Midwest travel: Seesaw by the lake at Navy Pier's new Impulse
Chicago
A question of balance
Navy Pier presents Impulse, an interactive public art installation featuring illuminated seesaws, in its front yard, Polk Bros Park. The internationally acclaimed installation beckons kids and adults to climb aboard a series of 15 seesaws that use special LED lighting and sounds, which are activated through the motion of users. Playing on them initiates a dynamic, ever-changing field of light and sound turning the artwork into a large-scale urban instrument. Chicago is the second U.S. city to experience Impulse after stops in Montreal, London, Lugano, Switzerland, Brussels and Scottsdale, Arizona. Daily now through Sunday, May 21, at Polk Bros Park, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. navypier.com/event/impulse-interactive-art-exhibit/.
Mission: possible
SafeHouse recently opened its covert Windy City location as a refuge for weary spies with new technology and modern design. Secretly headquartered below the city streets (marked only with a sign for International Exports Ltd., a gaslight and a red door), SafeHouse Chicago requires a password or top secret clearance test to enter. Once inside, operatives embark on a one-of-a-kind mission as they create their own agent name and complete missions while discovering gadgets and uncovering hidden secrets. Check out the Interpol Bar, Spybrary, Seduction Lounge, Interrogation Room and the Gadget Bar, which features a nightly magician. Spies get hungry, so try the Fried C4 Cheese Curds and handcrafted burgers as well as vegetarian and vegan items. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Saturday at 60 E. Ontario St., Chicago. (312) 3131-007 or safehousechicago.com/.
Nellcôte's $5 specials
Monday may be a perfect day to head into the city to seesaw at Impulse and then get to Nellcôte, located in Chicago's West Randolph corridor. The name of the casual venue was inspired by Villa Nellcôte, the location where the Rolling Stones recorded "Exile on Main Street" during the summer of 1971. Nellcôte celebrates five years in business, and for one night only it offers a special menu featuring $5 favorites to commemorate the date. Celebrate with Nellcôte's 14-inch pizzas, simple pastas and more from executive chef Madalyn Koch. Featured drinks include bubbles, select by-the-glass wine options and a signature cocktail, "Mother's Little Helper," for $5. A special Rolling Stones curated playlist entertains in the background. 5 to 10 p.m. Monday, March 13, at Nellcôte, 833 W. Randolph St., Chicago. (312) 432-0500 or nellcoterestaurant.com/.
Midwest
Carnivore's delight
Fans of "South Park" and "The Book of Mormon" will want to know about Trey Parker's "Cannibal! The Musical" making its U.S. premiere in Madison, Wisconsin, at Overture Center. Called rambunctious and ridiculous, the musical, based on Parker's cult favorite film of the same name, is a campy night of musical comedy for mature audiences with the hallmarks of a Parker-Stone collaboration: irreverent humor, uproarious lyrics and catchy tunes. Make it a getaway with a stay at The Madison Concourse Hotel, which is one block from the theater. Tuesday through Sunday, March 14-19, at the Overture Center for the Arts, 201 State St., Madison, Wisconsin. Tickets start at $30 and are available in person, at (608) 258-4141 or overture.org/. The Madison Concourse Hotel is at 1 W. Dayton St., Madison, Wisconsin. Room rates are $179-$274 depending on amenities and dates. (608) 294-3009 or concoursehotel.com/.
Don't just see it - smell it
It's an activity-filled weekend at the Milwaukee Art Museum when it welcomes spring with its popular annual Art in Bloom event. See and inhale the aromas of 40 floral installations throughout the museum created by leading gardening, floral and landscape design pros that were inspired by works from the Museum's Collection. Art in Bloom also features a floral fashion show, an artisan marketplace, a floral design competition, workshops, lectures and High Tea. The Iron Design Competition features three professional florists competing for the Iron Designer 2017 title. Plus, pencil in stops at informative presentations about design, flowers and food. There will be family activities in the Kohl's Art Generation Studio and a marketplace with flowers, clothing, purses, jewelry, beauty products and garden accessories. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 23, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, March 24-26, at the Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. General event admission ($17 adults, $15 seniors and students) is required in addition to any lecture and workshop tickets. Purchase tickets to Art in Bloom and related events at mam.org/bloom/.
They only have eyes for you
Looking for a not-too-far spring trip with the family? Consider Chattanooga's Tennessee Aquarium offering Lemur Forest, the latest major addition to its collection of exhibits. You'll be transported to the wilds of Madagascar, the lemurs' native habitat, courtesy of an innovative exhibit design that offers consistent sightlines along the numerous routes the Ring-tailed and Red-ruffed lemurs traverse, including an aerial path arcing directly over the exhibit's entrance. Visitors to Lemur Forest will be able to see the lemurs climbing up to high perches; hanging upside down from branches by their back feet while snacking on fruit; and warming themselves in a yoga-like pose called "sun worshipping." The Tennessee Aquarium is at 1 Broad St., Chattanooga, Tennessee. Admission is $29.95 adults, $18.95 kids 3-12. (800) 262-0695 or tnaqua.org/. Consider hotel packages at tnaqua.org/plan-your-visit/chattanooga-hotel-packages.