Tons of corny fun at the PlayLab

The second book I wrote for Globe Pequot Press, the Insiders’ Guide to Chicago, is a 336-pager covering everything from tourist hot spots to local hidden gems, from dance clubs to deep dish pizza. The chapter on Attractions and Museums features a sidebar about the Go Chicago Card and the Chicago CityPASS, whose senior director of communications and PR generously sent me three comped booklets to try out. Seriously, I have lived in Chicago for 14 years and have not had as much fun traipsing around to the museums as I did with my two little girlies and that CityPASS.

First stop: Field Museum. We arrived later than intended and, with every parent of a CPS kid antsy to get out of the house, I should have known: The line was a mile long and then some. I dragged Haley and Lindsey through the lobby for five minutes—wasting precious potential waiting time—to find someone to ask if our CityPASS would possibly, maybe, hopefully let us jump the line. I finally found someone who actually looked up at me. The answer? No. I was annoyed, but resigned to waiting. And we did wait, for about 15 minutes. But then our savior came in the form of the security guard (I guess she doubles as a ticket-taker). She was calling out for anyone with a CityPASS or Go Chicago Card. Surprisingly, there were just three of us privileged groups. Lo and behold, she scooted us right on through, saving us a good 15 minutes more of waiting. Score 1 for our little booklets! The only regret is that it all happened so fast and I was so excited, that I forgot to buy tickets for the special Whales exhibit. No problem, though; I knew we’d have plenty to see and do.

Beeline for the PlayLab. After stopping to pee (near miss for Lindsey), we hung up our coats and I marveled at how really quiet it was in there, considering the queue we just left behind. Maybe it was that the PlayLab regulars knew to stay away on such a crazy day and that the uninitiated didn’t know to find it downstairs, slightly removed from most other exhibits. Well, goody for us—or, at least the girls, who took full advantage of intermittently having the whole Corn Crib area to themselves. When other kids dared enter to play, they were decidedly put off, like these other children were intruding. I had to remind them that it was all to share and they couldn’t horde the corn. But I didn’t want to spend all day in the PlayLab, so we left our stuff in the coat room there (not sure if that’s allowed, but we did it and it was nice, and that’s all I’m gonna say), and we headed for Ancient Egypt where I promised we’d check out some real mummies. Haley is planning a mummy costume for Halloween next year, so I thought it’d be kinda cool for her. Ugh. On a busy day, getting into that exhibit means a slow crawl through a claustrophobic hallway. And when we did make it to our first mummy, I lifted up Haley to see it and her response: “Ewwww.” Yeah, well, old, tattered mummy material doesn’t look as cute as white toilet paper! She may be changing her Halloween plan.

After we browsed a bit more in Ancient Egypt, with me trying desperately to note the important things, we made our way over to the Underground Adventure, one of those ticket add-ons for “regular” people, but included in our trusty CityPASS. Score 2 for us! Honestly, the oversized creepy crawlies gave us the creeps and we didn’t stay too long, but I can appreciate the educational aspects of it!

We spent some time wandering and dodging crowds, stopped and duly gazed up at Sue, browsed a little through the Evolving Planet exhibit—they were, in fact, mesmerized by a video representation of life’s early bug-looking creatures—then to the Africa exhibit and back to the PlayLab. More corn crib, some dino bone-digging, music room to bang on some drums, back to the corn and out.

One key lesson learned at the Field—bring our own lunch! Lines at the McDonald’s and Corner Bakery were beyond ridiculous, so we made do with snacks from the vending machines. I let them get whatever they wanted due to my poor planning. Haley picked Cheetos and Lindsey chose fruit chews. Nice going, Mom. But no matter. Our first CityPASS experiment was a success. I barely winced when I paid for parking.

Getaways With Holiday Spirit

When the weather outside is frightful, it’s time for a change of scenery. But you don’t have to go very far to feel a world away.

Worth the Drive

At the Grand Geneva in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, less than two hours from the city, decking the halls means months of planning to create the annual, spectacular “Christmas in the Country” celebration—and it’s a total charm-fest. Trees and tinsel galore fill every floor of the Playboy Club-turned-resort and spa, while a display of animated lights lines the drive in. Bring your bundle-up gear for skiing and snowboarding on the resort’s 18 downhill slopes; ice skating; snowshoeing; and sledding. Through Dec. 23, you can take advantage of The Christmas in the Country Holiday Package that includes an overnight stay in a deluxe guestroom; two tickets for the “Hooray for Holidays!” musical; lunch or dinner before the show; a trolley tour through the resort; and admission to the Festival of Trees display and the Quilts of Christmas display. Rates start at $199. Or, starting at $262 per night, stay at the adjacent Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark with a package that includes four waterpark passes. If you can squeeze it in, the Well Spa is well worth it. Grand Geneva: (262) 248-8811, www.grandgeneva.com. Timber Ridge: (866) 636-4502, www.timberridgeresort.com.

