Devil in the White City
Step back in time to the 1893 World’s Fair with a tour that highlights Chicago’s historic architecture and the fascinating stories behind it.
- Walking
- Premier
Jackson Park: Olmsted to Obama
View of Jackson Park from the Obama Presidential Center. Photo by Jamie DeCaria.
Historic past meets exciting present on a walk through Jackson Park.
View of Jackson Park from the Obama Presidential Center. Photo by Jamie DeCaria.
Discover how Frederick Law Olmsted's visionary landscape design continues to shape Jackson Park more than a century later. From the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition to the new Obama Presidential Center, explore how one of Chicago's most historic parks continues to evolve while honoring its past.
Meet
5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, near the 57th Street entrance to the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.
Explore Jackson Park and discover the history behind one of Chicago’s most iconic landscapes. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, the park is now also home to the Obama Presidential Center.
Journey from the Fair’s Palace of Fine Arts, now home to the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, to the 2018 Studio Gang-designed Solstice on the Park, and onto the Wooded Island.
The Wooded Island, originally created as a respite from the busyness of the World’s Fair, is today a lush haven for birds and wildlife. Continue to the Osaka Garden (aka Garden of the Phoenix), the only authentic Japanese garden in Chicago. The tour ends overlooking the Obama Presidential Center campus from across the lagoon.
Note: This tour does not visit the grounds of the Obama Center; guests are encouraged to visit the campus on their own. Hours may be found at obama.org/visit/campus.
Tour reviews
East Lagoon in Jackson Park. Photo by Madeline Sneed.
Ornamentation at the top of the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. Photo by Madeline Sneed.
Path in Jackson Park. Photo by Madeline Sneed.
Osaka Japenese Garden in Jackson Park. Photo by Madeline Sneed.
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Featured buildings on this tour
Featured on this Tour
Explore the story behind the Obama Presidential Center in CAC's Buildings of Chicago online library.
Tour Accessibility
CAC is committed to improving access to our tours. The accessibility information below reflects our docents’ experience and is provided for general guidance only.
What to expect on this tour
Terrain & Surfaces
Difficult - Mostly uneven or unpaved throughout
Wheelchair & Walker Access
Difficult - No wheelchair or walker route available
Steps or Stairs
Moderate - Step-free alternate route available
Hearing Access
Easy - Quiet setting, easy to hear
Free Center Entry with Your Ticket
Ticket price includes entrance to the Chicago Architecture Center within 7 days of your walking or bus tour.
