Carefreetrip.com Travel Blog

We’ve all experienced it: an ill wind, a weird sound in the dark, that feeling of being watched. Most of the time it’s nothing. It’s just, as the saying goes, your mind playing tricks on you. Or so you tell yourself, just so that you can forget it and get back to real life.

Quite simply, when there are bills to pay, a mortgage to sweat out and a boss that won’t stop riding you, there’s just no time for the paranormal. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. And it doesn’t explain why every culture throughout history, from ancient Egyptians to 21st century Middle England, has a documented and thriving belief in spirits and their incarnations. Of course, you’ve every right to dismiss this whole business as child’s play, and stop reading right here. And odds are you’ll never be proven wrong. But if even a single doubt lingers, you might try visiting some of these places, and see for yourself how easy it is to stay a non-believer.

The Campground Haunted Massacre Attraction, Fort Mill, South Carolina
There’s no obscene history to the campground attraction, but the owners have done everything they can think of — and that includes witchcraft and the occult — just to scare the hell out of you. Proud members of The International Association Of Haunted Attractions and devoted attendees of the Annual National Halloween, Costume & Party Show in Chicago know a thing or two about the joy of fear.

Besides the fact that camping in the woods is a naturally ghoulish pastime, when you’re told about werewolf sightings and, in all seriousness, about the mental hospital just down the road, things can become a little spine tingling.

Moscow’s Underground, Russia
In a city that is nearly 900 years old, what you see is rarely what you get, especially in Moscow, where centuries of bloodthirsty dictators, unrelenting communists and whimsical czars have made the ability to dip below the radar a matter of survival — hence the city’s vast underground network of tunnels, plunging down some 700 meters on 15 different levels.

It is here that you will find a network of abandoned bunkers, supply depots, massive vaults, and subway tunnels that, over the centuries, have been home to hobos, dissidents, artists, and exiles. Moscow’s mole men, who call themselves the Diggers of the Underground Planet, have rediscovered ghastly relics like the torture chamber built by Ivan the Terrible in the 1580s and a pond that was the site of a mass suicide. And though they won’t take you to see these two sites, the Diggers do take visitors on tours.

Brissac Castle, Loire Valley, France
This particular castle is as ornate and indulgent as French castles get. With seven floors and over two hundred rooms, no expense was spared for this Loire Valley marvel when it was rebuilt in 1633. Ceilings are painted with gold and the tapestry collection is breathtaking, as is the wood-carved furniture and columns made of glass crystal.

It wouldn’t be a bad place to live, except for the fact that it’s haunted by the ghost of Jacques de Breze’s wife, Charlotte, and her lover. Both were assassinated, and Jacque de Breze sold the castle right after their deaths. Legend has it he couldn’t stand the nighttime moaning of the ghost lovers, while he slept alone.

Dragsholm Slot, Hørve in Sealand, Denmark
Not all phantoms are ill-tempered, and as proof you need look no further than the gray lady of Dragsholm Slot. Once a fair maiden, the gray lady haunts the halls eternally looking to do good and make sure that everything is in order, as a token of her gratitude for having a painful toothache cured right before her death.

Slightly less helpful is the white lady. Another noble maiden, she kept up a secret love affair with a commoner until the day they were both caught, and was then imprisoned inside the castle by her father. In the early 1930s, one lucky tourist managed to poke a finger hole through a piece of crumbling mortar and ended up discovering a skeleton wrapped in a dress. Needless to say, tourism is still going strong.

Hacker House, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
The legend of the Hacker House goes back centuries, and it is continually evolving, as terrible events continue to plague this ill-omened house. It rests upon a Native American mass grave, where several dozen bodies lay, aged 20-25 and deposed execution-style, but in such a way that has baffled archaeologists because there was no evidence of weapons or struggle. And indeed Cherokee lore says that the place is cursed, a place, “where the brave may not walk, as his prayers would not be answered.”

Further evidence of evil play came in 1821, from signed affidavits given by Continental Army soldiers claiming to have had a gun battle with dozens of undead. A century later, the Hacker House was a hospital and laboratory. Though reports are unclear, several bodies were excavated after a great fire in 1930, and they were found to be curiously hollow.

Experimental documentation by a Dr. Johnas Hacker seemed to indicate that the hollowing was a result of the experimental medicines ingested by his patients. Rebuilt, the house was turned into a funeral parlor where things went predictably unwell. Now people seem to have smartened up. It is possible to take tours of Hacker House, but don’t nobody live there.

Pollepel Island, Hudson River, New York
The island has a morbid history, having been strategically important during the American War of Independence. Later, in the early 1900s, the island was bought by a Scotsman, Francis Bannerman, who decided to turn it into an homage to Scotland. A firearms maker, he built a warehouse in the style of a Scottish castle, complete with crenellated towers.

But after his death in 1918, the smooth-running Scottish enclave experienced a series of disasters. Two hundred pounds of powder and shells exploded, blowing half a building onto New York City. Lightning bolts seemed to torment the flagpoles to the point of disintegration. And in a coup de grâce, a massive storm on the Hudson caused a freighter and passenger barge, the Pollepel, to explode and crash into the island. Now all that’s left are the remains, and what the Dutch refer to as the Heer of Dunderberg, a fiend (and his goblins) who inhabits the Highlands and doesn’t like visitors.

Winchester Mystery House, San Jose, California
When Sarah Winchester’s husband died in 1881, she got a case of the spooks. The gun maker’s widow became convinced that she needed protection from the evil spirits of all the people killed by Winchester rifles. (Winchester Model 1873 was affectionately known as “the gun that won the West.”) Her spiritual counselor advised her to find a house that would attract good spirits, but confuse evil ones.

Instead of moving, however, the widow hired a team of carpenters and craftsmen to add rooms to the Victorian mansion indefinitely. The expansion continued for 31 years until her death in 1922. After Sarah’s death, the workers began hearing their names being whispered from the deserted hallways, as well as footsteps; one of them claimed to see the widow’s ghost. They all decided to look for new work shortly thereafter.

Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland
This magnificent castle is typically medieval, perched atop a rocky crag, giving it an amazing vista of Scottish hills. But inside the empty halls and narrow streets of Edinburgh, there are the echoes of the dead. At least, that’s what has been reported. Hot spots for specters include the castle’s prison cells, the South Bridge vaults and Mary’s King Close, a disused street used to quarantine and eventually entomb victims of the plague.

