Private Excursion to Historic Pullman

Highlights

  • Visit the historic town

  • Learn about George Pullman’s dream for world-class sleeper train-cars

  • Visit Hotel Florence

Summary

Visit America's first planned community, rich with historic Queen Anne architecture

Tour info

Duration
5 hours
Group Size
10
Pricing (From)
Commentary
English
Meeting Point

123 Main St, Main St, Kings County, New York, 11217, United States

Dropoff location

Why take this tour?

On this fascinating Private Excursion to Pullman , explore the remarkable, pioneering concept and sightsee some fine examples of the town’s trademark Queen Anne architecture. On your tour:

 - Visit the historic town - experience Pullman’s strong community spirit and today’s heritage conservation projects
 - Learn about George Pullman’s dream for world-class sleeper train-cars and his ambitious utopian dream-town
 - See Pullman's distinctive bricks throughout the town made from clay from Lake Calumet
 - Visit Hotel Florence and wander down the roads lined with Queen Anne architecture
 - Explore the streets that earned it National Historic Landmark District (in 1971) and US National Monument (in 2015)Hear stories about long-time Pullman residents, some going back as far as five generations
 
The utopian community of Pullman was the brainchild of George Pullman who set out to build a town that would encourage staff retention. George Pullman was a larger than life dreamer, a public relations genius, and a progressive thinker on race relations and employment. He founded and owned the Palace Car Company and believed by offering his most talented workers a high standard of living he would have happy, productive workers who were less likely to strike

On your Private Excursion to Pullman, your guide will drive you 14 miles south of Chicago to the 4,000 acres purchased by Pullman for the town. As you go, learn about the architect and landscaper who helped bring Pullman’s dream for America’s first master-planned community to life. Together with 531 homes for his employees, it included a new state-of-the-art plant in an orderly, clean layout. Park-like landscaping showcased handsome streets with a hotel, library, theater, school, church, and shops ensuring workers need not travel into the city. An appealing variety of neat red brick homes each had its own yard and Pullman offered residents everything he thought they could need. He named the town Pullman Ponder Pullman’s rules governing life in the town, including a dress code that dictated what residents could wear in public, and discuss George Pullman’s decision to cut workers' wages by 25 percent in the 1894 economic downturn - but not reduce rents

Though a controversial figure in life, with his passing, he bequeathed over $1.2M to build a free school in the town. Today, his Queen-Anne style town today has gone through a large gentrification process, with many residents undertaking large-scale renovations to restore the homes to their original splendor. This private guided excursion to Pullman is stepping into an American time-capsule and is not to be missed.

What’s included?

  • Private transportation for you and your private group

  • A friendly, professional tour guide for your own private group

  • Plenty of time to take photos of your favourite places

  • Gratuities (optional)

  • Food and drink, although your guide will be happy to recommend local favourites along the way

Things to know

Before you book

  • Private transportation costs are included

Before you go

  • Please bring comfortable walking shoes

  • Please bring any medical requirements you need throughout the day

Covid Policy

  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience
  • Gear/equipment sanitized between use
  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
  • Guides required to regularly wash hands

Cancellation Policy

    Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund

About operator:

Travel Curious, based in Shoreditch/London, researches, creates and owns immersive, cultural tours and experiences in cities throughout the world. We provide our tours and experiences as a service to the travel industry and are privileged to name some of the biggest global brands as our partners