Open House Chicago (train, eat, farm) - Illinois (IL) - City-Data Forum

SubconsciousMe · 10-06-2013, 09:10 AM

If you haven't heard of it, here's the website. 150 places open for free the weekend of Oct 19-20

Open House Chicago

If you have heard of it, or have gone, what suggestions do you have for route?

I plan on bringing my camera--but it's my first Open House as we moved here over the summer. I want to catch the best places but am totally realistic that we may oversleep a bit (haha)... we love churches and history, so yeap. That's about my only plan so far.

treemoni · 10-06-2013, 09:12 AM

I went to the very first one (don't think I made it last year). It was great. I just make a list of the places I want to visit and start early. If you want to see the sites downtown, make a list, check locations and try to plan it so that your locations aren't too spread out. Also, some of the sites are not open all weekend. Make sure you're aware of the dates (very important).

marothisu · 10-06-2013, 09:26 AM

Found out about this thing this week. So cool. I definitely plan on going to some of these. So many places to check out, so little time. I really want to check out the original Sears HQ and Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica. Never been to either.

So many cool buildings on here it's ridiculous. I just learned that a mosque in South Shore in this thing was modeled after the Aya Sofya in Istanbul (one of my favorite cities in the world).

Vlajos · 10-06-2013, 09:46 AM

That mosque in Istanbul is actually the greatest church ever built. Hagia Sophia.

marothisu · 10-06-2013, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlajos

That mosque in Istanbul is actually the greatest church ever built. Hagia Sophia.

I've been there probably five times, haha. It's a great church/museum/mosque.There's actually a "Little Aya Sofya" not far from the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, which was built before the main Aya Sofya. A lot of people miss it. It's not that big but still pretty interesting.

jdiddy · 10-06-2013, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marothisu

Found out about this thing this week. So cool. I definitely plan on going to some of these. So many places to check out, so little time. I really want to check out the original Sears HQ and Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica. Never been to either.

So many cool buildings on here it's ridiculous. I just learned that a mosque in South Shore in this thing was modeled after the Aya Sofya in Istanbul (one of my favorite cities in the world).

I went to the original Sears tower last year. Very cool experience, I'll be returning with a better camera this year.

Chicago60614 · 10-07-2013, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marothisu

Found out about this thing this week. So cool. I definitely plan on going to some of these. So many places to check out, so little time. I really want to check out the original Sears HQ and Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica. Never been to either.

So many cool buildings on here it's ridiculous. I just learned that a mosque in South Shore in this thing was modeled after the Aya Sofya in Istanbul (one of my favorite cities in the world).

I went through these last year and they were both great. The views from the Sears Tower and the degree to which the building was run down yet frozen in time was very impressive. The top is a huge open area and they had a small orchestra playing, then you could walk up a staircase and look out the 360 degrees of windows. The paint was peeling and it seemed like a ruin, which combined with the suit and tie orchestra playing made for a very very cool atmosphere.

We took the train downtown on Saturday and hit up a few dozen sites there, then on Sunday jumped in the car and did the south and west sides. I LOVED it and can't wait for this year.

Just a note - some places try to do a lot of tours, and some were pretty boring and took like an hour which eats up the day quickly. I would rather just walk though more quickly.

The South Shore Cultural Center was very beautiful.

treemoni · 10-07-2013, 01:35 PM

I will definitely check out the old Sears Tower. Thanks!

SubconsciousMe · 10-18-2013, 05:24 AM

Well, it starts tomorrow! What are some must-see places everyone is visiting? It's my first year this year and I fully acknowledge I have no clue where to go or what to see.

marothisu · 10-18-2013, 07:10 AM

I am trying to rally a few people to go. I really want to check out the original Sears Tower and Our Lady of Sorrows Bascilica in North Lawndale/Garfield Park. Holy Cross Immaculate Heart of Mary in Back of the Yards looks interesting, as does The Plant urban farm in the same area. Mosque Maryam in South Shore as well...