What Tourists Should Know About Open House Chicago 2025 Before Planning A Trip

The beautiful Midwest city of Chicago is one of the most exciting destinations in the United States and there's something for every type of traveler to enjoy. If you're a fan of nightlife, you'll like Chicago's lively music scene and trendy bars. History lovers will adore learning about the city's fascinating past. The Windy City is also full of art, culture, and incredible museums. You can relax on urban beaches and enjoy stunning views of Lake Michigan, or spend the days shopping until you drop. Chicago has something to offer year round no matter what your passions are — but if architecture is your thing you should definitely visit in October for Open House Chicago. It's one of the best fun free things to do in Chicago.

Chicago is well known globally for its architecture. The city has become a canvas covered in historic buildings and modern construction that blend together cohesively to create a rich urban landscape. As you wander the neighborhoods you're likely to see gorgeous Art Deco design work next to chic minimalist skyscrapers. It's a design lover's dream come true, and during Open House Chicago visitors are permitted to explore architectural wonders that normally aren't open to the public.

If you're attending 2025's Open House event, you'll need to do a little planning ahead of time to see everything Chicago has to offer. There are more than 200 different sites to explore, special deals on hotels, and multiple events worth attending. We've rounded up the most crucial information that tourists should know to have the best possible experience at 2025's Open House Chicago.

The annual Open House Chicago is an iconic festival dedicated to architecture, and one of the largest in the world. In 2025, the event will take place on Saturday, October 18 and Sunday, October 19. Since the event draws people from all over the world and has multiple locations all over the city, it's a good idea for tourists to make a game plan ahead of time. There are pre-planned itineraries available on the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) website with various themes including Urban Agriculture, Housing Innovation, and Spirits, Ciders, and Suds. You can make an account on to save itineraries and keep track of sites you'd like to visit during your trip.

There are four different Neighborhood Headquarters that serve as good jumping off points for attendees. They offer amenities like restrooms and WiFi, and there are event personnel onsite to answer any questions you may have about the event. Neighborhood Headquarters are located at the Chicago Architecture Center Downtown, at the Ramova Theater in Bridgeport, at KOVAL Distillery in Ravenswood, and at Starling by Duo/. in North Lawndale.

A few neighborhoods with several buildings to visit include Downtown with 36 sites, Hyde Park/Woodlawn with 14 sites, Near Northside with 15 sites, and Ukrainian Village/West Town with 11 sites. There are also some fun events worth attending as part of the weekend festivities. Musical performances, celebrations of food and culture, and the opportunity to meet with architects are just a few examples of things you can do during Open House Chicago. For a complete list of events visit the CAC website.

There are Open House Chicago sites located all over the city and its suburbs, so if you want to visit as many as possible you're going to need to travel. Luckily, Chicago has a fabulous public transportation system. The elevated train is affectionately known as the "L" by locals and it's a great way to get around and avoid traffic and parking if you're attending Open House Chicago. The CAC has even designed a few itineraries specifically for sites along "L" train routes. 

The Chicago Transit Authority has convenient downloadable maps of the "L" and the public bus system on their website to help you plan your route. The L also provides transportation to and from both of Chicago's major airports, which is helpful if you're traveling to the Open House Chicago event by plane.

Open House has partnered with some local hotels to offer attendees discounted rates when you book through the Chicago Architecture Center website and you will also receive a Priority Pass to skip the lines at all of the different sites around the city. The five-star Peninsula Hotel is offering rooms for $400 with the Open House code. The regular room rate for that weekend is around $900. Other hotels with discounts include The LaSalle Chicago, Loews Hotel, Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, and St. Regis Hotel.