Chicago Southland Tour Tips Newsletter - Bus Tours Magazine

Volume 2, Number 1 - February 2020

Tour Tips Newsletter

Bus Tours Magazine - 9698 W. Judson Road - Polo, Illinois 61064 - 815-946-2341

Chicago Southland

Chicago Proximity | Suburban Serenity | Easy Access

Conveniently located “Just Beyond the City Limits” of Chicago, rests the 63 south / southwest suburbs known as the Chicago Southland.

Whether you are looking for exciting historic downtown shopping sprees, wonderful arts and culture, religious or historic itineraries, the Chicago Southland has it all.

With six major interstates running through the region (55, 57, 80, 94, 294 and 355) and Midway and O’Hare International Airports, getting around the Chicago Southland hasn’t been easier! In fact, the Chicago Southland is within in a five-hour drive of eight states. Additionally, parking is FREE at all Chicago Southland hotels and most attractions.

No matter where you’re coming from – or where you’re going to, odds are you’ll be passing through the Chicago Southland. We’re the perfect place to stop or stay.

Attractions

Spanning 63 municipalities and 400 square miles, the Chicago Southland offers something for every group. Whether it is experiencing glass blowing at Lotton Art Glass, viewing over 30 permanent installations at a world renowned sculpture park, taking in the sights of a national monument or shopping in one of our historic downtown districts, the only thing you can’t do in the Chicago Southland is see it all in one day. The Chicago Southland also offers a variety of performance and educational opportunities for students.

•Accelerate Indoor Speedway & Events •Argonne National Laboratory •Bible Institute •Brookfield Zoo •Chicago Attractions •Chicago White Sox •Downtown Historic Frankfort •Homewood Bat Co •Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center •Lotton Art Glass Gallery & Studios •Method Soap Factory •National Manilow Sculpture Park •Pullman National Monument •SeatGeek Stadium •Shrine of Christ’s Passion •Thornton Quarry •Wild Blossom Meadery & Winery

Tour Tips Newsletter

Chicago Southland

Accommodations The Chicago Southland offers name brand hotels that you know and trust. With over 60 interstate accessible hotels offering 5,000+ full and select service sleeping rooms, you won’t have to look far for a perfect night’s sleep.

Dining Finding the perfect place to eat can be a very daunting task while travelling. Luckily, the Chicago Southland has many unique restaurants that will leave you satisfied. Whether you are looking for farm to table concepts, award winning breweries, Chicago Style Pizza, fine dining or family dining, the Chicago Southland offers something for everyone.

Festivals Fun is always in season when you visit Chicago Southland. There are over 800 festivals and events annually in the Chicago Southland with something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for apple cider donuts at Fall festivals, snow fun in the Winter, the rapid leg and foot movement of the Irish dancers during Ireland on Parade in Spring or catching your favorite band at a Summer concert, you will find it all Just Beyond the City Limits.

Chicago Southland/Chicago Festivals & Events

January Chicago Restaurant Week

February Chicago Auto Show Neighborhoods of the World

March

Chicago Flower & Garden Show St. Patrick’s Day Parade South Side Irish Parade

April

Chicago Improv Festival

May

Bike the Drive Gaelic Park Irish Fest

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June Chicago Underground Film Festival Chicago Blues Festival Chicago Gospel Music Festival Grant Park Music Festival

July Taste of Chicago Frankfort Bluegrass Fest Downtown Tinley Block Party Chinatown Summer Fair Parade of Boats

August Lollapalooza Chicago Air & Water Show ZooBrew

September Frankfort Fall Festival Chicago Jazz Festival Monarch Butterfly Festival Windy City Wine Festival Hyde Park Jazz Festival October Lansing Autumn Fest Chicago Artists Month

Chicago Southland Tour Itineraries Whether planning a half-day excursion or a multiday tour, the following itineraries are offered to assist you in your planning process.

African American Heritage Tour There is a Soul Side of the Chicago Southland that will lead you down an intriguing trail of Black History.