There are also reports of ghost dogs, a headless drummer, and the bodies of prisoners taken during the French seven-year war and the American War of Independence. In fact, there was such a glut of reports that in 2001, a scientific research team headed by Dr. Richard Wiseman, a psychologist from the University of Hertfordshire, set out to find quantitative proof.

Alcatraz, San Francisco, California
Lionized in the recent action film The Rock and the classic, Escape from Alcatraz, America’s most infamous prison has a concrete reputation. It stems from the likes of gunners like Al Capone and Clyde Hicks, and the fact that no one has ever escaped successfully in the 29 years that it held prisoners.

Officially opening its doors in Civil War times, the Rock was transformed into a brutal prison in 1933. Its warden, James A. Johnson told each new prisoner: “Take each day of your sentence one day at a time. Don’t think how far you have to go, but how far you’ve come.” A firm believer in tough love, several prisoners died in the Hole — cellblock D — often from self-inflicted wounds. And that’s the source of most of the reports of inexplicable crashing sounds, cell doors mysteriously closing, unearthly screams, and intense feelings of being watched.

Bran Castle, Transylvania, Romania
In a remote corner of Carpathian Mountains in Romania, the tale of Count Dracula played out. The legend of the count dates back to the 15th century, and is based on Prince Vlad Tepes (Vlad, the Impaler) or Vlad Dracula (Vlad, son of the Dragon), a ruthless defender of Christianity.

The Count is best known for routing an army of 20,000 attacking Ottomans, and impaling them, rectum to sternum, in surrounding forests. In this bastion of gothic architecture it is possible to retrace the journey of Bram Stoker’s vampire hunter, Jonathan Harker, along the Bargau Pass and up to Dracula’s infamous Bran Castle.

Happy Halloween!

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa), and recommends against all travel to North Kivu province. This replaces the Travel Warning dated July 23, 2008 to note the deterioration in the security situation in North Kivu.

Conditions within certain regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), particularly in the east, remain dangerous. Official personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa are restricted from travel to North Kivu unless the travel is for official business and has been specifically authorized by the Embassy. On October 29, 2008, all U.S. Government personnel who had been present in the city of Goma relocated temporarily to the Rwandan town of Gisenyi, directly across the border. American citizens should avoid travel to Goma and surrounding areas, and those who are there are urged to depart. Fighting between armed rebels, Congolese military forces, and U.N. peacekeeping troops has increased in the province of North Kivu and continues in the provinces of South Kivu, Orientale, northern Katanga, and sporadically in Bas Congo. Armed groups as well as active duty and demobilized Congolese troops in parts of the country are known to pillage, carjack, and steal vehicles, kill extra-judicially, rape, kidnap, and carry out military or paramilitary operations. Government soldiers, as well as rebel fighters expected to be demobilized as a result of ongoing peace processes, remain a security concern. Travelers are frequently detained and questioned by poorly disciplined security forces at numerous roadblocks and border crossings throughout the country.

Travelers to the DRC frequently experience difficulties at the airport and other ports of entry, such as temporary detention, passport confiscation, and demands by immigration and security personnel for unofficial “special fees.” Visas are not available at ports of entry. All resident foreigners, including Americans, are required to register at the office of the Direction General de Migration (DGM) in the commune of their place of residence. Border closures of 24-48 hour durations can occur without much advance notice.

Enforcement of aviation safety standards in the DRC is uneven, with frequent incidents and crashes. The U.S. Embassy has prohibited official travel by U.S. government employees and contractors on all DRC-owned and operated commercial airlines due to safety and maintenance concerns. International flights on foreign-owned and –operated carriers are not affected by this notice.

American citizens should avoid all public demonstrations and areas where crowds have gathered, exercise caution, and closely monitor local and international news from reliable sources. Radio Okapi broadcasts in French on 103.5 FM at 0700, 0800, 1200, and 1800 as well as “flash” updates throughout the day. English-language news can be found on BBC at 92.7 FM. In times of emergency, the Belgian Embassy operates a French-language radio broadcast system at FM 98.8. Changes in security conditions may occasionally restrict the travel of U.S. Mission personnel.

Public Health concerns also pose a hazard to U.S. citizen travelers due to outbreaks of deadly viruses and other diseases, which can occur without warning and often are not rapidly reported by local health authorities. Information on personal protection for international travelers, including children, can be found at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel.

U.S. citizens who travel to or remain in the DRC despite this Travel Warning are strongly urged to register with the Embassy in Kinshasa or through the State Department’s travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located at 310 Avenue des Aviateurs; the Consular Section entrance is located on Avenue Dumi, opposite Saint Anne’s Residence. The Embassy’s 24-hour phone number is 243-81-225-5872; callers within DRC should dial 081-225-5872. All Embassy telephone numbers are cellular phones as landlines are unreliable. The Embassy website is http://kinshasa.usembassy.gov.

U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State’s Country Specific Information for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Worldwide Caution, both located on the Department’s Internet website at http://travel.state.gov. Up-to-date information on safety and security is available toll-free at 1-888-407-4747 from within the United States and Canada, or at regular toll rates at 1-202-501-4444 for callers outside the United States and Canada, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Once upon a time, Halloween was a one-day event. Now the holiday is morphing into an entire tourist season, with haunted walks, costume balls and pumpkin-carving events throughout October.

The Illinois Bureau of Tourism has gone so far as to trademark the term “Fall-O-Ween” to describe what it calls the state’s “distinctive fifth season.” A Web site highlighting three-day getaways in Illinois for the season launched Sept. 8 at www.enjoyillinois.com/3-day.

Salem, Mass., which has the most authentic claim on witchy hoopla of just about any destination in the country, started a Halloween celebration 27 years ago as a one-day event. Now the city where witch trials were held in 1692 holds Salem Haunted Happenings until Nov. 2 and gets 30 percent of its annual tourist visitation in that one month.

“It is our busiest season,” said Kate Fox, executive director of Destination Salem. At the House of the Seven Gables mansion and historic site, there are tours about the families who inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne’s famous novel.

Hotels are embracing the Halloween theme, too. The New England Inns and Resorts Association started offering “Ghoulish Getaways” in 2004.

