'Constellations' theme at Museum of Contemporary Art
Chicago
Artsy encounters
Celebrate the beginning of the weekend in a tres classy way at the Museum of Contemporary Art's First Friday on March 6th. This month's theme is "Constellations" so you can get all celestial with accessories at the starry night creation station; find a love match at the G5 iMac Digital Dating Bar; dance to the sounds of DJ Marco Morales; and enjoy libations like the Milky Way Martini and the Cosmic Cosmo. First Friday's tickets are really a deal ($10 in advance, $15 at the door ) and include museum admission, live entertainment and complimentary Puck's hors d'oeuvres. Ring the MCA Box Office at (312) 397- 4010 or browse www.mcachicago.org. Doors are open from 6-10 pm and you must be 21 or older to enter. 220 E. Chicago Ave. Chicago.
When Irish eyes are sailin'
You'll be testing your best Irish brogue while floating upon the Kelly green Chicago River via a St. Patrick's Day Cruise on March 14th. Choose to sail either before or after the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade to score a solid ten on the shamrock scale. Cruise the river dining on a traditional Irish buffet of corned beef, cabbage and potatoes while traditional Irish tunes waft in the background. One of Shoreline Sightseeing's professional architecture docents will underscore the role the Irish community played in shaping modern history - no blarney involved. Sip complimentary soda or coffee or hit up the cash bar. Pre-parade cruise: 10 - 11:30 am; post-parade cruise: 2 - 3:30 pm. $29 Adults, $27 Senior, $15 Children 12 & under. Get tickets by phone or online: (312) 222-9328 or http://shorelinesightseeing.com/.
Spring break it open in Chicago
Who needs the hassle of airports, surly personnel and the bills that go with them? The money you save on airfare can go toward a fabulous resort-in-the-city Spring Break Package at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, a Four Seasons Hotel. Offered March 20 - April 12, 2009, the package includes: welcome resort refreshments; complimentary daily meals for children, 12 years of age and under; complimentary daily continental breakfast for adults; complimentary daily use of the indoor, sky lit pool in The Spa at The Carlton Club; beach-themed daily "Cookies With The Chefs" cookie-making sessions for kids in the hotel kitchen; "Saturdays In The Kitchen" cooking demonstrations for adults; "Kids For All Seasons" Game Room with Wii, board games, arcade games, arts and crafts plus movies and popcorn nightly; gift certificates for use at ESPN Zone, The Hancock Observatory, Museum of Contemporary Art and The Shedd Aquarium; and more. The Ritz-Carlton Chicago's "Spring Break Package" rates begin from $395 per room, per night with the second room offered at a 50% savings. To book, phone (312) 266-1000 or stroll by www.fourseasons.com/chicagorc/package_detail_2855.html.
Midwest
Girls have a clucking great time
The inaugural all-girls Hen Party Weekend, March 20-22, kicks off the spring season of events in picturesque Brown County, Ind. Activities and events ensue throughout the Village of Nashville and are themed around well-known chick flick movies: the new Coachlight Musical Theatre offers a live cabaret version of "Life is A Cabaret"; catch "Death Bemoans Her", a murder mystery dinner at Story Inn, followed by a "Top Gun" late night party at Mike's Dance Barn; Saturday begins at the Season's Lodge with "Breakfast at Tiffany's", a fashion show with door prizes; and then it's the "Perfect Woman" day of shopping, relaxation, hands-on workshops and dining around the Village of Nashville. There's country music at The Little Nashville Opry, a "Pajama Party" at Chateau Thomas Winery and more. For details on lodging specials and reservations for some activities and meals, go to www.springinbrowncounty.com or call (800) 753-3255.
Hoop dreams
The antidote to your basketball jones in as close as downtown Indianapolis during the month of March. Between the Big Ten Basketball Tournaments, NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship and the Midwest Regional and IHSAA Basketball Finals, it'll be nothing but net from March 5 to the 26th. Downtown Indy parking is abundant and low-priced and you can snag tickets for each tournament and link to hotel rooms by logging onto www.indianasportscorp.com . Visit www.indydt.com for general Downtown information and details on restaurants, bars, museums and shopping to explore while in town for the games.
No need to (spring) break the bank
Just try explaining economy woes to your kids when they ask about a spring break trip and expect glazed over eyes and pouts. Sub-prime mortgages? Greedy bankers? They just want a pool and to get out of the house so consider Hilton Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale and its Create Your Break Package. You pick dates, length of stay and extras between March 15th and April 19th for as low as $119 per night. Choose one of three Spring Break specials: $40 gaming credit at Dave & Buster's; bowling package for four at Brunswick Zone; or four movie tickets to Hollywood Blvd. in Woodridge. When booking the Create Your Break Package for two consecutive nights, guests will receive all three extras! Enjoy 15% off any dining outlet within the resort, mini-golf for the entire family and dive-in movies at the indoor pool, too. You might have to pry kids from the 24-hour Game Room and the family should try a fabulous dinner at Hilton's Shiraz on the Water restaurant. Reserve your stay by calling (630) 529-0200 or glance www.indianlakesresort.com.
Worth the trip
If you can swing the airfare, contemplate a spring break trip to one of the Hyatt Resorts for beautiful locations, lots of family-friendly activities and now, a nice travel deal. Hyatt Resorts in North America are currently offering a "Three for Free" deal through March 31. Families who book this deal receive a free room night, complimentary room upgrade, and full breakfast for two daily. You might choose sunny Florida and the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, one of three Hawaiian resorts, the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe or the property in Austin, Texas, the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines offering amazing nature programs, horseback riding and kayaking on the Colorado River. For more information about Three for Free and to make a reservation, visit www.hyattthreeforfree.com or ring (800) 233-1234.