Midwest travel: Go Wright to the source during Great American Housewalk
Chicago
Turn to the Wright
Every year on the third Saturday in May, owners of historic Frank Lloyd Wright houses and other landmark residences invite the public inside the carefully restored homes for Wright Plus, The Great American Housewalk. The 2016 edition examines the Prairie School's early 20th-century architecture with interior tours of nine private homes in Oak Park and River Forest - four homes designed by Wright and five buildings by architects who worked in his Oak Park studio. Attendees also will tour the creative beehive, Frank Lloyd Wright's Home and Studio. Wright Plus tickets include entry to Wright's Prairie-style masterpiece, the Frederick C. Robie House in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 21, in Oak Park and River Forest and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 22, in Hyde Park. Tickets cost $95 for Frank Lloyd Wright Trust members, $110 for nonmembers. Discount for purchase of four or more tickets ($90 each, which is $20 off the nonmember price of $110). For details about the Housewalk and its many related events, visit flwright.org/wrightplus.
Beer and balls
Goose Island Brewing Co. is celebrating Chicago Craft Beer Week with two events: its annual Sunday Funday (100 percent of the proceeds benefit Special Olympics) and a WhirlyBall Showdown. Sunday Funday features a Battle of the Breweries Dodgeball Tournament with local breweries battling it out on the dodgeball court, plus food and a variety of Goose Island beers. Then, Goose Island Beer Co. and 3 Sheeps Brewing Company take on beer fans during a night of free WhirlyBall. Sample brews and get in on food pairings. Sunday Funday: 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 22, at Goose Island Barrel House, 603 N. Sacramento Blvd., Chicago. Tickets cost $25, which includes five beer tokens. WhirlyBall Showdown: 7 p.m. Thursday, May 26, at WhirlyBall Chicago, 1825 W. Webster Ave., Chicago. Events are for ages 21 and older. There are no refunds. Get info and tickets at gooseisland.com.
Central time
There are so many things to do in Chicago during the summer, so why spend a chunk of time getting there and back? The Hyatt Centric The Loop is offering "A Centric Summer" weekend stay between June 24 and Sept. 5 with up to a 15 percent discount if you book before the end of May. See a show, attend a festival, go to a ballgame, shop or take a tour, then relax at the new hotel that's just a short walk to almost everything downtown. Book by May 31 for stays Thursdays through Sundays, June 24 through Sept. 5, at the Hyatt Centric The Loop Chicago, 100 W. Monroe St., Chicago. For details or to make a reservation, see theloopchicago.centric.hyatt.com or call (312) 236-1234.
Midwest
Water works
All summer long, watch the 19-time National Champion Rock Aqua Jays Water Ski Show work their magic at Traxler Park stadium in Janesville, Wisconsin. Home of the International Water Ski Show Tournament, the stadium offers free admission so you can enjoy the human pyramids, ballet, jumping and barefoot water skiing. The show features performers of all ages and skill levels. Shows are dependent upon water and weather conditions. 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Sundays, May 29 through Aug. 10, then 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Sundays through Sunday, Sept. 4, at Traxler Park, 600 N. Main St., Janesville, Wisconsin. Free. For details, see rockaquajays.org.
The B's have it
Live music, craft beer, regional wines and local barbecue make for a perfect late spring getaway to southwest Michigan. The fourth annual BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass: A Taste of Michigan takes place just below the bluff from downtown St. Joseph. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome but leave Fido at home. This is a rain or shine event. Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at Whirlpool Centennial Park, 330 Broad St., St. Joseph, Michigan. Tickets cost $15 in advance; $20 the day of; free for kids 8 and younger. To book a room, visit stjoetoday.com/hotels.
It's your bread and butter
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, is hosting its second Restaurant Week during which you can sample diverse menus in the lakeside town. Participating restaurants - including fine dining and family-friendly restaurants, bistros and pubs in luxury resorts and in the downtown area overlooking Geneva Lake - will be offering three-course prix fixe menus, priced at $10 for lunch and $25 or $35 for dinner, excluding beverages, tax and gratuity. Area hotels are also offering special packages during Restaurant Week. Friday, June 3, through Sunday, June 12, in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. For a complete list of participating restaurants and cuisine, explore lakegenevarestaurantweek.com or call the Lake Geneva Visitor Center at (800) 345-1020.