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EXPERIENCE
THE SIGNS OF SPRING IN ILLINOIS
CHICAGO
- Spring signals longer days, warmer weather, blooming flowers
and an abundance of new blockbuster attractions and perennial
events in Illinois. This spring Illinois travelers can
discover new destinations and rediscover old favorites certain
to make for an enjoyable 3-day getaway.
Blooming
Blockbusters
This
spring at the Chicago Children’s Museum, March 2–June 12,
Scholastic’s The
Magic School Bus™ Kicks Up A Storm invites
children to join Ms. Frizzle™ on a journey into the wonders of
weather. Based on the popular books and television series,
this unique, weather-focused exhibit explores the science of
meteorology, how climate affects culture and safety precautions
for severe weather events. (Chicago)
For
more information, contact the Chicago Children’s Museum
(312-527-1000, www.chichildrensmuseum.org).
Chicago’s
new Millennium Park is anticipating various developments
this spring.
The Lurie Garden, located at the park’s southeast
corner, will receive 56 additional benches for patrons to enjoy.
In late May, Cloud Gate, the 110-ton elliptical sculpture
created by celebrated British artist Anish Kapoor, will be
officially unveiled as the artist intended it to look, after
having undergone its final phase of polishing and welding.
(Chicago) For more information, contact Millennium
Park (312-742-1168, www.millenniumpark.org). Through
May 8, Chicago’s Field
But outdoor
activity does more than just thrill. A recent study conducted by
the researchrm Harris Interactive® for the Outdoor Industry Foundation
shows that close to 90 percent of Americans 16 years and older feel
that the outdoors reduces their stress levels and gives them a sense of
accomplishment. The report also shows that "the outdoors is
a natural cure for the blues." With such an endorsement,
travelers will find that in all corners of the state, Illinois is the
ideal destination to relax and experience nature’s offerings this
spring.
Ride, Ride,
Ride
Chicago’s bike
trails cover hundreds of miles of scenic terrain, but perhaps none as
awe-inspiring as the city’s Lakefront Trail. This paved,
multi-use path stretches 18 miles along Lake Michigan, providing cool
lake breezes and stunning skyline views. Must-see stops along the
way include the South Shore Cultural Center, the Adler Planetarium
& Astronomy Museum, The Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium,
Buckingham Fountain and Lincoln Park Zoo.
The city
recently gave bikers another reason to start pedaling: The Millennium
Park Bicycle Station, located across from the Aon Center at upper
Randolph Street. The station offers a large fleet of bikes for
rent by the hour, day or week, secure bicycle parking, lockers,
showers, towel service and free bicycle valet parking during summer
performances at Millennium Park and Grant Park festivals. (Chicago)
For more information
or to download a Chicago bicycle map, contact the Millennium Park Bike
Station (888-bike-way, www.chicagobikestation.com).
The picturesque North
Branch Bicycle Trail starts at Caldwell and Devon avenues in
Chicago and continues north approximately 20 miles to Lake County.
The route stays close to the north branch of the Chicago River
and ribbons through wooded areas with some stretches of prairie and
beautiful residential neighborhoods. Taking a spin on this path
offers opportunities for fun, exercise and relaxation with stops at the
Skokie Lagoons, which provide access to picnic groves and views of
gardens in the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, where thousands of
spring flowers bloom. Cyclists can utilize bike racks near the
entrance of the Garden to gain access to the grounds and explore on
foot. (Chicagoland)
For more
information, contact the Forest Preserve District of Cook County
(708-771-1330); Chicago Botanic Garden (847-835-5440, www.chicagobotanic.org).
Literally cut out
from the rocks of Illinois’ far northern region are trails ideal for
cyclists looking for adventure steeped in Native American history.
Once traveled by Iroquois, Pottawatomie and Chippewa tribes, Rock
Cut State Park Trails provide more than 20 groomed miles of land
for mountain biking, with the mighty Rock River as a scenic backdrop.
Mountain biking trails are open April through November, prime time to
enjoy more than 100 types of wildflowers on display. For visitors
who want to include an overnight stay in their visit to Rock Cut, the
park offers year-round campgrounds. (Northern)
For more
information, contact Rock Cut State Park (815-885-3311, www.dnr.state.il.us).
Heartland
Pathways
is an abandoned rail bed in Central Illinois that runs from Clinton to
Seymour, and where some of the last remnants of tall grass prairies are
on display in Illinois. The 31 miles of farmland is sure to
inspire peacefulness and nostalgia. A must-see attraction is at
Clinton’s Weldon Springs State Recreation Area, where life-sized
images of local wildlife are carved out of the golden wood of a bald
cypress tree. (Central)
For more information,
contact Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
(309-665-0033, www.visitbn.org).
