Driving Tours

This pleasant five hour tour follows the Rock River to Castle Rock State Park where you will have lunch at Maxson Manor Restaurant. Click here for more information.

Tuesday, July 6: Route 66 Tour

This informative 8 hour tour follows Historic Route 66 and includes lunch at an old fashioned drive-in. Click here for more information.

Wednesday, July 7: Road America Tour

This exciting all day tour allows you to experience one of the countries greatest race tracks, Road America.  Upon arrival at the track you will have the opportunity to participate in track tours which place you on the track in your car.  Afterwards, you can decide to return quickly to the resort, or to take the back roads for a scenic and enjoyable round trip. Click here for more information.

Note:  All participants must sign a waiver at the track. Only one person per vehicle will be allowed to drive on the track.  Minivans, full size vans or pickup trucks will not be allowed on the track.

Thursday, July 8: Starved Rock State Park Tour

This six hour tour along the spectacular Illinois river leads to lunch at the historic Starved Rock Lodge.  Click here for more information.

Self Guided Tour: Fox & Pistakee Lake

A three-hour tour with a nice casual dining stop on the water. Take this drive anytime you want during the week. Click here for more information.

Tours to Local Attractions

With the 2010 Parade in close proximity to the great city of Chicago, Parade-goers will have the opportunity to enjoy excursions into the city to experience a taste of Chicago’s cultural and architectural masterpieces.  Chartered motor coaches will bring participants to select destinations or tours listed below, as well as allow free time for further exploration of the city. 

Tuesday, July 6: Frank Lloyd Wright in Oak Park

Witness Frank Lloyd Wright's mastery of building design and space. The new materials of the 20th century allowed for a fresh expression of architectural creativity. You'll learn about the evolution of his career through a guided walking tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District. During the separate tour of the Wright Home and Studio (additional ticket, purchased at the Home & Studio Museum Shop), you'll see the interior dynamics, structural systems, and use of lighting and color that made Wright one of the world's great architects. There will be a bus to take you there and back.
Website link: http://www.architecture.org/tour_view.aspx?TourID=3

Wednesday, July 7: Architectural River Cruise

Join us for a 90 minute, jaw-dropping river excursion through a city that defied all expectations … even the laws of gravity. Learn how the devastating Fire jumped a river and cleared the way for visionaries of plate glass and structural steel such as Jenney, Root, Burnham and Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright’s mentor. The expert-narrated architecture tour will interpret the world-class architecture along the Chicago River.  This tour spotlights more than 30 architecturally significant sites where you will discover a new perspective on the city. After the tour there will be time to explore Chicago at night and eat dinner downtown. There will be a bus to take you there and back.
Website link: http://www.chicagoline.com/architectural.php

Friday, July 9: Downtown Chicago

Chicago is the third largest city in the United States. Downtown is the center of Chicago's cultural, commercial, and financial institutions and is home to Grant Park and many of the city's skyscrapers. The city offers a multitude of attractions, events, tours, and recreational activities happening thoroughout the city. You'll never be bored with so many things to do! There will be a bus to take you there and back.

Historic Downtown (South) Walking Tour: Chicago is not only the birthplace of the skyscraper, it is also where most of the innovations in early skyscraper design and technology originated! Take a step back in time for an informative look at some of our world famous early skyscrapers including: Burnham and Root’s Rookery (1888) with its Moorish revival exterior and restored Frank Lloyd Wright interior; Adler and Sullivan’s Auditorium Building (1889) a masterpiece of engineering, design and acoustics; Holabird and Roche’s Marquette Building (1895) an outstanding example of the Chicago School of design; and Holabird and Root’s Chicago Board of Trade Building (1930), one of the city’s most glamorous Art Deco skyscrapers. This is an optional part of the downtown trip.
Website link: http://www.architecture.org/tour_view.aspx?TourID=73