 |
Issue: Fall/Winter 2010
Author(s): Paula Carter
“There was the life that has shaped my body and mind for all the years to come,” said President Ronald Reagan in reference to Dixon, Illinois, the small town where he grew up. The 40th president would have turned 100 on February 6, 2011, and in honor of the centennial, Dixon is throwing a yearlong birthday bash in Reagan’s honor and inviting visitors to come see where the Gipper began his journey. The first stop is Reagan’s boyhood home, a two-story white frame house that has been refurbished to it...
|
 |
Issue: Fall/Winter 2010
Author(s): Amy Bizzarri Bocchetta
Chicago’s near south side Bronzeville neighborhood is a vibrant and exciting living lesson in African-American history. Once the home of such greats as Gwendolyn Brooks, Louis Armstrong, Bessie Coleman and scores of other influential residents, it is now booming with community-based revitalization that highlights its rich history. Start your day with a visit to the DuSable Museum of African American History, a unique museum named after Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable, the first permanent settler in Chicago....
|
 |
Issue: Fall/Winter 2010
Author(s): Carolyn Walkup
Even though a weekend outing with girlfriends means getting away from home, this big city outing in Chicago can bring out your inner interior designer when you visit the 2010 DreamHome at the Merchandise Mart, on display until December 10. The nine-room “home” within the Mart, the world’s largest wholesale design center, features the latest eco-friendly furnishings, colors and ideas, some of which you can adapt to even the most humble abode. For practical souvenirs that you can bring or ship home, visit ...
|
|
Issue: Fall/Winter 2010
Author(s): Kim Brown
Imagine sailing the Chicago Lakefront, hand-in-hand with the one you love on a private bed and breakfast yacht. Relax underneath the stars and catch a fireworks show on Lake Michigan or escape to comfy lounging under the deck in ample natural lighting. Comfort and performance are the important characteristics of Windy City Sailing, specializing in bed and breakfast service on luxury sailing yachts and private sailboat charters on the Chicago Lakefront. Yachts depart at Belmont Harbor located on the north...
|
 |
Issue: Fall/Winter 2010
Author(s): Amy S. Eckert
There’s no way around it — Pomona Natural Bridge is in the middle of nowhere. And that’s precisely the reason to visit. Pomona Natural Bridge is set in the heart of southernmost Illinois in the forest-covered hills sometimes referred to as Appalachian Illinois. The natural rock formation is part of the Shawnee National Forest, which covers much of the southern tip of the state. In autumn, a rich, golden-hued forest of oak, hickory and beech envelops the moderately strenuous one-third mile loop trail. Hik...
|
 |
Issue: Fall/Winter 2010
Author(s): Amy Bizzarri Bocchetta
Lose yourself in a 33-acre corn maze — the world’s largest — located in the fields of Richardson Farm in Spring Grove, Illinois. The 2010 maze design celebrates 100 years of scouting, and is a sight to behold from the 50-foot-tall observation tower. Designed in sections of smaller mazes — so you can do as much as you want, then easily escape — the maze is fun and challenging for children and adults of all ages. The smallest part of the giant maze has quiz questions to help guide you through, and usually ...
|
 |
Issue: Fall/Winter 2010
Author(s): Amy Bizzarri Bocchetta
Love to hike? Then Starved Rock State Park , located in Utica, Illinois, on the south bank of the Illinois River, is the place to be. One of the best places in the Midwest to enjoy fall colors, the park boasts more than 13 miles of hiking trails — through canyons and past cascading waterfalls. Best of all, you can tailor your trip based on your skill level, from beginner to advanced, by following well-marked trails and free maps. This area has been home to humans from as early as 8000 B.C. Hopewellian, W...
|
 |
Issue: Spring/Summer 2010
Author(s): Paula Carter
Valkommen to Bishop Hill , a historic Swedish colony on the Illinois prairie where lingonberry tea, handmade rugs and homemade breads are only a few of the delights that have survived since the town’s founding in 1846. Created as a utopian religious community, the idyllic town, registered as a national landmark, is a retreat from modern life. Tours of historic buildings scattered throughout the village give visitors a chance to experience what it would have been like to live in the mid-19th century. The...
