Travel calendar
Chicago
The Allure of Couture in Chicago
Chicago is a fierce fashion town, too, Heidi Klum: just take Fashion Focus Chicago, for example. The weeklong celebration of Chicago's thriving fashion industry, running from Wednesday, October 1 through Wednesday, October 8, showcases some of the city's top designers and features five runway shows in Millennium Park, fashion installations, shopping events, student designer events and industry seminars. Strut your stuff over to www.chicagofashionresource.com or call the
Department of Cultural Affairs at (312) 744.2400 for a list of events.
Say "Ahh."
If you're looking for the ultimate urban wellness escape, the Donald has you covered, so to speak. Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago just unveiled 53 signature spa guest rooms at The Spa at Trump allowing you to enjoy a resort-like venue in downtown Chicago. The spa guest rooms, complete with city and riverfront views, understated earth tones, fresh orchids, candles and a music library, are connected to the spa so you can stay in your robe and slippers all weekend. The Trump Essentials Gift Collection awaits upon arrival as well as a warming caddy with herbal-scented neck and eye pillows, a yoga kit, specially added television channels with yoga and Pilates sessions and much more. Call about customized packages, the Couples Spa Suite and available treatments at (312) 588-8000 or visit www.trumpchicagohotel.com. Package prices vary based on preferences and enhancements. Start making your holiday wish list now.
Art and politics mash-up
You've listened to political pundits and earsplitting talk show hosts blather about the coming election, so give a turn to the artists during Chicago Artists Month (CAM), organized by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs. Returning this October for its 13th year, the monthlong event offers opportunities to view artists at work, exhibitions, neighborhood art walks, open studio tours and more at more than 200 galleries, museums, cultural centers and arts buildings. Anticipating the November election, this year's theme is Artists and Issues that Matter. Get a load of program highlights at www.chicagoartistsmonth.org.
Midwest
Giddy-up, partner.
Silver Dollar City in Branson, Mo., welcomes more than 100 visiting craftsmen, more than 400 musicians and a signature stage show, Headin' West, during the National Harvest Festival now through Saturday, Oct. 25. In addition to regular park entertainment and activities, join in A Salute to the American Farmer with pig races, cattle shows, Border Collie herding demonstrations and a working farm filled with animals. Enjoy a feast of regional flavors, from BBQ to sweet tater fries, at the fest's Taste of America. Giddy-up to www.bransonsilverdollarcity.com to ring (800) 475-9370 for details.
Perks for Vets
The Wilderness Hotel and Golf Resort, the behemoth water park resort in Wisconsin Dells, salutes military men and women this fall in honor of Veterans Day. Any serviceman or woman and their immediate families stay at the Wilderness for just $69 per night, Sunday - Thursday, now through Thursday, Dec. 18 (for a family of four staying in a double queen guest room). A few peak period dates are excluded from this offer so call
(800) 867-9453 or march right over to www.wildernessresort.com. Be sure to bring proper military ID, Soldier.
Porkapalooza - Fennville, MI
Remember living high on the hog? Porkapalooza, a daylong farm party on Saturday, Oct. 4, (rain or swine) brings back the good old days with continuous live music, plates of pork, produce, beer and wine. There's even barbecued tofu for the vegetarians as well as unique bites like Michigan apples dunked in caramel and sprinkled with bacon brittle.
Local restaurants, wineries and brewers host the event at the 14-acre Red Horse Ranch, located just outside of downtown Fennville, Mich. Your entry fee benefits The Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Alliance. For the porky particulars, call (269) 561-2269 or set off for www.SaveGasEatPork.com
Worth the Trip
Taster's Choice
In heaven, there is no beer, that's why you drink it here at the nation's largest beer fest. The "Super Bowl" of beer returns to Denver, Colo., Thursday, Oct. 9 through Saturday, Oct. 11, when the 27th Great American Beer Festival taps its first keg. Dr. Atkins notwithstanding, the U.S. beers in the largest collection ever assembled - more than 1,900 different varieties - are available for tasting in 1-ounce samples. Imagine nine acres with 400 different craft breweries exhibiting their wares for around 46,000 beer-lovers. Breweries are arranged by geographic location, so you can finally realize that old college dream to "drink your way across America." Get details at www.GreatAmericanBeerFestival.com and look for a place to hunker down at www.visitdenver.com.