• 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 by majestic sandstone bluffs.

• Central: Allerton Park and Retreat Center. This is one of the few “old country” estates left in the Midwest and the lush gardens show that the plains can be anything but… plain.

• Western: Black Hawk State Historic Site. With a variety of activities and nature areas, this park is an ideal for families and history buffs.

• Southern: Rend Lake. This true wonder is a year-round haven for outdoor fun, accommodating swimmers, water-skiers, fishermen, boaters, sunbathers, golfers, shoppers, hunters, birdwatchers, etc.

• Southwest: Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway. This area is one of the best and most beautiful scenic venues in the entire Midwest.

So get out there and start exploring!

Photo credit: maura, elrentaplats, jpmatth, sirbranderson, edcrowle, Drawings of Light – Paul

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

Despite what many Chicagoans would like to believe, there is more to Illinois than just the Windy City. Rend Lake is one of Southern Illinois’ foremost vacation spots, offering an incredible array of outdoor activities. Visitors can enjoy golfing, hunting, fishing, boating, waterskiing, horseback riding, hiking, biking, swimming or just relaxing on the beach.

Rend Lake is actually an artificial lake, a reservoir created by the Illinois Department of Conservation, the Rend Lake Conservancy District, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Construction began in 1965, but the lake was not completed and filled until March 1973. It contains 18,900 acres (76 km²) of water, providing a dependable domestic water supply to over 60 communities.

• The Rend Lake Golf Course is one of the best in the Midwest, rated as the number one public golf facility in the Gateway PGA. The 27-hole complex can be enjoyed by all levels of experience and features a large, lighted driving range. The full-service Pro Shop carries the latest in apparel and equipment. Professionals offer individual or group lessons.

• Hunting enthusiasts and wildlife viewers are drawn to the area’s ducks, geese, deer, turkeys, and other game. Hunting information, regulations, zone maps, seasons, and other information are explained in a free booklet available at local bait shops and license vendors. (A hunter fact sheet is available [click here] from the Department of Natural Resources.)

• Four of Illinois’ fishing records have been caught at Rend Lake. Eager fishers can find bass, crappies, catfish, muskies, bluegills, and sunfish worth bragging about.

• Two main areas in the Rend Lake region are perfect for horseback riding: Rend Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area and Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park. Each provides over 7 miles (11 km) of level terrain and plenty of picturesque scenery. The latter also has horses available for rent.

• Eight different hiking and nature trails give wildlife voyeurs unique opportunities to see birds, aquatic creatures, and furry woodland animals. The Blackberry Nature Trail is a nice, leisurely stroll all year round while the Ryder’s Bottom is perfect for the more adventurous hiker, with no established trails along the route.

Also nearby is the Southern Illinois Art & Artisans Center, where the works of more than 850 Illinois artists are displayed and sold. Windows Restaurant at the Rend Lake Resort and Conference Center offers a wide range of cuisines all with a waterfront view. Finally, the lake is only five minutes away from Benton, where you can find all your small-town conveniences, including restaurants, hotels, and movie theatres.

With so many activities and attractions, Rend Lake can always offer something new and fun for even its most frequent visitors.

Photo credit (via Flickr and SXC): edcrowle, Steve Woods, Wojtek Piekutoszczak, greefus groinks, rampics, choban214, frackers23, granola eater

Rend Lake: Whittington, IL; 618-439-7430
http://www.rendlake.com/
http://www.rendlake.org/

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

Let’s do the Time Warp Again! Who doesn’t love the Rocky Horror Picture Show? Members of Midnight Madness will be performing at Chicago’s well-known alternative and classic film venue, the Music Box Theatre, Friday and Saturday at midnight. Where else is the audience just as entertaining as the movie? As expected, this showing sells out every year, so advance tickets are highly recommended.

Just about every bar, club, and attraction is doing something in honor of Halloween this weekend. Here are just a few:

• The evils spirits of Halloween are rising from the depths as Navy Pier presents Navy Fear. Enter a “Salvage and Recovery” facility that houses the remains of angry spirits. (Oct 24-31)

• Watch your back! Wind your way through a half mile of wooded footpaths depicting scary scenes of a deserted carnival crawling with creepy characters. The Trails of Terror at Peterson Park are not suitable for young children. (Oct 25-30)

• Small groups wander through the scary rooms of the Haunted Sanitarium, each with its own theme such as a cemetery, morgue, circus, dentist’s office, haunted castle, clown room, and haunted junkyard. The Theater on the Lake also features a waiting area with concessions and creepy movies. (Oct 24-31)

• For over 20 years, the folks at Saint Pascal Parish have been scaring the ‘hell’ out of people with their haunted houses. The tradition continues this year with Underworld, an industrial-accident theme including costumed characters, mazes, and props. Kids under 7 will not be admitted. (Oct 25-28)

• Get a free pumpkin to carve and be displayed at Sheffield’s. They’ll even provide the carving utensils. But get there early, the pumpkins are first come, first served. And while others are bobbing for apples, you’ll be bobbing for budget beers in the beer garden for just a buck! (Oct 25)

• Dream Theatre performs Jeremy Menekseoglu’s Anna, In the Darkness, a thriller about a town that gathers together to kill a young teacher trapped in her house… and the chilling experience will leave you feeling like you’re trapped inside with her. (Oct 25-31)

• Head to the seven rooms of Alhambra for Sexy Scream Fest, a costume-required affair, featuring live body painting, complimentary cocktails, spinning DJs, and a costume contest with cash prizes. (Oct 25)

• Medusa’s in Elgin presents Medusa Halloween, a party featuring two dance floors, seven DJs, five bars, a costume contest, and live music by The Gin Blossoms. (Oct 26)

• Head to Plan B for the Boo & Brew. For $40, you can start off with some fun cocktails named after monster-themed breakfast cereals. (Try the Count Chocula Martini!) After the drinks, you’ll hop on a bus and hit up some of the city’s most infamous haunted spots. Of course, cocktails will be served all along the way as well as at the party after the tour. (Oct 26)

• Seadog Cruises at Navy Pier offers a 60-minute Haunted Chicago Tour. A costumed ghostly character tells tales of supernatural and inexplicable events that have taken place throughout Chicago while cruising up the Chicago River and out to Lake Michigan. (Oct 26)

• They just don’t make movies like they used to. Portage Theater hosts the Monster Movie Festival, showing seven classic films, including a double feature on Sunday. Titles include The Wolfman (1941), Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), Phantom of the Opera (1925), and John Carpenter’s Halloween (1978). (Oct 26-31)

• Are you a devoted fan? Dress up as your favorite celebrity on Friday for a chance to win prizes at Boutique, as well as complimentary entry until midnight. On Saturday, any costume will get you in for free until 11 p.m.; limited entry for you party-poopers without one. (Oct 26-27)

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

If you’re considering an outfit that’s military-related, stop by the Army Navy Surplus Store (on the same block as A La Turka). They have everything. I’m not kidding. I’ve witnessed first-hand the huge selection of genuine U.S. military products. Bags, uniforms, watches, T-shirts, sunglasses, rain gear, helmets, goggles, belts, camping equipment, flight suits, boots, gas masks, jackets, parachutes, Swiss army knives, flags… you name it, they’ve got it. And whether you’re getting costume accessories or gear that’s useful all year long, the friendly staff can help you find what you’re looking for.

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) lobstar28

Army Navy Surplus: 3100 N Lincoln Ave; 773-348-8930
Mon – Fri: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sat: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Street parking
Public trans: Bus # 9, X9, 11, 77 or Brown Line train (Paulina)
http://www.armynavysales.com/

Post from: The Chicago Traveler