Explore Pilsen's Vibrant Street Art with Local Guide Luis Tubens!

Discover the vibrant murals of Pilsen on a walking tour with local guide Luis Tubens! This tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich cultural and artistic heritage of Pilsen, known for its stunning public art. Luis, a seasoned guide with deep roots in the community, will share the stories behind the murals, highlighting the neighborhood’s Mexican identity, heritage, and activism. Note for those who have done this tour before, this is new route this year, so we will view all new murals!

Join us for one of our most favorite walking tours of the season! It will be a great walk on a lovely fall Sunday afternoon. It's a multi-meetup group event! While it is not a strict photo walk, there will be many opportunities to take pictures!

There is a $25 fee per person. THIS IS A PAID PRIVATE NEIGHBORHOOD WALKING TOUR OF THE BEAUTIFUL & HISTORIC PILSEN AREA WITH AN EXPERT GUIDE. Your tour will be led by Luis Tubens, who has many years of experience leading tours of the Pilsen area. He is the co-founder of the Pilsen Public Art Tours Company.

The tour is approx—1.5 miles of walking and about 2 hours long.
Please dress appropriately for the weather, remember to hydrate and wear your walking shoes, and hit the bathrooms before you come! Lastly, please be prompt as we will only wait a few minutes after the start time to begin our tour.

IF YOU WISH TO PAY IN CASH IN PERSON INSTEAD ON THE DAY OF THE WALK, PLEASE MESSAGE ME DIRECTLY AT [email protected] or TEXT ME at 312.835.4259, SO I CAN ARRANGE FOR YOU TO PAY AT THE START OF THE TOUR.

After the walk, some of us may grab a bite at 5 Rabanitos across the street from the National Mexican Museum of Art: 1758 W 18th St, https://5rabanitos.com/ All are welcome to join! BRING CASH IF JOINING FOR LUNCH AS THE VENUE WON'T DO SEPARATE CHECKS!

Just minutes from downtown Chicago, come explore some of the most vibrant walls in the city. PIlsen Public Art Tours was created by two community-invested art educators. With a natural love for the arts and two decades of combined organizing and art engagement practice, PPAT is distinctly positioned to offer an in-depth educational experience. Their walking tours connect participants to the themes, history, and messages of the local public art.

Rich in Latino culture, Pilsen is a neighborhood that overflows with music, art, culinary tradition, and nightlife. It’s home to award-winning restaurants, iconic music venues, and sensational murals as far as the eye can see. Maybe that’s why it was named one of the “12 Coolest Neighborhoods Around the World” by Forbes.

In the late 19th century Pilsen was inhabited by Czech immigrants who named the district after Pilsen, the fourth largest city in Czechia. The population also included in smaller numbers of other ethnic groups from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Although there was an increasing Mexican American presence in the late 1950s, it was not until 1962-63 when there was a great spurt in the numbers of Mexican Americans in Pilsen due to the destruction of the neighborhood west of Halsted to create room for the construction of UIC. Latinos became the majority in 1970 when they surpassed the Slavic population. The neighborhood continued to serve as port of entry for immigrants.

Luis Tubens is co-founder of the Pilsen Public Art Tours. He has given thousands of tours of the iconic murals in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. For 10 years he worked for the National Museum of Mexican Art as an art educator. From there, he worked for 4 years as the outreach coordinator for then, 7th District Cook County Commissioner Jesús “Chuy” García, whos’ district covers Pilsen. He also studied under the legendary muralist Jose Guerrero. His knowledge of the murals comes from years of studying Mexican art and from his relationships with community organizations and muralists. He currently resides in Pilsen and when not giving tours he works as a performing artist.

If you are taking public transportation, please check Google Maps for directions or use CTA trip planner. https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/

If you drive, there is metered street parking on 18th & 19th streets plus some free spots on side streets. Watch for no parking and permit only signs.

PLEASE KEEP RSVP UP TO DATE AND DO NOT BE A NO SHOW!

How to find us: *TICKETED EVENT* Meet at entrance of National Museum of Mexican Art 1852 W. 19th Street - look for the large group gathered outside. Do not block the entrance Call me at (312) 835-4259 if lost or late

For more info about my meetup group, click on the links below:

https://www.meetup.com/1001-things-to-see-in-chicago-before-you-die/

Host or Publisher 1001 Things to See in Chicago Before You Die