“We have members that tie in to a lot of fall activities - apple-picking, hayrides, mazes,” said Beth Steucek, NEIRA executive vice president.

North Carolina’s Southern Outer Banks is promoting “Ghosts on the Coast,” highlighting local haunted houses and maritime heritage. The area was nicknamed the “Graveyard of the Atlantic” because some 2,000 ships sank off its coast.

SOURCE: AP

This Travel Warning updates information on the unsettled security situation and warns American citizens against travel to Somalia.  This supersedes the Travel Warning of May 20, 2008.

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all travel to Somalia, including the self-proclaimed “Republic of Somaliland,” since there is no U.S. Embassy or other U.S. diplomatic presence in Somalia.  Consequently, the U.S. Government is not in a position to assist or effectively provide services to U.S. citizens in Somalia.

Terrorist operatives and armed groups in Somalia have demonstrated their intent and capability to attack air operations at Mogadishu International Airport.  Kidnapping, murder, illegal roadblocks, banditry, and other violent incidents and threats to U.S. citizens and other foreigners can occur in many regions.  Inter-clan and inter-factional fighting flares up with little or no warning.  Unpredictable armed conflicts among rival militias are prevalent in southern Somalia, particularly in and around Mogadishu, which has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Somali nationals and the displacement of nearly one million people.  In December 2006, Ethiopian military forces entered Somalia in support of the Somali Transitional Federal Government.  The continuing Ethiopian military presence and support for the Transitional Federal Government has heightened tensions among rival political and clan factions within Somalia.

The Sanaag and Sool Regions in eastern Somaliland, bordering on Puntland (northeastern Somalia), are subject to insecurity due to ongoing border disputes and inter-clan fighting.  There also have been several fatal attacks and violent kidnappings against international relief workers, including Westerners, throughout Somalia, Somaliland, and Puntland.  Lines of control in Mogadishu are unclear and frequently shift, making movement within this area extremely hazardous.  Violent riots have recently occurred in Mogadishu, as thousands of civilians protested rising food prices and the devaluation of the Somali currency.

Recently, insurgents and extremist elements opposed to the Somali government conducted hit-and-run attacks on several towns in central and southern Somalia, to include the districts of Gedo and Bay (especially the vicinity of Baidoa) in the south.

U.S. citizens also are urged to use extreme caution when sailing near the coast of Somalia.  Merchant vessels, fishing boats, and recreational craft all risk seizure by pirates and having their crews held for ransom in the waters off the Horn of Africa, most especially in the international waters near Somalia.  There have been numerous such incidents, highlighting the continuing danger of maritime travel near the Horn of Africa.  If transit around the Horn of Africa is necessary, it is strongly recommended that vessels travel in convoys, and maintain good communications contact at all times.

U.S. citizens who travel to Somalia despite this Travel Warning are urged to register through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov and obtain updated information on travel and security from the U.S. Embassies in neighboring countries.  Travelers to the self-declared “Republic of Somaliland” should register with the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti, and travelers to Puntland or southern Somalia should register with the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.
The U.S. Embassy in Djibouti is located at Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti City; telephone (253) 35-39-95; after-hours telephone number (253) 35-13-43.  The mailing address is Ambassade Americaine, B.P. 185, Djibouti, Republique de Djibouti, and their workweek is Sunday through Thursday.  The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi is located on United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya; telephone (254)(20) 363-6000; after-hours emergencies (254)(20) 363-6170.  The mailing address is P.O. Box 606 Village Market 00621, Nairobi, Kenya.

U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State’s Country Specific Information for Somalia and the Worldwide Caution, which are located on the Department’s internet website at http://travel.state.gov.  American citizens may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or 202-501-4444 from overseas.

Free Boston & Cambridge Value passes, events brochure & assistance for visitors : Begin with a great resource: the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau (GBCVB) . Visit their web site www.BostonUSA.com or call their toll free number 1-888-733-2678 (1-888-SEE Boston) from anywhere in North America. The 24-page full color 2008 “Summer In The City” brochure is packed with ideas- print from their home page or call the toll free number to receive a free copy. Their 65-offer 2008 “BostonUSA Specials Card” is packed with 10 % - 15% and two-for-one offers from the most popular Attractions: Prudential SkyWalk, the new Institute of Contemporary Art waterfront museum, and many more museums, tours (there is a discount on the very popular Boston Duck Tours), restaurants, shops & transportation. Request by e mail visitus@bostonusa.com or call toll free… or visit either of their two Visitor Centers (Prudential Center or Boston Common- open daily 9-5) Families will find the GBCVB 50-offer 2008 “Family Friendly ValuePass” packed with offers & discounts just for families. Just print from their home page www.BostonUSA.com

Free admission: The USS Constitution Ship & Museum : The USS Constitution ship, the oldest commissioned afloat in the USA, and the USS Constitution Museum are free. The Museum brings to life the stories of the individuals who authorized, built, served on and preserved USS Constitution. Through hands-on exhibits, displays of historic artifacts, computer simulated re-enactments and public programming, the Museum strives to make a personal connection to our American past and the heritage of USS Constitution. www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org

Free performances for visitors in the Summer – Summer only : The Mayor’s Office of Boston presents free outdoor concerts -at City Hall Plaza, Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, www.cityofboston.gov/arts

History walking Trails – with free tours for visitors: Boston’s Freedom Trail – Guide yourself along this educational and entertaining “walk through history” with a map, or join a free guided walking tour offered by the National Park Service Rangers at 15 State Street Visitor Center. www.thefreedomtrail.org

History walking Trails – with free tours for visitors: Boston’s Black Heritage Trail – Enjoy a walking tour that celebrates the history of Boston’s Black community between 1800-1900 on Beacon Hill. Take the guided tour to experience the history and visit the museum all for free. www.afroammuseum.org/trail.htm

Free Harbor Islands - free Tours & Events all summer : The Boston Harbor Islands – a National Park- are free. The cruise round-trip from downtown Boston to George’s Island costs $14.00, when visitors arrive at George’s Island they can take a free guided tour of the fort (including ancient prison cells), have a family picnic (there’s even outdoor barbecues) or take a $3.00 “water taxi” to another nearby island - Peddock’s, Bumpkin, Gallops, Lovells or Grape Islands - each with their own picnic area and unusual history. Also Spectacle Island- with its own beach, tours- and events- all free. www.bostonislands.com

