Oak Park, Illinois

Where: Oak Park, Illinois

Why: Architecture fans flock to the annual Wright Plus housewalk benefit (708-848-9518). The annual event ($85) is May 20 and features rarely seen interiors of ten homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and his contemporaries.

How: Fly to O’Hare or Midway (about $150 roundtrip on most major carriers), then drive or take a cab or the  “L” to Oak Park.

Stay: Reserve one of the four rooms (priced from $60 to $75, they’re a steal) and lounge on the wraparound porch at Under the Ginkgo Tree B & B (708-524-2327), an 1890 Queen Anne Victorian in the historic district, only two blocks from the tour.

Eat: Chicago’s culinary gems extend to the ’burbs with restaurants such as Café Le Coq (708-848-2233), a cozy bistro with French cuisine, cheese, and wine.

Pack: Leave the kids—take the raincoat. Children under twelve aren’t permitted; the tour won’t be canceled if it rains.

P.S.: Ernest Hemingway fans can visit the author’s Oak Park birthplace and nearby museum dedicated to his life (ehfop.org).