The paved Great
River Trail extends 60 miles along the Mississippi River from
Moline north to Savanna and offers riders magnificent views and
historical points of interest. As riders follow the river, they
pass unforgettable attractions such as Mississippi Palisades State
Park, Fulton’s reconstructed settler’s village Heritage Canyon, and
the Upper Mississippi Spring National Wildlife Refuge, where prairie
animals roam freely. Riders can rent their wheels and helmets at
Arnold’s Bicycle Repair in Savanna or from the Quad Cities
Convention & Visitors Bureau in Moline. (Western)
For more
information, contact the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau
(563-322-3911 or 800-747-7800, www.visitquadcities.com);
Arnold’s Bicycle Repair (815-273-7789).
If
travelers on the Tunnel Hill State Trail use their imagination,
they might hear the bangs and clangs of the major railroad construction
project that occurred along the trail in the 19th century.
Entrenched in history, the crushed limestone trail runs along a
converted rail bed, stretching 45 miles through Southern Illinois.
After spending the night at the House of Nahum bed and breakfast,
riders can get an early start in Harrisburg, which is mostly pristine
countryside. At New Castle, the old railroad bed enters the
Shawnee National Forest area and remains there for roughly half of the
trail's length. When riders hit New Burnside, they’ll have the
chance to marvel at the towering bluffs before passing through lush
wetland south of Vienna. (Southern)
For more
information, contact Southern Illinois Tourism Development Office
(618-998-9397, www.adventureillinois.com);
House of Nahum (618-252-1414).
From antique-rich
Alton to Pere Marquette State Park, the Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail
has riders flying alongside the Great River Road and a portion of the
Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway. White limestone bluffs,
views of the Mississippi and Civil War markers make up the setting for
this 20-mile journey. Cyclists can also ride through Elsah, a
charming town which earned a place on the National Register of Historic
Places for its architectural gems such as the 1874 Methodist Church and
the 1857 Schoolhouse. For adventurers that need to rent a bike,
the best way to get one is to head to Grafton where there are several
rental shops such as Riverside Recreation. Country Corner Fudge
offers families bike rental and delicious homemade treats for the ride!
(Southwest)
For more
information, contact Great River Road Association (www.greatriverroad.com/vadalabene.htm);
Riverside Recreation (618-786-2455); Country Corner Fudge
(618-786-3700).
Spring
Into Action
Who knew visitors
could kayak the Chicago River while simultaneously uncovering the
architectural history of Chicago? Kayak Chicago offers
fascinating architecture tours for those interested in seeing the city
from a new vantage point. Beginners and advanced kayakers alike
will enjoy paddling among the looming skyscrapers. (Chicago)
For more
information, contact Kayak Chicago (630-336-7245, www.kayakchicago.com).
The Fox River
in St. Charles also presents a special experience, this time by a
scenic canoe ride. The Fox River has 103 miles of open waterways
for canoeing, and countless opportunities to view wildlife, including
whitetail deer, ducks and Great Blue Herons. The most popular
paddle is a three-hour, seven-mile section between South Elgin and St.
Charles, where explorers can view limestone bluffs and waterfalls.
Visitors can get started at Canoe Shack Outfitters in St.
Charles, where they can rent canoe equipment and choose from two
different guided Fox River canoe trips. (Chicagoland)
For more
information, contact Canoe Shack Outfitters (630-584-8017, www.canoeshack.com).
Visitors to Northern
Illinois can make their own great adventure at Starved Rock State
Park. The park offers 18 canyons for hiking, including the
awesome St. Louis Canyon deep within the park. Adventurers will
always discover something new along the trails, whether it’s a
colorful plant species, sparkling waterfalls or even cavern-dwelling
bats and flying squirrels! Visitors who want more than a day’s
worth of exploration can stay at the 1930's era stone-and-log Starved
Rock Lodge, situated atop a wooded bluff overlooking the picturesque
Illinois River.
(Northern)
For more
information, contact Starved Rock State Park (815-667-4726, www.dnr.state.il.us).
Beautiful Lake
Shelbyville
boasts 172 miles of shoreline, innumerable coves for exploration,
cruising, fishing and swimming and three marinas with boat rentals for
travelers looking to make waves. Also, because the temperatures
in the Lake Shelbyville region are generally 8 to 10 degrees warmer
than the Chicago area, the summer last a little bit longer with beaches
open in May through the first part of September. (Central)
For more
information, contact Findlay Marina (217-756-8595); Lithia Springs
Marina (800-447-4121); Sullivan Marina (888-728-7338); Lake Shelbyville
(800-874-3529, www.lakeshelbyville.com/rec.htm).
