Pier & Beam Road Trips

Every year, Pier & Beam members hit the road to discover architecture, history and urban design in other cities. These trips go beyond sightseeing — they offer behind-the-scenes access to remarkable spaces and show how preservation and innovation shape the places we love.

Pier & Beam travelers at the top of Chicago’s iconic Tribune Tower in 2024 / photo by Emily Ardoin

About the Road Trips

Preservation doesn’t stop at Houston’s city limits. Pier & Beam’s Road Trips give members a chance to see how other communities protect their heritage, adapt historic spaces and create vibrant neighborhoods. These experiences inspire fresh ideas and a deeper understanding of what makes cities livable, resilient and distinctive.

Where we’ve been

Launched in 2018 with a day trip to Galveston, Pier & Beam Road Trips have taken us across Texas and beyond. Past destinations include Beaumont, San Antonio, Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago and Detroit. Along the way, we’ve gotten the chance to visit some extraordinary places:

  • The roof of the Magnolia Building in Dallas, where we got up close and personal with the iconic Pegasus sign

  • Into the storied Bronzeville Forum, a historic hub of Black Chicago, before its restoration

  • On an exclusive tour of Detroit’s fabulous Fox Theatre

And we’re just getting started. Up next: Mexico City in spring 2026 — a global capital of architecture, history, color and culture.

How to come along

Pier & Beam Road Trips are open to all P&B members, but space is limited. Watch your e-mail for announcements and registration details.

Not a member yet? Join Pier & Beam today →