|
 |
Issue: Spring/Summer 2010
Author(s): Amy Bizzarri Bocchetta
Best known for being the home of two of the Midwest’s best theme and water parks, Lake County, Illinois, is the place for unforgettable summer family fun. You’ll slip down colorful water slides, whiz around a spiral lift roller coaster, roar down raging rapids, soar Batman style into the sky on an inverted, outside-looping roller coaster and more. With its 13 radical roller coasters, a 15-acre water park, shows, parades, family rides and more, Six Flags Great America and Hurricane Harbor stands as great...
|
|
Issue: Spring/Summer 2010
Author(s): Jennifer Rogers
For many families, the air show is a summer tradition as important as lemonade or visits to the beach. And with good reason — air shows display fascinating feats of both scientific and human excellence that never lose their magic. Generations of vacationers have been mesmerized by the loud roar of a jet shooting through the clouds, and throughout the spring and summer, there are myriad opportunities to introduce your own family to the excitement. Here are some of the season’s highlights: The New York Ai...
|
|
Issue: Spring/Summer 2010
Author(s): Amy Bizzarri Bocchetta
For some good old-fashioned wheeling and dealing, head out to the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles, Illinois , for the Kane County Flea Market . Held the first Saturday and Sunday of each month, the market features hundreds of dealers selling thousands of new and antique items. Visitors will find a unique selection of furniture, toys, collectibles, yard ornaments, books, jewelry and more. Kids will delight in the wide array of both new and old toys, board games and kid collectibles, including Smur...
|
 |
Issue: Spring/Summer 2010
Author(s): Lynne Thompson
Oak Park, Illinois , is a mecca for Frank Lloyd Wright aficionados. The tiny Chicago suburb boasts more than two dozen homes designed by the renowned American architect, more than any other location in the world. That number includes Wright’s first home and studio , a two-story cedar-sided-and-shingled abode built in 1889 that served as his residence and workplace for the next 20 years. Thanks to the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust, which operates the site as a museum, the place looks much like it...
|
 |
Issue: Fall/Winter 2009
Author(s): Jane Ammeson
Early spring is very sweet in Northern Indiana, when maple sap is turned into rich golden syrup. For family fun, hit the road and visit one or more places where demonstrations of tree tapping and syrup making connect us to the past and, even better, give us the chance to taste maple treats. In the early 1900s, the owners of Chellberg Farm tapped the many sugar maple trees on land now part of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore , then a small Swedish settlement tucked away in the dunes. Watch rangers ill...
|
|
Issue: Fall/Winter 2009
Author(s): Amy Bizzarri Bocchetta
Catch up with your girlfriends at a comfy yet luxurious three-bedroom villa at the Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa in charming and historic Galena, Illinois . Nestled on 6,800 acres of rolling hills, Eagle Ridge is the ideal all-season retreat for ladies looking to play, dine, shop and, most importantly, get away from it all and reconnect. Enjoy an exciting variety of spa treatments, including signature hot stone massages, at the on-site Stonedrift Spa. Take part in complimentary wine tastings at the warm ...
|
 |
Issue: Fall/Winter 2009
Author(s): Amy Bizzarri Bocchetta
Celebrate holiday traditions from around the world via the diverse museums of Chicago . Start your journey in Sweden with the stirring Santa Lucia procession, sponsored by the Swedish American Museum . This shortest day of the year celebration honors the eponymous saint with a parade of children carrying white candles, a symbolic tribute to the fire that Santa Lucia resisted when she was sentenced to be burned. Be sure to stop at the Swedish Bakery just down the road for some warm butter cookies — the pe...
|
 |
Issue: Spring/Summer 2009
Author(s): Betsa Marsh
It’s spring, and on the farm that means one big news flash — baby animals. Yes, baby chicks, ducklings, piglets, calves, lambs and goat kids are frolicking all over The Children’s Farm at the Center in Palos Park, Illinois, just south of Chicago. The Center, a sanctuary for renewal established by The Reverend Paul T. Sander in 1932, has welcomed generations of families to discover country life. The 65-acre working farm is just one aspect of The Center, developed as a place for people to regain balance i...
