Every summer and fall, our friends at the Villa Improvement League offer guided walking tours of the neighborhood that present the history, architecture and special features of this Chicago Landmark District. This year some gardens and one house interior are included on the tour. The tours are conducted by Villa residents trained by Chicago Architecture Foundation docents.



The tours begin at 2 p.m. at the northeast corner of Addison Street (3600 North) and Pulaski Road (4000 West) and last between 90 minutes and two hours.



Street parking is available but be aware of permit parking on Harding Avenue. Reservations are recommended, with a limit of 30 attendees per tour. Group tours can be scheduled on other dates for groups of six or more.



Cost is $10, payable on the day of the tour. For more information or to confirm attendance, contact The Villa Improvement League via email at [masked].



In 2015, they are conducting tours on the following dates:



Sunday, June 28



Saturday, September 19



Sunday, October 4



NEW TOUR STARTING POINT and ROUTE! The Villa Improvement League has redesigned the route to add new homes, blocks and gardens to their nine-year-old tour. So, if you’ve toured before, join them for a new look at the Villa. The tours start at the northeast corner of Addison and Pulaski at 2pm and last about two hours.



About the "Villa District"



A century-old neighborhood on Chicago's Northwest Side, the Villa is characterized by parkway streets, stone planters and distinctive examples of early 20th Century residential architecture. The Villa is a close-knit community of residents who enjoy working together to keep the neighborhood a great place to live. The district is on the National Register of Historic Places as well as a recognized City of Chicago Historic Landmark District. Journalist Mike Royko famously dubbed the neighborhood Chicago's "Polish Kenilworth", so come and see what the fuss is all about.



The Villa is featured in numerous magazines and books, and is a stop on Chicago Architecture Foundation bus tours. In 2007, the neighborhood marked its 100th anniversary with a centennial celebration complete with period costumes, horse and carriage rides and recorded oral histories. You can read more about the neighborhood here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villa_District) .