Kids Ride Free On The T : Children 11 years and younger ride free on Greater Boston’s public transit system - America’s oldest and most extensive. Virtually every museum, sightseeing tour, Shop, restaurant and historic attraction is accessible by public transit in Boston & Cambridge- including the ferry from Long wharf to the USS Constitution. www.mbta.com

Boston’s Newest Walking Trail – Boston HarborWalk -free downloadable tour : Enjoy the new 37-mile Harborwalk - a waterfront path- marked by bright blue signs - free of charge. Download the MP3 audio walking tour to your personal MP3 player, start the tour at Christopher Columbus Park, and listen to local characters guide you along the wharves of Boston Harbor. Learn about everything from shipwrecks to lobster rolls -all from the comfort of your own MP3 player.  www.bostonharborwalk.com

Boston’s summer International Cultural Festivals : There’s a street festival taking place in Boston - visit the North End, Boston’s Little Italy, any summer weekend for the Italian Feasts. In July the Cape Verdean Festival happens on City Hall Plaza & in August, The August Moon Festival - America’s 4th largest - is held in Boston’s Chinatown. Visit www.BostonUSA.com for the festival schedule.

Museum – free for children: Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts – This world-class museum houses outstanding collections which represent the art and culture of civilizations worldwide. Youths 17 and under are admitted free. On Wednesdays - free for everyone 4 pm to 9:45 pm. www.mfa.org

Free on Saturday Mornings: Harvard University Art Museum – Harvard’s Art Museum – the Fogg Art Museum, the Arthur M. Sackler Museum and the Busch-Reisinger Museum – together house more than 150,000 works of art, including some of the finest collections of their kind in the world. Anyone under 18 is admitted for free any day of the week, and everyone is welcome to explore on Saturday mornings for free. www.artmuseums.harvard.edu/home_content.html

Free tours of the first public library in America: Boston Public Library: Visitors will learn the early history of this national historic landmark and observe the Renaissance style of the library’s many exhibits and murals. Free guided tours are available by appointment, Monday through Saturday. www.bpl.org

More free tours: Massachusetts State House – Take a guided tour along the public halls, while learning about the history of the building, and discovering how our legislative process works. Visitors are allowed to walk onto the chamber floors, and even watch a legislative meeting take place. www.sec.state.ma.us/trs/trsbok/trstour.htm

More free history museums: Ancient & Honorable Artillery Museum at Faneuil Hall – Browse through a collection of ancient artillery while you converse with Rangers and the museum’s Curator. Located on the third floor of Faneuil Hall, these self-guided tours are free and open to the public Monday through Friday. Also the The Commonwealth Museum – Explore the people, places, and politics of Massachusetts. Interact with exhibits which focus on historic and contemporary issues. Open Monday through Saturday, with free admission and parking. www.ahacsite.org

America’s Biggest Birthday Party- free : Boston’s July 4: Boston’s Annual Fourth of July on the Esplanade. The Boston Pops and invited guest stars. Fireworks, 250,000 visitors. A spectacular display of fireworks over the Charles River is planned for this year by the world-renowned Ken Clark, synchronized with the Boston Pops music led by Keith Lockhart. The Boston Pops Concert begins at 8:00pm; the Fireworks and Music Spectacular at 10:00pm. The Boston event became the first to play the “1812 Overture” accompanied by cannons, bells, and fireworks as part of its Fourth of July celebration, an innovation that has since been duplicated in countless cities around the world. www.july4th.org

Boston Harborfest : Enjoy historical reenactments, children’s scavenger hunts, tours of US Coast Guard cutters, harbor dinner cruises, schooner theater, whale watch cruises, USS Constitution Turn Around cruises, tours of Charlestown Navy Yard, a computer animation festival, walking tours that showcase colonial African-American history, tavern sites, ropemaking demonstrations, fife & drum, US Air Force Band Concerts, tours of the subterranean history of Boston (via subway), Greek food festival, fireworks cruises (harbor: Saturday night), guided walks and treasure hunts on the Boston Harbor Islands, an Encampment of the King’s Rangers, an 18th Century Town Meeting, The Reading of The Declaration of Independence, a Cape Verdean Festival, a Peal Of Bells (Old North Church), chow-down at Chowderfest, (15,000 enthusiasts anticipated- admission under $10) www.bostonharborfest.com.

Institute of Contemporary Art : Today, the Institute of Contemporary Art continues to be at the vanguard of contemporary art with its excellent program of exhibitions by cutting-edge artists and Vita Brevis projects that bring art into public spaces. The museum is free Thursday evenings from 5pm until 9 pm. www.icaboston.org

Harvard Walking Tour : Begins at the Harvard University Events and Information Center on most days in Holyoke Center. www.harvard.edu During the summer (June 24-August 15, 2008) tours are offered Mon-Sat 10:00am, 11:15am, 2:00pm, & 3:15pm.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus Tour (MIT) : Begins at the Information Center at 10 & 2 weekdays only  www.mit.edu

Peabody Museum : The Peabody Museum is one of the oldest museums in the world devoted to anthropology and houses one of the most comprehensive records of human cultural history in the Western Hemisphere. The museum is free to  Massachusetts residents Sunday mornings from 9 am until noon.  Children under three are always free.  www.peabody.harvard.edu

Harvard Museum of Natural History : Through exhibitions and an array of educational programs, the Harvard Museum of Natural History presents a historic and interdisciplinary exploration of science and nature, with an emphasis on evolutionary theory. The museum is free to Massachusetts residents Sunday mornings from 9 am until noon.  Children under three are always free.  www.hmnh.harvard.edu

Observatory – free: Pick out your favorite constellation at the Coit Observatory at Boston University, which offers free stargazing Wednesdays after 8:30 p.m. throughout the spring and summer, pending clear skies. www.bu.edu/astronomy/facilities/observatory.html

Bunker Hill Monument – Charlestown- free:  Climb the 294 steps to the top of the Bunker Hill Monument for unparalleled views of the Boston skyline.