Stay Close

Make your shopping trip a mini vaca with the beautiful Elysian Hotel’s Miracle on Walton Package through Dec. 30. The $465/night deal gets you in-room custom hot chocolate, in-room holiday-themed movies; and breakfast for two. And if you’re thinking the price is steep, remember, this classy stay was recently rated the No. 1 hotel by Conde Nast Traveler’s Reader Choice Awards. Just 10 guestrooms on each hotel floor insure intimacy and a welcoming sense that you’re definitely VIP. Spacious rooms feature mirrors that double as TVs, fireplaces, and 460-thread count Italian linens. And when you do hit the stores, leave your car and opt for a ride in a luxury Lexus.

The new JW Marriott’s Holiday Shopping Package makes shopping sweeter with its $100 Macy’s Gift Card, which you can also spend on lunch at the Walnut Room. The JW is a quick walk to Christkindlmarket, Millennium Park ice skating, and all of the State Street shopping. Packages range from $254 to $604 and are available through Jan. 31.

Just for a Day

Schaumburg. Yes, that’s right. Get over the fact that it’s Schaumburg and get out there for some major mall shopping. Check out www.shopwoodfield.com/shopping/sales_offer to find out who’s offering what sales. And if you need to put down the packages for some kid fun, make tracks to the Legoland Discovery Center for its Holly Jolly Holidays activities, including photos with a life-sized Lego Santa and snowman; Lego-tree trimming; the chance to help build and decorate a 10-foot Lego holiday tree; and make-your-own Lego ornaments (for a fee). On New Year’s Eve, they’re hosting a kid-friendly countdown. www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com. Family-friendly dinner deal: At the Rainforest Café, kids’ meals are $2.99 on Wednesdays after 5 pm.

No matter what you believe about the good or bad of war, the people who fight in them deserve a nod of respect. Pulled from my books, I’ve gathered five museums that honor, commemorate, celebrate and remember our veterans of yesterday and today:

1. Kenosha Civil War Museum. 5400 First Ave., Kenosha; (262) 653-4140; www.thecivilwarmuseum.org. Opened in 2008, this fascinating museum takes a look back at the influences on and effects of the Civil War. Artifacts from six Midwestern states include artillery jackets, hats and weapons. Board a replica train car and listen to personal stories from Civil War soldiers, nurses, doctors, clergymen and more; walk into buildings furnished as in 1860; and find out how the war back then changed lives today. Admission, children 15 and under free when accompanied by an adult.

2. National Veterans Art Museum. 1801 South Indiana Ave., Chicago; (312) 326-0270; www.nvam.org. When you first enter this museum, you’re struck by a clinking noise coming from overhead. You glance up to see what it is. And then you’re stopped cold. It’s more than 58,000 dog tags, imprinted with the names of the service men and women who died in the Vietnam War. Titled “Above & Beyond,” the sculpture is just one of the poignant and sometimes heart-wrenching exhibits of this unique museum, the only one in the world to focus on war through art. Founded in 1981 as a series of exhibits, the museum opened in 1986, and it broadened its reach in 2003 to showcase artwork by veterans of all wars. Admission $10; students $7. Open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

3. Rock Island Arsenal Museum. Entrance at north side of Building 60, corner of Rodman and Gillespie avenues, Rock Island, Ill.; (309) 782-5021. Established in 1905, this museum is the second oldest U.S. Army museum in the country. The arsenal began production in 1862 and manufactured everything from leather horse equipment to canteens to artillery recoil. It presents a unique look at Civil War history with photographs and documents from the Rock Island Prison Barracks that held Confederate prisoners of war. In fact, there are two cemeteries on the island as well— a Confederate cemetery for POWs who died while there and a national cemetery for Union soldiers who died guarding them (call 309-782-2094 for more cemetery information). Small arms weaponry on display include five weapons used by Native Americans during the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Open Tues through Sun (closed Mondays and federal and major holidays). Free. U.S citizenship and photo I.D. required to enter Rock Island for all visitors over 16 years old (foreign nationals may enter with pre-approval and registration).

4. Apple River Fort. 311 E. Myrtle, Elizabeth; (815) 858-2028; www.appleriverfort.org. About a 15-minute drive east of Galena is this replica of the fort erected during the Black Hawk War in 1832. The fort and cabins were rebuilt on their original footprint by volunteers, who toiled with the same tools and materials used in the original construction. Exhibits, a video, an interpretive center and a trail now tell the story of the Native Americans and early white settlers who fought here. Once a month, guided stargazing and Native American storytelling takes place here. Open Wed through Sun. Suggested donation.

5. Livingston County War Museum. 321 N. Main St., Pontiac, Ill.; (815) 842-0301; www.warmuseum.blogspot.com. Weapons, uniforms, medals and patches, letters, photos and more portray the triumphs, trials and tales of the people who have fought in wars since World War I through today’s battles in Iraq and Afghanistan. Have any questions? Just ask a volunteer staff member: Many of them are vets themselves and have plenty more stories to tell. Open Tues through Sun. Free.