Activities in Great Lakes
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Pj Hoffmaster State Park
To commune with nature, head north to Grand Haven and Muskegon. Three state parks cluster between these two towns, all offering the opportunity to hike and camp on or near Lake Michigan beaches. Between Grand Haven and Muskegon, take US 31 to the Pontaluna Rd exit to get to PJ Hoffmaster State Park, which features a 10-mile trail system with several sections that hug Lake Michigan.
reviewed
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City Lights at Night Bicycle Tour
3 hours (Departs Chicago, Illinois)
by Viator
lt;pgt;Bike through Chicago's most attractive locations at night and discover her charming neighborhoods. Enjoy a leisurely and informative biking experience as…Not LP reviewed
from USD$41.97 -
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Mall of America
The Mall of America, located in suburban Bloomington near the airport, is the USA's largest shopping center. Yes, it's just a mall, filled with the usual stores, movie theaters and eateries. But there's also a wedding chapel inside. And an 18-hole minigolf course. And an amusement park, aka Nickelodeon Universe, with 24 rides, including a couple of scream-inducing roller coasters. To walk through will cost you nothing; a one-day, unlimited-ride wristband is $30; or you can pay for rides individually ($3 to $6). What's more, the state's largest aquarium, Minnesota Sea Life – where children can touch sharks and stingrays – is in the mall too. Combination passes are…
reviewed
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Bobby's Bike Hike
Cycling The eager upstart; located at the River East Docks' Ogden Slip.
reviewed
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Chicago CityPass
Flexible (Departs Chicago, Illinois)
by Viator
lt;pgt;Chicago CityPASS is the best deal in the Windy City, giving you discounted admission to five of the city's premier attractions. The Chicago CityPASS…Not LP reviewed
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Oak Park Visitors Center
During Wright’s 10 years in Oak Park, he designed a whole heap of houses. Stop at the visitors center and ask for the architectural walking-tour map (usually a free, photocopied page), which gives their locations. Ten of them cluster within a mile along Forest and Chicago Aves; the homes are privately owned, so all gawking must occur from the sidewalk. Moore House is particularly noteworthy. First built in 1895, it’s Wright’s bizarre interpretation of an English manor house. In his later years, Wright called the house ‘repugnant’ and said he had only taken the commission because he needed the money. He claimed that he walked out of his way to avoid passing it.
reviewed
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Chicago City Hop-on Hop-off Tour
Flexible (Departs Chicago, Illinois)
by Viator
lt;pgt;See all the sights of Chicago at your own pace! On a Chicago City Hop-on Hop-off Tour you can get off the bus at any scheduled stop to visit Chicago's…Not LP reviewed
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Indiana Dunes State Park
Indiana Dunes State Park is a 2100-acre shoreside pocket within the national lakeshore; it’s located at the end of Hwy 49, near Chesterton. It has more amenities, but also more regulation and more crowds (plus the $10 vehicle entry fee). Away from its mobbed beaches, the park does offer secluded natural areas. In winter cross-country skiing is popular, while summertime brings out the hikers. Seven numbered trails zigzag over the sandscape: Trail 4 climbs up Mt Tom, the highest dune at 192ft; Trail 2 is good for spring flowers and ferns and is well-used by skiers; and Trail 8 surmounts three of the highest dunes, paying off with killer views of the region.
reviewed
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Working Bikes Cooperative
If you’re going to need a bike for more than a few days, consider buying a recycled two-wheeler from Working Bikes Cooperative. The nonprofit group trawls local landfills and scrap yards for junked bikes, then brings them back to its warehouse and refurbishes them. Half get sold in the storefront shop; proceeds enable the group to ship the rest to developing countries. WBC now recycles 10,000 bikes annually this way. It’s a great deal – you’ll get a sturdy, well-oiled machine for the bargain price of about $50 or so. When you’re finished, you can donate the bike back. Note you will have to factor in the cost of a lock and a helmet.
reviewed
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Third Coast Surf Shop
First up, surfing. Believe it, people: you can surf Lake Michigan, and the VW bus- driving dudes at Third Coast Surf Shop will show you how. They provide wetsuits and boards for surfing, skim boarding and paddle boarding. For novices, they offer 1½-hour lessons right from the public beach Thursday to Sunday from June through to August (and Saturdays in September). Board rentals cost $15/25 per half-/full day. Wet suits cost $10/15 per half-/full day. Lessons (equipment included) cost $45/65 for group/private instruction. The surf shop is in New Buffalo, Harbor Country's biggest town.
reviewed
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Aveda Institute
Aveda makes nice-smelling, plant-based beauty products. The Institute teaches future cosmetologists to use those products on people. So what you get here are discounted services by students who use Aveda goodies to beautify you. Haircuts ($14 to $16) are the most popular offering, but you can also get treatments such as the Caribbean seaweed body wrap and minimassage ($50); a Dead Sea salt exfoliation and massage ($45); and a variety of facials ($30 to $50), each of which includes a bonus foot soak with hot stones. Attention men: Aveda can remove your back hair (from $30).