The Museum of Afro-American History – Boston : The African Meeting House, owned and operated by the Museum of Afro-American History, is one stop on the Black Heritage Trail. Admission is free; however suggested donation is $5. www.afroammuseum.org

America’s first arboretum, The Arnold Arboretum – free : The 265-acre world-class arboretum park operated by Harvard University in Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood is open free of charge to the public from sunrise to sunset 365 days of the year. http://arboretum.harvard.edu

Thursday Concerts in Copley Square free : 92.9 WBOS is bringing the music to visitors this summer with their annual free summer concert series. The series begins on July 12 at Copley Square Park in the Back Bay and continues on Thursdays through Aug. 16. This summer’s lineup includes concerts by contemporary radio rockers Fountains of Wayne, the Cat Empire and Matt Nathanson.

Free – Visit the Mount Auburn Cemetery : “America’s first garden cemetery,” Mount Auburn Cemetery. Located on the border of Cambridge and Watertown, the cemetery features classical monuments, like the Sphinx Civil War monument. www.mountauburn.org

Free – Visit the Old North Church : Visitors can view the steeple where the two lanterns were hung that signaled Paul Revere to take his famous ride, and sparked the Revolution www.oldnorth.com

• The city of Las Vegas celebrated its 100th birthday on May 15, 2005. The event celebrated the May 15, 1905 land auction when 110 acres of land in downtown Las Vegas were auctioned off.
• A 1910 law made it illegal to gamble in Las Vegas. The Nevada Legislature later approved a legalized gambling bill in 1931.
• The first hotel and casino to open in Las Vegas was the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino in 1906.
• The Hoover Dam was completed in 1935. It took a total of 21,000 men five years to complete the structure.
• The Moulin Rouge, the city’s first racially integrated hotel, opened in 1955.
• In 1957, topless showgirls debuted on the Las Vegas Strip in “Minsky’s Follies” at the Dunes.
• The famous “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign was created in 1959 by Betty Willis.
• In 2004, more than 37 million people visited Las Vegas. Compare this to 1970 when a mere 6.7 million people visited the city.
• More than 22,000 conventions were held in Las Vegas in 2004.
• In 2004, visitors stayed an average of 3.6 nights.
• More than 5,000 people move into the Las Vegas valley on a monthly basis.
• Las Vegas is home to Clark County School District, the fifth largest school district, which currently handles more than 280,000 students.
• The famous Las Vegas strip is for the most part, not within the city limits of Las Vegas. The majority of the strip is located within Clark County.
• The Stratosphere Hotel and Tower, at more than 1,100 feet, is the tallest building west of the Mississippi and the fifth tallest building in the United States.
• A marriage license costs $55 in Nevada. Many couples choose to marry in Nevada because there is no blood test or waiting period.
• Fremont Street was closed to traffic in 1994. The Fremont Street Experience opened in December 1995.

Sources: Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, Clark County School District

Carefreetrip.com is proud to announce the Carefreetrip.com Travel Award. We at Carefreetrip.com continue to see excellent service provided to travelers that goes unrewarded. This award is designed to provide travel providers with a little positive feedback in an often negative traveler environment.

I was recently on a trip where a hotel bent over backwards to help a customer out and all they got was a snippy reply of “thank goodness or I would have had to take my business elsewhere.” Really? You have to be such a jerk that you couldn’t just say THANK YOU? Remember the days of thank you versus today where everyone thinks they deserve excellent service. Don’t get me wrong, I think everyone should get what they pay for but I also think that if we all took the time to just say thank you when someone provides a nice gesture or service, that we would see more excellent service.

I am happy to present this award to travel providers that go above and beyond to make our travel experience the best it can be. This award is presented on an ad-hoc basis - based on service provided. Check back to see who receives the Carefreetrip.com Travel Award.

More beer is brewed in Denver than in any other American city. Not only is the Mile High City home to the world’s largest single brewery, but it also has the nation’s largest brewpub, the highest number of home brewers and is host to the Great American Beer Festival, the brewing industry’s most prestigious event of the year — the “Super Bowl” of beer. And Denver is not alone. Throughout Colorado, there are over 80 brewpubs, 18 microbreweries, and two major breweries, making Colorado the “Napa Valley” of beer. It is possible to tour the state, visiting the major ski resorts of Aspen, Telluride, Vail, Crested Butte and Steamboat Springs and enjoy a new brewpub in each town. On any given day, there are over 100 beers that are made and sold only in Colorado.

Why Colorado? Well, as many beer connoisseurs will state, water is crucial to a good tasting beer. And just as the water that flows across the moors of Scotland has added indelibly to the taste of Scotch whiskey, so too has the water cascading down from the great Rocky Mountains added to the taste of Colorado beer.

Here then is a brief tour of some of the great beer tasting opportunities in Denver.

The World’s Largest Brewery

With production of more than 17 million barrels of beer a year, the Coors Brewery in Golden is the largest single brewery in the world.

Located 12 miles from downtown Denver, the brewery has free tours Monday through Saturday that cover every aspect of the brewing process, from germinating barley to bottling.

The brewery was founded in 1873 by a young German brewer, Adolph Coors, who came to America as a stowaway aboard a ship. Working his way across the country on the railroad, he finally arrived in Denver, where he began work in a bottling company. On his day off, he loved to walk around the town of Golden, particularly in the Clear Creek Valley where there were an abundant number of cool, clear springs among willow trees.

Having learned the brewery trade in Germany, he knew the importance of water and so he took a partner, raised $18,000, purchased the natural springs in his beautiful valley and opened the “Golden Brewery.”

Today, Coors is the third largest manufacturer of beer in the U.S., but they are still using the same 44 natural springs that dot the company property. Most breweries have to treat water before it can be brewed, but because the water at Coors has come down from the Rocky Mountains through miles of rock, gravel and sand, it has had a natural filtration and the mountain spring water can be used as is.

The Coors tour is a quick course in the complete art of brewing beer and at the end of the tour there is, of course, a chance to sample the product. Besides the famous Coors and Coors Light, the company also brews several smaller beers including the Irish red ale Killian’s, Coors Gold and the popular Winterfest at Christmas.

The “Super Bowl” of Beer

For more than 16 years, Denver has been home to America’s largest beer festival — the Great American Beer Festival. This event is so huge that just to imbibe a one ounce sample of every beer offered would mean drinking over 108 regular 12-ounce bottles of beer! Over 325 American brewers participate in the festival, serving over 1,700 different beers, ales, stouts, porters and lagers, all competing for the most coveted medals in the industry. More than 30,000 beer-lovers are expected at the 2007 event, taking place in late September at the Colorado Convention Center. (303) 447-0816 or www.beertown.org.

