Travel suggestions and tips
The mega event in Grant Park downtown Chicago runs July 31-Aug 3
but pre-ticket sales start today, March 20, 2025 at 10 a.m.
Here is the info:
Here’s the ticket link. The guaranteed lowest-price 4-Day Tickets is open only for one hour and is only available today.
Grab your tickets to see Olivia Rodrigo, Tyler, The Creator, Sabrina Carpenter, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Luke Combs, TWICE, A$AP Rocky, Korn, Gracie Abrams, Doechii, Dom Dolla, Cage The Elephant.
If looking for a new place to visit this year consider looking in on Elvis’ Graceland, in Memphis, TN.
Once you get past the large entrance/ticket/shop building you can explore the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s 13.8 acre estate. The house alone is definitely worth the trip but there are also the grounds and new exhibits so leave plenty of time.
If you go before the end of 2025 you can catch the “90 for 90 Exhibition.”
It is made up from ninety items from the more than 1.5 items in the Graceland Archives make up the new exhibition that opened in January to celebrate Elvis’ 90th birthday.
They range from the easily recognizable items to the personal ones not in the spotlight.
In addition there is “ELVIS: Dressed to Rock with 15 iconic jumpsuits not seen for two years, now on display in a 21-foot floor-to-ceiling exhibit. To complement the new additions, other jumpsuits were also rotated.
There is also Graceland Live, a new schedule of concerts and shows. Tickets are available now for performances by Wyatt Flores (April 9), Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo (April 26), Chris Isaak (May 1), and 311 (May 13), plus the comedy of Nate Jackson (April 19), with additional shows to be announced.
Where to stay
Among the options is the Guest House at Graceland King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
For trip and additional information, visit The Home of Elvis Presley | Graceland. For Memphis info visit Memphis Hotels, Events & Attractions | Memphis Travel
The weather says it’s Spring so it must be time for Ravinia Music Festival in Highland Park, IL to come up with its concert schedule for the summer.
With more than 100 concerts now listed for 2025 there should be something here to catch your eye (or ear) or for a picnic on the grass date.
Returning stars are John Legend, Heart, James Taylor, Al Green, Diana Krall and The Roots. Other musical celebs on the docket are “Wicked” co-star Cynthia Erivo, Grammy Award-winner Lenny Kravitz and Earth, Wind & Fire plus Emmy Award-winning actress/singer Janelle Monáe, Country Music Award-winner Maren Morris, acclaimed pianist Lang Lang and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra back for its 89th residency.
First time headliners include Cynthia Erivo, Lenny Kravitz, Janelle Monáe, Maren Morris, Beck and more. Kygo, Juanes, Nas, Sutton Foster, Ray LaMontagne, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, and The Mohan Sisters.
“Ravinia has something for everyone — classical music, rock, pop, R&B, soul, Latin, jazz, country, hip-hop, DJs, movies, musical theater and more,” said Ravinia president and CEO Jeffrey P. Haydon. “We are grateful to continue opening our beautiful part for communities throughout Chicagoland to enjoy an evening under the stars with their family and friends, listening to music from their favorite artists and discovering new ones,” added Haydon.
Tickets go on sale to the public on Thursday, April 24. For more information, visit ravinia/events and ravinia.org.
You may love or not, mid 1900s modernism architecture and furniture but if you just don’t want to be in the frozen Midwest this weekend/week, be impulsive and fly down to Palm Springs for Modernism Week.
I grew up in a typical “modernism” style split level with more than typical “modernism” style furniture because the family was in the advertising business with connections to the type of custom designed furniture that is now making a comeback in the 2020’s. (See the Antique Roadshow)
What you’ll experience in the Palm Springs area at this event, February 13-23, 2025, are mid last century neighborhoods where the style is prized and where LA based celebrities built homes as escapes from filming close enough to their California action that they can become weekend jaunts.
See Frank Sinatra’s and other celebrity homes on one of the bus tours and
take advantage of a double-decker neighborhood and architectural bus tour or do a home tour and check out special events and activities.
Visit CAMP at Modernism Week, ‘Community and Meeting Place’ headquarters open daily 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Hyatt Palm Springs – 285 N Palm Canyon.
