Chicago Office of Tourism Partners With Foursquare

Published on: February 10, 2010

The Chicago Office of Tourism announced its presence on Foursquare, a new location-based, social networking application for mobile phones. The City of Chicago’s tourism office is the first to use Foursquare to promote citywide neighborhoods, restaurants and attractions. “By partnering with a city entity, we’re offering Foursquare players a new angle on discovering the city around them,” said Tristan Walker, head of business development at Foursquare. “Adding these Chicago-specific badges encourages users to try out new businesses and promote lesser-known landmarks.”
After following Explore Chicago at www.foursquare.com/explorechicago, visitors and locals can check-in at over 60 citywide locations to earn up to three Chicago-themed badges celebrating Chicago traditions. Game players are encouraged to discover the Blues through historic sites and iconic clubs, meet up with friends across town while searching for the perfect Chicago-style hot dog, and re-enact their favorite scenes at one of many well-known movie locations throughout the city.

Explore Chicago developed the “On Location” badge, earned by engaging in one of five movie-themed experiences. Visit locations from movies such as “The Blues Brothers,” “The Dark Knight,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “High Fidelity.” Or, visitors can explore “Chick Flicks in Chicago” by stopping by sites from “My Best Friend's Wedding,” “The Break-Up,” “When Harry Met Sally,” “The Lake House” and others. Chowhounds get rewarded with a “Celery Salt” badge for visiting five notable Chicago-style hot dog establishments, including hot dog-serving sporting venues. Music fans are awarded a “Chicago Blues” badge for visiting five Blues landmarks and clubs.

Foursquare is free to download and is accessible on smart phones and other Internet-connected mobile devices. While requirements for Foursquare badges are usually a mystery to game players, the Explore Chicago website is giving users a head start by posting lists of locations needed to earn the Chicago-themed badges at www.explorechicago.org/games. For more information, call 877-CHICAGO or visit www.explorechicago.org.