On the road

Chicago

Moonlight Mile

This holiday season, you may not be able to treat the family to that 52-inch plasma, new car on the driveway with a colossal red bow or a ski trip to the mountains, but you can still infuse major merriment by way of the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival on Saturday, Nov. 22. Watch as more than one million lights along North Michigan Avenue are tripped followed by a spectacular fireworks show over the Chicago River. Activities begin around 11 a.m. with kiddie acts, concerts for the tweens (Cheetah Girls) and Jason Mraz for the rest of us. From 5:30 to 7 p.m., main mouse Mickey serves as master of ceremonies and leads the illumination parade on Michigan Avenue from Oak Street to Wacker Drive. Many Mag Mile stores offer extended shopping hours, too. Jingle (312) 409-5560 for details or stroll over to www.themagnificentmile.com for a schedule of the day's events.

Serenity now!

With the teetering economy, bleak weather and fast approaching holidays to contend with, how do you spell relief? It may be E-X-H-A-L-E, as in the Near North Side spa that's offering free guided breathing and healing sessions with a licensed acupuncturist. Learn acupressure, aromatherapy, exercises and coping techniques to help manage stress. The complimentary weekly sessions take place every Monday in Nov. at noon and all supplies are provided. Exhale Spa is located near Water Tower Place and Michigan Ave. shopping at 945 N State Street. Call (312) 753-6500 and say "aahh."

Around the world in 50 trees.

It wouldn't be Christmas (or St. Lucia's Day in Sweden or Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights) without a visit to the annual Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light festival at the Museum of Science and Industry, celebrating its 75th birthday this year. More than 50 trees are trimmed by members of the city's diverse ethnic communities (look for the new Bulgaria tree) and the museum's own 45-foot tree is adorned with gleaming ornaments representing iconic exhibits like the chick hatchery and the U-505 submarine. Don't be surprised when "snow" begins to fall on the main level and dance and choral groups break out in gleeful performances. Through Sunday, Jan. 4, at 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive. All is revealed at (773) 684-1414 or www.msichicago.org.

Midwest

All I want for Christmas is some peace and quiet.

Already stocking up on the Scotch in anticipation of the relatives' arrival for the holidays? There's another way to dull the pain - have them stay at the Hyatt Regency Woodfield with its "Home for the Holidays" rate special. The $79 room rate special at the newly renovated property at 1800 East Golf Road is good Thursday to Sunday nights from Thanksgiving night (Nov. 27) through Wednesday, Dec. 30. Stop any raised eyebrows with details like the hotel is oh-so-close to O'Hare, offers easy access to downtown Chicago and they can hop on complimentary shuttles to the Woodfield Shopping Center. There's a 24-hour gym, in-room Wi-Fi and deluxe baths with rainfall shower heads that are much nicer than yours. To book a room, call the Hyatt Regency Woodfield at (800) 233-1234 and mention the "Home for the Holiday" special rate.

Take the express lane to holiday magic.

Pry yourself from the deathbed of your retirement fund for an afternoon and take a trip to Glencoe's Chicago Botanic Garden, teeming with twinkling lights, garden-scale trains dotted with miniature Chicago landmarks, spirit-lifting horticulture displays and indoor snowfall. The popular holiday exhibit, Wonderland Express, features garden-scale trains chugging over bridges, under trestles and through detailed landscapes with 80 miniature versions of Chicago's favorite landmarks. See if you can spot Chicago Stadium, Lincoln Park Zoo Seal House, the original Soldier Field, the Marshall Field's clock and more. The Greenhouses are specially lit and decorated with beautiful holiday plants and there are many family drop-in activities on weekends. Friday, Nov. 28 through Sunday, Jan. 4. from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are $10/adults and $8/children (ages 3-12) and seniors (62+). Admission to Wonderland Express is free on Tuesdays through Dec. 23. Call about holiday dining like Christmas Supper with Santa, Christmas Breakfast with Santa and the Hanukkah Dinner. (847) 835-5440 or www.chicagobotanic.org/wonderland.

You'll shoot your eye out, kid.

Who doesn't love the scene when Flick gets his tongue stuck to the ice-cold pole or the Bumpus hounds or even the opening of the major award? The 1983 holiday classic, A Christmas Story, is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2008, and the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond features six animated displays depicting scenes from the beloved film. Why Hammond? The movie is based on Jean Shepherd's book of short stories about his experiences there. The movie was set in the fictional town of Hohman, Ind., which stands in for Shepherd's hometown (Hohman is one of Hammond's busiest downtown streets). Relive Flick's Tongue and the Triple Dog Dare. Have your picture taken with Santa on top of Santa's Mountain at Higbee's. Or enter "Mommy's Little Piggy" eating contest. Friday, Nov., 28, through Sunday, Jan. 11, at the Welcome Center located at the intersections of I-80/94 and Kennedy Avenue South, 30 minutes from downtown Chicago. Check the Web site, www.lakecountycvb.com/christmas, for dates of special events, contests, hours and directions or call (219) 989-7770

Worth the Trip

In the bosom of Abraham

In 2009, we'll be celebrating yet another President from Illinois in commemoration of Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday. In honor of the Lincoln Bicentennial, The Fairmont Washington, D.C. offers the "Honest Abe Package" between Thursday, Jan. 1, and Thursday, April 30. Families enjoy overnight accommodations along with a map of the city directing them to the Lincoln Memorial, a package of Lincoln Logs for the kids and full American Breakfast for an Abraham Lincoln five-dollar bill in the hotel's restaurant. DC's cultural organizations, attractions, restaurants and hotels join in the birthday party through exhibits, lectures, special events and more. The Honest Abe Package starts at $299 per night and accommodates up to a family of four. Based on availability, rates do not include taxes or gratuities. For reservations, call (800) 441-1414 or saunter over to www.fairmont.com/washington.