Open House Chicago is one of our favorite weekends each year.  If you are unfamiliar with this event, take a look at their website for all the details.  High Level:  250+ public and private spaces are open to the public over a weekend in mid-October each year.  You’ll see everything from private clubs, to corporate offices to modern factories.  Have you ever wanted to see what the Groupon offices looked like?  What about a luxury hat manufacturer housed in an old fire house?  Well, you can with Open House Chicago.

2018 marked the eighth year of this event in Chicago and the idea has spread all over the world with more than 40 cities participating.  Each year, we decide to venture out of our known areas and explore an unfamiliar neighborhood (unfamiliar to us, that is).  This year, we ventured out to Beverly / Morgan Park on the far southwest side of the city. Having never really explored this area, we were very excited to welcome a new neighborhood not only into our lives, but into Open House Chicago.

Photo Journal of Beverly / Morgan Park

Hopping on the Metra Rock Island for a quick 20 minute ride down to Beverly for Open House Chicago

Morgan Park Academy

Beautiful Tiled Roof of Morgan Park Academy Alumni Hall

The grand entrance to Morgan Park Academy Alumni Hall

Morgan Park United Methodist Church

The stained glass dome at the Morgan Park United Methodist Church

The parlor at Morgan Park United Methodist Church

Ingersoll-Blackwelder House

The Givins Castle

The Givins Castle

The Gravier-Driscol House – Ridge Historical Society

Beautiful private homes, not part of the tour.

Beautiful private homes, not part of the tour.

107th St / Beverly Hills Station – Metra Rock Island Train

Taking only public transit and walking, we made our way through every site in Beverly (we didn’t photo all of them though), grabbed a great lunch at the Horse Thief Hollow (104th/Western) and a beer at the end of our trip.  The weather was spectacular, the people were welcoming and the neighborhood was beautiful. If you haven’t explored Beverly, go do it. It’s a beautiful place.

Have you explored Open House Chicago (or another city)?  What are your favorite sites?  Do you have any tips and tricks for people?