Tour homes in Dunwoody, Ansley Park, Candler Park, Senoia

Betty Moreland looks forward to the Dunwoody home tour each fall.

“It is an opportunity to get together with friends,” said Moreland, who lives in Roswell. “It is also a good way to pick up decorating and remodeling ideas.”

In addition to offering a peek inside new and updated homes and a look at new design trends, tours are popular because their proceeds benefit various charities and nonprofit groups.

Mark your calendars, the tour season is under way. Here are details about a few, along with the Southern Living Idea House:

Ansley Park Tour of Homes

When: Oct. 2-3, noon-5 p .m.

Cost: $20, $25 day of tour

What: Six historic houses and two condominium buildings that were designed by J. Neel Reid, one of the Atlanta premier architects. One condo unit on this “A Walk Back in Time” tour was Margaret Mitchell's home for the last 10 years of her life.

Good to know: At 2 p.m. both days, join a tour with landscape architect Spencer Tunnell. He was instrumental in the restoration of the Olmsted Parks in the Druid Hills neighborhood of Atlanta.

Information: 404-888-9030, www.ansleypark.org

Dunwoody Woman’s Club 38 Annual Home Tour

When: Oct. 6, 9:30 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Cost: $25, $30 day of tour

What: One of the four homes is 10,000 square feet with views of the Chattahoochee River. All of the homes feature custom displays for their many and varied collections, ranging from airline and Southwest memorabilia to vintage hats.

Good to know: Ginny McCormack will sign her cooking and entertaining book, “Sunday in the South,” at the Dyer home. A special design seminar, given at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., is included in the admission.

Information: www.dunwoodywomansclub.org

Candler Park Tour of Homes

When: Oct. 24, noon-6 p.m.

Cost: $12, $15 day of tour

What: Eight houses, ranging in styles from Craftsman bungalows and American Foursquare to Queen Anne. The tour also features the Maddox House, designed by Atlanta architect Willis Denny. This Victorian house will be open to the public for the first time. Denny designed Rhodes Hall in Midtown.

Good to know: After your tour, grab a Cajun chicken egg roll or a cup of soup from Souper Jenny while strolling through the artists’ market at the popular weekend festival.

Information: www.candlerpark.org/fallfest/tourofhomes

Southern Living Idea House

When: Wednesdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sundays, 1-5 p.m. Through Dec. 12.

Cost: $10 adults, free for children under 12.

What: The elegant, but family-friendly brownstone is in historic Senoia, about 70 minutes south of Atlanta. The home will be decorated for the holidays starting Oct. 13.

Good to know: The charming town has been used as a backdrop for more than 20 films and TV shows.

Information: www.ideahouse2010senoia.com

Tour tips

No spike heels

No strollers

No food, drink or smoking