FAQ - CHICAGO FOR CHICAGOANS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

GENERAL QUESTIONS

Scroll down for more FAQs relating to scavenger hunts, walking tours, lecture events and virtual events.

What do your events cost? Are they free?
We offer our public programming on a pay-what-you-can basis. We suggest a donation of $10-20 per person, but invite you to contribute whatever amount fits your budget. If you are experiencing financial hardship, you may absolutely attend our events for free! Folks more comfortable in their financial standing are encouraged to donate to help fund the organization. More than 90% of our income comes from your contributions.

Do I need to register to attend your events?
Virtual events: No!
Simply visit our event page and look for the link to the livestream. Click here for recordings.
In-person events: Yes!
We ask that everyone attending in-person events please register on Eventbrite using the RSVP link provided. That way, we can keep our numbers in check and ensure everyone has a good time. We also ask that you sign off on a liability waiver, which is embedded into the registration.

How can I donate? What payment types do you accept?
We accept any and all payment types. Donate online via credit or debit card, Venmo us, give cash or swipe your card at an in-person event, or make a check out to "Chicago for Chicagoans"! Email us if you need our mailing address.

Is this a "real" nonprofit? Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes we are! We are incorporated as a nonprofit organization in the State of Illinois and are tax-exempt as specified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. You can deduct donations made to our organization from your taxes. Email us if you need a donation receipt for your records (we also pass them out in person).

Can I book a private tour, virtual event, or scavenger hunt?
Yes! Visit the Private Tour section of our site for details and contact us to set something up.

I'm not a Chicagoan... Is that okay?
Yes! We invite anyone and everyone to attend our hyperlocal history excursions. An average tourist may find our content too niche for their taste, but a tourist who wants to discover deep city history & how people actually live in Chicago will love it!

What COVID precautions should I be aware of?
Our tours take place entirely outdoors. Please wear a mask if the CDC recommends you to do so. .

How do I cancel or change my ticket?
Free or RSVP tickets: please follow Eventbrite's handy-dandy tutorial on how to cancel your free registration. We have no paid administrative staff and appreciate you taking the time to cancel your ticket if you can no longer attend.
Paid tickets: you may request a refund up to 7 days before the event using these instructions. You can transfer your tickets to someone else or edit attendee names at any time using these instructions. If you are unable to attend on short-notice, please contact us .

I want to get involved with your organization. How can I help?
How exciting! You can sign up to volunteer here, or contact us to inquire about becoming a tour guide or lecturer.

What qualifications do I need to lecture or give tours for your organization?
Very few! All we ask is that you currently live or work in Chicago and have a passion for educating others about your city. We provide training on research methodology, tour planning, public speaking, & more at no cost. We give preference to minorities, women, experts in South & West side neighborhoods, and those with lived experience relating to the topics or areas they aim to showcase.

Are your events child-friendly?
We believe our content is generally appropriate for history-loving humans of all ages. However, you may occasionally hear a swear word, and some events/tours discuss vice districts, corrupt politicians, murders, and other potentially "scandalous" information. You are welcome to email us in advance if you want a rundown of the event's content to proof it for your kiddo.

What are these punch cards? What do I do if I fill mine up?
We give all of our first time event attendees Certified History Lover punch cards. We want to encourage you to keep coming to events and learning about your city! Click on over to this page of our website to learn more. Even virtual events count!

What do you do with the money?
It pays our speakers & guides! We use the rest to pay for insurance, website fees, annual filings, office supplies, printing (so much printing!), and other unglamorous, necessary items. One day we hope to be able to hire & pay administrative staff, but we are a long way from that. Donate here!

ATTENDING In-PERSON LECTURES

Do I need to register to attend the event?
Yes! We ask that you register on Eventbrite using the RSVP link provided. That way, we can keep our attendance numbers in check and ensure everyone has a good time. We also ask that you sign off on a liability waiver, which is embedded into the registration.

What are the requirements for attending in person?

You should probably be about 16 years of age or older.
You must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
You have to be nice and respectful to other people. No jerks, please.

Do a need a password this year?
No. But we will check registrations at the door, so make sure you know the name of the person that got your ticket.

How do I find & enter the venue?
Bad Apple Lincoln Park is located at 658 W Belden Ave. Make your way to the back of the restaurant, past the bar, down the hallway of history, to the secret speakeasy door. The restaurant will be open before the event, so feel free to come early and hang out up front until we're ready for you in the back room.

What time do the doors open?
The lecture room opens at 6:30pm, but you're welcome to hang out in the front half of the bar and order food & beverages while you wait for us to finish setting up. We recommend arriving close to doors open, as seating is first-come, first-serve. Plus, you'll want time to settle in before the lecture begins!

