Inspired Chicago - Find fun things to do in Chicago!

Mark your calendars! More than 200 sites in Chicago and neighboring Evanston and Oak Park are opening their doors to the public October 15–16, 2016, as part of Open House Chicago (OHC). Organized annually by the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF), OHC is free! During OHC weekend, the public is granted behind-the-scenes access to buildings across the area, many which are rarely, if ever, open to the public. Depending on the site, visitors will be taken on guided tours, be allowed to look around on their own, or a combination of both. Performances, discussions, and family-friendly activities will also be available at some locations. Visit the OHC Programs page for more information. The Neighborhoods Plan Your Open House Chicago Visit the OHC website for a list of this year's participating sites . Look through the entire list or use the filter feature to choose neighborhoods and other options (shown below) to create your own customized site list. Using your Facebook ...

More than 200 sites are opening their doors to Chicagoans and visitors alike during the October 17–18 weekend. The public is invited into these buildings as part of the Chicago Architecture Foundation's (CAF) annual Open House Chicago (OHC). Each year, OHC guests enjoy behind-the-scenes access to many of the city's great places. When reviewing the OHC website and planning which places to visit, please be aware of the following: While all sites are free, a few require an RSVP (RSVPs are not available at this time. Please check the OHC website for updates.). Photo by Mark Ballogg via OHC Website A small number of sites are open exclusively to CAF members. Photo by Eric Allix Rogers via OHC Website OHC hours are 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. However, some sites have limited hours and/or may be open only one of the two days. Photo by Eric Allix Rogers via OHC Website In addition to granting visitors a look inside the...

I had walked past the Elks National Memorial for almost a year, admiring the elks flanking the gated entrance and wondering what was inside.  Finally, as part of my birthday week celebration (yes, week!), I decided to take a tour. Located in Chicago at 2750 North Lakeview Avenue, the Elks National Memorial is open from 12 noon to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, from April 15 through November 15.  Admission is free. During a docent-led tour, I learned the history of the building and toured the Rotunda and Grand Reception Hall. In 1920, the Elks organization decided to create a memorial to pay tribute to members who fought and died during World War I.  They chose New York architect Egerton Swarthout’s design due to its beautifully distinctive yet practical style.  New York’s Hegeman-Harris Company was selected as the builder.  Dedication took place on July 14, 1926. The beautiful marble throughout the Rotunda captured my attention immediately.  ...

Having hit the streets for the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s Open House Chicago in 2013, I had my routine down for this year’s event.  I reviewed the site list on Open House Chicago’s website and selected the sites I was eager to visit.  Then, I mapped the most efficient route with Google Maps.  Finally, I considered my possible modes of transportation, concluding that I could walk and bike wherever I needed to go.  The weather forecast for October 18 and 19 was sunny and beautiful! Saturday, the 18th, I awoke to clouds and sprinkles.  Nonetheless, I, along with my trusty umbrella and my equally trusty husband, started out bright (well, perhaps not bright due to the clouds) and early to our first destination, the Second Church of Christ, Scientist.  The church has a domed auditorium and its original Hutchings-Votey pipe organ.  On display were several old photographs, including one showing an old neighbor of the church–the original Ferris wheel, which had been moved to ...

Open House Chicago is an annual event organized by the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF).  More than 150 buildings throughout Chicago will be open to the public with special behind-the-scenes access.  This year’s event will take place on October 18 and 19, 2014, and is free to the public. When reviewing the Open House Chicago website and planning which buildings to visit, please note the following: A few sites require reservations. Some venues allow access to CAF members only. Sites may be open both Saturday and Sunday, open one day only, or have restricted hours. Make the most of Open House Chicago weekend by following these additional tips: Visit venues that do not offer free tours to the public during the year.  Visit locations that offer tours throughout the year during their regularly scheduled tour times.  For example, take a free tour of the Elks National Memorial from 12 noon to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, from April 15 through ...

