Midwest travel: Be a tourist in Chicago
Chicago
Jolly trolley
Go ahead and be a tourist aboard one of Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Company's Hop-On/Hop-Off city sightseeing tours. The popular Neighborhood Routes take you to interesting areas and the Night Tour allows passengers to enjoy the city on a summer night. Consider the year-round Downtown Tour to see Chicago's top destinations, which includes a guide book with about 20 offers including free samples and savings at partner venues including Garrett Popcorn, Hershey's and more. The Downtown Hop-On, Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour covers 13 miles with 12 stops including Skydeck Chicago, Museum Campus, Millennium Park, Water Tower Place, The Art Institute of Chicago, Navy Pier and the John Hancock building. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 7 to 10 p.m. Ticket prices range from $18-$45. For schedules, pickup locations, prices and more, visit chicagotrolley.com or call (773) 648-5000.
Logan's run
Music, food, drinks, an art walk and family fun are promised at the Logan Square Arts Festival. Music includes performances by Chicago Afrobeat Project, Ephelon performing "Pet Sounds," Angela James, Dos Santos Anti-Beat Orquesta, Strawberry Jacuzzi and others. Local businesses and galleries host the work of artists in their spaces. In addition to food from neighborhood restaurants, there will be cocktails from The Whistler, sangria from Lula Cafe and coffee drinks from Dark Matter Coffee. Family activities run from noon to 6 p.m. at the base of the Centennial Monument. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 26, and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 27-28, at 3107 W. Logan Blvd., Chicago. Free. logansquareartsfestival.com.
Midwest
Behind brew eyes
West Michigan Beer Tours recently launched an overnight tour of West Michigan breweries for craft beer fans of Chicagoland. The two-day tour will take guests to six West Michigan breweries, including Bell's, Founders and New Holland where there will be a pint or sample at each stop, a meal at a brewery on each day of the tour and overnight accommodations in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Saturday to Sunday, July 11-12. The cost is $295. Call (269) 350-4598 or see westmichiganbeertours.com.
Plural murals
Hometown of the PT Barnum Circus, Delavan, Wisconsin, holds a parade of artists, nearly 200 from around the country, for the 2015 Walldog event. The artists come to the lake town near Lake Geneva and, over five days from dawn to dusk, paint 18 historic murals around the city depicting Delavan's history. There will be activities for kids, live music, films, a craft fair and more art than you can shake a paint brush at. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, June 24-25; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 26-27; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 28, in downtown Delevan, Wisconsin. Free. visitdelavan.com.
Strawberry yields forever
Grown wild for centuries, the strawberry is a sassy little number showing off its seeds on the outside. Get your fill of the scarlet fruit at Historic Cedarburg's 30th Annual Strawberry Festival. More than 100,000 people are expected to visit the free, family-oriented festival that offers ripe, juicy berries by the quart as well as strawberry brats, strawberry shortcake, pie and crepes, chocolate-covered strawberries and strawberry ice cream. Enjoy Cedar Creek Winery's Strawberry Blush Wine, too. And when you've tired of strawberries, visit dozens of kiosks offering burgers, barbecue, chicken and more. Consider attending the popular Sunday morning all-you-can-eat Strawberry Pancake Breakfast, stroll Arts on the Avenue, take in live musical acts, let the kids run amok in Kids Korner and see the Model T car show. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 27, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 28, in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. Free. (888) 894-4001 or cedarburgfestivals.org.