On the road: Sweet on Saturdays
Chicago
Sweet surrender
The third annual Sweet Saturdays, a family-friendly event highlighting plants that help create different varieties of candy we love, returns to Garfield Park Conservatory. The historic conservatory is home to many living sweets such as bananas, vanilla beans, cinnamon bark and chocolate trees. You'll learn a fact then sample tantalizing flavors at Tropical Treat Stations, enjoy live tropical tunes from a variety of performers in Horticulture Hall's Tropical Café, participate in designing a scratch-and-sniff necklace with cinnamon and sandpaper and discover sweet treats like honey and maple syrup made naturally in Chicago. 300 N. Central Park Ave. Chicago. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12. Suggested donation is ū. Call (773) 638-1766.
Love the one you're with
The James Chicago hotel lures lovers with a variety of romantic rendezvous' for the 2011 Valentine's Day season. A Weekend for Two package includes champagne and a floral experience to set the mood. To please the palate, David Burke's Primehouse executive pastry chef Jove Hubbard delights guests with spiced hot chocolate, raspberry marshmallows, chocolate-covered strawberries and white chocolate shortbread. To add some sparkle to the weekend, guests will also receive a 趚 gift card to David Yurman's Chicago boutique toward any purchase of $1,000 or more. Add one of The James' Running Tours for an additional $60 per person or reserve your table at David Burke's Primehouse to enjoy a romantic evening. 55 E. Ontario, Chicago. Friday to Sunday, Feb. 11-13. Weekend for Two package begins at 超 loft and apartment rooms begin at 踥. Free mini services from 4 to 7 p.m. Call (888) 526-3778 or visit jameshotels.com/Chicago.aspx.
In the year 4709
Celebrate 4709, the Year of the Rabbit, (said to be the luckiest of all signs), with dancing, martial arts demonstrations, choral groups, a fashion show and more in the Crystal Gardens of Navy Pier. In cooperation with the Chinese Fine Arts Society, Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association and the U.S.-China Cultural Association, the Chinese New Year Celebration will include dazzling lion dancers and agile martial artists. 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13. Free. Call (312) 595-7437.
Midwest
Nice ride
As the long winter grinds on, there is a lot of pent-up energy just waiting to burn off, especially with kids. Consider checking out Ray's Indoor Mountain Bike Park, which just opened in Milwaukee. It's a place to train and build skills during the winter months when mountain biking trails are typically closed. Ray's features more than 110 square feet of tracks and obstacles in a controlled environment and is open to bikers of all ages and skill levels including cross country, freeride, gravity, dirt jump and BMX. 8365 North 76th St., Milwaukee. Noon to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. ร on weekdays, ศ weekends and a ุ two-day weekend pass. Half off for kids under 12. Call (414) 355-7433 or visit raysmtb.com.
Extreme makeover
The folks in Storm Lake, Iowa declare, “Got snow? Make snowballs” during the 2011 Extreme Winter Festival. The lively fest features a snowshoe obstacle course, extreme bike ride, an ice-sitting challenge, human and dog sled races and a snow-sculpture contest. Then there's the broomball tournament, snowmobile poker run, cross-country skiing, a winter Valentine's dance, ice fishing tournament, chili cook-off, ice skating and activities for kids. Bring the binoculars because Buena Vista County also is home to a large number of bald eagles. Scout Park in Storm Lake, Iowa. 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday, Feb. 12, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13. Call (888) 752-4692 or visit VisitStormLake.com.
Entertain a trip on the Snow Train
Now in its 36th year, the Snow Train is Mid-Continent Railway's oldest event, taking you through the winter wonderland of Baraboo Hills in Wisconsin. You'll stay toasty warm via the 100-year-old tradition of steam or coal-fired stoves during the seven-mile, 50-minute round-trip ride on a former branch line of the Chicago & North Western Railroad. The event is perfect for kids, train enthusiasts and everyone suffering from cabin fever. You can choose coach, first class, dinner or a caboose ride. E8948 Diamond Hill Road, North Freedom, Wis. Various times Friday to Sunday, Feb. 11-13. Tickets range from ภ to ำ for adults; พ for students 13 to 18; บ for children 3 to 12 and free for those under 3. All first-class seats are $35. Call (608) 522-4261 or visit midcontinent.org.
Worth the trip
Those who share a passion for history and extraordinary travel will want to know about the Concord Winter History Package available through Historic Hotels of America. Located in Concord, Mass., Concord's Colonial Inn witnessed the onset of the Revolutionary War when colonists resisted British troops at the Battle of Lexington and Concord in 1775. Today the inn is a gateway to Concord's rich history, Colonial architecture, bookstores, antique shops and cafes. In addition to a two-night stay in the main inn, the package includes entrance for two to Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House, historical tour of the inn and breakfast. Package begins at 踚 for two nights. Members of the National Trust for Historic Preservation receive an additional 10 percent off the offer and you can join at preservationnation.org. Call (800) 678-8946 or visit historichotels.org.