How To See Open House Chicago From North To South

This weekend, October 15 and 16, is one of the best of the entire Chicago year. That’s because it’s Open House Chicago, when hundreds of buildings in and around the city open their doors so that mere mortals like you can explore! I’ve already publicly declared my love for this wonderful annual event. Now here’s a list, arranged roughly from north to south, of some of the more interesting-looking of this year’s offerings.

Colvin House, Edgewater: A 1909 George Maher mansion and the future home of Creative Coworking. With its marble staircases, intricately designed pillars and ceilings, and elaborate chandelier, it’s undoubtedly a much nicer office than yours.

Old Chicago Inn, Lakeview: At this restored B&B, it’s all 1920s all the time. The password to the speakeasy is “Railway Exchange.”

Big Monster Toys, Near West Side: Where many of the world’s toys come from.

McCormick Place Rooftop Farm, South Loop: Did you know that there’s a farm on top of the west building of McCormick Place? Now you do, and this weekend you can even go see it.

Ling Shen Ching Tze Buddhist Temple, Bridgeport: An 1894 Burnham and Root church that’s been used as a Buddhist temple since 1992.