Located 50 miles
south of Quincy and reminiscent of a dude ranch, at Harpole’s
Heartland Lodge adventurers can ride all terrain vehicles through
Heartland’s 40 miles of forest, creeks and prairies; other notable
offerings include Old-West style cookouts, hunting, fishing, skeet
shooting and hayrides. (Western)
For more
information, contact Harpole’s Heartland Lodge (800-717-4868, www.heartlandlodge.com).
Beginners
dreaming of climbing the bluffs of Illinois should take the first step
at Vertical Heartland Rock Climbing School. Friends can
literally lean on each other at this school, which teaches climber
safety and technical equipment usage and methods. On an
innovative, forested team-building course, visitors can challenge
themselves in a garden of sandstone boulders. Once beginners have
mastered certain skills, they can head to the lush, 4,000-acre Giant
City State Park, where climbing and rappelling are permitted in two
locations. Experienced climbers will enjoy Devil’s Standtable
Cliff, a steep and challenging climb made of rough sandstone. (Southern)
For
more information and prices, contact Vertical Heartland Rock Climbing
School (618-995-1427, www.verticalheartland.com);
Giant City State Park (618-457-4836, www.dnr.state.il.us).
Nature-lovers
looking for a scenic ride can find it at Pere Marquette
Riding Stables in Grafton. Perfect for a family outing, Pere
Marquette’s stables provide horseback riding, trails, pony rides for
children and even horses for sale. The 50-minute guided ride
through nearly three miles of scenic trails helps renew appreciation
for clean air, natural sights and local wildlife. The stables are
open daily May through October and rides start at 10 a.m. and continue
every hour on the hour until 4 p.m. (Southwest)
For more information
or to make a reservation, contact Pere Marquette State Park
(618-786-2156, www.dnr.state.il.us).
SEASONS - MILE
AFTER MAGNIFICENT MILE OF GUILTY PLEASURES IN ILLINOIS
Quirky
indulgences and things you hate to love abound throughout the state in
2005
With the New Year comes new resolutions,
which are typically the tried and true promises to lose weight,
exercise more and save money. This year, though, the Illinois
Bureau of Tourism wants to help travelers resolve to do something far
more achievable – celebrate the simple, fun and sometimes quirky
indulgences in life known as guilty pleasures.
Lou Harry, co-author of “Encyclopedia
of Guilty Pleasures”, says, “We’re told what’s cool today,
which isn’t usually what was cool yesterday or what will be cool
tomorrow. Life’s little pleasures should be embraced in the
moment, from watching a “Baywatch” marathon to spending your
paycheck shopping on Michigan Avenue.”
With
New Year’s resolutions rampant, now is the perfect time to plan a
reprieve from the ordinary. Whether it’s a calorie-packed
bakery binge along Route 66, a return to the days of disco or a lavish
spa treatment, Illinois is the perfect place to indulge in guilty
pleasures all year.
Winter
Bushy
sideburns, sparkly jumpsuits and blue suede shoes await visitors
January 14 and 15 at the Midwest Elvis Impersonators Competition and
Winter Jam in Springfield. Twenty national and international
Elvis-tribute artists compete for the title of The King – or the
closest thing to it. Of course, the Elvises won’t leave the
building until the final $3,000 prizewinner is announced. (217-793-3733)
Central
On
February 15, world-famous ABBA tribute band, Bjorn Again,
takes the stage in home “Swede” home Chicago at the House of Blues.
Take a chance, take a chance, take a chance on this ABBA-solutely
amazing night on the town! (www.ticketmaster.com)
Chicago
Indulge
as the lush longhaired musical phenomenon Yanni
performs at Chicago’s United Center. And just in time for
Valentine’s Day, there’s no need for cliché gifts when the
performer takes to the stage on February 17, creating a world of
romance in his wake. Even Cupid would get a run for his money.
(312-455-4500, www.united-center.com)
Chicago
Visitors
can treat themselves to a Valentine’s evening with pop phenom Donny
Osmond. It’s a real
toss up as guests find out if they’re a little bit country or a
little bit rock-n-roll, and lovers won’t want to miss Donny as he
performs “Puppy Love” at the Peoria Civic Center February 14.
(www.peoriaciviccenter.com)
Western
For a
romantic Valentine’s evening of dancing and dining, visitors can
travel to Crystal Lake where the 1930’s-style Porter’s Oyster
Bar and Night Club is located. The Motown group New Orleans
Beau and the Big Easy plays Friday night, and Saturday features Libido
Funk Circus, covering the best of the ultimate guilty pleasure: disco.
Polyester suits can only enhance doing “The Hustle.” (815-477-0340,
www.portersoysterbar.com)
Eighty “outta sight” guest rooms are available just five minutes
away at Crystal Lake’s Country Inn & Suites. (800-456-4000,
www.countryinns.com)
Northern
Spring
Visitors can
live in the lap of luxury—even if only for a day—and escape to a
French country cottage nestled along the Fox River’s edge. The Herrington
Inn & Spa in Geneva offers indulgent treatments, from Spirulina
Algae and Dead Sea mud body wraps to cornmeal and honey facials.