What time does the lecture start & how long does it last?
Lectures begin promptly at 7:15pm. Attendees can expect a lecture lasting about 45-60 minutes. Afterwards, there will be an informal Q&A, mingling, and group conversation.

OH NO! I forgot to get tickets or the event sold out. What do I do? Can I still come?

If the event is sold out, add your name to the waitlist on Eventbrite and be sure to check your email frequently the day of the event (any tickets made available will be released to you via email, with 5 hours to claim them).
We tend to get about 5 no-shows per event. If you wish to try your luck, come to the lecture door beginning at 7:00pm, and we'll let you in if we have room. You will have to agree to our waivers to be admitted.
All else fails, tune in to the event online!

Will there be beverages or food available?
Yes! You are welcome to purchase food, cocktails, beer, wine, selzers, & spirits from the venue's bar. Bad Apple accepts cash, cards, and tap-to-pay mobile payments. View menus here.

Can I stay at Bad Apple after the event?
Absolutely! The bar is open until 11pm.

How accessible is the event?
Bad Apple (the venue) is fully wheelchair accessible. We lack the organizational capacity to provide live captioning at our events, but we do post a video recording of every lecture, with captions, a few days after the event for all to enjoy. Other accessibility concerns? Email us.

Will events be livestreamed this year?
Sadly... no. This year, with a bigger venue, we hope to welcome everyone in person instead! However, if you're unable to make the event, we'll post recordings of every lecture online a few days afterwards that you can enjoy at your leisure.

Why aren't you livestreaming lectures this year?
Honestly, it was very stressful for our staff, and relatively few people watched the events online in full, live. We also had trouble finding volunteers with livestreaming experience to help faciliate the process (want to help? click here!). Video recordings posted after-the-fact are easier for us to produce and will result in higher-quality recordings for all to enjoy! We apologize for any inconvienence.

WALKING TOUR FAQ

Ewww.... the weather looks bad. Is it cancelled?
Nope! We run events rain-or-shine. If things are looking ultra-dicey and we do end up cancelling, we'll be sure to send you lots of emails.

Can I bring my dog to a tour?
Yes!! We love dogs! However... do be aware that tours & hunts are often noisy, hot or cold, full of people, etc. Lots of people will probably want to pet your pup. It's best for everyone if you have a friendly dog who is not easily startled by crowds. Please remember to also ensure your little buddy is properly hydrated.

Can I bring my child along?
Absolutely! See "Are your events child-friendly?" above. Keep in mind that our hunts & tours can be pretty long, distance-wise (up to 3 miles), so do bring water, strollers, and comfy shoes. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. For scavenger hunts, we recommend at least one adult player per team due to historical references and vocabulary that may prove difficult for younger audiences.

How many miles of walking is involved? Are there bathroom breaks, food stops, or water breaks?
Tours are generally 2-3 miles long. Hunts cover a similar amount of ground, but the distance will vary. We do not schedule any stops, but you can certainly dip out at any time to take care of your needs.

How do I get to the tour? Is there parking? Can I bike there?
All of our tours start and end in close proximity to public transit. We recommend getting to our tours by train, bus, taxi, Uber/Lyft, or short-term bike/scooter rental (Divvy, etc).

If you drive, plan to arrive at least 10-15 minutes early to find a parking spot. Parking availability varies by tour location, so we recommend you research options in advance.
Our tours rarely end where they begin. Confirm the ending location of your tour by reading the event description. If you bring your personal bike or car, be aware that you may have to walk back to the starting location to collect your vehicle.

I'm hearing impaired or have trouble walking. Can I still come to the tour?

We currently lack the financial capacity to provide artificial amplification. Folks who are hearing impaired are encouraged to notify the guide and make their way to the front of the group. We will do our best to make sure you can hear and have a good time!
Tours stay primarily on paved paths and sidewalks; however, these routes may still include potholes and uneven surfaces. Folks who have trouble walking are welcome to join us for as long as they are able. If mobility concerns are an issue, but you're dying to know what's covered on the tour, email us! We will bend over backwards to make sure you can learn along with us... one way or another.

How will I find the tour guide? Who is leading the event?
Make sure to read the event description closely and meet at the location specified. Look for the person holding a clipboard and looking for you! You can find a list of our guides here and learn who's leading the tour in our event descriptions.

Ahhhh!!! I can't find the group anywhere!!!!
Double check the event description: are you at the right address at the right time? Check other exits: we often meet at El stations or parks, and some have multiple entrances. We always specify the exact address we're meeting at in the event description. Do a quick lap around the starting location, keeping your eyes peeled for a big group. Sometimes we're just standing off to the side to get out of the way of pedestrian traffic.

