Celebrate Mother's Day on Chicago's Magnificent Mile
Chicago
Tiptoe by the tulips
Dinner and a corsage for Mom is so 20th century. Celebrate Mother's Day weekend on nothing less than the Magnificent Mile for a bouquet of hotel, restaurant and retail offers as well as a vibrant outdoor floral market. The seventh annual Tulips on the Magnificent Mile features hundreds of thousands of tulip varieties, and, for the first time, a live, three-dimensional floral carpet at the base of the John Hancock Center. Check out special hotel, retail and dining deals and promotions with a focus on Mother's Day weekend, the outdoor floral market at the John Hancock Center Plaza and other family-friendly activities.
Tulips on the Magnificent Mile and special offers: Saturday, May 1, to Monday, May 31. Magnificent Mile Floral Market and other special Mother's Day weekend activities: Thursday to Sunday, May 6-9; the Magnificent Mile Floral Carpet Friday to Sunday, May 7-9, at North Michigan Avenue's Magnificent Mile district and the Hancock Center, 875 N. Michigan Avenue. Visit themagnificentmile.com
There's a great disturbance in the Force
It was a dark time for the Rebellion, and in 1980 when "The Empire Strikes Back" was released, movie theaters weren't exactly high tech. See Imperial troops pursuing the Rebel forces across the galaxy on a colossal screen at the Field Museum. It's an opportunity to watch the new digitally remastered classic (during its 30th anniversary), and there are a limited number of tickets available for an exclusive pre-screening reception with the film's creator, George Lucas.
Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive. Film screenings; 3, 7 and 10:30 p.m., Saturday, May 8. Reception with Lucas at 5:30 p.m. Event prices range from $30 to $200 and includes reception. Call (312) 665-7400 or visit fieldmuseum.org for tickets.
Serenity now for Mom
The word "elysian" means blissful and isn't that what you wish for your mother? The Elysian Chicago can deliver the delight with a special hotel experience on Mother's Day with a three-course family brunch in Balsan restaurant, a hotel getaway package, a spa experience or an Elysian gift certificate. The Mother's Day brunch can be paired with an overnight stay and/or a treatment at the Elysian Spa & Health Club.
Elysian Hotel, 11 E. Walton, Chicago. Brunch will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 9, for $38 per person. Room rates start at $295 and prices of spa treatments vary. Call (312) 646-1300 or visit elysianhotels.com.
Midwest
Abbey Road to bliss
The Abbey Resort in Fontana, Wis., offers a new Avani Spa Special to celebrate the Avani's second anniversary. Book two 50-minute spa treatments at $120 each and receive a free room for an overnight stay. This limited time offer includes spa entry (an additional $25 value) to use all its amenities, including the pool area, sun patio, inhalation room, fitness classes and more. It's perfect for a girlfriend's or couple's getaway -- each of you book a spa treatment and you both get to stay the night at the renovated Abbey Resort on the shores of Lake Geneva.
The Abbey Resort, 269 Fontana Ave., Fontana, Wis. Sundays to Thursdays through June 10. Call (800) 732-1323 or visit theabbeyresort.com. Booking code: ANNIV.
Dutch treat
Tulip Time in Pella, Iowa, draws more than 100,000 tourists to celebrate spring and Dutch heritage. Expect a Dutch craft market, Pella city tours, quilt show, tours of the old fire station, historical homes, kid's corner of activities, cheese market, street and stage entertainment, dancers, street scrubbers, lots of gardens and flowers, and the Volks Parade. Be sure to visit the Pella Historical Village where more than 20 buildings are more than 150 years old. Most of the Tulip Time events are free.
7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, May 6- 8 in downtown Pella and Pella Historical Village, 507 Franklin St. Call (641) 628-4311 or visit pellatuliptime.com.
Old MacDonald had a farm
Five farms in the Brodhead, Wis., area will be open for tours, including a sheep, dairy, emu, organic and vegetable farms. Take emu pen tours, taste emu meat and purchase emu products; see how a dairy farm works; and learn about the area's most diverse selection of native plant species. Bring the little farmers out of the suburbs and onto the farms for a day of free fun.
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 8, at various farms near Brodhead. Call (608) 897-8411 or visit brodheadchamber.org.
Worth the trip
Preferred Hotel Group is helping travelers start the summer off right by offering savings at top resorts around the globe. Whether you want an urban vacation or prefer relaxing on the beach, book a City Break or Resort Escape for the best rates and special added offers. City Break packages are based on double occupancy and include complimentary breakfast for two and a special amenity (a $25 minibar credit or complimentary valet parking, for example) at over 100 Preferred Hotel Group properties in places like Miami, London, New York, Paris or even the Hard Rock Hotel in downtown Chicago. Resort Escapes packages are based on double occupancy and include complimentary breakfast for two and a resort credit for up to $50 at over 70 relaxed resorts across the globe. Sample resorts include the Sanctuary Kiawah Island Golf Resort, a Preferred Hotel & Resort in South Carolina; Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana Dominican Republic with rates from $210 a night and Wyoming's Snake River Lodge & Spa with rates from $236 a night.
Both packages are valid now through Dec. 31. Call (800) 323- 7500 or visit preferredhotelgroup.com.