Explore important milestones, art and landmarks that generations of African Americans have made in the Chicago Southland area.

Agri-Tourism Tour - Fulcrum Farms Visit Fulcrum Farms located on 60 acres in rural Manhattan, IL and learn direct from the owner about his farming principals and business practices.

Chicago Southland

Chicago Southland Tour Itineraries Continued

Architecture - The Art and Science of Designing and Erecting Buildings Explore Chicago Southland area historic buildings including Frank Lloyd Wright’s prairie style, as well as other landmarks on the National Register of Historic Places.

Bring the Grandkids For family fun, visit the Chicago Southland where there’s always plenty to see, experience and do!

Down in the Dumps and Toxic Tour Travel to some of the Chicago Southland’s industrial landmarks, such as the BP Oil Refinery, while learning about the impacts these sites have on the region’s environment, including the region’s massive wetlands

The Elements of Art You are invited to explore works of art from the world-famous Art Institute of Chicago to world famous Lotton Art Glass Gallery & Studio and one of the nation's most distinguished collections of contemporary sculpture at the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park.

Enjoy a Garden Walk Tour in the Chicago Southland An itinerary filled with arts & culture and a picturesque blend of acreage to petite gardens.

For the Young or Young at Heart Day one features a blend of science and art as you explore Argonne National Laboratory, Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park and Lotton Art Glass Gallery & Studios. Day two is all about teams: Teambuilding at Irons Oaks and cheering on Chicago’s professional sports teams.

Heritage Blend Starters Plan an ethnic excursion by combining any of our heritage starters including Asian, German, Irish and more!

Let Seecago Tours plan your next Mystery Tour This tour can be adjusted to fit your schedule and interests…there is something for everyone in the Chicago Southland.

Martini, Wine and Tea - A Unique Taste of the Chicago Southland!

Enjoy unique attractions along with great food and, of course, beverages in the Chicago Southland.

Pizza Tours Join us for a pizza tour traveling over 50 miles via motor coach across the Chicago Southland area to visit six of the very best and most famous pizza restaurants!

Shopping Extravaganza Whether you are looking for an indoor shopping mall, antiques, flea markets or historic downtown district, the Chicago Southland has many Shopportunities.

So Much to See & Do! Enjoy the Chicago Southland and the city of Chicago’s best attractions in this three-day excursion.

Tour Tips Newsletter

Chicago Southland

Tour Tips Newsletter Chicago Southland Tour Itineraries Continued

Student Adventure Just Beyond the City Limits, you will discover enjoyable student performance opportunities and attractions that can only be found in the Chicago Southland.

A Tasty Treat of the Arts Enjoy great art, along with cooking demonstrations and classes on this two-day culinary experience

Tinkering Around in Tinley Enjoy two days in Tinley Park where you can experience great good, great golf and great art!

Tour for People with Disabilities Enjoy three days filled with activities that are available for people of all abilities.

Trains - Exploring the Chicago Southland Rail System The Chicago Southland is one of most densely packed railroad regions in the United States. Explore the railfanning and rail-centric attractions, restaurants and events in the 63 south and southwest suburbs of Chicago.

Underground Railroad Tour Explore several key locations throughout the Chicago Southland that are important sites in African American history, including two spots that have verified connections to the Underground Railroad.

The Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau can assist you in many ways. We are your primary source of information for the Chicago Southland region. You can rely on the expertise of our professional staff to assist you in all facets of planning your next tour. We offer a variety of FREE services to groups booked through the CSCVB: site inspections, itinerary planning and information bags to just name a few.

Tobie Fitzpatrick Tour & Travel Market Manager 708-895-8200 FAX 708-895-8288 Toll Free 888-895-8233 Tobie@VisitChicagoSouthland.com TourChicagoSouthland.com

Incentives Contact Tobie about current enticing group tour incentives.

For current group tour specials please visit: www.VisitChicagoSouthland.com/GroupTourSpecials

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