On the road: Touring downtown

Chicago

Inside job

Touring the city's inimitable architecture and art sounds great, but in winter? Tackle “The Loop: Explore Without Freezing,” when you tour interiors and use secret shortcuts and underground passageways to avoid the elements. You'll connect with work, life and play in the city without being outdoors for more than five minutes at a time. Visit sightseeing staples like Macy's and unexpected places like a church in a skyscraper. Your guide will share visual aids, including documentary video.

10 a.m. Wednesday to Sunday through Wednesday, March 30. Tours begin at the Chase Auditorium, 10 S. Dearborn St., Chicago. Tickets are $18 to $20; free for kids under age 12. Call (312) 350-1131 or visit chicagodetours.com.

Carnival Chicago-style

Of course, Bourbon Street in New Orleans is the place to be on Fat Tuesday, but you can still get your best groove on along Division Street in Chicago. At Bootleggers, sip Cruzan Hurricanes and get ready for the annual New Orleans Dance Off. Step right across the street to The Original Mother's for Chicago's favorite duo, Mike & Joe, and beads and prizes. Over at She-nannigans, it's Dance Hall Mardi Gras with '80s, '90s and current dance music with a wheel of fortune. A portion of the night's proceeds will go to the New Orleans Musicians Clinic.

7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday, March 8, at Bootleggers, 13 W. Division St.; The Original Mother's, 26 W. Division St.; and She-nannigans, 16 W. Division St. Chicago. Visit RushAnd Division.com.

Midwest

Long and winding road

The nation's only interstate St. Patrick's Day Parade snakes through the Quad Cities during Grand Parade XXVI. Beginning in downtown Rock Island, Ill., winding to the Centennial Bridge and crossing over the Mississippi River, the parade then marches into downtown Davenport, Iowa. Crowds line the streets to watch countless bands, Irish dancers, floats, groups and family clans. A Post Parade Bash will be held at the historic Col Ballroom.

Parade will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 12, with the Post Parade Bash from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at Bash is 1012 W. 4th Street in downtown Davenport. Tickets $15. Make a weekend out of the celebration and contact the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 747-7800 or visit visitquad cities.com.

Brew skies, nothing but brew skies

Have a ski-brew (first ski, then sip a beer) at Boyne Highland's second annual Brew-Ski Festival this spring. Brewers and reps gather in a festival tent at the base of the slopes to serve as the après-ski headquarters where you can sample from more than 100 craft beers, enjoy hot food and listen to live entertainment. Belly up to the massive ice bar that delivers pale ales, stouts, porters, lagers and wheat beers. Check out the weekend package, which includes a Friday night hors d'oeuvres reception featuring a few of the event's favorite brews, two nights' hotel lodging, breakfast each morning, two-day lift tickets, commemorative pint glass and five sampling tickets.

Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 12, at Boyne Highlands, Bay Harbor, Mich. Sampling tickets are #36;2 each and are good for 3-ounce pours. Weekend package starts at #36;233 per person. Call (800) 462-6963 or visit BOYNE.com.

When Irish guys are smiling

Where would Wisconsin's largest Saint Patrick's Day Parade step off? Milwaukee, Madison? It takes place in downtown New London, 20 miles northwest of Appleton, Wis., along with an Irish festival. Leprechauns at the local Shamrock Club change the town's name to #8220;New Dublin#8221; for the week before the grand parade steps off with bagpipes, marching bands, clowns and floats. The Irish Fest is held under a heated big top and features Celtic bands, beverages, Irish food and market booths.

Parade is 1 p.m. and the New Dublin Irish Fest runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 20. Call (920) 982-3891 or visit newdublin.com/travel.htm

Worth the trip

The 99th anniversary of the gift of the cherry trees from the people of Japan to our nation's capital is just a few weeks away and the 2011 Cherry Blossom Festival promises to be better than ever. Enjoy a variety of events that showcase Japanese culture and celebrate spring's arrival including outdoor entertainment, a parade and Family Day with hands-on activities, interactive art exhibits and indoor and outdoor youth performances.

The Cherry Blossom Festival runs from March 26 to April 10. Visit nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.