Brick of Chicago McKinley Park Neighborhood Walking Tour

On a Brick of Chicago neighborhood walking tour, you’ll learn about all the elements that make Chicago one of the most interesting and dynamic cities in the world. Afterwards, you’ll never look at the built world (or the humble brick) the same way again!

Brick of Chicago neighborhood walking tours have been voted one of Chicago’s best tours by Curbed and the Chicago Reader.

Located on the Southwest Side (and claimed to be the geographic center of Chicago), the neighborhood of McKinley Park was created through the intersection of infrastructure, industry, and immigration. Initially a swampy backwater of Chicago, McKinley Park grew into Chicago’s industrial hub, home to factories producing chewing gum, wallpaper, bricks, steel, and everything in between. Join this tour to learn about the massive Central Manufacturing District, how good fireproof housing was brought to the masses, and hear stories of the people who built the things that built Chicago.

After this tour you’ll never look at Chicago or the humble brick in the same way again!