NEWS TO USE
Here are some of the more interesting events, deals, websites and other travel tidbits that have come across our desk recently:
If you have to endure winter, you might as well enjoy it. The Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Mich., has that end in mind with its Wilderness Sleigh Ride Dinner. Offered on select dates in January-March, this adventure includes a 20- to 25-minute sleigh ride through the resort’s property to the Wilderness Cabin for a four-course dinner. It’s limited to 16 people per date. Cost is $129 per person or you can opt for a package that includes lodging for as low as $195 per person. tinyurl.com/y9w4cgnr
Michigan ski areas are offering an inexpensive introduction to downhill skiing, snowboarding or cross-county skiing during January. The cost is $35 for downhill skiing or snowboarding or $20 for crosscountry skiing. That includes ski or snowboard rental, a beginner lesson and a lift ticket or crosscountry pass. tinyurl.com/ y9x97pds
Racine, Wis., celebrates winter Jan. 19 with its Fire and Ice Festival, held on Monument Square. There will be ice carvers at work and ice for skating, along with food and drinks and a bonfire to take off the chill. tinyurl.com/y79b5b79
Outhouse races are one of the more unusual events in the 2019 Mackinaw City Winter Festival at the northern tip of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. The 26th annual event will be Jan. 18-19. In addition to the outhouse races, there’s a chili cook-off, ice-fishing tournament, snow sculptures, sleigh or wagon rides and more. tinyurl.com/ y73oygzm
The nine Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula near Traverse City, Mich., hold several special wine trail events each year, with the first one of 2019 being the Winter Warm Up on Jan. 19. Tickets are available online or at the wineries on the day of the event if still available. They provide a souvenir glass and tastings at the wineries along with food samples paired to the wines. tinyurl.com/yajpkulu
If you’re heading to Wisconsin for some winter outdoor fun, check the Travel Wisconsin Snow Conditions Report at tinyurl.com/ycb98nsw.
More than 175 whiskeys will be available during the Galena Whiskey Weekend on Jan. 26 at the Historic Turner Hall in Galena, Ill. Tickets are $95 for either an afternoon tasting or an evening tasting. Price includes a tasting glass, the whiskeys and bourbons and hors d’oeuvres. The event is expected to sell out, so early ticket purchase is advised. www .galenawhiskeyweekend.com
January is a good time to learn about bald eagles and see them in the wild at various Illinois locations, some of which are offering expanded programs. On Jan. 5, there are events in Alton (tinyurl.com/ yc48caqj) and Fulton (tinyurl.com/ydhcyvpo). In Rock Island (tinyurl.com/ yc5tw2kn) there is a Bald Eagle Days Environmental Fair on Jan. 11-13, and Great River Eagle Days is Jan. 26-27 in Quincy (tinyurl.com/yd8o49q7).
The sixth Annual Hocking Hills Comfort Food Cruise will be held Jan. 12-13, 19-20 and 26-27 in the scenic Hocking Hills area of southern Ohio. Sixteen restaurants in the area will be serving up comfort food. A book of 12 tickets is $18. tinyurl.com/ y9bvb7mx
More than 40 craft breweries from Minnesota and across the country will be offering up samples of their beers Jan. 12 at the Mankato Craft Beer Expo in Mankato, Minn. There will also be seminars, live music and food. www .mankatocraftbeerexpo.com The 39th University of Okoboji Winter Games will be Jan. 24-27 in the Lake Okoboji area in northwest Iowa. Among the activities are snow softball, a fat tire bike challenge, broomball, human dogsled races, polar plunge, chili cook-off and much more. www.uofo wintergames.com
Winter is a good time to think ahead to next summer, and the Iowa Boat, RV and Vacation Show has that covered. It takes place Jan. 18-20 at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls and includes boats for fishing, cruising and skiing as well as plenty of towable and motorized RVs. There’ll be lots of other outdoor gear plus seminars and exhibitors from outdoor destinations. www.iowaboatandrvshow.com