://ilculaccino.com/
• Windy City Ribs & Whiskey 🍖https://windycityribs.net/
💵 Bring cash — some restaurants don’t split checks!📞 Questions? DM me here: 312.835.4259
🧭 Come walk where Chicago’s cars & records made history.
📌 RSVP & No-Show Policy
✔️ Please keep your RSVP current
🚫 No-shows make future planning tough
🕛 RSVP updates close at the tour start time