Boystown Walking Tour

REGISTRATION AVAILABLE BEGINNING JUNE 2ND

Chicago for Chicagoans is excited to bring back a newly revised and refreshed tour of Boystown, led by our very own Anthony Alfaro! Anthony is a born-and-raised Chicagoan who first sought out & lived in the community as a young college student. In the years since, he has studied northside neighborhood history extensively while curiously observing many changes in the area — like the 2021 intiative to rebrand the district "Northalsted."

Beginning at the Belmont Red/Brown/Purple Line stop, this tour will explore the changing monikers, vibrant history, turn-of-the-century architecture, and steady gentrification of the country's first officially designated gay neighborhood. Learn about celery farmers, Japanese immigrants, the Belmont Rocks, Punkin' Donuts, and everything inbetween before ending the day with a drink at last Japanese-American bar in Lake View, the Nisei Lounge (cash only).

To view our tour route maps, click here! Please note: routes are subject to change at any time.

​Chicago for Chicagoans happily exists as a "pay-what-you-can" tour service. A suggested tip of $10-20 per person is always appreciated, but reviewing us on Yelp, liking us on Facebook, spreading the word, and attending future tours tells us how much you love us too! We are a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit that creates inclusive walking tours by & for Chicago residents, designed to represent the histories of all Chicagoans. Donate online fee-free at chicagoforchicagoans.org.