Denver: Home to America’s Largest Brewpub

The first permanent structure in Denver was a saloon, so it is fitting that today there are fifteen brewpubs and microbreweries in downtown Denver including the two of the largest in the nation: the Wynkoop Brewing Company and the Rock Bottom Brewery.

What exactly is a brewpub?

A brewpub is a restaurant that produces less than 15,000 barrels of beer a year and serves food as well as hand-crafted brews. In most cases, the brewpub does not bottle the beer, so it can only be tasted fresh, directly from the keg. If the brewpub does bottle the beer, then technically it becomes a “microbrewery,” of which there are nearly a dozen in the Denver area.

What separates brewpub beer from the major breweries is its freshness. Often described as “liquid bread,” a brewpub beer is a wholesome product made with the finest grains and hops, naturally carbonated, and preservative-free. In all brewpubs, patrons can actually see the large stainless steel tanks in which the beer is made.

Of course, the fun of visiting a brewpub is sampling a wide variety of beers, many of which have names connected with Denver’s history. Each of the pubs offer “samplers,” a four-ounce tasting of the five or six beers they have on tap. When sampling, start with the light beers and work up to the strong, dark stouts.

Some of Denver’s Top Brewpubs:

Wynkoop Brewing Company: Located in a turn-of-the-century historic building across the street from Union Station, this was Colorado’s first brewpub. Today, it is the largest in the nation in terms of the amount of beer produced. The 34,000 square foot pub has a comedy club and an upscale pool hall with almost 30 tables, as well as an excellent restaurant. Best brews include Railyard Ale, an award-winning Octoberfest style ale; Light Rail, an English style ale; St. Charles Extra Special Bitter, a strong English ale served warmer than most American beers; Sagebrush Stout, a dark, full-bodied stout with a creamy head; and Wilderness Wheat, a traditional German summer ale. Specialty beers often available include: Elvis Brau, Pattie’s Chili Beer (made with green chili peppers) and Splatz Porter, named after the pub cat. The Wynkoop was founded by Denver’s current Mayor, John Hickenlooper. www.wynkoop.com

Rock Bottom Brewery: Located on the 16th Street Mall, Denver’s mile-long pedestrian promenade, the Rock Bottom has one of the city’s largest outdoor cafes and frequently features jazz groups on an elevated stage area above the brewing kettles. Best Brews: Red Rocks Ale, an Irish red ale named after Denver’s famous amphitheatre; Molly’s Titanic Brown Ale, a dark ale that honors one of Denver’s most famous residents, Titanic survivor “Unsinkable Molly Brown”; Black Diamond Stout, which pays homage to black diamond ski runs, the supreme skiing experience; and Rockies Premium Draft, named after America’s most popular baseball team. Rock Bottom is now a national chain, however this was the first. www.rockbottomrestaurantsinc.com

Breckenridge Brewery: Located almost directly across the street from Coors Field, the new 50,000 seat Major League baseball stadium that opened in 1995, this is a microbrewery that serves food–and, of course, beer. Four of the beers are bottled and marketed throughout the Rocky Mountain west, but they can also be sampled from the keg at the brewery or at many other bars in the Denver area. Best brews: Avalanche Ale, a malty, rich, creamy ale made with caramel malts; Mountain Wheat, a lighter beer made with 60% malted wheat; India Pale Ale, a full-bodied, hoppy and bittersweet ale; and Oatmeal Stout, a dark stout with a smooth, chocolate coffee flavor and aroma. www.breckbrew.com

Sandlot Brewing Company: This is the only brewpub in the world located inside a baseball stadium. The brewpub is built right into Coors Field with its own entrance into the ballpark. The Sandlot is owned by the Coors Brewing Company, but features hand-crafted small batch beers. Beers include: Right Field Red, an American Style red ale; PowerAlley ESB, a heavy malt, low hops Scottish style ale; and Slugger’s Stout, a rich, ample body stout. (303) 298-1587.

The Denver Chop House: Housed in an old office building of the Union Pacific Railroad, this latest addition to the brewpub scene has a bit of everything, with outdoor decks, live music, fine dining, and one of the city’s most popular clubs, “Sing Sing” that features dueling pianos. Beers include a premium mild, pale ale; honey wheat; nut brown ale; oatmeal stout and extra special bitter.

This Travel Alert updates security information for U.S. citizens traveling and living in Mexico.  It replaces the Travel Alert for Mexico dated April 14, 2008, and expires on April 14, 2009.

While millions of U.S. Citizens safely visit Mexico each year, including thousands who cross the land border every day for study, tourism or business, increased levels of violence make it imperative that travelers understand the risks of travel to Mexico, how best to avoid dangerous situations, and whom to contact if one is a victim of crime.  Common-sense precautions, such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas, avoiding areas where prostitution and drug dealing might occur, and exercising prudence in where one visits during the evening hours and at night, can help ensure that travel to Mexico is safe and enjoyable.

Violence Along the U.S. - Mexico Border

Mexican drug cartels are engaged in an increasingly violent fight for control of narcotics trafficking routes along the U.S. - Mexico border in an apparent response to the Government of Mexico’s initiatives to crack down on narco-trafficking organizations.  In order to combat violence, the government of Mexico has deployed military troops in various parts of the country.  U.S. citizens should cooperate fully with official checkpoints when traveling on Mexican highways.

Some recent Mexican army and police confrontations with drug cartels have taken on the characteristics of small-unit combat, with cartels employing automatic weapons and, on occasion, grenades.  Firefights have taken place in many towns and cities across Mexico but particularly in northern Mexico, including Tijuana, Chihuahua City and Ciudad Juarez.  The situation in northern Mexico remains fluid; the location and timing of future armed engagements cannot be predicted.