|
 |
Issue: Spring/Summer 2009
Author(s): Kathy Witt
Located at the confluence of three rivers — the Mississippi, the Missouri and the Illinois — Alton, Illinois, is known as “one of America’s most haunted small towns.” It sits on the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway, 33 miles of road cradled by the rolling waters of the Mississippi River. Alton’s Lincoln & Civil War Legacy Trail, newly opened in fall 2008, is a wonderful way to experience the area’s history through the stories of President Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. The...
|
|
Issue: Spring/Summer 2009
Author(s): Jennifer Rogers
Just blocks away from Chicago’s famed Magnificent Mile sits a historic, charming street that boasts some of the most glamorous shopping in the country. With Hermes, Prada and Vera Wang to name a few — Chicago’s Oak Street is where any shopaholic should come for a dose of retail therapy. The center of the Gold Coast since the 19th century and once home to the city’s most prominent families, Oak Street has kept its Victorian allure and beautiful brownstones despite the rise of skyscrapers throughout...
|
 |
Issue: Spring/Summer 2009
Author(s): Jenny Pavlasek
For lots of gamesters, Vegas just isn’t in the budget this year. But don’t let your poker face turn into a pout. Chicagoland’s Grand Victoria Casino , just 40 miles west of the Windy City in Elgin, Illinois , could be the place to catch a lucky break without breaking the bank. The massive pavilion and riverboat complex guarantees visitors three of a kind — free parking, free admission and a smoke-free environment. Add to that the pro-football-field-like dimensions and 16-foot ceilings that give this rive...
|
|
Issue: Spring/Summer 2009
Author(s): Kelly Curran
You can do the tour in a day — visiting the wineries of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail and sampling everything from a full-bodied Chambourcin at Hedman Vineyard to a sweet Ruvanesque at Inheritance Valley Vineyard. Only minutes apart, the 12 wineries offer a delicious escape in the hills of southern Illinois . But with a backdrop of the Shawnee National Forest and cozy B&Bs, eateries and antiques shops along the way, the best way to experience the trail is over a long weekend, with time to explore the...
|
 |
Issue: Spring/Summer 2009
Author(s): Jennifer Rogers
There’s reason to celebrate at the world’s largest indoor aquarium this summer, as the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago welcomes home the Beluga whales, dolphins and sea otters that have been away since the start of the Oceanarium’s renovation. The 17-year-old marine mammal habitat was refurbished in order to provide a better quality of life for the animals, and come June, you can be a part of this magical homecoming experience. Guests will immediately appreciate the innovative, state-of-the-art space and new ...
|
 |
Issue: Fall/Winter 2008
Author(s): Jenny Pavlasek
We’ve heard of people voting with their feet or their wallets, but this year’s unprecedented presidential race has some using their palates to influence the ballot box. That’s good news for Lynfred Winery in Roselle, Illinois — the state’s oldest and largest continuously operating winery. Lynfred’s 2007 Seyval Blanc is among an elite group of wines from Sen. Barack Obama’s home state that made the cut for the “Road to the White House” list being featured at the trendy Oya Restaurant and Lounge in Washin...
|
 |
Issue: Fall/Winter 2008
Author(s): Meredith Beverstock
Witnessing the majestic beauty of the bald eagle is a truly awe-inspiring experience. Nearly 3,000 eagles migrate south to winter in Illinois , adopting the attitude of many human “snowbirds”: when your habitat freezes, it’s time to move on. Illinois, in fact, is second only to Alaska in winter population of eagles. This phenomenon makes January and February the perfect time to eagle-watch. The Quincy Bald Eagle Watch in western Illinois features viewing with park rangers. Starved Rock Bald Eagle ...
|
|
Issue: Fall/Winter 2008
Author(s): Jenna Schnuer
When it comes to the old chew chew, Des Plaines, Illinois, may be best known as the home of the very first McDonald’s but, for local kids, The Choo-Choo takes top honors. Even the most impatient know it’s worth the wait to get one of the restaurant’s coveted counter seats. The spinning stools offer the best view of the miniature train that circles the counter, delivering burgers and other tasty fare to hungry diners. The fun speeds up when a birthday boy or girl dons one of the restaurant’s signature (p...
