On the road: Lincoln museum celebrates 10 years
Land of Lincoln
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum celebrates its 10th birthday in 2015, marking the achievement with a full year of special events, theater presentations, lectures and exhibits. “Undying Words: Lincoln 1858-1865” concentrates on five key Lincoln speeches showing his evolving views on slavery with more than 120 artifacts including Lincoln's bloody gloves from the night he was assassinated, the bed he died in, and a carriage used by the President and Mary Lincoln. Coming in April is “The Battle Hymn Story,” a new multimedia theater presentation full of music and special effects that joins the museum's other productions. Upcoming events include an Easter Egg Roll, a Mary Lincoln Strawberry Party, and birthday parties for the Lincoln sons and pets in the White House. Other Springfield sites include the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Lincoln's New Salem, the Old State Capitol and the Lincoln Tomb.
For a list of 10th anniversary events, visit TenYearsLincoln.com. Lodging and dining options at visitspringfieldillinois.com.
Chicago
Don't dig out — dig in
Relieve your post-holiday winter funk with a very affordable stay at the Hyatt Regency Chicago and its “Ring In The New Year” promotion. You'll be steps from Michigan Avenue and the State Street shopping area, a short jaunt from Navy Pier and within view of the icy Chicago River, Trib Tower and the Wrigley Building.
Book online through Jan. 19 for stays through April 5 at Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 E. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Rates start at $99, and all reservations must be paid in full and booked at least seven days in advance. There is a nonrefundable cancellation policy. Blackout dates may apply. (312) 565-1234 or chicagoregency.hyatt.com.
Spiff up the crib
The Ideal Home Show Chicago comes to McCormick Place to inspire ideas for spring projects. The Midwest's top design and remodeling experts will provide professional advice for your decorating and remodeling woes as well as demonstrate products and share up-to-the-minute trends for your house beautiful. See Ahmed Hassan from the original HGTV's and DIY Networks “Yard Crashers,” who will offer tips on landscaping and green living on the Ideal Main Stage. Pick up some cooking tricks from experts at The Chopping Block. Sign up for a Friday Night Painting Party with an artist and sips of Barefoot Wine. There's also a Kids Zone. The first 250 guests each day snag a swag bag sponsored by Barefoot Wine and Naked Grape.
Noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at McCormick Place Lakeside Center, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. Tickets are $10 at the door and $8 online for adults; $7 for ages 65 and older with ID; $5 for military and first responders; free for kids 12 and younger. idealhome showchicago.com
Midwest
Northern Exposure
Next weekend is a hot one in the Traverse City region with a trifecta of events. Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula team up with local restaurants and businesses for Winter Warm Up — comfort food and drinks along the wine path; the BigFoot 5K and 10K snowshoe race takes place at Timber Ridge with around 300 participants; and Kalkaska Winterfest, one of the world's biggest dogsled events, shoves off in the village of Kalkaska with races through the Pere Marquette State Forest. The festival offers a sled-full of other events and games.
Saturday to Sunday, Jan. 17 and 18. For more info, check wineriesofoldmission.com, runsnow.com and kalkaskawinterfest.org. For lodging, call (800) 940-1120 or visit traversecity.com.
Mush!
Yeah, yeah, we have to exercise more in 2015. For completely different and fun workouts, try skijoring and snowshoeing in Galena. Fever River Outfitters offer a free demo, ski rentals and for-sale harnesses for dogs so you can try skijoring, an activity that combines cross-country skiing with dog power. You also can take twilight sleigh rides, snowshoe hikes or Saturday morning group hikes in the scenic northern Illinois countryside. Sip hot cocoa, too.
10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17 and 31; 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, 14, and 21; 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, free skijoring demo. Make your reservations in advance by calling Fever River Outfitters at (815) 776-9425 or on feverriveroutfitters.com/events.