Tours

Take the relaxing and informative walking tour of Frederick Law Olmsted’s Riverside, Illinois; America’s “first planned suburb, and a National Historic Site. Today this magical place of fabulous homes, fulfills Olmsted’s dream.  Come and experience this very special American place, a place with a hidden history that may surprise you.  Learn about Frederick Law Olmsted, America’s first and most famous Landscape Architect; its more than 150 years of rich architectural history, with homes by famous architects like Frank Lloyd Wright, William LeBaron Jenney and Howard Van Doren Shaw; and its fascinating, sometimes notorious, residents down through the years.   
Regularly scheduled monthly 2 hour tours take place from May until August and depart from the main Riverside train station at 90 Bloomingbank Rd.   Regularly scheduled tours are $25 per person ($20 for seniors 62+ and Olmsted Society members}.  Tickets can be purchased here via credit card or cash or check on the day of the tour.   
Special customized tours are available by appointment, for a $30 per person fee. For more information  call  708-447-7635 or E-Mail tours@olmstedsociety.org

 

Riverside Spooktacular Ghost Walks

October 18, Riverside Train Station,

90 Riverside Drive
Riverside, IL

The Olmsted Society of Riverside’s Riverside Spooktacular: Phantoms of the Past ghost walks are back again and even more spooktacular than before. This year, history comes back to life with some ghosts from Riverside’s past. Join us for one of these special “spooky” walking tours—learn a bit about Riverside history with an extra helping of eerie occurrences, spooky stories and local lore.

You can purchase tickets at Ticketstripe.

The tour starts and ends at the Riverside Train Station, 90 Bloomingbank Road. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour.

Some things to keep in mind: The tour lasts approximately two hours. The route is a two-mile walk on paved surfaces, but some surfaces may be uneven. The tour takes place on dimly lit streets, so consider bringing a small flashlight. Not suitable for children under 10 due to the duration and distance of the tour. Tour contains descriptions of disease, violence and the supernatural.

A note regarding historical accuracy: While the tour contains invented dialog, every effort has been made to ensure the details of Riverside history and historical persons are accurate. Some characters are fictional but based on historical records and/or recollections of real persons. The personal details of these fictional characters include inventions by the authors for dramatic effect.

Riverside Spooktacular Ghost Walks

October 25, Riverside Train Station,

90 Riverside Drive
Riverside, IL

The Olmsted Society of Riverside’s Riverside Spooktacular: Phantoms of the Past ghost walks are back again and even more spooktacular than before. This year, history comes back to life with some ghosts from Riverside’s past. Join us for one of these special “spooky” walking tours—learn a bit about Riverside history with an extra helping of eerie occurrences, spooky stories and local lore.

You can purchase tickets at Ticketstripe.

The tour starts and ends at the Riverside Train Station, 90 Bloomingbank Road. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour.

Some things to keep in mind: The tour lasts approximately two hours. The route is a two-mile walk on paved surfaces, but some surfaces may be uneven. The tour takes place on dimly lit streets, so consider bringing a small flashlight. Not suitable for children under 10 due to the duration and distance of the tour. Tour contains descriptions of disease, violence and the supernatural.

A note regarding historical accuracy: While the tour contains invented dialog, every effort has been made to ensure the details of Riverside history and historical persons are accurate. Some characters are fictional but based on historical records and/or recollections of real persons. The personal details of these fictional characters include inventions by the authors for dramatic effect.