reviewed
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Skydeck Chicago Admission
Flexible (Departs Chicago, Illinois)
by Viator
Gaze upon the city sights from the pinnacle of Chicago, the Skydeck. Located on the 103rd floor of Willis Tower, formerly Sears Tower -- the third-tallest…Not LP reviewed
from USD$18.00 -
Saugatuck Dune Rides
Saugatuck – known for its strong arts community, numerous B&Bs and gay-friendly vibe – is one of the most popular resort areas. You can huff up the stairs to the grand views atop Mt Baldhead, a 200ft-high sand dune. Then race down the north side to beautiful Oval Beach. The Saugatuck Dune Rides provide a half-hour of good, cheesy fun spent zipping through the sand. After, jump aboard the Saugatuck Chain Ferry, and the operator will pull you across the Kalamazoo River.
reviewed
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Four Seasons Hotel
Service is taken seriously here. Call for food day or night and they’ll attempt to fulfill any request, on the menu or not. Even the little ones are pampered – with munchkin-sized bathrobes and a special teen-interest concierge in summer. Slip into the spa for a four-seasons aromatherapy treatment with scents from winter, spring, summer and fall. Then relax further, dipping into the pool beneath the Romanesque domes. The elegantly tailored rooms are scheduled for an update in ‘08, so expect even more amenities to come.
reviewed
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Behind-the-Scenes Chicago Pizza Tour
3 hours 30 minutes (Departs Chicago, Illinois)
by Viator
lt;divgt;Get an exclusive view inside four famous Chicago pizzerias on this 3.5-hour tour and enjoy delicious slices at each! With your small group, go beyond…Not LP reviewed
from USD$60.00 -
Third Coast Surf Shop
The VW-bus-driving dudes at Third Coast Surf Shop will help you catch that Lake Michigan wave. They provide wetsuits and boards for surfing, skimboarding and paddleboarding (rentals per day $20 to $35). For novices, they offer 1½-hour lessons (including equipment $50 to $70) right from the public beach from June through September. It’s a great place to learn since the waves are nice and gentle in summer. The shop also offers sandboarding lessons ($50) at nearby Warren Dunes.
reviewed
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Chicago City Sights Helicopter Tour
30 minutes (Departs Chicago, Illinois)
by Viator
Experience all of Chicago’s best sights from the air on this exciting helicopter tour! Aboard a state-of-the-art helicopter, you'll enjoy a magnificent view of…Not LP reviewed
from USD$198.99 -
Tommy Gun's Garage Dinner and Show
by Viator
lt;pgt;Welcome to the only speakeasy dinner show in Chicago Tommy Gun's Garage! Just say the password and you'll be transported back to the roaring twenties.…Not LP reviewed
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Bailly/Chellberg Visitor Center, Indiana Dunes
The park service has done a fine job of developing trails through a range of terrain and environments in the Indiana Dunes. The Bailly/Chellberg Visitor Center, about two miles south of the beaches, is the start of the Bailly/Chellberg Trail. The 2½-mile trail winds through the forest, passing restored log cabins from the 1820s and a farm built by Swedes in the 1870s. Among the diverse plants growing here are dogwood, arctic berries and cactus.
reviewed
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Chicago Grand Half-Day Tour
4 hours (Departs Chicago, Illinois)
by Viator
This comprehensive half-day tour of Chicago is the perfect introduction to the Windy City! Discover the highlights of Chicago’s North Side and South Side and…Not LP reviewed
from USD$45.00 Advertisement
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Ruby Room
- Chicago, USA
- Activities › B&b
Take an Anusara yoga class, go on a guided intuitive journey or get your chakra massaged. Ruby Room is primarily a spa and a ‘healing sanctuary.’ Eight simplified rooms are boiled down to the essence of comfort. No TVs, no telephones, no elevator, no breakfast. Instead, expect 500-thread count sheets, pristine white interiors, pillow-top mattresses and Aveda products. Free wi-fi is the only thing that may spoil your peace. No children under 12.
reviewed
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Chicago Segway Tour
2 or 3 hours (Departs Chicago, Illinois)
by Viator
lt;pgt;Hop on the most innovative tour to hit Chicago in years! Gliding around the Windy City on your very own Segway, you'll see all the famous sights -…Not LP reviewed
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Chicago City Tour and Chicago River Cruise
4 hours (Departs Chicago, Illinois)
by Viator
Discover Chicago from both land and water on this scenic half-day tour. Take a narrated coach tour through the city’s South Side and see highlights including…Not LP reviewed
from USD$55.00 -
Chicago Sunset Dinner Cruise with Buffet
3 hours (Departs Chicago, Illinois)
by Viator
Celebrate a night out in Chicago with dinner, dancing and sightseeing aboard a three-hour luxury cruise on Lake Michigan. Glimpse top Chicago attractions like…Not LP reviewed
from USD$95.06 -
John Hancock Observatory Admission
Flexible (Departs Chicago, Illinois)
by Viator
The best views of Chicago can be yours at the John Hancock Observatory! Perched 94 stories above the Windy City, the John Hancock Observatory provides…Not LP reviewed