|
 |
Issue: Fall/Winter 2008
Author(s): Jenna Schnuer
If “let’s go to the zoo!” has been your child’s favorite request since she was a wee one, head for Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo . Here, kids can go beyond the barrier that separates the spectators from the animals (with, of course, a professional zookeeper supervising) and see all that goes into taking care of their favorite wild thing. The zoo’s Wild Encounters program gives budding zookeepers, veterinarians or animal trainers the chance to see how it’s done. There are plenty of programs to choose fr...
|
 |
Issue: Fall/Winter 2008
Author(s): Tracey Teo
There’s no way around it: As much as we cherish quality time at home with our families, an occasional, brief change of scenery is a must-do. To that end, the Chicago Four Seasons offers a package that promises women plenty of new sights and a fun-filled weekend in the Windy City. The high-end hotel’s “Girls Just Want t o Have Fun” package combines posh amenities and metropolitan fun. The stay starts off in style: In addition to the hotel’s newly renovated rooms and sumptuous views of Lake Michigan and t...
|
 |
Issue: Spring/Summer 2008
Author(s): Miriam Carey
There comes a point during every busy parent’s day when the perfect destination is one that allows kids to simply run around playing freely and safely. The youngsters should be able to explore and learn, being entertained and educated, while a tired mom and dad stand back, smile and (most importantly) relax. For those who make a summer trip to Oak Park, Illinois , the children’s museum Wonder Works is that quintessential spot. Spread over 6,400 square feet, Wonder Works specializes in offering kids hand...
|
 |
Issue: Spring/Summer 2008
Author(s): Kathy Witt
Ever wonder where your favorite superheroes sprang to life? Whether it’s something in the water that’s responsible for so many fertile imaginations, or an appreciation for positive values that inspires good-hearted characters, Illinois is the birthplace of a wealth of endearing comic book figures and their creators. Visitors can stop by plenty of sites devoted to them with a series of tours devoted to comic book heroes . You won’t have to leap a tall building to reach Metropolis, Illinois, which shares ...
|
|
Issue: Spring/Summer 2008
Author(s): Tracey Teo
Many kids see history as a tedious school subject that mostly involves memorizing dates, but at the Lewis & Clark State Historic Site Interpretive Center in Hartford, Illinois , teaching kids history is child’s play. Through a series of fun, interactive exhibits, lids learn about the adventures of explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, who set out on the first American overland expedition to the Pacific Coast in May 1804. On Saturday, June 7, the Lewis & Clark State Historic Site wi...
|
|
Issue: Spring/Summer 2008
Author(s): Miriam Carey
Every summer weekend brings a festival of some sort to the streets of Chicago , and locals and vacationers alike have long delighted in the annual ritual. Once the chill of winter leaves the air, the Windy City becomes an ideal place to fly a kite. On May 3, kids are invited to converge on the vast lawn outside the Museum of Science and Industry to take advantage of the lakeside breeze for Mayor Daley’s Kids and Kites Fest . Fans of kite-flying are welcome to bring their favorite creations, and the grou...
|
 |
Issue: Spring/Summer 2008
Author(s): Jennifer Haliburton
Thank goodness for the bonsai tree. If it weren’t for the popularity of miniature planting having spread to the United States, the Far East’s legendary culture of gardening would still be a mystery to most of us. The Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, Illinois , utilize the power of great landscape design to give Westerners a much broader understanding of both the culture and its philosophies. More than three decades of cultivation have led to a series of gardens and structures, including a t...
|
 |
Issue: Spring/Summer 2008
Author(s): John Tidyman
Make like a Boy Scout and be prepared. The best way to plan a trip to Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa in Galena, Illinois , is to spend a Sunday afternoon poring over the brochures available. With all that is offered here, it makes no sense to arrive and be overwhelmed by the choices. With 63 holes of golf, Eagle Ridge might sound like a golf factory. It is anything but. Eagle Ridge is actually a family resort with golf; it sits on 6,800 acres of hills, woodlands and water. The North, South and East co...
