Nelson's Today – The Shopping and Lifestyle Newspaper for the Western Suburbs

Fall Trips, Travel and Things to Do

Posted by Laura Nelson on October 2, 2009

Family-friendly festivals, activities, and more!

The beauty of the Fall season is tough to top– with the glorious profusion of color in nature. Harvest festivals, celebrations, and seasonal events provide plenty of quick getaway opportunities. Enjoy Cider Season–and locally produced cider made from a large variety of apples.

Our cover features the Franklin Cider Mill, operating in Franklin, Michigan since 1837. The mill celebrates fall with a full schedule of family activities: hayrides, musical attractions, fresh-made seasonal specialties, piping hot doughnuts, and ice cold cider. The mill is open daily through the first Sunday after Thanksgiving. Visit the Franklin Cider Mill at 7450 Franklin Rd., Franklin, MI. 48025. (248) 626-2968. www.franklincidermill.com.

Illinois also has a cider mill operating for more than 100 years. Visit Ye Olde Cider Mill in Sterling, on the working farm of Carolyn and Tim Keller. The Kellers use a variety of apples, with the the cider getting sweeter as the season progresses. Apples are pressed for cider on Thursdays if you’d like to watch. Besides cider, the Kellers offer homemade products for sale, including apple butter, jam, red raspberry vinegar and more. Raspberry picking is going on now, and you can pick your own. Ye Olde Cider Mill is at 1716 W 4th St., Sterling, IL. 61081. (815) 626-4759.

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Fall Fest and More at Cantigny Park and Museums – Dates throughout October

Fall is a great time to take in the beauty of Cantigny Park inside and out.

The First Division Museum hosts its 12th Annual Civil War Symposium on Saturday, October 3 & Sunday, October 4. The event features Civil War expert guest speakers, living history re-enactors, and more. The event is free and open to the public.

Cantigny’s Fall Festival takes place on Saturday, October 10, from 10am-4pm. Celebrate autumn with harvest-time fun, including hayrides, live entertainment, inflatable jumpers and slides, face painting, a candy-dive, and more. Activities will be held on the Parade Field in front of the Visitor Center. Free with regular parking fee admission.

Cantigny Park is located at 1S151 Winfield Rd., Wheaton. For info, call (630) 668-5161 or visit www.cantigny.org.

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Oktoberfest, All Hallows Eve, and More at Naper Settlement October 2-3 and October 23-24

Join in the fun when Oktoberfest comes to Naper Settlement, Naperville, on Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3. Hear live music and enjoy authentic German cuisine. Children are welcome to attend with parents, but there will not be any children’s activities during the event. Entrance to the festival will be on Aurora Ave., just north of the Martin Mitchell Mansion, and south of Naperville Central High School, Naperville.

All Hallows Eve takes place on Friday, October 23 & Saturday, October 24. Highlights include the haunted mansion, Dracula’s Lair, Dr. Frankenstein’s Laboratory, and more. The event is not recommended for children under age 8 or those who might scare easily.

Naper Settlement is located at 23 South Webster St., Naperville. For info, call (630) 420-6010 or visit www.napersettlement.museum.

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St. Charles Hosts 24th Annual Scarecrow Festival – Friday thru Sunday, October 9, 10, & 11

Each fall, St. Charles becomes a wonderful world of whimsy, fantasy and creativity as scarecrows invade every area of the downtown for the Scarecrow Festival. This year’s event takes place Friday thru Sunday, October 9-11, and features fun for the entire family.

Shop the Autumn on the Fox Arts and Craft Show, which showcases work by 150 juried crafters selling homemade items and décor. Free live entertainment all weekend long includes Friday’s, Bright Stars on Stage, and Stars at Night, which showcases local talented youth featuring a wide variety of performing arts. Weekend entertainment includes everything from rock ‘n roll to country classics. The popular Blooze Brothers will bring a bright ending to the festival on Sunday with their antics, dance and great music.

Riverboats, kayak and canoe rentals from Geneva Kayak Center will offer great recreational options. Festival activities also include a carnival, petting zoo, storytelling, scarecrow making, face painting, sand art, an outdoor shopping market, commercial row, moon jump inflatables, great food, and more.

The Scarecrow Festival takes place in Downtown St. Charles. For details, call (800) 777-4373 or visit www.scarecrowfest.com.

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Pumpkins and Scarecrows Fest at Cosley Zoo, Wheaton – Events daily, throughout October

Cosley Zoo, Wheaton, hosts its popular Pumpkins and Scarecrows Fest in October, when visitors can take advantage of free parking and admission all month.

