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Midwest travel: Find 4th fun at Windy City Ribfest, Lake Geneva fireworks

Chicago

Bad to the bone

More than 40,000 rib fans are expected to nibble bones at this year's Windy City Ribfest. The goods are prepared by barbecue professionals from Arkansas to Australia who are not only vying for your salivary attention but want to win the Best Ribs award. Kids can enjoy their own play area and arts and crafts during the day. Adults will go for live music by tribute and indie bands in between sips of beer and wine. Noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 3-4, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, July 5, on Lawrence and Broadway, Chicago. $5 suggested entry donation. (773) 868-3010 or chicagoevents.com.

Check in, cash in

Summer Millennium Hotels and Resorts offers a Summer FREEdom package, featuring 15 percent off Best Flexible Rates, up to $50 food and beverage credit, and complimentary extras such as Wi-Fi and breakfast for kids 5 and younger. The deal is good in a dozen cities, including Chicago's Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel, for those summer visits to local festivals, concerts and museums. Now through Sept. 7 at Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Chicago, 163 E. Walton Place, Chicago. Rates start at $99 per room per night. (866) 866-8086 or millenniumhotels.com.

Midwest

Boom, boom, pow

Spend Fourth of July weekend in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, when the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa partners with the Lake Geneva Area Food Pantry to help local community members in need. For two cans of nonperishable items, you will get a glorious fireworks display to kick off the holiday weekend. Get there early for the family to enjoy lakeside activities such as face painters, caricaturists and balloon artists. Dusk Friday, July 3, at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. (800) 558-3417 or grandgeneva.com.

Along comes Mary

Combine a summer getaway with teachable moments perfect for middle schoolers and older kids via The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois. The museum offers a new way to explore the historic capitol and learn about the unlikely romance between Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd with the "Abe and Mary: Quite Contrary" walking tour. It takes you through downtown Springfield, past the spots where young lawyer Abe and Southern belle Mary fell in love, where they broke up but reunited and married, and where they lived until leaving for Washington. The tour covers 1.5 miles and takes about an hour. 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, 212 N. Sixth St., Springfield, Illinois. To make a reservation for the free tour, visit presidentlincoln.illinois.gov and click on "Abe & Mary: Quite Contrary."

Old is gold

Antique and collectibles hunters, architectural salvage and yard sale pickers will want to know about Treasure Hunt, sponsored by Indiana Landmarks and the Old Northside neighborhood. Expect more than 40 booths of antiques inside and outdoors and music on the plaza. An art show in the gallery and food trucks add to the festive atmosphere. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 11, at the Indiana Landmarks Center, 1201 Central Ave., and the adjacent Morris-Butler House, 1204 N. Park Ave., Indianapolis, Indiana. Free, but early admission costs $5.

Lake Geneva fireworks will light up the sky on July 3. courtesy of Matt Mason
Great summer rates at Millennium Knickerbocker Chicago will afford you a day of sightseeing and a comfortable night in the city. courtesy of Harold Rail
Take the free "Abe and Mary: Quite Contrary" walking tour in Springfield, Illinois, on Tuesdays this summer.
The fourth annual Treasure Hunt takes place July 11 in Indianapolis.
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