On the road: 'Horse' exhibit opens at the Field
Horses and humans have had a profound relationship for thousands of years that have shaped human civilization. At the Field Museum's new exhibit, “The Horse,” you'll see how horses have allowed humans to travel greater distances, develop agriculture and played a role in battle. Explore more than 200 different breeds and learn all about horses and how they express their emotions.
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from Sunday, Feb. 16, to Aug. 14 at 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. Tickets to the exhibit include basic museum admission and are priced at $22 for adults, $18 for seniors and students with ID and $15 for children 3-11. Call (866) 343-5303 or visit fieldmuseum.org for details.
Weave in and outdoors during Brookfield Zoo's FREEze Day that promises fun for all ages and free admission. You'll see that dogs aren't just for walking, nuzzling, feeding and Frisbee as members of the Green Valley Dog Drivers and their four-legged pals demonstrate dog sledding. A Native American flutist and Lakota storyteller will perform and talk about bison and other winter-hardy animals that reside at the zoo's Great Bear Wilderness exhibit. Warm up in the zoo's Discovery Center to the strains of the Chicago Sinfonietta performing an array of classical music favorites.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20, at First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield. Free admission all day, but the cost for the concert is $20 for adults, $15 for children ages 3 to 12. To order tickets, call (312) 236-3681 or visit chicagosinfonietta.org. Parking is $9. Daily admission is $13.50 for adults, $9.50 for seniors and children ages 3 to 11. Free admission every Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday in February. Call (708) 688-8000 or visit CZS.org.
If you're planning a twirl on the new ice rink on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Building Observatory or want to hit up the new “Gold” or “The Horse” exhibits at the Field Museum, make a weekend out of a trip to the city with Wyndham Blake Chicago's Wyndham Winter Wonder Package. The package includes deluxe room accommodations, double Wyndham reward points and a 2 p.m. checkout.
The package at the hotel, 500 S. Dearborn St., is valid through the end of April. Call (312) 986-1234 or visit hotelblake.com.
Our Midwestern brethren to the north know how to embrace the cold and carve out some fun with Freeze Fest in Whitewater, Wis. Watch the live animals family entertainment show, tour the town's Historical Museum, cheer at the snow dog show, ice skate, and watch the polar jam ski and snowboard competition. Shoppers can explore the bargains in downtown Whitewater and warm up at the chili cook-off.
6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, at Cravath Lakefront Park, 341 S. Freemont St., Whitewater, Wis. Call (262) 473-0520 or visit discoverwhitewater.com.
The Bed and Breakfast Innkeepers of Galena will host their annual interactive Murder Mystery weekend Friday and Saturday, Feb. 25-26. Tickets include a Friday night reception in the Grand Ballroom and Saturday night dinner theater in the courtyard of the historic DeSoto House on Galena's Main Street.
Tickets are priced at $70 per person, plus the cost of lodging, and are limited to 100 people per event. Call (877) 464-2536 or visit galena.org.
Are the kids sulking about the weather and pining for spring? Point the vehicle west for the 2011 Color the Wind Festival in Clear Lake, Iowa. There will be hundreds of colorful kites and there will be fun ground displays on the frozen waters of Clear Lake. Two teams of stunt kite fliers will participate in flying shows choreographed to music all day. You can bring your own kites or purchase one at the event. Warm up with a hot bowl of chili, steaming hot chocolate or a hot dog from the food wagon.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, in Clear Lake, Iowa. Call (641) 357-5516 or visit colorthewind.org.
While all the college kids head to New Orleans, you might want to check out Lake Charles, La., which hosts the second largest Mardi Gras in the country. From parades and galas to cook-offs and Children's Day, there's a family-friendly activity for everyone. Mardi Gras weekend begins with the Merchant's Parade on Friday night and rolls on with the Krewe of Omega parade the next afternoon that ends with a Zydeco dance. There also will be the World-Famous Cajun Extravaganza and Gumbo Cook-off. Bring the little ones to participate in arts and crafts and music before the children's parade. Stay awake for the annual Lighted Boat Parade and on Lundi Gras see the 2011 courts promenade in noble fashion, preparing for the big Krewe of Krewes Parade on the final night of Carnival.
Friday to Tuesday, March 4-8. Check out hotel packages, many of which include lodging and event passes, at visitlakecharles.org/mambo or swlamardigras.com.