|
 |
Issue: Spring/Summer 2008
Author(s): Miriam Carey
The old man spent most of his time by the sea in a famous novel by Ernest Hemingway, but as a young lad, Hemingway took to the streets of Oak Park, Illinois , drawing inspiration and developing the writing talent that eventually made him an icon of American literature. At the lovingly preserved Ernest Hemingway Birthplace and Museum , fans can explore the roots and early inspiration of the Nobel Prize-winning author. The tour should begin at the museum, an excellent source of background on the Hemingway ...
|
 |
Issue: Fall/Winter 2007
Author(s): Thomas Connors
Tell a cynic that you're headed to a small town in the heartland, and they'll likely envision a sleepy Main Street and an abandoned town square. But pull into Galena in the rolling hills of western Illinois , and you'll see a spot that features both a lively commercial strip of attractive, multi-story brick buildings and a wealth of sites from a bygone era, maintained impressively enough to earn it a ranking as one of America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservati...
|
 |
Issue: Fall/Winter 2007
Author(s): Gerald Bartell
Kids can explore the past, savor the present and glimpse the future at the Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier. Dinosaur Expedition, for example, lets kids dig into prehistoric times in an authentic excavation pit. A recreated Sahara expedition site shows them how pros work, and the remains of Suchomimus, a never-before-found species of fish-eating dinosaur, reveals what a team can uncover. The Inventing Lab displays creations past and present and lets visitors create a flying machine. The Kovler Fam...
|
 |
Issue: Fall/Winter 2007
Author(s): John Pullen
When German-American craftsmen and farmers settled Long Grove, Illinois, in the 1830s, they were looking for fertile soil, abundant water supplies, easily accessible woodlands and trails connected to nearby settlements. Funny thing is, if they came back today, they'd still find all those features –– as well as a few very good deals. Located 35 miles northwest of Chicago, this community with fewer than 8,000 residents has endeavored to stay true to its historic roots, while also se...
|
 |
Issue: Fall/Winter 2007
Author(s): Jenny Pavlasek
Wine country is tough to top as a romantic destination. But the overwhelming crowds in places like California's Napa and Sonoma valleys can quickly kill the mood. This fall, skip the lines and plan your vineyard escape closer to home. Illinois has four organized wine trails, the oldest of which is the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail in the southernmost part of the state. Nine wineries specializing in French hybrid grapes such as Traminette and Chambourcin, as well as some better-known varietals, including Cabe...
|
|
Issue: Fall/Winter 2007
Author(s): Thomas Connors
A meaningful evening can spring from scheduling time to enjoy one of life's everyday pleasures together. Many couples know that the best time to do that is at sunset, when the sky glows pastel as the sun sinks into the horizon, forcing us to simply enjoy the scenery and the company of our significant other. At Tara Point Inn & Cottages in Grafton, Illinois , life seems to move at a slower pace, thanks to the breathtaking views that surround the property. Nestled on a bluff overlooking the confluence...
|
 |
Issue: Spring/Summer 2007
Author(s): Kelly Aiglon
In Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood, located a 10-minute cab ride northwest of downtown, upscale restaurants and trendy boutiques crop up at a swift pace. But look past the chic new awnings and you'll see that much of the neighborhood's character comes from its historic architecture, which includes everything from Italianate-style manor houses to one of the city's first skyscrapers. "Around the time of the World's Columbian Exposition, which took place in Chicago [in 1893], interesting architecture st...
|
 |
Issue: Spring/Summer 2007
Author(s): Miriam Carey
Oh, how they love their food in Chicago . From sausage and deep-dish pizza to great mid-priced bistros and ethnic eateries to elegant dining, Chicagoans know how to dish it up. And while the experience of eating can be found throughout the Windy City, visitors who come here to learn to cook have some excellent options. Book well in advance, as these classes fill up quickly, and arrive with an appetite. Serious foodies check into the Peninsula hotel for a class hosted by the chefs at the hotel's Shanghai...
|
 |
Issue: Spring/Summer 2007
Author(s): Kelly Aiglon
Find a free afternoon and discover what it means to be free. The McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum , opened last spring in Chicago , has two floors and 10,000 square feet of interactive exhibits, each telling a story about the history of freedom and the role it plays in our daily lives. Instead of displaying hoards of relics, the museum uses technology to teach lessons. Use plasma touch screens to zoom in on digital copies of important documents such as the Bill of Rights and click on specific passages to...
