One of the most recognized views of Chicago is the streetwall that lines Michigan Avenue. It’s a manmade cliff that features some of the city’s biggest cultural institutions. Not only do several of the buildings make up the Historic Michigan Boulevard District, it’s also known as the Chicago Cultural Mile.
If Grant Park is Chicago’s front yard, then this stretch is its front door. Our tour begins where Fort Dearborn used to stand and heads south, ending at Hilton Chicago. Along the way, you’ll discover how the Great Chicago Fire was directly responsible for creating the city’s first public library. You’ll hear about one man’s fight for Grant Park. You’ll meet a backflipping architect, a bon vivant who designed some of Chicago’s most beautiful buildings, and a child prodigy who saved the city’s orchestra. Above all, you’ll learn about the people that turned this city on a swamp into one of the greatest cultural centers in the world.
This guide is drawn from the bestselling book, Living Landmarks of Chicago. Purchase enables unlimited access, so you can listen to it as often as you'd like. Great idea when you've got visitors, or if you just want to hear fun stories.