A number of areas along the border are experiencing rapid growth in the rates of many types of crime.  More than 1,600 cars were reportedly stolen in Ciudad Juarez in the month of July 2008, and bank robberies there are up dramatically.  Rates for robberies, homicides, petty thefts, and carjackings have all increased over the last year across Mexico generally, with notable spikes in Tijuana and northern Baja California.  Cuidad Juarez, Tijuana, and Nogales are among the cities which have recently experienced public shootouts during daylight hours in Shopping centers and other public venues.  Criminals have followed and harassed U.S. citizens traveling in their vehicles in border areas including Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, Tijuana, and along Route 15 between Nogales and Hermosillo.

The situation in Ciudad Juarez is of special concern.  Mexican authorities report that more than 1,000 people have been killed there this year.  U.S. citizens should pay close attention to their surroundings while traveling in Ciudad Juarez, avoid isolated locations during late night and early morning hours, and remain alert to news reports.  A recent series of muggings near the U.S. Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez has targeted applicants for U.S. visas.  Visa and other service seekers visiting the Consulate are encouraged to make provisions to pay for those services with something other than cash.

U.S. citizens are urged to be alert to safety and security concerns when visiting the border region.  Criminals are armed with a wide array of sophisticated weapons.  In some cases, assailants have worn full or partial police or military uniforms and have used vehicles that resemble police vehicles.  While most of the crime victims are Mexican citizens, the uncertain security situation poses risks for U.S. citizens as well.U.S. citizen victims of crime in Mexico are urged to contact the consular section of the nearest U.S. consulate or Embassy for advice and assistance.  Contact information is provided at the end of this message.

Crime and Violence Throughout Mexico

While the largest increase in violence has occurred near the U.S. border, U.S. citizens traveling elsewhere in Mexico should also exercise caution in unfamiliar areas and be aware of their surroundings at all times.  Mexican and foreign bystanders have been injured or killed in some violent attacks, demonstrating the heightened risk in public places.  In recent years, dozens of U.S. citizens have been kidnapped across Mexico and many cases remain unresolved.  U.S. citizens who believe they are being targeted for kidnapping or other crimes should notify Mexican officials and the nearest American consulate or the Embassy as soon as possible.  U.S. citizens should make every attempt to travel on main roads during daylight hours, particularly the toll (“cuota”) roads, which are generally more secure.  U.S. citizens are encouraged to stay in well-known tourist destinations and tourist areas of the cities with more adequate security, and provide an itinerary to a friend or family member not traveling with them.  U.S. citizens should avoid traveling alone, and should carry a GSM-enabled cell phone that functions internationally.  Refrain from displaying expensive-looking jewelry, large amounts of money, or other valuable items.

Demonstrations and Large Public Gatherings

Demonstrations occur frequently throughout Mexico and usually are peaceful.  However, even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate to violence unexpectedly.  People have died during violent demonstrations, including an American citizen who was killed in Oaxaca in 2006.  During demonstrations or law enforcement operations, U.S. citizens are advised to remain in their homes or hotels, avoid large crowds, and avoid the downtown and surrounding areas.  Since the timing and routes of scheduled marches and demonstrations are always subject to change, U.S. citizens should monitor local media sources for new developments and exercise extreme caution while within the vicinity of protests.  The Mexican Constitution prohibits political activities by foreigners, and such actions may result in detention and/or deportation.  Therefore, U.S. citizens are advised to avoid participating in demonstrations or other activities that might be deemed political by Mexican authorities.  In a recent incident, a Mexican Independence Day celebration was the target of a violent attack.  As is always the case in any large gathering, U.S. citizens should remain alert to their surroundings.

Further Information
For more detailed information on staying safe in Mexico, please see the Mexico Country Specific Information at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html. Information on security and travel to popular tourist destinations is also provided in the publication: “Spring Break in Mexico- Know Before You Go!!” at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/spring_break_mexico/spring_break_mexico_2812.html.  For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers from Mexico, a regular toll line at 001-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).  American citizens traveling or residing overseas are encouraged to register with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate on the State Department’s travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov/.
For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens in Mexico, please contact the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The U.S. Embassy is located in Mexico City at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, telephone from the United States: 011-52-55-5080-2000; telephone within Mexico City: 5080-2000; telephone long distance within Mexico 01-55-5080-2000. You may also contact the Embassy by e-mail at: ccs@usembassy.net.mx. The Embassy’s internet address is http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/.

Consulates:
Ciudad Juarez: Avenida Lopez Mateos 924-n, telephone (52) (656) 611-3000.
Guadalajara: Progreso 175, telephone (52) (333) 268-2100.
Hermosillo: Avenida Monterrey 141, telephone (52) (662) 289-3500.
Matamoros: Avenida Primera 2002, telephone (52) (868) 812-4402.
Mérida: Calle 60 no. 338 k, telephone (52) (999) 942-5700
Monterrey: Avenida Constitución 411 Poniente, telephone (52) (818) 345-2120.
Nogales: Calle San José, Nogales, Sonora, telephone (52) (631) 311-8150.
Nuevo Laredo: Calle Allende 3330, col. Jardin, telephone (52) (867) 714-0512.
Tijuana: Tapachula 96, telephone (52) (664) 622-7400.