|
 |
Issue: Spring/Summer 2007
Author(s): Susan R. Pollack
When you think of the Civil War, Illinois generally is not the place that comes to mind. But here, in the middle of the upper Mississippi River, off Rock Island , lies a Confederate Cemetery. Nearly 2,000 Confederate prisoners of war are buried in the historic cemetery that's adjacent to a national cemetery. That's not the only surprise you'll find at the Rock Island Arsenal , a working military munitions complex with a rich history and massive limestone buildings. A museum showcases a large collection ...
|
 |
Issue: Spring/Summer 2007
Author(s): Kelly Aiglon
Forget the deep-dish pizza, steak and hot dogs. Chicago is now a sweet-tooth kind of town. Recently, shops that specialize in cupcakes have opened there, and the delicious varieties up for grabs will get you rethinking your diet plans. Sweet Mandy B's, located on the lower level of a pretty brick Lincoln Park neighborhood walk-up, has had a big following since it opened in 2002. Inside, it looks like a country farmhouse, with its cornflower blue and yellow walls and weathered-looking fixtures. You can u...
|
 |
Issue: Spring/Summer 2007
Author(s): Gerald Bartell
The James Hotel in Chicago lends the term "lost weekend" a new, positive slant. Check in at this boutique spot, get lost in its style and pampering and leave thoroughly restored. Light woods, leather furniture and white birch tree trunks clustered in planters suggest Oslo or Stockholm, transporting you from downtown Chicago's Miracle Mile, just minutes away. A kind of Scandinavian or minimalist decor prevails as well in accommodations, which range from king rooms to a penthouse suite. All have light wal...
|
|
Issue: Spring/Summer 2007
Author(s): Miriam Carey
Escaping to Chicago for a romantic weekend doesn't have to mean breaking the bank. Operating under the cushy InterContinental Hotel Group brand name, the Hotel Indigo surprises visitors with its location in Chicago's residential Gold Coast neighborhood and its upscale affordability. Guests can take advantage of packages that include a nice-sized suite and spa services for less than $250 a night. Designed to entice the weary traveler with comfortable decor and a motif centered on the idea of relaxation, ...
|
|
Issue: Spring/Summer 2006
Author(s): Kelly Aiglon
Historically, Chicago – a city once dominated by stockyards, spliced by a lakeside maze of train tracks, and nearly razed by fire – did not have the trappings of a romantic hamlet. Today, things are a bit different. Chicago’s tumultuous past, while the stuff of great stories, is overshadowed by a lighthearted energy apparent in everything from the leisure boats that drift in and out of its harbors, to the trolley cars making their way through the streets of downtown. Romantic retreats, during whic...
|
|
Issue: Spring/Summer 2006
Author(s): Amy S. Eckert
The scent of a hundred spices fills your nostrils and clings to your clothes when you step into The Spice House. Cinnamon, cloves and ground pepper bring back memories of holiday dinners in grandma’s kitchen. But your grandma never stocked a spice rack like this one. Floor-to-ceiling shelves of glass jars supply all the basics, and then some. Want cinnamon? Choose between Saigon, China Tung Hing, Korintje, Indonesian or Ceylon varieties, each with its own subtle differences, in ground or stick forms. ...
|
|
Issue: Fall/Winter 2005
Author(s): Kelly Aiglon
Two new museums have opened in Illinois — one dedicated to a freedom-loving president, the other intended to free children’s imaginations. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum in the state capitol of Springfield houses a 46,000-item collection of documents and artifacts related to Honest Abe, including handwritten copies of the Gettysburg Address and the Second Inaugural Address. Follow the president’s paper trail, then hit re-creations of places in Lincoln’s life, such as his Ind...
