The Local Tourist's Fans

From: Theresa Carter
August 12, 2007

Nominated for 2004 "Best Business" by the River North Association

As the only comprehensive website for downtown Chicago, TheLocalTourist.com is visited by thousands of locals and tourists looking for businesses that are close to them. Here's what some of them have to say:

"Tourists and locals looking to visit downtown Chicago and area neighborhoods will find helpful information on this site {www.thelocaltourist.com}, including where to look for outdoor cafes, neighborhood festivals, spots that feature live local music and activities for kids. Information on shopping, transportation and places to dance are also available on the site." Francine Knowles, Chicago Sun-Times, Feb 20, 2007

"There's so much to do in Chicago and The Local Tourist has it covered! Festivals, outdoor patios, shopping, a detailed calendar of events - you name it and it's there. Sorting by neighborhoods makes it easy to find what I need and insider tips keeps me well informed." Mike Phillips, CTAstories.com

"I wanted to thank you for your awesome website. My husband and I were in Chicago last week for our 20th anniversary. Thanks to your site we saved a ton of money! We were able to "cash in" on the Monday and Tuesdays specials at Finn McCool's and Cactus. I know that we never would have found these great places on our own. Your site is a wealth of information!  We cannot wait to visit again." Diane Cerrito, Lapeer, Michigan

"Thank you for TLT! My wife and I make frequent trips to "The Windy City" (our FAVORITE town) and we appreciate your {website}. Keep it up, it's great!" Mike & Mary Hale, Grand Rapids, MI

"I really look forward to receiving The Local Tourist newsletter each week. I work in the Loop, and The Local Tourist is full of information about events that cover all my areas of interest: dining, music, dancing. I love to share it with my friends and see if there's something we can enjoy together. Now I don't have any excuse to say I'm bored or there's nothing to do. Thanks Theresa and The Local Tourist!" Brenda Bevineau, Chicago

"I love your {newsletter} about Chicago... I look forward to receiving it and getting all the news about the city and what is going on so I can plan for my friends and family. There are several times in the rush of trying to build my own business that I totally lose track of the week and then your email arrives and I take a few minutes with my morning coffee to see what is going on and start a plan for the upcoming weekend/week. Thank you again for your efforts." Melissa Vokoun, President, NuVo Partners, Inc, Chicago

"I just wanted to say thanks for the newsletter. I'm a transplant to the area and I use your newsletter to make me feel like a local fast. It has been great. Thanks so much!!!" Jody Mann-Bella, Bella Photography

This lovely lady wrote me twice!:
"I am writing to thank you for your absolutely dynamic website. It's so informative, exciting & fun to read. I have been going to Chicago for over 20 years and have traveled to other destinations however, Chicago is number one on my list."
"Just wanted to write and tell you that I truly appreciate your great sense of humor.  When I receive your {newsletter} I sit in my cubicle laughing hysterically at your humor. Thanks again for the laughs!" Paula Iacobacci, Cleveland

"My wife and I live in Arkansas, and were able to spend a romantic weekend in Chicago after a business meeting.  We had never toured the city together.  We needed help in finding the who, what, when and where of one of the nation's largest cities.  The Local Tourist laid it all out, plain and simple.  I will never come to Chicago without the aid of The Local Tourist.  It is that helpful and easy to use, even for a couple of Arkansans!  Ha ha. Thanks for a great weekend!" Chris and Lindley Abrams, North Little Rock, AR

"I was delighted to discover The Local Tourist, as a one-time summer resident of Chicago who returns annually to visit. It's a great city, with so much personality, but it's not always easy to quickly reacquaint myself. Things change, things happen - and thelocaltourist.com is a wonderful way to pick up where I left off last visit. Thanks!" Ellen Wallace, Journalist, Switzerland

"I love this site! I had no idea there was so much going on around me! I have recommended it to my clients for entertaining guests." D. Howell, Chicago