This Chicagoland escape provides lavish guest rooms and superior
pampering with effects lasting long beyond the actual visit.
(630-208-7433, www.herringtoninn.com)
Chicagoland
Dinner
theater is the only guilty pleasure that not only allows, but requires,
audiences to dig into a carved-meat and mashed potato buffet, all while
catchy show tunes fill the room. At White Pines Inn and Dinner
Theater guests can relish “A Star is Born: The Music of Barbra
Streisand” on March 30 and 31 at the intimate open-beamed log
cabin lodge in Mt. Morris. Though “Babs” won’t be there to
belt out the tunes in person, Grammy nominee Maureen Christine will
deliver a collection of Streisand favorites sure to make everyone verklempt.
(815-946-3817, www.whitepinesinn.com)
Northern
Visitors can
satisfy their craving for dazzling displays of Irish song and dance by
attending the original Riverdance at Aurora’s Paramount
Arts Centre. Chicago native Michael Flatley created the show in
which the Lycra-wearing Irish dancing troupe twirls, taps and amazes
audiences March 4-6. (630-896-6666,
www.paramountarts.com)
Also jigging their way to the newly renovated Genesee Theatre in
Waukegan on February 14 and 15 is Flatley’s Lord of the Dance.
(312-902-1500, www.ticketmaster.com)
Chicagoland
Summer
Dodgeball
is no children’s game this summer as players and fans from across the
country converge on Olympic Park in Schaumburg for the National
Amateur Dodgeball Association's Outdoor National Championship and
Dodgeball Days July 22 and 23.
(847-985-2115) Chicagoland
It’s a
bird. It’s a plane. It’s…a man in tights? Superman, the
popular “DC Comics” superhero, takes center stage in his hometown
of Metropolis, June 9-12, when visitors to this southern town salute
the “Man of Steel” at the Annual Superman Celebration.
The 2005 festival features mini-guilty pleasures such as a
Superman play and a Superboy pageant. (800-949-5740, www.metropolischamber.com/events.htm)
Southern
Heading into
its 152nd year, the Illinois State Fair in
Springfield is the celebration of Illinois’ rich agricultural
history. But the fair also offers attendees a chance to see a
life-sized cow made of butter, tractor pulls, carnival rides and more.
This year’s fair is August 12-21, and mouths are already
watering for deliciously guilty delicacies, such as elephant ears,
foot-long corn dogs and the decadent deep-fried Snickers™ bars.
(www.agr.state.il.us/isf)
If visitors
need a rest after their decadent consumption, beautiful
turn-of-century rooms are offered at The Inn at 835. The bed and
breakfast offers luxurious suites within walking distance of downtown
Springfield. (217-523-4468, www.innat835.com)
Central
Fall
“Like
sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives” is a
passage steeped in sentiment for thousands of daytime television
aficionados throughout the country. Die-hard fans can take their
love affair a step further at the Days of Our Lives Fest in
Salem, which shares its name with the soap opera’s fictional town.
Each September provides the chance to meet and greet actors from
the legendary soap opera – baby switches, amnesia and extramarital
affairs are optional. Southern
Route 66 is
internationally recognized for its historical significance and famed
stops along the way. The “Old Road” also offers the best
of bakeries offering homemade sweets – a “must-binge” when
enjoying guilty pleasures and storing food for the impending winter.
Visitors can get their kicks (and treats!) at the historic Weber
House in Springfield where the French-inspired bakery, Incredibly
Delicious, is known for its flaky croissants, chocolate pistachio
cake and customer favorite lemon raspberry cake with buttercream
frosting.
Gorging on
sweets on 66 must also include a stop at Blue Stem Bake Shop in
Elkhart, which offers comfort food such as macadamia nut cookies and
Abraham Lincoln’s favorite cake, vanilla almond. Also, Ariston
Café in Litchfield has been serving homemade cheesecake, baklava
and oh-so-sinful Red Velvet cake since 1924. (Incredibly
Delicious in Springfield: 217-528-8548, Blue Stem Bake Shop in Elkhart:
217-947-2522; Ariston Café in Litchfield: 217-324-2023) Central
Gourmet
cheese in one hand, a glass of wine in the other, and a stunning view
to soothe the eyes highlight a visit to Piasa Winery in Grafton.
Located along the National Great Rivers Scenic Byway, Piasa
inspires lively conversation and an appreciation for the finer things
in life. It may not be as guilty as boxed wine with a spigot, but
Piasa’s delicious prices sure feel that way. (618-786-9463, www.piasawinery.com)
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