|
|
Issue: Fall/Winter 2005
ILLINOIS There’s so much to do in Illinois, the state had to create a new season to fit it all in. Fall-O-Ween, which runs from Sept. 1 through Halloween, is the time for harvest festivals, trips to pumpkin patches, haunted houses and corn mazes, apple picking and costume parades. Take a road trip through Illinois this Fall-O-Ween. Located at the confluence of the Mississippi, Illinois and Missouri rivers, the Meeting of the Great Rivers Byway stretches 55 miles, and in early September offers gorgeous...
|
|
Issue: Fall/Winter 2005
Author(s): Kelly Aiglon
Fred Koehler proved that a winery doesn’t have to rest on fertile soil. Koehler and his wife, Lynn, launched Lynfred Winery – a cellar, tasting room, and bed and breakfast rolled into one – in northwest suburban Chicago in 1979. While the area’s often intemperate climate prevents Koehler from growing grapes there, he taps into vineyards across the U.S. and has them shipped. Then, he ages them in barrels on-site. The result? Crisp varietals with Chicago-themed names like Vin de City White. Tour t...
|
|
Issue: Spring/Summer 2005
Author(s): Ellen Clark
Red coat streaking out behind her, shiny black hair swinging, Shirley Lum scurries along the streets of her native Toronto. Breezing through multi-ethnic neighborhoods, past public art and bizarrely decorated clubs, she tosses out tantalizing tidbits of insider information as she goes. And who better to conduct walking tours of a city whose residents hail from 170 nations and speak 100 different languages than this diminutive fourth-generation Chinese Canadian dynamo? Arguably Canada's most creative and...
|
|
Issue: Spring/Summer 2005
Author(s): Kathleen Osborne
ILLINOIS While You're There ... Whether you're in search of history or you're just looking to make some memories of your own, Illinois is a great getaway. The "Land of Lincoln" is home to Lincoln's Log Cabin in Lerna, the Douglas Tomb State Historic Site in Chicago and the Lewis & Clark State Historic Site in Hartford. In addition to delighting in the details of the state monuments, architecture buffs will enjoy the marvelous details of hundreds of other Illinois structures. Chicago is so proud of its a...
|
|
Issue: Spring/Summer 2005
Author(s): Kathryn Lemmon
The National Great Rivers Museum in Alton, Illinois, is dedicated to telling the stories of the Mississippi; from wildlife along its banks, to people who depend on its water, to its vital role as a transportation corridor. What better place to tell the story than at the confluence of two great rivers: the Missouri and the Mississippi. Twenty interactive and computer-animated exhibits illustrate the impact of the Mississippi River. While visiting, take time to tour the Melvin Price Locks and Dam, conside...
|
|
Issue: Spring/Summer 2005
Author(s): Miriam Carey
Chicagoans can really throw a party, especially when the theme is food. This summer marks the 25th anniversary of Taste of Chicago,"a beloved summer event that will bring 10 days of food and fun to the city. But this year, the Windy City has also prepared a summer banquet of food-themed events – films, theater, poetry, fiction, history and science – during the summer-long Stirring it Up in Chicago. Billed as "a delicious, exotic, eclectic mix- ture of the culinary, visual, performing and literary ar...
|
|
Issue: Spring/Summer 2005
Author(s): Kathleen Osborne
Illinois April 16-17 Knock Your Socks Off: Slip into character and say "ooh ooh, ahh ahh" at the Sock Monkey Festival in Rockford. Meet Nelson, the 7-foot sock monkey named after John Nelson, the inventor of the sock-knitting machine, and learn how to make your own sock monkey from the famous Rockford Red Heeled Sock. Midway Village & Museum Center, 6799 Guilford Rd., Rockford, 815/397-9112. www.midwayvillage.com . 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Adults $5, children 3-17 $3. June 9-12 No Kryptonite: Metropolis, the offi...
|
|
Issue: Fall/Winter 2004
Author(s): Amy S. Eckert
If You Go ... Lee County Tourism Council, 113 S. Peoria Ave., Dixon, Ill., 815/288-1840. www.leecountytourism.com . Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home, 816 S. Hennepin Ave., 815/288-3404, Dixon, Ill. Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 1-4 p.m. When Americans recall Ronald Reagan, they typically place him either at his California ranch or in Washington, D.C. But the nation's 40th president actually traced his roots to rural Illinois. A self-guided driving tour of the Ronald Reagan Trail introduces visitors to many o...
