Start the New Year on a healthy note at the Four Seasons
Chicago
Clean slate for new year
Start the New Year on a healthy note with the Mineral Detox Package at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago. Recover from the excesses of the holidays by checking your smart phone at the door for a day, while you recharge and relax with a mineral detox wrap, a facial and a healing stones massage. The package also includes a healthy spa lunch and pool and fitness club passport. The package costs $300.
Through Jan. 31 at the Four Season Chicago, 120 East Delaware Place. (312) 649-2340. The package costs $300. The hotel is also offering a special New Year's Eve dinner with entertainment, a New Year's Day brunch and overnight packages. (312) 280-8800.
All hail the queen
There is still time to catch Victory Gardens Theater's winter musical "The Snow Queen" conceived by folk musician Michael Smith, Tony Award-winning director Frank Galati and master puppeteer Blair Thomas & Co. "The Snow Queen" is a family musical that sings to children and speaks to adults with puppetry, storytelling and a score performed by Chicago's top folk musicians. Recommended for children 7 and up.
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23; 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27, at Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. (773) 871-3000, or go to victorygardens.org
Celebrate the centenarian
What do neon lights, cellophane and Father's Day have in common? All were invented in 1910, the year the venerable Blackstone Hotel opened its doors in downtown Chicago. Although its 100th birthday isn't until next April, you can snag a Milestone Package that offers a special gift to visitors - $100 rooms - beginning Jan. 1. Stay in the same legendary hotel that hosted 12 U.S. presidents, celebrities and even a mobster or two. The soon-to-be centenarian is celebrating with classic cocktail recipes from Café Bonaparte, such as a champagne cocktail, Singapore sling or a Flora Dora made with raspberry-infused gin and home-brewed ginger ale all for $1 each. Special rate available Jan. 1 to April 10. Blackout dates apply. To book, go to theblackstonehotel.com and use code BAR or call (888) 236-2427.
Midwest
New Year's Eve in Branson
The colossal New Year's Eve Party at the AAA Four-Diamond mountaintop Château on the Lake Resort & Spa in Branson, Mo., promises to be a festive fete full of fun. This year's bash is a '50s Sock Hop with entertainment provided by Sh-Boom performing rock 'n' roll music of the '50s, '60s and '70s. The New Year's Eve Party Package includes: accommodations for the night with a late 6 p.m. checkout time, admission for two people to the party, complimentary hors d'oeuvres at the reception, two drink tickets, a three-course meal featuring surf and turf, a dessert reception, champagne toast and party favors. A balloon drop occurs at midnight, which will be followed by a fireworks display. Party begins at 7:30 p.m. with entertainment at 9 p.m. and the balloon drop at midnight on Thursday, Dec. 31, at Château on the Lake Resort & Spa in Branson, Mo. The party package is $399 per couple for a double room, $419 per couple for a king room, $454 per couple for an oversized château king room or $509 per couple for a suite with a private bedroom, living room and wet bar area. Tax and gratuity are included in the price. Additional nights are available for 25 percent off the resort's regular room rates. Call (888) 333-5253 or visit chateauonthelake.com.
Fishy start to the new year
The town of Port Clinton, Ohio, gets wild-eyed during Walleye Madness on New Year's Eve. Thousands brave the cold awaiting the Madness at Midnight Walleye Drop in the Walleye Capital of the World. The 20-foot, 600-pound walleye is dropped from the sky at the stroke of midnight and restaurants prepare all kinds of walleye specialties like walleye chowder, walleye sandwiches, walleye cinnamon chips and walleye popcorn to be washed down with walleye white wine created by a local winery. There are activities all night long for families with street vendors, music and street dancing. For kids, there will be street sweepers, fire trucks, police cars and snow plows for kids to climb aboard, a Walleye Drop for the little minnows to enjoy, raffles, contests and fireworks.
5 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31, in downtown Port Clinton, Ohio. (419) 271-0185 or walleyemadness.com
Get your snow mojo
If you're not exactly the glamorous gown type and lean more toward flannels, consider a New Year's Eve stay at Wild Eagle Lodge in Eagle River, Wis. Toast the new year in front of the stone fireplace in your lodge home or join the revelry at Boondocker's Lounge. The New Year's Eve Package includes: two nights lodging, bottle of house champagne, New Year's Day gift bag, music and additional nights at reduced rate. Enjoy the heated indoor swimming pool, sauna and hot tub indoors after sledding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, hunting, ice fishing and snowmobiling on more than 500 miles of trails.
Thursday, Dec. 31, at Wild Eagle Lodge, Eagle River, Wis. Rates are $149 per person plus tax for two to three people in a room; $105 per person plus tax for four or more. (877) 945-3965
Worth the trip
The Children's Gasparilla Extravaganza marks the beginning of Tampa Bay's historic Gasparilla celebrations that take place every January. The alcohol-free Children's Gasparilla Extravaganza focuses on family-friendly activities like a Preschooler's Stroll, the Gasparilla Air Invasion, the Children's Gasparilla Parade and the Gasparilla Pirathecnic Extravaganza.
Children's Gasparilla parade will be from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23, with the Gasparilla Parade of the Pirates at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30. Reserved Children's Gasparilla Extravaganza bleacher seating tickets are $16. (813) 251-8844 or GasparillaExtravaganza.com