Road trip from Chicago to Grand Rapids

The Chopping Block, Chicago's premiere recreational cooking school and gourmet retail store, offers demonstration and hands-on cooking classes, as well as wine classes, private cooking parties and corporate team building events. Classes at Lincoln Square cover subjects from cooking basics to intensive Boot Camps as well as seasonal, date nights, healthy and kids classes. We have a food-friendly wine selection so students can select beverages to pair with the menu of their class. Sorry, BYOB is not allowed.

The view from the bridge is one of the best vistas the city has to offer.

Located in Chicago's North Side, this vibrant neighborhood is known for its exciting nightlife and for being one of the largest LGBTQIA+ communities in the city. It's the host of the annual Chicago Pride Parade, and a must-see in the area is the Legacy Walk on Halsted Street, where you can learn about the contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community while admiring the colorful street art and rainbow crosswalks. Check out the unique shops and then grab a bite at one of the area's delicious Thai or Mexican restaurants. At night, visit one of the neighborhood's bars to enjoy a drag show, concert, and tasty cocktail. Consider taking a food or walking tour of Chicago that stops by Boystown. – Tripadvisor

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the legendary home of the Chicago Cubs with Wrigley Field Tours. Built in 1914, this must-see Chicago attraction houses more than 100 years of history. New this year, fans can join us on a non-gameday Ivy Tour which includes the opportunity to take a photo in front of Wrigley Field’s historic ivy wall.

Kalamazoo's only shop making hand crafted truffles and other confections exclusively from Fair Trade, organic certified chocolate. Chocolatier Dale Anderson's original recipes contain fresh local fruits, honey, and maple syrup. Vegan and gluten free options are always available. Closed Sunday and Monday. Open Tuesday thru Saturday 10 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Kalamazoo's New Vic Theatre was founded in 1966 by Kalamazoo residents Ted & Mary Jo Kistler. For over 45 years, The New Vic Theatre has entertained Southwest Michigan and Northern Indiana audiences carving a unique place for itself in the economy and theatrical tradition of the area.The New Vic's original production of "A Christmas Carol" (recipient of a "Special Tribute" from The State of Michigan in 1999) and the annual Christmas Concerts featuring The New Vic Theatre Chorus are among Kalamazoo's oldest on-going holiday presentations and have become an integral part of the holiday season for thousands of Southwest Michigan theatergoers.Located close to the heart of downtown Kalamazoo, the theatre's comfortable cabaret-style seating and intimate size, enhanced by a concession that serves a variety of hot & cold non-alcoholic beverages, lend to its unique atmosphere.The New Vic's flexible modular auditorium allows for innovative staging ranging from the complete round to conventional proscenium format. Efficient central heating and air conditioning allows for comfortable year-round operation.Of The New Vic's more than 325 productions to date, over 80% have been plays introduced to Kalamazoo audiences for the first time. Several plays ("Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat", "Green Julia" by Paul Abelman, "Are You Now Or Have You Ever Been" and "The Memoirs Of Pontius Pilate" both by Eric Bentley) were presented to New Vic audiences prior to their Broadway premieres.The New Vic Theatre's season of productions begins in early February and runs through December 29 each year. January dates are normally reserved for the New Vic's popular January Concert Series, featuring a variety of musical groups or individual performers.Playing primarily weekends only -- except during the holidays when the performance schedule is greatly expanded -- and with only 100 available seats for each performance, The New Vic plays to over 10,000 theatre patrons annually bringing thousands of dollars to the downtown Kalamazoo area.The New Vic is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation (New Vic Theatricals, Inc) and owns its own facility at 134 E. Vine St. in Kalamazoo.

Blandford Nature Center is a non-profit that features 143 acres of land and wildlife. There is a Wildlife Center and Interpretive Center that is open M-F 9 to 5 and Sat. Noon to 5, as well as 4 miles of trails that are open from dawn until dusk.

The Great Escape Room is a real-life room escape game based on the popular computer and mobile phone escape games. Escape games are the newest craze sweeping the nation - a fun, team-building, brain-busting experience! After entering a room with your team, the door is locked behind you. 60 minutes are on the clock! You must work together in order to find clues and solve puzzles that will lead you to escape the room. Perfect for: DATE NIGHT FAMILY FUN CORPORATE TEAM BUILDING SPORTS & YOUTH GROUPS *OPEN BY APPOINTMENT for private party groups of 10 or more during our closed hours

LaFontsee Galleries is a local art gallery in Grand Rapids, MI. We represent over 60 local and national artists specializing in a huge variety of fine art, including: painting, sculpture, mixed media, photography, drawing, and glass and ceramics. We are handicap accessible, and free and open to the public. We also offer: fully customizable giclee art printing, installation and delivery services, custom framing & matting, art consulting, as well as posters and prints.