On the road: Learning about skyscrapers
Chicago
Towers of strength
Families with young children may want to head to the Chicago Architecture Foundation for Busy Buildings, a free workshop that allows kids to explore what is going on inside a skyscraper. The free CAFamily Studio Sundays appeal to children ages 3 to 12 and include activities, walking tours and stories. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 20, at the Chicago Architecture Foundation, 224 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Call (312) 922-3432 or visit architecture.org.
It's the time of the season
Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts celebrates its 50th birthday Monday, March 21, and the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago marks the occasion with special spa and dining offers. The birthday bonus at the spa is a complimentary enhancement service when you book a 50 minute or longer treatment. Seasons Lounge celebrates with a daily $19.61 three-course prix-fixe menu for lunch and dinner. Seasons restaurant marks the occasion with a $50 Chef's Tasting Four-Course Menu created by executive chef Kevin Hickey. Spa bonus runs Monday to Thursday, March 21-24, at 900 N. Michigan Ave. Call (312) 649-2340. Seasons Lounge menu is available from Monday to Saturday, March 21-26. Chef's Tasting in Seasons takes place from Wednesday to Saturday, March 23-26. Call (312) 649-2349 or visit fourseasons.com/chicagofs.
Midwest
Eagle has landed
The National Eagle Center holds live-bird programs, field trips and nature presentations throughout each day of Soar With the Eagles, a celebration honoring the spring migration. Visit the eagle education ambassadors of the National Eagle Center and enjoy special weekend events such as bird of prey education programs, naturalist talks, presentations by nature photographers, authors, river experts and more. Some featured presenters will include the Minnesota Zoo Mobile, Save Our Avian Raptors flying bird show, Raptor Photo Shoot, International Wolf Center, the Raptor Center and the first Eagle Calling Contest. Sunday and Monday, March 20-21 and 27-28, at 50 Pembroke Ave., Wabasha, Minn. (60 minutes west of Eau Claire, Wis.) Call (877) 332-4537 or visit nationaleaglecenter.org.
Let go of my Lego
Timber Ridge in Lake Geneva, Wis., will host a Mastering the Lego Brick weekend in conjunction with Adam Reed Tucker, one of 12 Lego certified professionals worldwide. Tucker will lead a variety of LEGO-focused sessions including hands-on building sessions. There will be an “eat and meet” session with Tucker, and he will put the final touches on a 7-foot-tall, 100-pound Bruce the Moose statue made of Lego bricks. The Lego package will have full access to the three-day program, two-night accommodations in a one-bedroom suite and amenities, including the 50,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor Moose Mountain Falls Waterpark. Friday through Sunday, March 25-27, at Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark in Lake Geneva, Wis. Rates start at $429 based on a family of four. Call (866) 636-4502 or visit timberridgeresort.com.
Ship ahoy
The Ghost Ships Festival is Wisconsin's largest trade show devoted to scuba diving and Great Lakes maritime history. Exhibits, workshops and presentations cover just about every aspect of Great Lakes maritime history and diving and you can listen to and interact with leading dive industry professionals, explorers, maritime historians and Great Lakes authors. Seminars include scuba for people with disabilities and documentation and survey methods for shipwreck sites. 3 to 10 p.m. Friday, March 25, and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at the Wyndham Hotel & Convention Center, 4747 S. Howell Ave., Milwaukee. Admission to the Exhibit Hall is free, but tickets to the presentations on Friday night and Saturday cost $20 until March 24 and $25 if purchased at the door. Visit ghostships.org.
Worth the trip
In Maine, one of the first signs that winter is ending is seeing steam billowing out of local sugar shacks. Somerset County, Maine, produces more maple syrup than any other county in America, so it's no surprise that the annual Maine Maple Sunday event on March 27 opens sugar houses throughout the area for visitors. Join sugar makers in their rites of spring making maple syrup, see how maple tree sap is collected, sample maple syrup and enjoy live demonstrations of how syrup is produced from tap to table. Many sugar houses offer a variety of other treats and activities including sugarbush tours, sleigh or wagon rides and live music. Visit getrealmaine.com.