Festive decorations can be found throughout the Zoo grounds, and visitors are invited to enjoy apples, caramel apples, and cider. Duck feedings take place at 10am daily, weather permitting. Wild weekend activities are held every Saturday and Sunday in October and on Columbus Day from 10:30am-3:30pm. Activities vary each day, but may feature live animal encounters, animal training demonstrations, pumpkin painting and decorating, storytime, craft making, animal classes, and more.

Special events include“Spooktacular” on Saturday, October 17, 6-8pm. Dress in costume and enjoy an evening packed with Halloween fun. Navigate the straw maze, collect candy, meet live animals, carve a pumpkin, play games, enjoy refreshments, and make crafts. Pre-registration recommended.

Cosley Zoo is located at 1356 N. Gary Ave. in Wheaton. For info, call (630) 665-4435 or visit www.cosleyzoo.org.

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Lisle Park District Hosts Monster Madness and Haunted Dungeon – Dates throughout October

Lisle Park District hosts a festive fall fun fair for the whole family! Kids and families are invited to partake in Monster Madness on Friday, October 16, from 6-9pm. The event features a petting zoo, kids carnival games, hayrides, a fun house, pumpkin patch, Creepy Cafe, pony rides, prizes, and more! At the Meadows Center, 5801 Westview Lane, Lisle.

The Haunted Dungeon challenges visitors to walk, crawl, and slide through two stories of terror. Dates include: Fri., Oct. 23; Sat., Oct. 24; Thurs., Oct. 29; Fri., Oct. 30; Sat., Oct. 31, 7-10pm. Admission is $7. At Lisle Parks Garage, 1820 Short St., Lisle.

For details, contact the Lisle Park District at (630) 964-3410 or visit www.lisleparkdistrict.org.

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Boo! at the Zoo, Brookfield Zoo – October 17-18 and October 24-25

From crazy costumes to pumpkin-carving demonstrations, Brookfield Zoo’s annual Boo! at the Zoo festival is the perfect way to celebrate Halloween, and everyone is invited to attend. The not-so-scary event will include frightfully fun activities for the entire family.

All-day events include a giant corn maze in the East Mall, Haunted Hayrides (departing from the North Mall), and Protoceratops Photos (at the East Mall). Visitors can also take part in Zoo Chats (held throughout the zoo), games and scarecrow building, and a Children’s Zoo on all four days of the festival. Special events include pumpkin carving demonstrations and costume parades led by local marching bands.

Brookfield Zoo is located at 8400 31st Street in Brookfield. For details, call (708) 485-2200 or visit www.brookfieldzoo.org.

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Harvest Days and More at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago – Events throughout October

Lincoln Park Zoo celebrates Harvest Days on Sat., October 3 and Sun., October 4, from 11am-2pm. Celebrate the harvest with crafts, tractor races, pumpkin decorating (while supplies last), music, and more. Animal activities include cow feedings at the Dairy Barn, cow- milking demonstrations, goat pen visits, and more. Free for all ages.

The Zoo celebrates National Wolf Awareness Week with “Howling Back: Join Our Pack” on Sat., Oct. 10, from 10am-noon. Visitors can meet endangered red wolves and participate in a Wolf Trivia Game Show. Designed for kids ages 9-12 years old. “Bedtime Buddies” on Fri., Oct. 16, from 7-9pm invites families with kids ages 3-10 to help wish the small mammals and reptiles good night as they bed down for the evening. Guests are then invited to wander into the bat cave and get up close to nocturnal species. The “Spooky Zoo Spectacular” will be held on Sat., Oct. 24 at noon. This event is an opportunity for children to celebrate Halloween in a free, safe, and family-friendly environment. Costumes encouraged.

Lincoln Park Zoo is located at 2200 N. Cannon Dr., in Chicago. For info, call (312) 742-2000 or visit www.lpzoo.org.

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Emerson Creek Pottery and Tearoom Presents 2nd Annual Fall Fest Saturday and Sunday, October 17 & 18

When Chris Barickman visited the Emerson Creek Pottery company in Virginia, he was inspired to bring a similar shopping experience to suburban Chicago. In 2000, he purchased the stately Oswego farmhouse property that became the Emerson Creek Pottery and Tearoom. The Tearoom is located in a refurbished horse stable, and features gourmet lunches, including the popular homemade Flower Pot Salad, Apricot Chicken Salad Croissant and Asparagus Quiche. It is open Wednesdays thru Saturdays, 11am-2pm. Call for reservations.

