The Chicago Traveler

• If fresh-shucked oysters and pints of Guinness sound like a good time to you, check out the Guinness Oyster Festival in Roscoe Village. There are also vendors of other foods, pints of Harp’s and Smithwick’s available, and live music. (Sept 6)
• Chow down on brats, potato salad, sauerkraut, smoked sausages, and beer at the 88th Annual German-American Festival in Lincoln Square. The 43rd Annual Von Steuben Parade (featured in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off) starts Saturday at 2 p.m. (Sept 5-7)
• You can sample from more than 300 international vintages and watching cooking demos at the Fourth Annual Windy City …read more

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When it comes to sweets, you don’t discriminate. You love them all: cakes, ice cream, candy. You don’t care how a dessert shows up, as long as it shows up. Sweet Tooths, listen here… and welcome to paradise.
Three female pastry chefs, each with their own individual business, brought their shops together under one roof, creating the Sweet Collective. Headed by Cathay Rayhill, The Sugar Syndicate is a boutique bakery that specializes in custom cakes for special occasions. And if your special occasion is called “Monday is over,” you can stop in for small individual treats like petits fours, mini-Danishes, bite-size …read more

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When it comes to fashion, one day you’re in, and the next day… you’re out.
Are you a fan of the Bravo network’s Project Runway? The most recent season of the reality competition show required fashion designers to create a garment using materials from a Hershey’s store in Times Square, New York City. Now the results of this challenge can be seen right here in Chicago. Five dresses are on display at the Hershey’s store on Michigan Avenue, including Christian Siriano’s “Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Wrapper Dress” and Elisa Jimenez’s “Hershey’s Velour Dress with Silver Cuffs.” The display will be set …read more

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It’s the middle of winter, and that has many of us dreaming of spring and warmer temperatures. Which, of course, means frozen treats!
Scooter’s offers some of the city’s best frozen custard, coming in basic flavors (like chocolate and vanilla) as well as a unique flavor of the day ranging anywhere from strawberry swirl to “Belmont Avenue” (a.k.a. Rocky Road). This dessert really can’t be beat, made fresh daily with less air and ice than plain ol’ ice cream.
The menu also carries sundaes, Italian ices, cookie custard sandwiches, and the popular Concretes—loads of frozen custard combined with candy or flavorings like …read more

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The folks here at b5media’s Travel and Culture Channel are making sure Autumn doesn’t fall by the wayside with this month’s Theme Day. This season brings out some of the most beautiful colors that nature has to offer, and there is no better place to witness them than at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The 385-acre Garden contains 2.2 million plants in its 23 major gardens and natural areas. There’s plenty of room to explore, so grab yourself a free map at the Visitor’s Center, or take one of the educational tours offered by foot and by tram. The sights and …read more

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Pretty soon, those little superheroes, ghosts, and pirates will be ringing your bell and knocking at your door, expecting something sweet to eat. Sure, you could go to any store and pick up the same ol’ Snickers and M&M’s that everyone else has, but how many houses can boast Abba Zabba, Mary Janes, or Wonka Bars?
Around the corner from Luxe, Suckers Candy, Inc. is chock full of candy memories. Revel in the sweets of the past, browsing through the likes of Slo’ Pokes and Wacky Taffy. Can’t decide? They’ll gladly put together a gift package for you, filled with all …read more

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Sarah Levy, a Chicago native who graduated from Northwestern University and the French Pastry School of Chicago, is sharing her talents and labors at Sarah’s Pastries & Candies. This charming pink and burgundy café (right around the corner from Le Colonial) is as close as you’ll come to France without the long flight.
Mark Levy may be the co-founder of Levy Restaurants, but his daughter Sarah is a gourmet chef claiming her own stake in the culinary world. Customers take a seat outside and indulge in her yummy creations like Chocolate Pecan Turtles, Coconut Almond Crunch Bars, and Royaltines. Inside, you’ll …read more

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There’s plenty to see inside Navy Pier, but you won’t need your eyes to find this special treat. The scent of delicious popcorn will draw you in to the Popcorn Palace and Candy Emporium. This old-fashioned popcorn-and-candy shop has been tempting pier-goers since 1995. This Palace doesn’t just offer the traditional butter-flavored popcorn you can find in any movie theatre. They have 27 flavors, including Cheesy Ranch, Jalapeño, Sour Cream & Chives, Cinnamon, Pecan Praline, and even Cookies & Cream. What’s my favorite? Well, I’m still trying to figure that out; everything’s good! Though I have to say, I’m partial …read more

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