|
|
Issue: Fall/Winter 2004
Author(s): Kelly Aiglon
If You Go ... Baxter's Vineyards, 2010 E. Parley St., Nauvoo, Ill., 217/453-2528. www.nauvoowinery.com . Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Nauvoo Illinois Temple, 50 W. Wells St., Nauvoo, Ill., 217/453-6252. Views from grounds; inside not open to the public. Latter-Day Saints Visitor Center, Main and Wells streets, Nauvoo, Ill., 888/453-6434. Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Western Illinois' small, pastoral town of Nauvoo wasn't always so. Settled in 1839 by Mormons,...
|
|
Issue: Spring/Summer 2004
Author(s): Nadine Ekrek
The Richmond Inn, 10314 East St., 815/678-2505, www.TheRichmondInn.com . Rates: $99-$175 per night. Antiques on Broadway, U.S. Rte. 12 (Main Street) and Broadway, Richmond, 815/678-7951. Tues.-Sat. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 12-5 p.m. Sunshine & Shadow Quilt Shoppe, 5608 Broadway, 815/678-2603. Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 12-5 p.m. Main Street Cafe, 10331 Main St., 815/678-4425. Mon.-Fri. 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. There is so much to do and enjoy at The Richmond Inn bed ...
|
|
Issue: Fall/Winter 2004
Author(s): Kelly Aiglon
If You Go ... Edler Glass Studio, 100 N. Stephenson St., Cedarville, Ill., 815/563-4601. www.edlerstudio.com . Open daily. Colony Woodshed, 103 Bishop Hill St., Bishop Hill, Ill., 309/927-3571. Daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through Dec. 23. Colin Folk Art, 6111 Mill St., Salisbury, Ill., 217/626-1204. Open daily. Mississippi Mud Pottery, 310 E. Broadway St., Alton, Ill., 618/462-7573. www.mississippimudpottery.biz . Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 12-4 p.m. West Street Sculpture Park, 620 S. West St., Galena, Ill...
|
|
Issue: Spring/Summer 2004
Author(s): Kelly Aiglon
For many, the idea of fine wine from Illinois seems as incongruous as oranges from Detroit. So unsuspecting oenophiles are bound to revel in the thrill — or, shall we say, swill — of discovery along southern Illinois' Shawnee Hills Wine Trail . The trail, which cuts a path through the picturesque Shawnee National Forest, encompasses five top-tier wineries, each with its own distinctive tasting rooms. Start your trip at Pomona Winery in Pomona , a town named for the Roman goddess of fruit trees and orcha...
|
|
Issue: Fall/Winter 2002
Author(s): JoAnn Milivojevic
Need a good laugh? Then head directly to one of Chicago's improvisational theaters. Whether you catch experienced improv veterans or up-and-coming comedic players, you're guaranteed a laugh — or two or three. Chicago is the birthplace of improvisational comedy. All over the city, every night of the week, troupes play at venues large and small. With a few suggestions shouted from the audience they create fresh, funny and quirky stories. You can see some shows for $10 or less. In fact, famed Second City f...
|
|
Issue: Fall/Winter 2002
Author(s): Nadine Ekrek
Nothing beats a long drive to calm the mind and soothe the spirit — except maybe chocolate, of course. Get a fix on both in northwestern Illinois, where the roads seem to be paved with the stuff. While the area boasts several tourist attractions, including the scenic Blackhawk Waterways, two dozen golf courses, Ronald Reagan's boyhood home, several state parks and antique and specialty shops, you can also follow the sweet scent of fresh chocolate as you meander through four different counties (Carroll, ...
|
|
Issue: Fall/Winter 2002
Author(s): Linda Feagler
Imagine sitting in the living room where Beatle George Harrison created the guitar licks that would be heard in “Paperback Writer.” Or stretching out on the sofa he snoozed on. Visitors to Hard Day's Nite Bed & Breakfast in Benton, Illin ois , will find themselves surrounded by all things Beatle, right down to Fab Four jigsaw puzzles. Harrison's sister, Louise, bought the house and lived in it for five years after immigrating to the United States from Canada in 1963. In September of that year – five...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|