Welcome to The Local Tourist

We have a simple goal: we want you to experience the fascination of a tourist while feeling the comfort of the local. Our primary focus is on things to do in Chicago with satellite sites in Milwaukee and San Diego. Now, we're expanding to cover even more tourist destinations. Stay tuned as we help you be a Local Tourist, no matter where you are!

Summer Solstice Sleepover at 360 CHICAGO

Something incredible happened this week at the Observation Deck atop the John Hanco

City Guides

Chicago
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
San Diego, California

The Local Tourist Guides

Carillon at Chicago Botanic Garden

The Local Tourist's Guide to Chicago Botanic Garden

The Chicago Botanic Garden is an oasis in the northern Chicago suburb of Glencoe. The 385-acre attraction features over 2.5 million plants that represent nearly 10,000 varieties.
The Local Tourist's Guide to Navy Pier

The Local Tourist's Guide to Navy Pier

The Local Tourist's Guide to Navy Pier is the ultimate resource for one of Chicago's most popular attractions.
The Local Tourist's Guide to the Chicago Air & Water Show

The Local Tourist's Guide to the Chicago Air & Water Show

This is the most comprehensive, ultimate guide to the Chicago Air & Water Show available. Includes where to watch, who's performing, how to get there, and where to stay.
How to be a Local Tourist

Recent News & Views

Chicago
Rabbit Hole Distilling

Down the Rabbit Hole

Jumping into the Rabbit Hole (Distilling that is) is easy with their delicious Kentucky whiskey. We found it out first hand at the distillery tasting hosted by Chicago's Big Jones.
Chicago

The Magic Parlour Celebrates Five Years at the Legendary Palmer House Hilton Hotel and Announces 200 Performances

The House Theatre of Chicago proudly announces the return of Dennis Watkins in The Magic Parlour, at the Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel, 17 E. Monroe, currently an open run.
Chicago

Summer Solstice Sleepover at 360 CHICAGO

Something incredible happened this week at the Observation Deck atop the John Hanco
Chicago
The Local Tourist's Guide to the Chicago Air & Water Show

The Local Tourist's Guide to the Chicago Air & Water Show

This is the most comprehensive, ultimate guide to the Chicago Air & Water Show available. Includes where to watch, who's performing, how to get there, and where to stay.
Chicago

Escape to the heart of France in Lincoln Park

The Blanchard offers a delightful French-themed escape from the crowds in Lincoln Park.
Chicago
Angelo's Exterior

Angelo’s Wine Bar Hosts its Second Annual Giving Back Block Party, July 1

Albany Park is in for a treat.

Recently on Drive By Towns

is our companion site that's all about small towns and two lane gems, hosted by TLT's founder Theresa Goodrich.

I-40

Camping Should be a Pre-Marriage Requirement and Other Road Trip Observations

As we got back on I-40 for the short drive, relatively speaking, to Albuquerque, I thought about everything we’d seen an
Blue Hole of Santa Rosa

Surviving I-40 with Buried Cars, a Blue Hole, and a Big Hunk

There are no two ways around it: I-40 through the Texas panhandle is a beast. That’s primarily because there are no two ways around it.
Palo Duro Canyon

Texas is Huge. Canyons are Deep. Turkeys are Jerks.

Texas is huge.
Bison in the distance at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

Half a Billion Years in the Making: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

We’d driven under an overcast sky all morning and into the afternoon, but by the time we entered the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Western Oklahoma all was clear and blue except for one orph
Read more on Drive By Towns
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