September kicks off a slew of house tours in Western Pennsylvania:

On Sept. 14, the 39th annual Mexican War Streets House & Garden Tour will offer visitors a look at 13 of the North Side's most interesting homes, some of which are still works in progress. The self-guided walking tour runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; tickets cost $18 in advance or $20 on tour day at the ticket booth on Monterey Street. The event will also showcase vendors and restoration specialists, along with a restaurant tasting (food tickets cost $5). Information: 412-323-9030 or www.mexicanwarstreets.org. The 15th annual Friendship House Tour, also self-guided, is Sept. 21 and will feature 14 homes and businesses, including the original home of architect Charles M. Bartberger and one of his best-known projects, the Friendship School (now Pittsburgh Montessori). The tour is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and begins at EDGE studio, 5411 Penn Ave. Tickets cost $15 in advance or $18 on the day of the tour. Information: 412-441-6147 or www.friendshiphousetour.org. Sept. 28 is the date of two tours: the third Deutschtown House Tour and the 19th annual Wesley Spectrum Services Tour of Homes.

The Deutschtown tour, which runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., includes seven historic homes built between 1883 and World War II in the North Side neighborhood. It is being held in conjunction with the second annual Pittsburgh Design Fair for House and Garden at the Priory. Tour tickets are $12 in advance, $15 on tour day or $15 for a combo house tour/design fair ticket. Information: 412-321-1204 or www.deutschtown.org.

The Wesley tour runs from noon until 5 p.m. and features five homes in Upper St. Clair and Mt. Lebanon. The $25 ticket prices includes a tea; all proceeds benefit Wesley Spectrum Services programs. Information: 412-831-9390 or www.wesleyspectrum.org (search events).

And leave plenty of time -- and energy -- for the 2008 Lawrenceville Historic House Tour on Oct. 4-5. It will feature 21 homes tied to this city neighborhood's history. Tickets cost $10 for one day or $15 for two days in advance, $15 and $20, respectively, on tour day. Information: 412-600-2068 or www.lawrencevillehousetour.org.