'Pirates in the City' a new stay and play package at the Four Season
Chicago
Yo-ho-ho and a whole lot of fun
"Pirates in the City" has nothing to do with the new parking meter rates in Chicago but rather a fun, staycation-type getaway package at Four Seasons Hotel Chicago. Upon check-in, young buccaneers choose a souvenir from a hidden treasure chest of toys at the Concierge Desk; snag some pirate's loot including a pirate's hat, eye patch and Pirates Booty amenity - one per child; enjoy discounted tickets to the new Field Museum exhibition, "Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship; " get a visit from the Ice Cream Man who brings his traveling ice cream cart to your room to make swashbuckler sundaes; there's also complimentary children's in-room dining from the special kids menu (for kids 12 and under). Yep - there's an indoor pool plus kids can check out a "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie or a Nintendo Wii from the Concierge. End the night with the bedtime stories butler reading pirate tales to the young bandits. Rates begin at $395 per night for the package, which is available through Oct. 25 for the duration of the exhibit. Give an "Ahoy, there" at (312) 280-8800 or pay a visit to www.fourseasons.com/chicagofs/rates_and_reservations.html.
Sham-rocking Navy Pier
Steer clear of hammered leprechauns when you take in the St. Patrick's Day celebration at Navy Pier. It's a full day of traditional Irish and Celtic festivities, featuring live acoustic music, dance and one of the oldest continuous bagpipe bands in the United States, the Chicago Stock Yard Kilty Band. Watch the curls bounce and the precise steps of the McNulty School of Irish Dance and Foy School of Traditional Irish Dance. Be sure to enter the drawing to win two round-trip tickets to Dublin, Ireland, courtesy of American Airlines, too. It all takes place on the Family Pavilion Stage, Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15, 2009. 600 East Grande Ave. High tail it to www.navypier.com or call (312) 595-7437.
Spring it on
It's here, it's really here! Spring arrives Friday, March 20th at 6:44 am and you can celebrate the first day of the season at the Adler Planetarium with hands-on activities for families that are free with museum admission. Learn about the spring season by rotating your body and revolving around the Sun; then, ask questions about black holes, the Sun or the Milky Way in the Space Visualization Lab. Adler Spring Family Day takes place on March 20, 2009 at 1300 South Lake Shore Dr. Call (312) 922-STAR or explore www.adlerplanetarium.org.
Midwest
Steak at the lake
Time for a scrumptious spring getaway? Consider The Abbey Resort & Spa's 2nd annual Great Chefs At The Lake food and wine series, weekends from March 22 to April 17. Launch your weekend with a Friday evening cocktail reception, followed by a full day of culinary activities including cooking demonstrations, afternoon wine tasting and a signature chef-hosted and prepared dinner paired with wines selected to embellish the cuisine. For example, April 3 - 5, 2009 N9NE Steakhouse Executive Chef Michael Shrader is the featured chef who is available throughout the dinner to answer any questions about the meal and to share a glass of wine with guests. The cost for the exclusive weekend is $199 per person, plus tax and resort fees based on a double occupancy. For reservations and information, visit www.theabbeyresort.com or ring the resort at (888) 629-9594.
Cool carnival
Yes- we know carnival season typically heats up in February but it takes a while to get the fervor up north. Boyne Mountain's Carnival weekend brings bands, beads, outrageous costumes, leprechaun garb, giant hats, the slush cup, outdoor cook-outs, skiing and snowboarding and parties all over the resort. The weekend-long event is three action-packed days of entertainment both on and off the slopes. March 20 - 22, 2009. Boyne Mountain Resort; Boyne Falls, Michigan. Families may prefer the March 21st event, Krazy Daze, at Boyne Highlands Resort in Harbor Springs. Take part in a costume contest, obstacle slalom and much more. For details on both, call (800) GO-BOYNE or schuss over to www.BOYNE.com.
On your mark. Get set. Cream the cheese.
Beaver Dam, Wisconsin lays claim to one of the premiere Kraft Philadelphia Brand Cream Cheese processing plants in the nation and the town's dairy pride takes center stage when it hosts the Midwest Cream Cheese Competition on March 14. Cooking competitors offer demonstrations and samples during the fourth annual battle in categories like Ultimate Cheesecake Recipe Contest, Greatest Cream Cheese Dip Recipe Contest and the Best New Cream Cheese Recipe Contest. Call the big cheese at (920) 887-8879 or see what's cooking at www.creamcheesecompetition.com.
Worth the trip
Last year, 84 displaced New Orleans families moved into homes built by volunteers and in an effort to continue the successful rebuilding of the Big Easy, the New Orleans Marriott has launched Build & Bond, offering voluntourism groups a special nightly rate of $84, including all taxes. This rate is based on up to quad occupancy, which could bring the price per person, per night as low as $21. Talk it over with your church and social groups, and families and friends who want to visit NOLA on a uplifting on voluntourism mission. Build & Bond offers more than incredible affordable rooms - you'll get a coordinator resource kit including information on area transportation companies and city guides, a complimentary meeting room where your group can meet and plan, complimentary parking for 15-passenger vans, 50 percent off parking for personal vehicles and discounted pricing for box lunches to keep volunteers fueled while on the job. Build & Bond is available for groups with 10 rooms or more and valid on a variety of dates throughout 2009. (Rooms with two double beds, which can sleep up to four people comfortably, are guaranteed). For more information about the New Orleans Marriott, located in the French Quarter, and to book Build & Bond, call (504) 553-5526 or email melissa.thiele@marriott.com.