What if I'm running late?
Please leave yourself adequate wiggle room to get to the start location on time — we aren't able to hold the group to wait for latecomers. Tours and hunts depart from the starting location within 20 minutes of the start time.

What should I bring?
Comfy walking shoes, drinking water, and a weather-appropriate outfit.

Do I have to stay the whole time?
Nope! You may depart the tour at any time. Please be sure to inform your tour guide before you depart so they don't think you're lost, though.

OH NO! I forgot to get tickets or the event sold out. What do I do? Can I still come?

If the event is sold out, add your name to the waitlist on Eventbrite and be sure to check your email frequently the day of the event (any tickets made available will be released to you via email).
Check the weather for the day of the tour. If it's going to be super hot, rainy, cold, or snowy, we'll probably get no-shows, and encourage you to join us! If it's perfect weather on tour day... we're very likely to have everyone registered attend, and ask that you make other plans. Large groups are very difficult for our guides to manage!

What COVID precautions should I be aware of?
Our tours take place entirely outdoors. Please wear a mask if the CDC recommends you to do so.

I did not enjoy my event, and would like a refund.
We're sorry to hear that! Because we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, your donations are tax-deductible. In most cases, we do not offer refunds. However, you are welcome to email us & ask.

SCAVENGER HUNT FAQ

How does this scavenger hunt work?

Register for the event beginning 2 weeks in advance. Your team can consist of up to 4 players (all player names must be listed when you register and kept up to date for contact tracing purposes).
Arrive at the starting location with your group on time! Check in with the host. At the designated start time, your group will be given a paper route with clues to solve (bring a pencil or pen to write down answers).
You can compete against other groups for the grand prize, or work the hunt at your own pace. Up to you!
- Note: if you're playing to win, you must play on foot. No bikes, cars, taxis, skateboards, horses, sleds, mopeds, scooters, rollerblades, or other accelerated transport is allowed — with the exception of participants with mobility issues.
When you've solved all the clues (or are ready to quit), head to the secret final location described at the back of the clue packet. A staff member will be there for the last two hours of the hunt to check your answers, award prizes, and make suggestions for places to eat & things to do in the neighborhood.
Visiting the final location is optional. You are free to leave the hunt at any time. Want to see how you did? Email us and we'll send you the answers.

Is this for children?
Our clues are designed to be challenging for grown adults. Children are welcome to attend, but we recommend at least one adult per team to ensure everyone has a good time.

Can I use my cell phone? How hard is it?
Not only are you allowed to use your cellphone, you'll probably need it! The hints on these Google-proof hunts are written by our neighborhood historians, and tricky enough to stump even the biggest know-it-alls around. Neighborhood familiarity will help you, but strategy is the secret to success! (Even tourists have been known to win with clever choices and smart teamwork.) It is virtually impossible to cheat.

How do I change the names of my teammates?
You can transfer your tickets to someone else or edit attendee names at any time using these instructions. Please ensure your attendee list and ticket details are accurate. You may not be allowed to play if your name does not appear on a ticket.

Is this all outdoors?
Yes! Entirely outdoors.

What should I bring?
Charged cell phones, comfy walking shoes, drinking water, a writing utensil, and a weather-appropriate outfit.

How can I get free tickets?
All of our events are offered on a pay-what-you-can basis, with a suggested donation of $15 per person. Our organization exists to ensure all Chicagoans are given opportunities to learn about the history of their surroundings, no matter what their financial situation may be. Free tickets for our hunts can be obtained by using the promo code "PAYITFORWARD" on Eventbrite. If you can afford to buy tickets, please do so — your contribution is a tax-deductible donation that benefits our organization, its work, and other, less-fortunate Chicagoans.

What if I want to play with more than 4 people?
"Too many cooks in the kitchen" is a real thing! Trust us, it's easier to play (and win) with a smaller group. We ask that larger groups split into two or more teams to help avoid crowding and ensure comfortable distances can be maintained.

Note for parents with small children: up to 6 people can play on one team... if two or more of those people are under the age of 13. Please register your group with the appropriate number of adults.

I'm hearing impaired or have trouble walking. Can I still attend the scavenger hunt?
Yes! All scavenger hunt instructions are written down and handed out on paper. There are two ways to play: competitively, or self-paced. Folks with mobility issues are welcome to play competitively in the hunt with reasonable accommodations (scooters, wheelchairs, etc = totally fine! driving your car = not so much). If you're playing the hunt at your own pace, feel free to play however you want. Stretch out the activity over multiple days, use motorized transport... whatever you need to do to have a good time.