Midwest travel: Free Family Fall Fest takes over Rosemont's MB Financial Park
Chicago
Through Rosemont-colored glasses
Rosemont's MB Financial Park entertainment district celebrates autumn with the launch of the free Family Fall Fest. Enjoy horse-drawn hayrides, balloon sculpting, face painting, magic acts and pumpkin painting. An acclaimed pumpkin carver will be on-site carving a 500-pound pumpkin, which will remain on display through Halloween. Chicago 6, a musical group that includes former 1985 Chicago Bears Dan Hampton, Otis Wilson and Steve McMichael, will perform a free concert of Motown, classic rock and country hits on the Park's great lawn. For adults and teens looking for a thrill, the interactive horror experience Disturbia: Screams in the Park features more than 35 rooms of fright on the basement level of the Park's parking garage. 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15 (Family Fall Fest), at MB Financial Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. Free. Disturbia is open from 7 to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 7 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, now through Nov. 5. Tickets cost $25-$40. rosemont.com/mbfinancialpark/.
Drive-up window
Food Truck Social drives up to another Chicago destination: Logan Square. The inaugural event corrals up to 26 food trucks, live music programmed by Empty Bottle Presents, beer from Chicago's Revolution Brewing and free tastings from event sponsor Hormel Black Label Bacon. Expect local restaurant chef demonstrations and tastings, plus a featured dish of the day by participating food trucks. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 15-16, on Humboldt Boulevard between Armitage and Bloomingdale, Chicago. $5 suggested donation. See a list of participating trucks and other event details at foodtrucksocial.biz/logan-square.html.
Renaissance fare
The Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has two quick getaway ideas for fall. Situated on Michigan Avenue near the Art Institute of Chicago, the hotel's Art Institute Package includes guest room accommodations; two tickets to the Art Institute of Chicago (valued at $25 per person); and breakfast at Mercat a La Planxa, the on-site Spanish-style tapas restaurant helmed by chef Jose Garces. Those running or cheering at the 2016 Chicago Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 9, might consider staying at the hotel, which will have a DIY sign-making station in the lobby the night before the race and complimentary water, fruit and granola bars in the hotel lobby. The Blackstone is a short 10-minute walk to the starting line on Michigan Avenue. The Art Institute Package is valid through the remainder of 2016 at the Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel, 636 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Rates start at $249. (312) 447-0955 or blackstonerenaissance.com/.
Midwest
Pumpkin and spice
Lake Lawn Resort is decorating for its annual Fall Family Festival, which will include hayrides, scarecrow building, pumpkin decorating, an outdoor harvest buffet, three-legged races and an outdoor movie Saturday night. A local nonprofit that rescues and rehabilitates birds of prey will exhibit raptors during an educational session. All activities are included in the overnight Fall Family Festival package (except for the doughnut decorating station, which costs $3 per doughnut) or participate in activities with a day pass for $5. Other recreation activities offered during the weekend include: daily guided lake walks, laser tag, Ping-Pong, bingo, pool games, flag football, bag toss, Quidditch, a hula hoop contest and flickerball. Friday through Monday, Oct. 7-10, at Lake Lawn Resort, 2400 E. Geneva St., Delavan, Wisconsin. Overnight inclusive Fall Family Festival packages start at $499 for two nights and $299 for Sunday night only. Packages include tickets to the Fall Harvest Buffet, unlimited mini-golf and access to all family events and activities. (800) 338-5253 or lakelawnresort.com/.
Fall down South
If beautiful fall foliage in a romantic setting sets your heart on fire, get to Branson, Missouri, for the special Ozark Mountain Fall Foliage Package at Chateau on the Lake Resort & Spa. Located on a mountaintop overlooking Table Rock Lake, the resort package includes one night in a standard king room; two all-American breakfasts delivered to your guest room the following morning; use of the resort's 24/7 indoor pool, hot tub, year-round nature trail and 24/7 fitness center; and free indoor parking. Available through Nov. 10 at Chateau on the Lake Resort & Spa, 415 N. State Highway 265, Branson, Missouri. The package starts at $169 per night in a standard king room, based on double occupancy. For reservations, call (888) 333-5253 or see chateauonthelake.com/specials-en.html.
Pucker up
The Ohio Sauerkraut Festival, held the second full weekend of October, celebrates sauerkraut, with seven tons of the stuff adorning pizza, doughnuts, pies, fudge, egg rolls, cabbage soup and pork. Give the digestive system a rest by browsing more than 450 artisans from around the country showcasing crafts, jewelry, clothing, ceramics and metal work. Historic Waynesville, home of the 47th annual festival, is also known as the "Antique Capital of the Midwest." 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, in Waynesville, Ohio. See sauerkrautfestival.com/.