Modernism Week is a fun escape!
For more details visit Modernism Week 2025 | Modernism and Complete Guide to Modernism Week 2025
Unlike the February Full Moon in 2024 that appeared late in the month, the one in 2025 is shining now although it isn’t at full illumination until Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 7: 53 a.m. CT. Look for it tonight, Feb. 11.
Native American tribes called it the Snow Moon. They definitely had it rightfully pegged this year. On Feb. 12, 2025, the Midwest is expected to get its largest snowfall (so far) of the season with about four to seven inches.
If you noticed how bright the night was last night and happened to look out you would have seen a far off moon. The February full moon looks small. It is the year’s smallest looking full moon because it is furthest from Earth at 293-968 miles. See EarthSky for its position an a graph and Snow Moon Is the Full Moon in February at Time and Date.
Watch for the full moon in the South Eastern sky tonight.
According to the Old Farmers Almanac animal names were popular for the February Moon (and yes, not just when it was full but for the whole month).
The Cree called the February Moon the Bald Eagle Moon and Eagle Moon while the Cherokee named it the Hungry Moon and the Ojibwe noted it as the Bear Moon. Some Algonquin peoples said it was Groundhog Moon.
See Live Science for more information. It said to look for the moon’s companion star, Regulus, in constellation Leo.
Are you hearing the ump yell “Play Ball.”
Yes, weather has been strange so far in 2025 but spring must be on the horizon because the annual gathering of baseball teams in Florida for Grapefruit League games and in the Phoenix area for Cactus League matches start the weekend of Feb. 22.
Hopefully you can still book airline tickets to your team’s spring location.
Why go? If you haven’t tried it before you quickly find out that Spring Training games are casual.
You sit closer to the action and often can interact more with players before and after the games. It’s fun.
Getting game tickets: For Cactus League games such as the Cubs, it is easier to get tickets to watch your team play at opponents’ parks. That is not a problem because the 15 teams are located within 47 miles or less
However, if you can catch a Cub game at Sloan Park (2330 W. Rio Salado Pkwy, Mesa) it will feel like Wrigleyville West with roads called Waveland Avenue, Clark Street and Sheffield Avenue.
BTW the White Sox are playing the Cubs right off the bat, so to speak, on Feb. 22.
No matter which Cactus team you yell for there is a lot to do and see while visiting its spring baseball home. Visit Mesa, Glendale and AZ’s nearby baseball stadium towns. Check out more info at Cactus League Spring Training.
As to the Grapefruit League it’s not as much about traveling around Florida, as it is enjoying the weather while cheering your team.
From the A’s in Venice to the Washington Nationals in CACTI Park in the Palm Beach area you can relax in Florida’s sunshine while watching your favorite Grapefruit League team.
Find more information at MLB Official Information | MLB.com
Consider a trip to the Chicago area for early February
Right now some restaurants and neighborhoods are celebrating the Year of the Snake. Chinese New Year (4723) begins today, Jan,. 29, 2025. Navy Pier is turning its upstairs ballroom into a cultural celebration Feb. 1 and Chinatown is having its parade Feb. 9.
While Punxsutawney Phil will do his prediction of when Spring will come to Pennsylvania, Midwesterners should go over to Woodstock, IL for Woodchuck Willie’s insight Feb. 2 and tour the sights in the famed “Groundhog Day” movie. It was mostly filmed in Woodstock.
Chicago Restaurant Week 2025 began the end of January but goes through Feb. 9. There are so many participating restaurants one week is just not enough to take advantage of the good meal discounts.
Some folks are combining restaurant week with shows during Chicago Theatre Week, Feb 6-16 2025. But even if the dining deals are over, the shows are still at good prices $15 or $30.
North Dakota “People’s Choice 1st Place 2024 Award”(Photo courtesy of Lake Geneva and the Snow Sculpting Invitational)
It’s easy to overlook events in late January and early February before we start planning short trips in spring when the weather is better. But here are two happenings really worth seeing and enjoying no matter the weather.
Enough snow to turn into very large sculptures won’t be a problem this year but even when it is the Lake Geneva Winterfest brings in huge blocks for teams to use as competition-worthy, story-telling objects.