The Oswego pottery shop carries the signature hand-painted Emerson Creek pottery, all made in the USA, along with a fragrant assortment of homemade candles, soaps, locally made honey and home decor items.

The Fall Fest, held on Saturday, Oct. 17 & Sunday, Oct. 18, 9am-4pm, is a celebration of the season, with antiques, crafts and music.

Emerson Creek Pottery and Tearoom is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10am-4pm. At 5000B Grove Rd., Oswego. (630) 554-7100. www.ecreekpotteryandtearoom.com

Our Mackinac Island Weekend

Posted by Laura Nelson on October 2, 2009

By Jim and Sally Zarafonetis
of GreatFoodandTravel.com

If you are looking for a weekend in a rare and wonderful setting, there is no place like Mackinac Island. The island, chosen as the setting for a movie featuring a ghost in Somewhere in Time, reminds you of a slower-paced, more gracious time in our history–before the internal combustion engine was invented. All island transportation is facilitated by horse drawn carriages, horse drawn taxis and bicycles. Visitors can easily escape the rigors of life in 2009.

The best time to visit Mackinac Island is in October, when hotel rates (and the leaves) fall. In fact, many special rates can be had at luxurious B&Bs and grand resorts that demand high nightly rates during the prime season.

A fall getaway begins with a scenic drive up the West Coast of Michigan, where the fall color is spectacular throughout most of October. When you arrive in Mackinaw City, it’s easy to find Shepler’s Ferry, where the staff is trained in the Disney System of courtesy and efficiency. Drive up to the loading area, and your car will be taken to a secure lot. You won’t see your luggage again until you arrive at your hotel room–in the case of our latest trip, it was the Mission Point Resort.

After a refreshing 20 minute ferry ride we landed at the docks to see gracious, old style streets. Mackinac Island’s main street has a collection of rustic hotels, bars, restaurants, shops and, best of all, aromatic fudge shops. We then hopped aboard the first of many horse drawn carriages and departed for our hotel.

Mission Point Resort sits on a hill across the road from a spacious lawn bordering the harbor. The landscaping is exceptional, and the young woman at the desk was courteous and helpful.

The rooms at Mission Point Resort were once the dormitory of a religious college. The layout and size of the room were adequate, although not plush, and the views were pleasant. Our stay there was enhanced by a good fitness facility, cocktails at the outdoor bar near the water, and the huge lawn overlooking the Straits of Mackinac.

To burn a few calories it is recommended that you tour the island by bicycle or on foot. Our visit to the highest promontory,  where a fort from the 1700’s is located, reminded us of the strategic importance of the island during past wars. We also passed elegant homes, which have been occupied by governors and the captains of industry over the years.

Although we had memorable meals at Sea Biscuit Restaurant on Main Street and at The Jockey Club along the golf course at the famous Grand Hotel, the highlight was Woods, a special restaurant operated by the Grand Hotel during evening hours. Travelers to Woods must take a horse-drawn taxi across the island to the restaurant.

The final day of our visit included a carriage ride, the ferry trip to the mainland, and a beautiful return car ride overlooking some of the most beautiful vistas of  Lake Michigan. Through tree-canopied highways and quaint villages, we made our way south. The trip home reacquainted us with the faster pace of present day life.  We hope to experiences the beautiful timelessness of Mackinac Island again soon.

For places to stay and dine on Mackinac Island through October, visit www.GreatFoodandTravel.com.

July Cover Story: Family Fun Guide

Posted by Laura Nelson on July 13, 2009

Festivals, outdoor activities, museums, sports, summer camps, classes, day trips, getaways, music and more—all part of summer fun…

*Excerpt from our July Cover Story*

Experience Pure Michigan at Crystal Mountain Resort

The Pure Michigan Family Vacation is an all-inclusive way to experience Crystal Mountain’s 1,500-acre northern Michigan playground. About 280 miles from Chicago, Crystal sits in the heart of Michigan for summer fun–Sleeping Bear Dunes, charming lighthouses, wine country, professional baseball and more.

The Pure Michigan package includes nightly lodging and unlimited access to the Park at Water’s Edge, Crystal Coaster alpine slide, twilight Vertical Edge climbing wall, twilight golf on the Betsie Valley course, twilight bike rental, chairlift rides, hikes through Michigan Legacy Art Park, access to the Peak Pool & Fitness Center, disc golf, outdoor movies, family field games, and bonfires.
Golf and Spa packages are also available at the resort.

To see more, visit www.crystalmountain.com or call (800) 968-7686.
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