Space out

This weekend, architecture-loving Chicagoans are going places. That is, they’ll be heading to spots on the city-sponsored Great Chicago Places and Spaces tours. While tickets are free, the tours we’ve listed here require registration on the day of the event, beginning at 7:30am. For all tours, meet at Chicago Architecture Foundation, (224 S Michigan Ave at Jackson Blvd). See greatchicagoplaces.us for a full list of events.

Saturday 17
* Mosaics in the Loop
Rolf Achilles, curator of the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows, hosts this walking tour of some of Chicago’s finest mosaics created in the late 19th century. 1pm.

* Eat Out with Time Out Chicago
TOC’s affable Sports & Rec editor, Tim McCormick, leads this trolley tour of restaurant interiors. You’ll hear how cutting-edge design, historical significance, color scheme and the vision of owners and chefs can influence the ambience and overall dining experience. 2pm.

Toxics to Treasures
Community educator Jessica Canas and Southeast Environmental Task Force board member Rod Sellers uncover a few unlikely treasures on Chicago’s Southeast Side. The bus tour explores the historical sites of Chicago’s once thriving steel industry and shows off the biodiversity of its wetlands, demonstrating how the two have coexisted over decades. 2pm.

Arabs of Chicagoland
Arab-American author and comedian Ray Hanania guides you through a typical Arab-American neighborhood, an Arab-Christian church and a Muslim mosque. As you ride the trolley from site to site, he’ll drop knowledge on the settlement of Arabs in Chicago and discuss Arab history, culture and Arab-American humor. 9am, 1:30pm.

Chicago Chocolate ToursJenny Townshend, tour manager of Chicago Chocolate Tours, uncovers some sweet surprises on this walking tour. 2pm.

Sunday 18
Haymarket Revisited
Chicago’s rich labor history gets the attention it deserves on this trolley tour led by University of Illinois professor William J. Adelman. One of the most pivotal moments for workers was the Haymarket Affair, which had a great impact on the history of Chicago, the nation and the world. Visit Haymarket Square, where it all began, then see the site of the trial and executions. 12:30pm.

Chicago’s Movable Bridges of the South Branch
Joseph Abruzzo, a senior structural engineer at Bowman, Barrett & Associates Inc., leads this trolley-powered exploration of the moveable bridges of the Chicago River’s South Branch. See different types of bridges and hear about the role railroads and waterways played in the development of the city. 2:45pm.