On the road: 'Bubbles' go pop at Chicago Children's Museum
Chicago
Bubbles for spring breakers
The little spring breakers can get wet, silly, messy and all tired out without having to fly to Florida. Visit the Chicago Children's Museum and let them have at fort building, stepping inside a gigantic bubble and launching their own aircraft. The popular WaterWays exhibit transforms into "Bubbles," a full-blown bubble extravaganza that's good clean fun for the whole family. Kids can create, witness, touch, climb into, pop and compare bubbles of all sizes. It's the latest in a series of "pop-up" exhibits at CCM; Bubbles opens Tuesday, April 1.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Chicago Children's Museum, 700 E. Grand Ave. "Bubbles" runs from April 1-30. Admission is $14 for kids and adults; $13 for seniors. CCM members and kids younger than 1 get in free. Kraft Free Family Night is 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday. (312) 527-1000 or chicagochildrensmuseum.org.
Takes two to tango
It's four days of wango tango classes and milongas (social dances) at the Rosemont Hilton during the 2014 Chicago Mini Tango Festival. Master instructors from Buenos Aires, DJs from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and New York, and lots of love for the alluring dance will fill the weekend. Don't be shy - there are classes for beginners, too, with afternoon, evening and late-night opportunities. Consider the three-day Intensive Beginners' Program for those who have never danced tango or have danced for less than one year. The Hilton Rosemont is offering rates of $109 per night plus tax for up to four people, if you want to rest your legs.
Thursday through Monday, April 10-14, at the Hilton Rosemont, 5550 N. River Road, Rosemont. Prices range from $40 for a class to $330 for a full festival pass. chicagotangofestival.com.
Play ball
With opening day right around the corner, Hyatt Regency Chicago invites you to stay at the largest Hyatt on the planet when planning your trip to the ballpark. Just 4.7 miles from U.S. Cellular Field and 5.8 miles from Wrigley Field, Hyatt Regency Chicago offers a Parking Package that provides free valet parking during your stay. Or, if you want to do it big, check out the Suite Experience. The property's BIG Bar has 24 flat-screen TVs and two 90-inch plasma TVs to watch the game from a comfortable spot, too. Manage a fantasy league with more than 800 wireless access points throughout the hotel and free Wi-Fi in the lobby.
The promotion runs throughout baseball season at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 East Wacker Drive. Rates start as low as $99 (subject to change due to availability). For details on the Parking Package, call (312) 565-1234 or visit chicagoregency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/offers/offer-detail.html?offerId=52205764.
Midwest
Screen play
Choose your favorites among 150 independent films from around the world showing in seven theaters in and around Madison's lively State Street. The Wisconsin Film Festival screens the latest in cinema: edgy comedies, powerful documentaries, far-fetched sci-fi, animation, music films, experimental shorts, plus Sight & Sound magazine's newly named Greatest Film of All Time. The 2014 Festival also showcases visits with David Gordon Green and his new film, "Joe," and Alexander Payne presents a restoration of the Italian classic "Il Sorpasso," a major influence on his Oscar-winning film "Sideways." There will be a full day of screenings Sunday at the grand Capitol Theatre in the Overture Center that will include live organ accompaniment for a silent masterpiece by Alfred Hitchcock.
Thursday through Thursday, April 3-10, at various venues in downtown Madison, Wis. Advance movie tickets (bought by April 2) cost $9 each or $5 with a valid student ID; during the festival, tickets cost $10 each or $5 with a valid student ID. (800) 963-FILM; get a complete schedule at guide.wifilmfest.org/2014.
A very dairy day
There's no need to wait until summer for a fine Midwestern food fest. The sixth annual Dairy State Cheese & Beer Festival offers some of the most notable beer and cheese from around the state of Wisconsin. Live bluegrass, polka and rock bands will perform. Knowing that your ticket benefits the Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha should encourage the short drive, just five minutes over the Illinois border.
1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at The Brat Stop, 12304 75th St., Kenosha, Wis. (at the intersection of Highway 50 and I-94). Tickets cost $45 per person in advance, $50 at the door. A VIP pass for $95 gets you in early, with free food, a special mug with samples from brewmasters, and a wedge of 12-year-old cheddar cheese. (262) 654-6200 or kenoshabeerfest.com.
Let's break in Delavan
Celebrate the season with an affordable Spring Break Package at Lake Lawn Resort in nearby Delavan, Wis. Enjoy outdoor recreation options through Lake Lawn's Activity Center, including mini golf, nightly bonfires, biking and lawn games. The championship 18-hole golf course will also be open. Plus, take advantage of indoor amenities such as the arcade, the indoor pool and hot tub, and the Calladora Spa offering spring specials. More? Packages include a $25 dining credit for each night, a spring time gift bag for kids age 12 and younger at check-in, and a $50 voucher toward a future stay.
Now through April 30 at Lake Lawn Resort, 2400 E. Geneva St., Delavan, Wis. Rates start at $259 for two nights, plus resort fee and taxes. Packages with Saturday night stays carry an additional $30 surcharge. (800) 338-5253 or lakelawnresort.com.