The Chicago Theatre

New York has Time Square and London has Big Ben but Chicago’s iconic landmark is the Chicago Theatre. This historic movie theater with the distinctive “Chicago” Marquee sign sits in the heart of the Loop and is one of the last standing movie palace’s in the country.  If you’ve never entered inside the theater and glided down the vivid red carpet or gazed upon the gold leaf  ceiling fixtures,  the Chicago Theater Marquee Tour should be at the top of your to do list. Read More »

The lobby of the Drake Hotel

Chicago might not come to mind when you think of popular romantic comedies but the folks at Time Out Chicago Magazine have come up with a walking tour to turn that notion around. The Windy City has hosted scads of silly chick flicks, from My Best Friend’s Wedding  to The Break Up and thanks to Time Out, you can trace key movie scenes with an hour and a half walking tour that will lead you through about three miles of the downtown and Gold Coast areas. Read More »

I ate chocolate for breakfast this morning. I really, really, planned to eat a healthy morning meal but alas, my chocolate tour of Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood was scheduled for 10:45 AM.  So I was forced to down vast amounts of gourmet chocolates all morning and into the afternoon.  Although it may sound like an easy time, the two and half hour tour is not for the faint of  heart. Read More »

A bottle tree on American Beach

Northeast Florida’s Amelia Island is steeped in history and one highlight is the dreamy stretch of 200 acres called American Beach.   Developed as the first African American resort community in 1933, when Jim Crow laws restricted integration of most beaches, this landmark offers gorgeous, undeveloped vistas and decades of rich cultural history.  It’s a great place to swim, stroll or beach comb but the best way to experience American Beach is with a 90-minute historical walking tour. Read More »