Midwest travel: AC Hotel Chicago Downtown offers $20.16 rooms for Cubs opening weekend
Chicago
Home run
AC Hotel Chicago Downtown is offering a two-day-only deal to celebrate last year's historic Cubs World Series victory and to kick off the 2017 baseball season. The grand slam of room rates is a night's stay for only $20.16. The special rate is only available for April 10 and 11 when the Chicago Cubs play the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2017 season opener. Reservations can be made on a first-come, first-serve basis Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 25-26 only, the first days of spring training. Only 20 rooms will be available both days at this special rate. Book the special promotion Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 25-26, at (312) 981-6604. Tax and restrictions apply; not available on previously booked rooms. AC Hotel Chicago Downtown is at 630 N. Rush St., Chicago. marriott.com/hotels/travel/chiac-ac-hotel-chicago-downtown/.
A night at the museum - with beer
The Chicago Beer Festival moves into the Field Museum with more than 70 local and domestic breweries offering samples of their seasonal spring beers. In addition, take in music, food and a select number of the museum's exhibits. VIP admission includes specialty beers poured an hour before general admission begins. Tickets get you 40 taster vouchers and will not be sold at the door. 7 to 11 p.m. VIP and 8 to 11 p.m. general admission Saturday, March 4, at the Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. VIP admission is $55 and general admission is $45. Get info and tickets at thechicagobeerfestival.com/.
Spice takes flight
Chicago's 18th Annual WingFest features double the restaurants cooking up more than 9,000 pounds of wings to benefit the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. Sample a variety of wings from some of Chicago's leading chefs in mild, hot, barbecue and exotic categories to win Best of Fest, which receives a traveling trophy, the Stanley Cup of wings. Some of the 2017 WingFest participants include: Howells & Hood, Chicago Culinary Kitchen, Son of A Butcher Tavern, River Forest Catering, Q's Tips & Wings Bar-B-Que, Reggie's, Gators Wing Shack, Revel, WHISK, Paisan's Pizza, McQ's Bar & Grill, Fire Water BBQ, Buffalo Wings & Rings, Mahoney's Pub & Grille and Downtown Dogs. Don't miss the annual wing-eating competition to see who can eat a dozen wings the fastest. The winner will be crowned Lady or Lord of the Wings, receive WingFest swag and bragging rights. Enjoy live music, games, beer, cocktails and unlimited wings. 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 5, at the UIC Pavilion, 525 S. Racine Ave., Chicago. General admission is $50; VIP is $100. wingfest.net/.
Midwest
Screen gems
The Beloit International Film Festival offers 10 days of cutting-edge independent films from around the world - right around the corner in Beloit, Wisconsin. The 100-plus movies presented during the 12th annual festival will be screened in intimate 40-seat to spacious 400-seat venues. Plus, there will be opportunities to meet scores of filmmakers from the U.S., Europe, Asia and Latin America. See features, documentaries, classics and shorts as well as special events such as the Silent Film Showcase. Consider staying the night to enjoy local bars and eateries conveniently located in the downtown area. Feb. 24-March 4 in downtown Beloit, Wisconsin. Film tickets cost $9-$10 for adults and $5 for students. (608) 312-4256 or beloitfilmfest.org/.
Sausage party
Hog diggity dog! It's the World's Longest Weenie Roast in Cable, Wisconsin. Lakewoods Resorts hosts the event on Lake Namekagon, which includes snowmobile speed runs, ice bowling, a weenie-eating contest and a frozen weenie polar plunge. The event holds the record for the longest line of hot dog cookers over one fire in the world. Noon to 9 p.m. Friday, March 3, and 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, March 4, in Cable, Wisconsin. For details, see lakewoodsresort.com/events/sponsored-events/weenie-roast. To book accommodations, call (800) 255-5937.
Toto, Pluto and Scooby Doo
Whether you're a poodle or a pug person, you'll want to explore the enduring presence and contributions of dogs as best buddies, heroes and workers via the exhibit "Dogs: Faithful and True" at Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis. See art, photographs and artifacts and check out dog-related programming taking place during the exhibit. Participate in art workshops and hear talks from experts about the history of dogs in art and dog breeds. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 4-Aug. 6, at the Eiteljorg Museum, 500 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, Indiana. Admission is $13 for adults; $11 for seniors 65 and older; $7 kids 5-17; and free for kids 4 and younger. (317) 636-9378 or eiteljorg.org/.