Trip Idea

Promenade In Pullman

Multiple Parks

A group of students stand around a ranger talking in front of a mural depicting pullman themes.
Duration Half Day
Topic(s) African American Heritage, Architecture and Building, Industry, Laborer and Worker, Labor Movement, Social Movements, Civil Rights, Transportation, Trains and Railroads, Commerce, Engineering, Immigration, Factories, Urban America, Women's History more »
Activities Junior Ranger Program, Museum Exhibits, Guided Tours, Self-Guided Tours - Walking
Type Kid Friendly, Active, Urban, Educational, Indoors, Outdoors, Group Friendly more »
Parks Pullman National Historical Park
Do you have half a day to explore Pullman National Historical Park? One of the features that went into the design of the 1880s historic Pullman town was that everything you needed was within walking distance. You can explore everything the Historical Park has to offer on foot.

Start at the National Park Service Visitor Center where you can catch a ranger-guided tour, view exhibits, become a Junior Ranger (no matter your age), and gather information to plan your day at Pullman National Historical Park. Next, step out into the neighborhood and start to appreciate the existing historic housing and buildings, learn more about the labor right struggles of Pullman workers, and enrich your understanding of the Pullman community.
  • Pullman National Historical Park

    Visit the National Park Service Pullman Visitor Center
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Museum Exhibits
    • Pets: No
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
    A red brick four story building with a clock tower stands tall against a partly cloudy sky.

    The Pullman company became known for creating luxurious train cars, but its workers would help form a lasting legacy through their stories.Start at the Pullman National Historical Park Visitor Center in the Administration-Clock Tower Building to learn more.

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  • Pullman National Historical Park

    Take a Pullman Ranger-Guided Tour
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: Yes
    • Activity: Guided Tours
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Daily Ranger Led Tour
    • Duration: 45–60 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    An NPS Ranger leads a tour of the Pullman Factory Grounds

    Park Ranger Tours

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  • Pullman National Historical Park

    Become a Pullman Junior Ranger
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Junior Ranger Program
    • Age: 4–99 years old
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Administration-Clock Tower Building
    • Duration: 30–60 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    A girl is sworn in by a park ranger as a junior ranger

    Become a Junior Ranger at Pullman National Historical Park

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Go Out and Explore
  • Pullman National Historical Park

    Visit the Historic Pullman Foundation Pullman Exhibit Hall
    • Activity Fee: Yes
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Museum Exhibits
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Historic Pullman Foundation Pullman Exhibit Hall
    • Duration: 15–60 Minutes
    • Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    A mural showing Pullman factory workers and Pullman cars

    Visit the Historic Pullman Exhibit Hall located at Cottage Grove and 112th Street. Volunteers and partners from the Historic Pullman Foundation are on-hand to answer questions and provide suggestions on how to enjoy your visit to the Historical Park. There are informational displays, artifacts and an introductory film available.

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  • Pullman National Historical Park

    View the Hotel Florence
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Self-Guided Tours - Walking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Hotel Florence
    • Duration: 5–20 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    The Victorian Hotel Florence and its wide verandah

    The Hotel Florence is a former hotel, designed by architect Solon Spencer Beman as part of the planned industrial community of Pullman. Although the building, owned by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is currently closed to the public, visitors are encouraged to walk the Victorian verandah and peer in the windows.

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  • Pullman National Historical Park

    Explore the National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum
    • Activity Fee: Yes
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Museum Exhibits
    • Pets: No
    • Location: National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum
    • Duration: 30–120 Minutes
    • Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    The outside of the National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum

    This important museum details the struggle of African Americans in the Pullman Company to obtain representation and rights, and the role of A. Philip Randolph, chief organizer of what eventually became the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters.

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  • Pullman National Historical Park

    Take a Self-Guided Tour of Pullman
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Self-Guided Tours - Walking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Pick up the tour map at the Shared Visitor Information Center
    • Duration: 15–90 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    A visitor and his dog on a Pullman street with rowhomes on the right of the frame

    Our partner, the Historic Pullman Foundation, offers a free self-guided walking/driving tour pamphlet. It is available at the Pullman Exhibit Hall and the Administration-Clock Tower Building. The Pullman Exhibit Hall also has a brochure box with the tour map available at its entrance door on the outside of the building.

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Last updated: February 13, 2024