CHICAGO (January 13, 2012) — The city's 77 distinct communities come alive on Chicago Neighborhood Tours, revealing rich histories and celebrated cultural traditions, local landmarks and hidden treasures. Affordable and convenient, these half-day motor coach trips offer fully-planned itineraries and an expert local guide to lead the way.

Learn the art of beer making from local microbreweries, globe-trot through ethnic eateries, marvel at magnificent churches, escape to hidden gardens, and more. Now in its 15th year, this popular visitor service provided by the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture has expanded to include even more diverse offerings that appeal to a broad range of ages and interests.

"Chicago Neighborhood Tours are a wonderful way to see the city's neighborhoods like a true insider," said Dorothy Coyle, Executive Director, Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture. "This year's exciting roster of new tours will venture into the heart of Chicago's communities to capture their unique essence and flavor."

The 2012 season of Chicago Neighborhood Tours extends from February through November and features 28 different excursions, 15 of which are new this year. Choose from two varieties: the Neighborhood Tours, which travel across the city for unique sightseeing opportunities, and the Taste of the Neighborhoods Tours, a selection of five unique culinary journeys to tempt your taste buds.

Take away an authentic Chicago experience. Getting around town is both easy and fun with Chicago Neighborhood Tours. Visit www.ChicagoNeighborhoodTours.com or call 312.742.1190 to book any of the Chicago Neighborhood Tours or private, customized group tours for 30 or more.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM NEW 2012 NEIGHBORHOOD TOURS

Art in Transit: CTA Public Art

Chicago is home to a world renowned collection of public art. On this tour, experience original artworks displayed throughout the Chicago Transit Authority rail system, many of them created through the federally funded Arts in Transit public works program.

¢ Discover the wealth of art displayed throughout the Chicago Transit Authority rail system

¢ See mosaics, sculptures, paintings and other original artwork by renowned local/international artists

FIRE! The Great Chicago Fire

The Great Fire of 1871 reduced Chicago to ashes, devastating the city and changing hundreds of thousands of lives forever. On this tour, learn about the city's valiant efforts to contain the fire, and its dramatic rebirth to the Chicago of today.

¢ Set foot on the spot where the Great Chicago Fire began

¢ See historic and antique firefighting equipment at the Chicago Fire Academy

¢ Learn about the Fire's devastating toll and the city's rebirth in its wake

Historic Hotels of Chicago

Chicago's hotels were internationally renowned for their opulence and luxury in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Relive the grandeur of the Gilded Age on a guided tour of some of the city's most historic and architecturally stunning hotels.

¢ Visit three luxurious and architecturally significant hotels on each tour

¢ Learn the history and insider secrets of each property from the hotel staff themselves

Historic Parks & Boulevards

Chicago city planner Daniel Burnham envisioned acres of beautiful green spaces and wide, majestic tree-lined boulevards in his 'City Beautiful' movement. Experience the City in a Garden — Chicago's motto — on this tour of historic parks and boulevards.

¢ Visit masterpieces of landscape architecture by Jens Jensen and other legendary designers

¢ See awe-inspiring field houses, World's Fair relics and other historic landmarks

¢ Each tour features different parks, so that no two tours are identical

Hops & Barley: Pubs & Micro-breweries

Craft beers are all the rage, with Chicago being home to some of the country's most exciting new microbreweries. Go behind the scenes to witness the secrets of artisanal beer making, and swing by several local pubs for a taste of these special brews.

¢ Learn the art of beer making at a local microbrewery

¢ Enjoy beer tastings at 2-3 local brew pubs

¢ A light lunch is included on this tour

Out and Proud: LGBT Chicago

Chicago is home to one of the most vibrant gay and lesbian communities in the country. Explore the heart of the city's LGBT community, Boystown, and its lively offshoot, Andersonville, and discover other LGBT-oriented neighborhood attractions.

¢ Explore the Boystown and Andersonville neighborhoods

¢ Visit the award-winning Center on Halsted, one of the nation's premiere LGBT community centers

¢ Head to the Leather Archives & Museum for fascinating insights into LGBT Chicago

Taste of Pilsen & Little Village

It's a fiesta for the senses in the heart of Chicago's Mexican American community! Get a taste of the neighborhood through its vibrant art, culture and shopping before digging in to the most authentic Mexican cuisine to be had anywhere in Chicago.

