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I have visited 15 Beta houses outside of my own chapter. What I usually do, if it is not a planned road-trip or Convention, is to call ahead and see if it is alright to drop in for a night. I have never gotten a negative answer from any of the chapters, and most of them have given me a bed to sleep in and provided breakfast/lunch/dinner. I have stopped by unannounced to a few chapters, and was welcomed in like a brother should be.
Every chapter I have seen has been different than mine, and I am glad it is because it really shows the diversity of Beta Theta Pi throughout North America. I think that is typical to say..."If I went to blah blah blah University, I probably wouldn't have been a Beta....." I am sure you all could say that about different schools.
In a nutshell: Call ahead, print a map and bring some sort of a gift. For road-trips, our chapter usually makes a paddle with the individual chapter letters, date and then insignia on it, and presents it as a gift to the host chapter. I personally show up with a case of beer (if it is not a dry house), or send a thank-you letter to the Pres. when I get home.
There is nothing cooler than showing up at another chapter house, looking at their message board and seeing "Two Oshkosh Betas will be in town tonight! Show them a good time!".
PS, I make it a point to stop into other fraternity and sorority houses on different campuses too, if at all possible. I have toured some houses of Sigma Chi, Theta Xi, Alpha Xi Delta, Phi Kappa Sig, Delta Tau Delta, Phi Delts, Sig Eps., DG, KAT....etc. (Sometimes I just go in and do a little exploring on my own....now thats fun!)
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