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Architecture Tour

The doors are open for the free Open House Chicago Architecture Celebration October 18-19, AND our doors are open at the nearby and affordable (not free) Chicago Lake Shore Hotel!

Have you ever strolled by a striking building and wondered what was inside? The Chicago Architecture Foundation will answer that question by taking you and your family inside your choice of 150 iconic Chicago landmarks! For a complete list of building tours, go to www.openhousechicago.org. You can get a paper copy of the listed sites in the Thursday, October 16th issue of The Chicago Tribune.

Hyde Park highlights include: the Frederick C. Robie House of Frank Lloyd Wright; architect Solon Beman’s Blackstone Branch Public Library; KAM Isaiah Israel, designed by Alfred Alschler (across the street from President Obama’s home); Oriental Institute, University of Chicago; and Shrine of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, recently renovated after a fire,.

There are organized discussions, musical presentations and meet and greet with some of the represented architects. You can even tour Lyric Opera’s backstage sets! See the website for a list of presenters and special programs.

How to get around. Many of the sites are within walking distance of each other. For those that aren’t, the City of Chicago suggests a combination of Divyy (rental) bike and CTA transportation. Some sites feature parking facilities.

Make your Open House Chicago Architecture Celebration experience more enjoyable by staying at the Chicago Lake Shore Hotel, in Hyde Park. Chicago Lake Shore offers free shuttle bus service to and from the Loop area and is close to bus and train services. The Lake Shore Café offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. AND Jazz, Friday nights.