¢ See local murals on a drive through of Pilsen & Little Village

¢ Enjoy small plates-style meals at a couple of area restaurants

¢ Swing by a Mexican bakery for dessert and sweets

CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD TOURS 2012 DATES

Art In Transit: CTA Public Art **NEW TOUR

Fridays 10 am — 2 pm: June 1, August 31

Avondale & Old Irving

Saturdays 10 am — 2:30 pm: May 19, September 15, October 6

Beverly

Saturdays 10 am — 2:30 pm: April 28, July 14, September 8

Bridgeport

Saturdays 10 am — 2:30 pm: March 31, June 2, August 4

Bucktown, Humboldt Park & Logan Square

Fridays 10 am — 2 pm: June 8, July 13, August 10

Chicago's Magnificent Churches

Saturdays 10 am — 2:30 pm: March 10, July 28, September 22, October 20

Elegant Gold Coast **NEW TOUR

Fridays 10 am — 2 pm: June 22, July 20, August 17

FIRE! The Great Chicago Fire **NEW TOUR

Thursdays 10 am — 2 pm: June 14, July 12, August 9

Graceland Cemetery

Saturdays 10 am — 2:30 pm: May 12, August 11

The Great Migration: African American Heritage **NEW TOUR

Saturdays 10 am — 2:30 pm: February 25, July 28, October 13

Greektown, Chinatown & Little Italy

Fridays 10 am — 2 pm: June 15, July 6, August 3

Historic Hotels of Chicago **NEW TOUR

Thursdays 10 am — 2 pm: June 21, July 19, August 16

Historic Parks & Boulevards **NEW TOUR

Thursdays 10 am — 2 pm: June 28, July 26, August 23

Honor and Glory: Military Tributes **NEW TOUR

Saturdays 10 am — 2:30 pm: June 23, September 29, November 3

Hops & Barley: Pubs & Micro-breweries **NEW TOUR

Saturdays 11 am — 3:30 pm: March 24, April 14, May 12, June 2, July 21, August 18, September 15, October 13, November 10

Hyde Park & Kenwood

Saturdays 10 am — 2:30 pm: April 21, June 30, October 20

Lincoln Park, Lakeview & Wrigleyville

Fridays 10 am — 2 pm: June 29, July 27, August 24

Out and Proud: LGBT Chicago **NEW TOUR

Saturdays 10 am — 2:30 pm: May 26, June 16, August 4

POLSKA! Chicago's Polish Downtown **NEW TOUR

Saturdays 10 am — 2:30 pm: March 3, July 21, September 29

Pullman

Saturdays 10 am — 2:30 pm: May 19, June 16, August 25, September 22

Rosehill Cemetery

Saturday 10 am — 2:30 pm: July 7

STRIKE! Chicago Labor History **NEW TOUR

Saturdays 10 am — 2:30 pm: May 5, August 25

Taste of Albany Park **NEW TOUR

Saturdays 10 am — 2:30 pm: April 21, September 8

Taste of Edgewater & Uptown **NEW TOUR

Saturdays 10 am — 2:30 pm: May 5, August 11

Taste of Devon Avenue **NEW TOUR

Saturday 10 am — 2:30 pm: June 9

Taste of Pilsen & Little Village **NEW TOUR

Saturdays 10 am — 2:30 pm: March 17, October 6

Taste of the Neighborhoods

Saturdays 10 am — 2:30 pm: February 18, July 7, November 17

Wicker Park & Ukrainian Village

Saturdays 10 am — 2:30 pm: June 9, August 18, October 27

Chicago Neighborhood Tours is presented by the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture. All tours are conducted with a guide by motor coach and by foot, and depart from the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 East Randolph Street. Check in at 9:30 am (10:30 am for Hops & Barley: Pubs & Microbreweries only) in the main seating area behind the Randolph Street lobby. Tours range from $30-$55. Group rates are available. Early reservations are highly recommended.

VISITOR INFORMATION RESOURCES

Visitors and Chicagoans planning to entertain out-of-town guests can receive trip-planning assistance and information by visiting www.ExploreChicago.org . Brochures and information on Chicago's exciting events and activities are also available at the Visitor Information Centers. Friendly Visitor Representatives can answer questions and assist in planning an unforgettable itinerary. The visitor centers are located in two of the city's most popular areas: across from Millennium Park in the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph Street; and at the historic Water Works pumping station, 163 E. Pearson Street at Michigan Avenue.

For daily alerts about fun and FREE things to do in Chicago, follow Explore Chicago on Twitter at twitter.com/explorechicago and on Facebook at facebook.com/explorechicago. Discover fun itineraries on our blog at explorechicagotourism.com, and on Foursquare at foursquare.com/explorechicago. Get answers to your Chicago questions on the go, restaurant recommendations, and travel tips via the FREE Twitter Concierge Service @explorechicago.

The Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture is dedicated to promoting Chicago as a premier cultural destination to domestic and international leisure travelers, providing innovative visitor programs and services, and presenting free world-class public programs. For more information please visit www.ExploreChicago.org .