The Chicago Traveler

• In Roscoe Village, the Harvest Fest celebrates the 100th anniversary of Jahn World Language School with live music, carnival rides, and food vendors. (Sept 12-14)
• The 19th annual Festival de La Villita features carnival rides, live music, lots of food, and arts and crafts vendors, commemorating Mexican independence from Spanish rule. The fair is also the end location of the 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade (with floats, mariachi bands, and folk dancers) on Sunday. (Sept 12-14)
• A new art festival has arrived in Bucktown and Wicker Park. The smARTshow showcases the works of 75 artists inside the Flat …read more

Comments Off

• At the Newberry Library’s 24th annual Book Fair, you can browse through more than 100,000 books in 60 categories, most of which cost $2 or less. (July 24-27)
• In honor of Jimmy Buffet’s concerts at Toyota Park (July 24, 26), Lizzy McNeill’s Irish Pub is holding a Luau on the Chicago River. This Hawaiian-themed barbecue will be held outside the bar and includes live music, games, beer samples, and a cruise raffle. Food and drink sales benefit the Special Olympics and Misericordia. (July 25-27)
• You can compete in a Neil Diamond look-alike contest at the Neil Diamond Extravaganza, hosted …read more

1 Comment

• RedEye columnist Mark Bazer hosts “The Interview Show” at Hideout, where a variety of guests (including musicians, comedians, authors, and more) share their thoughts. (Every first Friday)
• The indoor-outdoor 23rd annual Irish-American Heritage Festival features live Irish music on five stages, folk dancing, food, arts and crafts vendors, and a raffle for a trip to Ireland. (July 11-13)
• You can browse through wood carvings, paintings, and jewelry from Asia, Africa, and Europe at the Black Thai International Arts and Crafts Fest in the West Loop. (July 9-11, Aug 6-8, Sept 3-5)
• More than 200 painters, sculptors, photographers, street musicians, …read more

Comments Off

The Illinois Bureau of Tourism asked the state’s residents and visitors to nominate their favorite destinations in Illinois. In May of 2007, seven of these were selected as the Seven Wonders of Illinois.

• Chicago: Wrigley Field. The atmosphere, neighborhood, and fans put this stadium in a league of its own. It’s not just a ballpark; it’s an experience.
• Chicagoland: The Baha’I House of Worship. This unforgettable sight is beautiful both inside and out. Its intricate construction took nearly 30 years to complete.
• Northern: Starved Rock State Park. Visitors can witness firsthand the results of Mother Nature’s power: 18 canyons framed …read more

4 Comments

Illinois provides many opportunities for outdoors enthusiasts to hike, swim, camp, fish, and much more. But for those of us who are a little less enthusiastic about nature, sometimes just a nice scenic drive can be a nice relaxing getaway.
In southwestern Illinois, the Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Route travels for 33 miles (53 km) through the floodplains where the Missouri, Mississippi, and Illinois Rivers meet. At the rivers’ juncture, history and natural beauty also come together, for this area had great significance in early American times.
For example, on the south end of the route, Meriwether Lewis and William …read more

2 Comments

Words can’t always fully describe the beauty and majesty of a scene. Letters and punctuation cannot capture the refreshing feeling that nature can offer. Such is the case with Allerton Park and Retreat Center.
Oh sure, I could go on and on about the 1500 acres (6 km2) of meadows, woodlands, gardens, hiking trails, farmsteads, and sculptures located near Monticello, Illinois. I could tell you about how several conferences, retreats, special events, and weddings are held there every year. This public park is used daily for hiking, picnicking, bird-watching, and even old-fashioned refreshing walks.
The land was the first major gift ever …read more

5 Comments