STATUE STORIES CHICAGO SELF-GUIDED TOURS
Take a Statue Stories Tour of the Windy City and Experience Chicago in a whole new light. And it’s all free...
Across Chicago, 30 statues are talking. Pass a talking statue, swipe your phone on a nearby tag and presto- You get a call from David Schwimmer as Cloud Gate, Spirit of Music voiced by Renée Fleming, Elizabeth McGovern as the goddess Hebe; Shonda Rhimes as Miro’s Chicago, Steve Carell as Man with Fish, Bob Newhart as.... himself! Each has a story to tell, and together they tell Chicago’s story.
Wear your walking shoes and bring your smartphone.
The talking statues are situated across the city and its parks, from Lincoln Park on the north side, to Dunbar Park on the south. And from the Museum Campus on the lakefront, to Humboldt Park on the west side
Statues can’t just talk by themselves you know!
Statue Stories Chicago is produced by British arts producers, Sing London and funded by the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation.
Further support comes from Audible.com, Chicago Park District, Goodman Theatre, The Second City, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Lookingglass Theatre, The Art Institute of Chicago, The Chicago Public Library, Chicago Tribune, Choose Chicago, The Cultural Mile, The Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, The Field Museum, The Millennium Park Foundation, and Shedd Aquarium.
Walking Tours
“Two in the Loop” - estimated time 15 min.
The Picasso, 50 W. Washington
Miro’s Chicago, 69 W. Washington
“Grant Park along Michigan Ave.” - estimated time 1 hour
Starting at the south end of the park visit:
Joseph Rosenberg Fountain - East of S. Michigan Ave at E. 11th Street
Walk north about ½ a block and Aaron Montgomery Ward bust is to the east
Continue north along Michigan Ave. just north of Balbo Ave. to Spirit of Music
Continue north along Michigan Ave. just north of Jackson Dr. to Spirit of the Great Lakes
Continue north along Michigan Ave to the South and North Lions at the Art Institute, 111 N. Michigan Ave.
North of the Art Institute in the heart of Millennium Park is Cloud Gate
Cross Michigan Ave. to the Cultural Center to visit Bronze Cow, 88 E. Washington Ave.
“Magnificent Mile” (can be added to “Grant Park” walk) - estimated time 30 min.
Continue north on Michigan Ave to Pioneer Court, 401 N. Michigan to Jean-Baptiste Point Du Sable
In front of Tribune Tower, 435 N. Michigan Ave. is Nathan Hale
Cross Michigan Ave in front of Tribune Tower to Plaza of the Americas, Upper Michigan and Hubbard St. to visit Benito Juarez
“Lincoln Park” - estimated time 1 hour
Starting at the south end of Lincoln Park to the east of the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark is Fountain Girl
Walk north to Abraham Lincoln
Continue north and walk under LaSalle Dr to Benjamin Franklin
Continue north along Stockton Ave past the Lincoln Park Zoo to William Shakespeare – in between Stockton Dr. and N. Lincoln Park West.
“Oz Park” - estimated time 30 min.
walk West of the Lincoln Park Zoo to Oz Park, 2021 N. Burling St.
Visit the three Wizard of Oz-themed statues:
Tin Man
Dorothy and Toto
The Cowardly Lion