A charming town that historically is known as a summer Chicago society getaway, Lake Geneva, WI has been holding the Snow Sculpting Invitational festival for 30 years. To mark its anniversary, 15 former championship teams from around the United States have been invited back for this year’s competition.
Held this year over the weekend of Jan. 29 through Feb, 2, 2025, visitors can watch the sculptors at work, see the final products and vote on Feb. 1, for a favorite. Judges will also be voting in various categories that day.
The event is free and held in Riviera Plaza and Flat Iron Park along the shore of Geneva Lake (yes, Lake Geneva, WI is on Geneva Lake). The sculptors get their snow block on Wednesday and have to finish on Saturday, February 1.
Sculptures will be displayed until they melt but most visitors drive over on Saturday and leave on Sunday. Meanwhile, do the Downtown Ice Sculpture Walk, shop the boutiques and see art galleries and dog racing.
Lake Geneva has numerous restaurants and places to stay.
This event is indoors. Every February orchids take over the Greenhouses and main hall inside the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, IL. With a nod to Orchids’ exotic growing locals, this year the show is called “India Blooms” and runs from February 8 to March 23, 2025.
Plus and donor level members are free. Otherwise tickets are as follows: Adult $12 member / $22 nonmember, children ages 3 – 12 $8 member / $15 nonmember and children 2 and under, free. Parking fee is not included in price for nonmembers. Member Preview is Feb. 7 from 5-8 p.m. featuring light bites, live music and cash bar.
Special ticketed Events: Orchids After Hours Feb. 14 ,21, 28 and March 13, 14, 20 and 21 from 5 -8 p.m. cocktails and delicious bites.
In addition there is the Weekend Orchid Market Place on Feb. 8-9, 15-16, 22-23 and Mar.1-2 to buy orchids, and supplies from vendors, the Illinois Orchid Society Show and Sale on March 8 – 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to view orchid arrangements and shop and an Indian community Marketplace March 22-23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to shop for Indian products.
The Chicago Botanic Garden is at 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL just east of Edens Exp.
More information at Chicago Botanic Org/orchids
With two major shows coming to the Chicago area in early February the frigid month of January is really the get ready to go month.
First, is the Chicago Travel and Adventure Show at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (Hall F), 5555 North River Rd. in Rosemont, IL on Feb. 1 and 2, 2025. More than 250 exhibitors and dozens of speakers will be talking about places and type of trips from around the globe.
Times: Saturday, February 1 is 10 a.m. -5 p. m. and
Sunday, February 2 is 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Cost: $15 parking. Tickets in advance: Adults 17 and over $16 one day, $23 two days.
What: More than 250 exhibitors to discuss places and type of trips around the globe. Check out the Speakers days and times to get the tips you want for where and how.
By The Way – the show is simply fun with goodies to pick up at booths, food and entertainment.
Then, there is the Chicago Auto Show, the biggest and best of its kind, Feb 8-Feb 17,2025 at McCormick Place, 2301 S. King Dr, Chicago.
Cost: $17 for adults, $12 for seniors aged 62 and older, $12 for children 4-12, free admission for children 3 and younger when accompanied by a paying family adult.
Attractions: Indoor and outdoor test tracks, the concepts cars and kids play area are just a sample of what to expect. It’s busy but fun.
Winter solstice
Winter
You don’t have to look up or at the horizon. Just step outside and you know the Winter Solstice starts this weekend.
In Chicago the Winter Solstice also called hibernal solstice begins Dec. 21, 2024 at 3:20 a.m. CT. which will later in the day translate into 6 hours, 6 minutes shorter than the summer (June) solstice according to Time and Date.
This is when the North Pole is at its maximum tilt from the sun in the Northern Hemisphere. Thus it will be the shortest amount of daylight and the longest night.
That tilt means about 7 hours and 40 minutes of daylight according to Space.
The Farmers Almanac describes solstice: It comes from the Latin words sol (Sun) and sistere (to stand still) because, during the solstice, the angle between the Sun’s rays and the plane of the Earth’s equator (called declination) appears to stand still.
That’s good to know at a dinner party so Happy Holidays.