One of my first discoveries when I moved to Chicago was the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF).  Taking tours offered by the CAF has been an invaluable experience.  I have learned about Chicago’s history, architecture, and architects.  After several outings, I recognized landmarks, street names, and important dates in Chicago’s history.  I now know that the intersection of Madison and State is where the streets change from east/west and north/south respectively–a great help when navigating the downtown area.  Most amazing, and quite unexpected, is that I find myself excited about learning as much as I can about two topics:  Chicago history and architectural terminology! The CAF offers many different types of tours.  Looking for a boat, bus, or bike tour?  The CAF has you covered!  How about a trolley, train, or Segway tour?  Certainly!  If you want to get some exercise while learning, there are plenty of walking tours–most are free to CAF members! With the wide array of topics c...

Field, Pullman, Kimball, Armour . . . Some of Chicago’s wealthiest families lived in the Prairie Avenue neighborhood in the nineteenth century. Jenney, Burnham & Root, Cobb & Frost, Thomas & Rapp . . . Some of Chicago’s most talented architects designed many of the homes in the Prairie Avenue neighborhood. Pick up a free copy of Prairie Avenue Museums & Gardens Walking Tour Guide at the Glessner House Museum Visitor’s Center, 1800 South Prairie Avenue, or print it from their website. The guide includes a map and information for 27 significant sites in the Prairie Avenue neighborhood.  In addition, the guide provides a summary of the neighborhood’s history, broken down into four periods:  Beginnings (1812-1871), Glory Days (1872-1904), Decline (1905-1965), and Rebirth (1966-present).  Please note that the Harriet F. Rees House (22 on the map) is being moved from 2110 South Prairie Avenue to 2017 South Prairie Avenue to make room for the new DePaul Univer...

Where can you find 175 angels (at least), nine Louis Comfort Tiffany stained glass windows, and three historic and landmark designations? At Chicago’s Second Presbyterian Church located at 1936 South Michigan Avenue.  James Renwick, Jr. originally designed the building, which was dedicated in 1874.  After a fire destroyed much of the interior in 1900, Howard Van Doren Shaw, a church member and architect, rebuilt the church interior in the Arts and Crafts style. Second Presbyterian Church was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, a Chicago Landmark in 1977, and a National Historic Landmark in 2013.  To view the gorgeous glass and celestial beings, stop by the church for a tour.  Friends of Historic Second Church offers a public Art and Architecture Tour Wednesdays and Saturdays, between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., and Sundays at 12 noon.  Their July 2014 flyer does not state a price, but welcomes donations.  Their website indicates Saturday tours ...

Having heard several references to Glessner House and the Prairie Avenue neighborhood during other tours, I recently decided it was time to visit the house and check out the neighborhood. Glessner House, 1800 South Prairie Avenue, was built in 1886 on the southwest corner of South Prairie Avenue and East 18th Street.  Architect Henry Hobson Richardson designed the home for John and Frances Glessner. Clarke House, currently located at 1827 South Indiana Avenue, in the Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens, was built in 1836 for the Henry Brown Clarke family.  Clarke House is the oldest surviving Chicago home. The Glessner House Museum offers guided tours of Glessner House and Clarke House Wednesday through Sunday (Clarke House tours start at 12 noon and 2 p.m. and Glessner House tours start at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.).  Both tours start at the Glessner House Museum Visitor's Center at 1800 South Prairie Avenue.  The tours are free on Wednesdays. The tours are l...

These directions are for biking from the north going south. Bike to Waldron Drive.  (Burnham Harbor is on the left.) Cross Waldron Drive. Take a right at the sidewalk after crossing Waldron Drive. Bike down the sidewalk and across the road, continuing along the path that is on the other side of the road.  (There is a dark green fence on the right side of the path.  A parking ramp is further along the path on the left side.) Follow the path to the left, through the underpass. Cross the pedestrian/bike bridge. Enjoy the beautiful views while biking. Bike through the underpass, exiting near Battle of Fort Dearborn Park (on the right) in the historic Prairie Avenue neighborhood.  The park has a Divvy station and bike racks. Taking the Prairie Avenue District Walking Tour ?  Battle of Fort Dearborn Park is a great place to start! Taking Clarke House and Glessner House tours?  Follow these steps to ge...