Literary tour of Chicago delves into famous writers' haunts

Chicago

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Tired of TV? The city of Chicago offers a way to reinvigorate your fall reading. Literary Chicago is a special tour that takes participants into the lives of Chicago writers, poets and playwrights like Nelson Algren, Theodore Dreiser, Ben Hecht, Ring Lardner, Gwendolyn Brooks, Richard Wright, Lorraine Hansberry, Edna Ferber and L. Frank Baum. Hear tales unfold at the Chicago Cultural Center, the original Chicago Public Library, and the plot thickens at the spot that served as headquarters for Chicago's early 20th-century literary scene, the Fine Arts Building on South Michigan Avenue. You'll walk the same city neighborhoods that inspired many popular writers. Reservations recommended.

10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. Tour departs from the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph St. Call (312) 742-1190 or visit chicagoneighborhoodtours.com for tickets for the four-hour tour.

Looking pugly

They may have a face only an owner can love, but Pugs rule at the autumn Pug Party. Families and kids, couples and singles mingle with each other in name of Pugdom. More than 400 Pugs are expected to party down while humans browse specialty Pug items for sale, watch sports on multiple plasma TV screens, nosh food, sip beverages and talk about their favorite topic - their dogs.

Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday Oct. 17, at Zella Bar & Grill, 1983 N. Clybourn. Entry is $7 for adults, $4 for kids and Pugs are admitted free. Visit PugParty.com.

What's so funny?

The kids are back in school, so isn't it time to sharpen your pencils, too? The 20th Annual Chicago Humanities Festival offers panel discussions, dance, music and theatrical performances, lectures and films presented by renowned authors, artists, poets, scholars, comedians and others. This year's theme is "Laughter." Highlights include a lecture with "The Simpsons" creator Matt Groening; a presentation on commedia dell'arte, a 500-year-old Italian theatrical tradition and its relevance today; a performance that addresses "Humor in Contemporary Classical Music"; a discussion by director, writer and actor Harold Ramis ("Animal House," "Caddyshack," "Stripes," "Ghostbusters" and more) covering his favorite film comedies; comedy in kid lit; and a look at "Mad Scientists and the Movies." Ticket prices range from $5-$25 per program.

Times, dates and venues vary by event Saturday, Oct. 17, to Sunday, Nov. 15. Call (312) 661-1028 or chicagohumanities.org.

Midwest

Mellow yellow (and red, orange and purple)

Travel on one of Michigan's most beautiful scenic drives during the fifth annual Depot to Depot Muskegon County Fall Color Tour of woods, dunes and water. Choose to drive or bike the self-guided touring route that steps off at either the Muskegon Train Depot or the White Lake Train Depot. You can snag complete tour information along with a goody bag including a disposable camera, map, and passes and coupons to area businesses and attractions. Visit historic sites and stop at the Muskegon Farmers Market, Duck Lake State Park and Muskegon Blockhouse Refreshment Stops. The first 50 children get a pumpkin to decorate.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, in downtown Muskegon, Mich. Call the Muskegon County Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 250-9283 or visit visitmuskegon.org.

Things that go thump in the night

Dinosaurs are fairly frightening during the day, but this is Halloween, so Brookfield Zoo opens its gates after dark for the new DinoNites featuring Dinosaurs Alive! See the life-size prehistoric creatures before they go extinct on turday, Oct. 31. Then, try to escape from the 7,000-square-foot corn maze made up of 5,500 cornstalks 6- to 8-feet tall. Take a ride on the Tram of Terror along shadowy walkways of the zoo's grounds or families with younger goblins may choose to visit the Hamill Family Play Zoo for Halloween-themed craft activities and not-too-scary games. Stop to watch a juggler and magician or join in the Monster Mash Dance Party where a DJ will be spinning Halloween tunes throughout the night. Encounter creatures like snakes and alligators at The Swamp or hang around Australia House to catch a glimpse of the bats. Activities are free (with the exception of cookie decorating, pumpkin carving and The Carousel).

6 to 10 p.m. Fridays to Sundays, Oct. 16-18 and 23-25, and Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30-31, at Brookfield Zoo, First Avenue and 31st Street in Brookfield. Admission is $12 for adults; $8 for children ages 3-11 and seniors 65 and older; children 2 and younger admitted free. Parking is free after 6 p.m. (708) 688-800 or CZS.org/DinoNites.

Happy trails to you

Are the kids' eyes glazing over their history books this early in the school year? Take them back in time and enliven their curiosity about the past during the McHenry County Conservation District's 21st annual Trail of History. Its hands-on, interactive living history takes visitors back to the old Northwest Territory between the years 1670 to 1850. Walk a one-mile trail meeting in-character guides along the way and at trail's end there's a large encampment where you can see, smell and taste pioneer life through scores of re-enactors. Sample a buffalo burger or a turkey leg, homemade chowder, kettle corn and root beer while enjoying musicians, dancers, medicine shows and fortune tellers on three stages.

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17-18, at Glacial Park, 6316 Harts Road, Ringwood, Ill. Tickets cost $7 for adults, $3 for seniors (60 and older) and children ages 6-12. Call (815) 479-5779 or visit mccdistrict.org.

Worth the trip

In 1889, Emma Crawford journeyed to Manitou Springs, Colo., thinking that the clean mountain air and mineral springs would help her ailing health. Crawford succumbed to her illness and was laid to rest on top of Red Mountain when years later her coffin washed down a granite cliff. Legend says that Emma haunts the mountain to this day, which brings us to the annual Emma Crawford Coffin Races. Costumed impersonators of Emma and others ride on coffins pulled by teams of four mourners in a wild, pre-Halloween race along Manitou Avenue. The Emma Crawford Festival also includes a Victorian wake on Friday night with Buffalo Bill Cody and his wife on the guest list and a parade on Saturday. Manitou Springs is at the foot of Pikes Peak, about 65 miles south of Denver.

Victorian wake from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23. Miramont Castle Coffin Races from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, in Manitou Springs. Call the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce at (800) 642-256 or visit manitousprings.org.