You admire Chicago’s renowned architecture everyday as you jog the Lakefront trail, ride the El, or stroll your neighborhood streets. Yet how many of its famous buildings have you been able to view from the inside? This weekend, the Chicago Architecture Foundation is offering an insider’s tour of your city.
Open House Chicago is a weekend of free behind-the-scenes access to over 100 of the city’s architectural and cultural sites. Visit the green roof of the CTA headquarters, view the skyline from the top of the original Sears Tower, admire the Art Deco murals of the Chicago Motor Club, or check out the sky-high private pool and gardens of Lake Point Tower. Running from 9am to 5 pm on October 15 – 16, the event offers the opportunity to tour private sites of architectural significance, like the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Emil Bach House, and to experience neighborhood landmarks, like being wrapped in a sari at Devon Avenue’s Sari Sapne or watching a shrimp shelling at The Fish Keg in Rogers Park.
Create your personalized itinerary by registering on the Open House Chicago website and browsing the interactive site map. There are five featured community areas throughout the city with designated hubs, with convenient access to public transportation and free shuttle services. “Green Trail” designates Chicago sites featuring advancements in sustainable design.
A city’s architecture – its skyline, design, and function, is a reflection of the city itself – its foundation, future progress, and its citizens. Chicago is open this weekend, won’t you come inside?
For Further Exploration:
Interactive Chicago History Map
Jessica Mlinaric founded Urban Explorer in 2010 to inspire curious travelers by highlighting history, culture, and hidden gems in Chicago and beyond. She is the author of ‘Secret Chicago’ and ‘Chicago Scavenger.’ Jessica has visited 20+ countries and 30+ U.S. states. She has more than 16 years of experience as a marketing strategist and works as a freelance writer and photographer.
