Spring at the Macy's flower show and river cruises
Chicago
Looking good in those bloomers
Everything's coming up roses and forsythia, magnolia, tulip, daffodil, sumac, day lily and dianthus at Macy's 2009 Spring Flower Show, blooming at the State Street flagship store, 111 N. State St. It doesn't cost a dime to stroll the first floor of the historic building and its colorful landscape of flowers, plant life and pink flamingos. The famous Walnut Room restaurant and six of the store's legendary windows feature carpets of aromatic flora, too. Take a complimentary tour guided by a Master Gardener from the University of Illinois Thursday through Sunday, April 12-19, or get in on plant seminars, shopping parties, family fun days, chef demonstrations and hotel packages that pair overnight accommodations with Macy's gift cards. See what you can dig up at macys.com/events or call (312) 781-4884.
A slow boat to Marina City
It really is spring - tickets have just gone on sale for May sailings on the Chicago Architecture Foundation's river cruises. The foundation's certified expert docents decode and explain the city's world-class architecture along the Chicago River during the popular 90-minute cruise. Get a new perspective on the city and amaze out-of-towners with the knowledge you'll gain about more than 50 architecturally significant sites. The vessel features both open-air and climate-controlled indoor seating in case Chicago's weather gets feisty the day of your tour. Sail onto architecture.org or call (312) 922- 3432. Spring season tours: May 2-31 (including Memorial Day). The Chicago Architecture Foundation is located at 224 S. Michigan Ave.
Raise the rooftop
What can be better than spring, baseball and Chicago-style hot dogs? How about watching your beloved Chicago Cubs in total comfort during a Wrigley rooftop afternoon with an open bar and all food included? The InterContinental Chicago hotel, 505 N. Michigan Ave., offers the Chicago Cubs Wrigley Rooftop Experience package. It includes two complimentary Chicago Transit passes to get to and from the game, a bag of Garrett's popcorn and members-only rooftop viewing of the game with food and drinks. Upon returning to the hotel, be sure to check out its historic, junior Olympic-size pool, recognized as one of the best indoor pools in the country. Rates start at $249 per night per couple and the package is available until Oct. 4 (last Cubs home game). (Rates are subject to availability and some blackout dates apply). For reservations, call (312) 944-4100 or rally at icchicagohotel.com.
Midwest
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing
It used to be that only golf fans knew the names Bobby Jones, Gary Player and Ben Hogan. Then, a young man named Tiger Woods became youngest golfer to win the world Junior Amateur Championships and kids everywhere became interested in golf. Introduce boys and girls to the sport via Family Fun Day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at Arrowhead Golf Club, 26w151 Butterfield Road, Wheaton. Join in free golf clinics, watch demonstrations of perfect swings, trick shots and long drives and meet Lisa "Launch It" Joyce, Junior World Long Drive champion and record holder.
Call (630) 653-5800 or get on par at arrowheadgolfclub.org.
Cakewalk to little Bavaria
Get your fill of the uniquely American, syncopated musical marvel - Ragtime - at Zehnder's Ragtime Festival Wednesday to Sunday, April 22-26. Zehnder's, the second largest independent restaurant in the country and America's largest family restaurant with 1,500 seats, presents ragtime performers from around the nation in lunch, brunch and dinner concerts. Enjoy vaudeville night, silent movies and singalongs, too. Be sure to poke around town, Frankenmuth, which is known as "Michigan's Little Bavaria." Tickets are required for each event and prices vary so call (800) 863-7999 or two-step over to zehnders.com. Zehnder's Splash Village Hotel and Waterpark offers 146 deluxe accommodations including 74 suites. Sistahs are doing it for themselves
Grab your sister, Mom, BFF, cousin or any gal pal who wants to take in a weekend without kids, errands or cooking. It's Sisters Weekend 2009 Friday to Monday, April 24-27, in downtown St. Charles offering retail, restaurant and hotel packages. Pencil in the wine-tasting reception; Pajama Party at Hotel Baker with contests and prizes; yoga and dance workshops; bike trail rides; personal enrichment sessions; and a concert at the Arcada Theater starring the Village People. Call (800) 777-4373 or explore sistersweekend.com for tickets, registration and overnight hotel information.
Worth the trip
Enjoy a vast range of not-to-be-missed whiskey events and experiences during May's Whiskey Month in Scotland. The festival invites visitors to explore the country through its famous national drink and festivals including the Spirit of Speyside, Spirit of the West and Islay's Malt and Music Festival. Some of Scotland's most popular and exclusive distilleries open their doors so visitors can experience the creation of the iconic beverage. Be sure to catch a showing of "Whiskey Galore - The Musical." Download the Whiskey Month Event Guide and get details on travel packages at homecomingscotland2009.com.