Consular Agencies:
ACAPULCO: HOTEL CONTINENTAL EMPORIO, COSTERA MIGUEL ALEMAN 121 - LOCAL 14, TELEPHONE (52) (744) 484-0300 OR (52) (744) 469-0556.
CABO SAN LUCAS: BLVD. MARINA LOCAL C-4, PLAZA NAUTICA, COL. CENTRO, TELEPHONE (52) (624) 143-3566.
CANCÚN: PLAZA CARACOL TWO, SECOND LEVEL, NO. 320-323, BOULEVARD KUKULCAN, KM. 8.5, ZONA HOTELERA, TELEPHONE (52) (998) 883-0272.
CIUDAD ACUÑA: OCAMPO # 305, COL. CENTRO, TELEPHONE (52) (877) 772-8661
COZUMEL:  PLAZA VILLA MAR EN EL CENTRO, PLAZA PRINCIPAL, (PARQUE JUÁREZ BETWEEN MELGAR AND 5TH AVE.) 2ND FLOOR, LOCALES #8 AND 9, TELEPHONE (52)(987) 872-4574.
IXTAPA/ZIHUATANEJO: HOTEL FONTAN, BLVD. IXTAPA, TELEPHONE (52) (755) 553-2100.
MAZATLÁN: HOTEL PLAYA MAZATLÁN, PLAYA GAVIOTAS #202, ZONA DORADA, TELEPHONE (52)(669) 916-5889.
OAXACA: MACEDONIO ALCALÁ NO. 407, INTERIOR 20, TELEPHONE (52)(951) 514-3054 (52)(951) 516-2853.
PIEDRAS NEGRAS: ABASOLO #211, ZONA CENTRO, PIEDRAS NEGRAS, COAH., TEL. (878) 782-5586.
PLAYA DEL CARMEN: “THE PALAPA,”  CALLE 1 SUR, BETWEEN AVENIDA 15 AND AVENIDA 20, TELEPHONE (52)(984) 873-0303.
PUERTO VALLARTA: PARADISE PLAZA, PASEO DE LOS COCOTEROS #1, LOCAL #4, INTERIOR #17, NUEVO VALLARTA, NAYARIT, TELEPHONE (52)(322) 222-0069.
REYNOSA: CALLE MONTERREY #390, ESQ. SINALOA, COLONIA RODRÍGUEZ, TELEPHONE: (52)(899) 923 - 9331
SAN LUIS POTOSÍ:  EDIFICIO “LAS TERRAZAS”, AVENIDA VENUSTIANO CARRANZA 2076-41, COL. POLANCO, TELEPHONE: (52)(444) 811-7802/7803.
SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE: DR. HERNANDEZ MACIAS #72, TELEPHONE (52)(415) 152-2357 OR (52)(415) 152-0068.

Ever wondered what’s inside the “Bean” in Millennium Park? Photographer Jan Theun van Rees did. And he talked his way inside the mammoth sculpture and took a photo. Turns out, the empty innards of the Bean look like the inside of a curling wave made out of steel.

Van Rees talked his way into the hidden reaches of a lot of local landmarks—the Cultural Center, the Unity Temple in Oak Park—and took beautiful, mysterious photographs that are being shown in the Sears Tower’s Wacker Drive lobby (233 S. Wacker Drive; 312-630-9797) through today.

The Dutch photographer’s pictures inspired us to create a list of some of Chicago’s hidden gems—places in and around landmarks and Attractions that most of us don’t visit or even know about. These places are usually quiet and away from the crowds. And there’s no better way to impress friends and relatives than making a beeline for one of these places, bypassing the herd. Here are five:

The West Side of the Morton Arboretum
Criss-crossed with trails, splashed with ponds, home to a massive children’s garden and a restaurant with a breathtaking view, the meticulously maintained Morton Arboretum is perhaps the most beautiful 1,700 acres in Illinois. The East Side is where everybody goes—it’s where the main parking lot is, where the Attractions are, where the restaurant is. But the most magical part of the grounds is the more remote West Side with its pine forests, meadows, hills, streams and ponds, where you can hike for hours without seeing a soul and feel far from the flat prairies of the Midwest. Park on the West Side or walk there from the main parking lot. In either case, just follow the signs. And bring water—there are few amenities on the West Side.

The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Highway 53, Lisle; 630-968-0074, www.mortonarb.org. Adults pay $9, seniors over 65 pay $8, kids between 3 and 17 pay $6 and children under 3 are free. There’s a discount on Wednesdays.

The Salt Creek Wilderness at the Brookfield Zoo
Survival of the fittest rules at the Brookfield Zoo on any pleasant weekend day. Minivans circle the vast parking lots like sharks, strollers and wagons crowd the exhibits like herds of buffalo. But there is a section of the zoo that feels serene and unvisited, even at noon on a gorgeous September Saturday. The Salt Creek Wilderness is at the far western end of the zoo, and it’s at the end of a long meandering path that feels as if it might lead nowhere until you reach the zoo’s woodsy ode to local fauna and flora. There’s a trail around a pond, trumpeter swans, a bench to soak in the quiet. When entering through the North Gate, find the camels and head west, past the other hoofed animals all the way to the Indian Lake Trail and Salt Creek Wilderness.

Brookfield Zoo, First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield; 708-485-0263, czs.org. Admission for adults is $11, seniors over 65 and kids between 3 and 11 are $7. Kids under 3 are free.

Ando Gallery at the Art Institute of Chicago
Most of the Art Institute is brightly lit. Much of it, like the Impressionist galleries, can be very busy, though it’s not that hard to find quieter spots (wander into the African Art galleries for a break from the crowds). But the loveliest, oddest, most sublime gallery of all, tucked away in a corner of the Asian Art section, is Japanese architect Tadao Ando’s Japanese screen gallery. Walk inside this columned, dimly lit space and immediately you will be transported to another world. The feeling is that of wandering into a cool deep wood well past midnight, though Ando intended the columns to echo those in porches and entrance halls of Japanese buildings. The Japanese screens aren’t bad either.

Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave.; 312-443-3600; www.artic.edu. Admission for adults is $12. Children, students and seniors over 65 pay $7.

Colonnade at Soldier Field
And you thought you could only go to Soldier Field if you had a ticket to a Bears game. Wrong. Although this massive, controversially overhauled football stadium is mostly associated with the team, it’s also home to a charming spot to eat lunch. Yes, eat lunch. The colonnade area is actually open to the public, so you can go there any time with a bag lunch. On a non-game day, the view of the water and the city is gorgeous, the setting unsurpassed, the atmosphere peaceful. When was the last time you heard anyone describe Soldier Field as peaceful?

Soldier Field, 1410 S. Museum Campus Drive; 312-235-7000; www.chicagoparkdistrict.com. Free.

Midway Club at University of Chicago Gleacher Center
It’s not the Gleacher Center that is the attraction here, but the Chicago River. There are all kinds of ways to enjoy the river, from a boat, from a bridge, from the revitalizing river walk. But one of the coolest ways to see the river is from the Midway Club, a Wolfgang Puck restaurant hidden away on the 5th floor of the Gleacher Center. Step off the elevator and, at first, you’ll feel like you are walking into a den of offices. But then you’ll come to the club, and see the view out its wall of windows facing the water and you’ll wonder why the place isn’t jam-packed every single day. Gorgeous view, and the food (sandwiches, salads, soups and the like) won’t break the bank.

Midway Club, University of Chicago Gleacher Center, Fifth Floor, 450 N. Cityfront Plaza Drive; 312-464-8775. www.chicagogsb.edu/midwayclub.

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune