James Hotel offers a taste of the Caribbean

Chicago

Trade St. John or Jamaica for The James

You say you can't take off to the Caribbean with the girls because of economic jitters? The James Chicago hotel offers a Summer Girls' Weekend package that's a chic, urban alternative to a summer beach getaway. Indulge in a healthy power breakfast at the hotel's David Burke's Primehouse and then it's time for Beach Boot Camp at The Gym at The James for a personalized workout for each girlfriend. Next, the girls take a stroll to Club Monaco at The 900 Shops (900 N. Michigan Ave.) for an exclusive shopping experience of a one-on-one personal stylist consultation and a $1,000 wardrobe from Club Monaco's brand new Beach Boutique collection. Finally, the group snags a VIP table at J Bar for an intimate cocktail party featuring pitchers of signature mojitos. The Summer Girls' Weekend begins at $1,019 per night and is priced for four guests per reservation (starting at $255 per guest).

Available through Friday, July 31, at The James Chicago hotel, 55 E. Ontario, Chicago. Visit jameshotels.com or call (312) 337-1000 for reservations.

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Bet you didn't know that Chicago's lakefront is designated an important bird locale by the National Audubon Society. During the biannual bird migratory passage through the city, the Chicago Park District offers a birding workshop during which you might spy Hooded Mergansers, Yellow-Rumped Warblers, Yellow-Belly Sap Suckers and American Kestrels. Kids and adults can learn the basics of birding, go bird watching and make a bird craft to take home. The event is free and registration is not required, but you can call (312) 742-5039 for details.

9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 9, Jackson Park (Wooded Island), Science Drive and Lake Shore Drive, behind the Museum of Science and Industry.

Pug dog millionaire

It's raining pugs at the spring Chicago Pug Party, an annual event for pugs and people who love them. The friendly, casual afternoon features food and beverages for purchase, a professional photographer to take pug shots of you and your pal, plenty of pug paraphernalia, entertainment and a pug pen so your buddies can romp freely while you fraternize. Hundreds of pugs are expected to attend, although you don't have to bring your pug to enjoy the day (if you bring a canine, though, it has to be a pug). Admission is $7 for adults, $4 for kids and pugs get in gratis. Get all the pugly info at pugparty.com.

Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at Joe's Bar, 940 W. Weed St., Chicago.

Midwest

Here comes the fun

Can it be 40 years since the Beatles released "Abbey Road"? Indeed, and as a tribute why not consider a trip to Abbey Road on the River, a music festival that honors the music and legend of the four lads. Taking place along the Belvedere River in Louisville, Ky., over Memorial Day weekend, the celebration attracts more than 30,000 and is the largest Beatles festival in the United States. It's five fab days of Beatles' bands from around the globe, a Beatle song singing contest, free guitar lessons, costume contests and more. To spread the love, Beatle fans who are 21 and younger enjoy free admission when accompanied by a ticket purchaser over 21 years old. When all you need is lovely information, go to abbeyroadontheriver.com or call (216) 378-1980.

Thursday to Monday, May 21-25, at Belvedere Festival Park, Louisville, Ky.

Beer here

California may have Napa Valley, but Wisconsin says "cheers" to the new Kohler Festival of Beer on tap for Memorial Day weekend. Sample a broad range of suds from breweries across the country, ask questions and learn about the brewing process and vote for your favorites. The Blues, Brews and Barbeque event features smoky cuisine and tunes to pair with your beer. Overflowing with home brew competitions, a tapping party, golf tournament, tastings, beer bingo and other beer themed activities, the festival offers a la carte and day pass tickets as well as hotel packages with The American Club and the Inn on Woodlake.

Friday to Sunday, May 22-24; Kohler, Wis. Visit DestinationKOHLER.com/beerfestival for a schedule and ticket prices.

Chugging along

More and more gardeners are getting railroaded and it's estimated that the United States claims as many as 25,000 garden railways. See the piece de resistance of collections at the Chicago Botanic Garden's "Landmarks of America" Model Railroad Garden as it opens for its 10th season on Saturday, May 9. The outdoor display features 17 model trains, nearly 50 miniature American landmarks and carpets of landscaping made up of over 5,000 tiny trees, shrubs, groundcovers and flowering plants. Get a sense of what it might be like to train travel from coast to coast and see Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, the White House, Mount Rushmore, Seattle Space Needle, Grauman's Chinese Theatre, Yellowstone National Park, San Francisco's cable cars, Lombard Street (America's most crooked street) and the Golden Gate Bridge. Local mini-sites include the Indiana Dunes and the "W" flag atop Wrigley Field as Harry Caray sings "Take me out to the ball game." Kids love the imaginary ride and adults appreciate the intricately handcrafted landscapes made with natural materials like twigs, bark, leaves and pebbles. Model Railroad Garden admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 3-12.

10 a.m to 8 p.m. daily Saturday, May 9, to Monday, Sept. 7, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe, visit chicagobotanic.org/railroad or call (847) 835-5440.

Worth the trip

Spoleto Festival USA, the American version of the original festival in Spoleto, Italy, is an annual mix of opera, musical theater, dance, visual arts, music from jazz to symphonic, plus a series of informative talks with festival artists. Held in Charleston, S.C., the internationally acclaimed 17-day festival showcases young, contemporary artists as well as acclaimed masters in their respective fields performing in the city's historic churches, theaters and outdoor spaces. Among this year's 700 events are an operetta inspired by actor Peter Lorre, performances by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and the blues of Beverly "Guitar" Watkins.