"I was recently looking for some information and happened to come across The Local Tourist. I ended up sending an e-mail not thinking I would hear back, like so many times before. To my amazement I did. Totally surprised! I  will keep this website for the future. You never know when you may need help. Theresa was very kind, helpful and prompt. I'm sure I will be contacting her in the future as I'm always looking for something. I also will recommend this website to all my friends and whoever needs help. Glad I found The Local Tourist." Susan B Huck, St. Louis, MO

"TheLocalTourist.com is awesome!  Besides having great links to all kinds of cool things to do in Chicago, Theresa has the site stocked with helpful tips and insight only a native Chicagoan can offer. Getting local advice from a gorgeous redhead isn't half bad, either! I used the site to help my friend (who's been living in Chicago for a year) plan one of the best weekends of our lives.  Whether you're an out of towner or a local tourist, TheLocalTourist.com is the place to go if you're going Chicago." M. Hood, New York, NY

"After having spent hours online trying to find where to buy sterling silver trays, Theresa Carter of The Local Tourist, sent me an answer by return email.  (I'm still waiting to hear from the emails I sent to the stores directly.) I live in Switzerland and will be in Chicago for a few days and don't want to waste time going to stores which do not carry what I need, since I'd like to see some of the sights, too. Theresa's service is a great time-saver for tourists and I can recommend it whole-heartedly." - S. Meyer, Switzerland

"TLT is a hassle free way to stay connected with the ins and outs of downtown Chicago. Objective, fast, easy, and informative."- M. Gorecki, Chicago

"Before visiting Chicago I always check out The Local Tourist. I use it to plan my outings, my meals - everything." K. Bunker, Indianapolis

"I always know I can turn to The Local Tourist for up-to-date listings, events, and to help my clients find things to do. It's at the top of my Favorites list!" B. Bludgen, Sullivan's Steakhouse, Chicago

"Recently I was asked to find liquor stores near a certain hotel in Chicago, so a gift certificate could be purchased ahead of time...I found a great website, TheLocalTourist.com, and left a message asking if they could help me out. My response was timely and thorough and additional information was included...I was extremely pleased with the service and it sure made me look good with my sales staff. This site is now on my favorites, since Chicago is a big territory for some of my sales team." M. Allen, Greater Minneapolis Convention & Visitors Association

"As a marketing professional always looking for new ways to highlight our restaurants, and as someone that likes to keep informed about "What's happening" in Chicago , I find the TheLocalTourist.com to be very useful. It is a great place to find out about upcoming special events and a wonderful way to get the word out about our restaurants' promotions." K. Bednarz, Levy Restaurants

"This neighborhood guide gives both the local residents as well as out of town tourists a one-stop website for everything that is downtown Chicago. I would highly recommend anyone who is looking to grow their business and increase their brand awareness to advertise with The Local Tourist. " Christopher Bupp, Chicago

"In publicizing our fundraisers, the Local Tourist has consistently been of great assistance in providing efficient and personalized service while spreading our information to individuals all over Chicago." L. Beznos, Founder and Director, Broadtree Adventures in Education

"I find your events page very useful and informative. Your efforts are appreciated." B. McKeough, Chef Concierge, Sofitel Water Tower, Chicago

"The local tourist is a great resource for me as I work in the Merchandise Mart. I access the site to find out about restaurants to meet friends at after work, and to see what new stores have opened in the area." E. Cooley, Merchandise Mart Properties, Chicago

"After a few months of submitting events to {The Local Tourist}, being able to see them posted and pop into my email box, and also seeing the other local listings collected, The Local Tourist has quickly become a website I check often.  It is neat, organized and user friendly.  There are also a lot of cool little interesting links that you provide to your users." F. Malik, Silverman Group Chicago

"I love The Local Tourist and recommend it often!" M. Sullivan, Friends of the Parks, Chicago

"Your website is a great resource." B. Schlangen, Digital Brand Expressions, Chicago

"We really enjoy hearing from The Local Tourist. It is very helpful to those of us who have a limited time to go on tour. Pointing out the "must see" spots, especially for children, makes us enjoy our vacation all the more." E DeLeon, MD, Philippines

"What a great resource!" J. Madigan, Chicago

Want to tap into TLT's thousands of targeted and loyal visitors? Visit our listing page to learn how.