Midwest travel: Chicago's Adler brings stargazing to you with 'Scopes in the City
Chicago
Sky riders
Adler Planetarium astronomers and educators bring the universe to various Chicago locales with its 'Scopes in the City program. Free sky-watching programs and related discussions in Chicago neighborhoods will be led by Adler staff, so you can observe and learn more about the sun, moon, Jupiter, Saturn and other celestial orbs. Venues include the Chicago Theatre, sporting arenas, forest preserves, parks and the Warrenville Public Library (on Aug. 10). Various times and days, starting with an event at the Chicago Theatre May 10 and running through Nov. 18. Free. Visit adlerplanetarium.org/education/scopes-in-the-city-2/ for details and a schedule.
Dancing cheek to cheek
Chicago's historic Palmer House hearkens back to its heyday as a space for unmatched entertainment, dining and dancing when it offers The Birth of the Great American Songbook event in the legendary Empire Room. Cocktail hour, a three-course dinner, dancing and performances are on the menu. The one-night-only event highlights the music of Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Harry Belafonte, Louis Armstrong and more with performances by the City Lights Orchestra, Joan Curto and Ron Hawking. Plus, be wowed by the culinary creations from executive chef Stephen Henry. 6 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at the Palmer House, 17 E. Monroe St., Chicago. General admission seating costs $150. Purchase at palmerhousehiltonhotel.com/empireroomseries/.
Charge ahead!
The Ritz Carlton, Chicago combines wellness and shopping with the “Shopping is My Cardio” getaway package (Hello, Mother's Day). The package includes: valet parking; $50 spa credit; turndown amenities of red wine and dark chocolate; a shopping welcome bag including exclusive offers to some of Water Tower Place's 100 stores; and a booklet including discounts for 900 Shops. Throughout 2016 at The Ritz Carlton, Chicago, 160 E. Pearson St., Water Tower Place, Chicago. The package starts at $429 a night. Book it at (312) 266-1000 or ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/chicago/offers.
Midwest
Go west
A new exhibit at the German American Heritage Center in Davenport, Iowa, explains areas where Germans played key roles in the development of the Western frontier — exploration, entrepreneurship, the arts and literature. Learn about explorers such as Prince Maximilian of Wied; business stars of the Gold Rush, Johann Sutter and Levi Strauss; the king of the rodeo and saddle inventor Earl Boscom; and Karl May, a 19th-century author whose books about American cowboy life are still best-sellers in Germany today. While you're there, take a scenic look at some of Germany's finest castles, an exhibit with fun interactive elements for kids. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, now through July 17 at the German American Heritage Center, 712 W. 2nd St., Davenport, Iowa. Admission is $5 for adults; $4 for ages 60 and older; $3 for ages 6-17. (563) 322-8844 or gahc.org/.
A fest for every fungi
The spring hunt in Mesick, Michigan, doesn't involve weapons but rather a keen eye and the need for fun. The small village celebrates the tasty but elusive morel mushroom with a contest to see who can find the biggest mushroom in the woods. The little morsels are one of the great culinary delights of the North Woods, but that's not all the fungi fun: there's a parade, carnival rides, games, softball tourney, various markets and the Mud Bogg where everyone gets a little dirty. The annual Mesick Mushroom Festival features a Blessing of the Jeeps, an array of food beyond mushrooms, concerts and plenty of kids' activities. Friday through Sunday, May 6-8, in Mesick, Michigan. (231) 884-4451 or mesick-mushroom fest.org/.
The source of Norse
Stoughton, Wisconsin, just south of Madison, celebrates Norwegian constitution day during the annual Syttende Mai (May 17) festival, one of the largest of its kind in North America. Held on the weekend closest to that date, the event dates back to1868, when Norwegian immigration to the area reached its peak. You'll see lots of folks dressed in authentic Norse costumes and folk dancing performed by the award-winning Stoughton Norwegian Dancers. Browse exhibits of Norwegian painting, needlework and woodcarving, watch the huge parade and take in Syttende Mai Cookout with a smorgasbord of Norwegian foods. 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday, May 13-15, in and around downtown Stoughton, Wisconsin. (888) 873-7912 or stoughtonwi.com/.