More than 160 eateries in Chicago Restaurant Week
Chicago
Eat this, not that
What's a Midwesterner's favorite winter sport? Eating - and the Third Annual Chicago Restaurant Week will allow you to get deep into your training. More than 160 participating eateries offer sushi, pasta, pizza, exotic spices and familiar tastes, seafood, fun nibbles, casual fare and five-star sophistication. Enjoy three-course fixed-price meals created by some of Chicago's top chefs for $22 at lunch and $32 at dinner. Neighborhoods include the Loop, River North, Mag Mile, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, West Loop, South Loop and even a sprinkling of suburbs. Participating eateries include Rosebud, Shula's Steakhouse, Terzo Piano at the Art Institute and others.
Friday, Feb. 19, to Sunday, Feb. 28. See a list of restaurants and menus and make reservations at choosechicago.com/eatitup or call the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau at (312) 567-8500.
Into the lion's den
It's a wonderful day of exploration, art making, storytelling and performances for the whole family at the Art Institute of Chicago's Family Festival: Behind the Lions Day. You'll discover some of the museum's treasures of the Art Institute by following a Family Self-Guide, which makes art accessible to all ages. Then, visit the studio to create your own masterpiece and watch a performance by HS2, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago's second company, at 10 a.m. There will be storytime for the youngest artists (ages 3-5) at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. as well as a 20-minute guided gallery walk at noon and 1 p.m. and a special activity in the Teen Studio from 1 to 3 p.m.
10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at the Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave. (312) 857-7161 or visit artic.edu.
Goin' to the chapel
Join one of the city's most popular special tours, Chicago's Magnificent Churches, taking you to a handful of Chicago-area churches, temples and sanctuaries. The various sacred spaces illustrate an intriguing cross-section of religions, traditions, customs, cultures and communities. The tour will also stop at a local restaurant for lunch. Reservations recommended.
10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27. Depart from the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph St. Special interest tour prices include lunch and are $50 adults and $45 seniors over 65, children 8-18 and full-time students. (312) 742-1190 or visit chicagoneighborhoodtours.com.
Midwest
A capitol idea
Capitol Square in Madison, Wis., is transformed into a mini Olympics with ice and snow sculptures, a tubing hill, snowboard rail jam, cross-country ski racing and snowshoeing venues during the annual Winter Festival. Burn some calories snowshoeing, snowboarding, running, walking and biking. The Wisconsin event offers family activities, special events at museums, public open skiing, cross-country ski lessons, ice skating and snowshoeing. Families and kids can carve a snow sculpture, watch ice-carving demos and then head indoors for performing arts at the Overture Center or tour the historical museum and children's museum.
9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21, at Capitol Square, Madison, Wis. Visit winter-fest.com for a schedule and directions.
Tap into syrup
If it's the Festival of the Sugar Maples, spring is right around the corner. Join the McHenry County Conservation District's fun and educational program to discover how syrup is made from the sap of maple trees. A one-hour tour features the cultural history of the maple grove, different collection techniques, a look at how maple syrup is made at the evaporator house and you'll finish with a taste of fresh Coral Woods maple syrup. Dress for a half-mile hike on a rugged nature trail.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 27-28 and March 6-7. Tours leave every 15 minutes. Coral Woods Conservation Area is located at 7400 Somerset, Marengo. Call (815) 338-6223 or visit mccdistrict.org.
Let's go fly a kite
Color winter red, blue, yellow and green - anything but white - when you take in the Color the Wind Kite Festival on the frozen water of Clear Lake in Iowa. The north-central Iowa town attracts kiters from eight states making it the largest kite fest in the Midwest. There will be music all day long with Fire and Ice, a kite-flying duo, performing kite ballets choreographed to music. Another kite-flying team performs sport kite routines with "quads" (four-line kites). Hundreds of colorful kites decorate the skies, and indoors, see kite-related memorabilia and browse a large variety of kites available to buy and fly. Sup on hot chili, sandwiches, kettle corn, hot cocoa and coffee.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, in Seawall and Clear Lake, Iowa. Visit colorthewind.org.
Worth the trip
Picture yourself in a boat on a river ... or how about a ship in the ocean?
Snag a "Ticket to Ride" and relive the excitement of Beatlemania on the Beatles Tribute Cruise setting sail on March 28. Cruise with renowned Beatles artists, photographers, authors and even some ex-girlfriends of the famous group. Shove off from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., for six nights on Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas, stopping at Belize City, Costa Maya and Cozumel. In addition to featuring band trivia, karaoke and autograph sessions, the cruise will also hold an auction of Beatles memorabilia for the Dara Roberts Fund. Enjoy three performances by BritBeat, the only tribute band selected for the journey, including a special costume/dance party, a set list loaded with all the fave and fab Beatles numbers as well as a full production show covering the complete history of the Beatles' music catalog.
March 28 to April 3. Rates based on availability at the time of deposit for double occupancy/cruise only. Book at (877) 291-1952 or visit beatlestributecruise.com.