Favorite quote
“It is hopeless for the occasional visitor to try to keep up with Chicago—she outgrows his prophecies faster than he can make them. She is always a novelty; for she is never the Chicago you saw when you passed through the last time.” - Mark Twain
About
Hello! With my one-person company, Tours With Mike, I make architecture, design, and history fun and interesting through special Chicago experiences. I have been leading tours of this amazing city for more than two decades, and here are some recent successes: -More than 600 five-star reviews on Google, TripAdvisor, and Yelp; -Ranking among TripAdvisor’s top 10% of rated experiences worldwide; -Showcased in more than 60 media features from around the world; -Dubbed a “tour guide’s tour guide” by WTTW’s Geoffrey Baer; and -Twice elected President of the Chicago Tour Guide Professionals Association. As a local guide, my tours generally fit into three categories: 1. Conventional: Chicago architecture, art, history, parks, neighborhoods, and more as walking, bus, trolley, boat, and elevated train experiences. My most popular tours include downtown architecture walking tours, Chicago highlights by bus, lakefront & river cruises, and tours focused on the 1893 World's Fair, Wrigleyville, and the Obama Presidential Center campus. 2. Unique: One-of-a-kind experiences you will not find anywhere else, including Route 66 Neighborhoods by Bus/Trolley, Presidential Chicago, Ugly Buildings, and Underground Chicago (Plus Rats!). 3. Diversity: Experiences showcasing the diversity making Chicago extraordinary, including LGBTQ Stories, Black History, Jewish Heritage, and the Chicago Pope Tour. I also regularly offer tour directing services to students, seniors, families, luxury travelers, and more groups. My tour directing services only cover the Chicago metro area. I hope to share a special Chicago tour with your group soon!
Hobbies & Interests
I love learning new, amazing things about Chicago. I also have two wonderful Cornish Rex cats, Peeno and Biscuits.
Destination Experience
I only lead Chicago tours and have been do so since 2005.
Availability
I lead Chicago tours all year round.
Availability is generated from Mike's own submission; make sure to confirm directly before planning around it. Last updated September 24, 2026.