Here are some of the more interesting events, deals, websites and other travel tidbits that have come across our desk recently:
The Milwaukee Film Festival, one of the largest film fests in the country, will be Oct. 17-31. More than 300 films will be screened at six venues, including the Oriental Theatre. In addition to the screenings there will be a variety of panels, parties and special events. Tickets are available online. www.mkefilm.org
The Barker Mansion in Michigan City, Indiana, will hold Blackout Tours of the mansion Oct. 18-19 and 25-26. The tours explore the mansion in near-total darkness while staff share scary stories and experiences from their time at the property. Tours are at 8 and 10 p.m., with the latter for adults only. https://tinyurl.com/yyjgxcvm
The 32nd Annual Autumn Drive promises “country roads filled with goodies” in the area around Woodstock and Marengo, Illinois. Farms, orchards and other locations will be offering antiques, art, crafts, pumpkin patches, apple picking, corn mazes, food, music and barn sales. The event runs Oct. 18-20. www.autumndrive.net
A Historic Craft Fair will be held at the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site in Hartford, Illinois, on Oct. 19. Area artisans will demonstrate and sell examples of period crafts such as sewing, quilting and basket making. https://tinyurl.com/y3caxn4h
The Civil War comes to life Oct. 18-20 in Hartford City, Indiana, when re-enactors set up camp for the town’s Civil War Days. There will be battle re-enactments and what’s billed as the state’s largest artillery night firing. Blacksmiths, weavers and others will demonstrate their crafts too. www.hartfordcitycwdays.com
The Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, is offering an Ice Age Trail Hiking Weekend Oct. 25-27. It will include two hikes though the Kettle Moraine State Forest and discussions led by Melanie McManus, who has through-hiked the 1,150-mile Ice Age Trail twice. The package includes two nights’ lodging, a welcome wine reception and dinner, a Sunday European brunch and more. Cost is $335 per person, double occupancy, plus tax and gratuity. https://tinyurl.com/y6q5zq3h
Mountain biking, award-winning beers and German food will be among the highlights of Peaktoberfest, Oct. 18-20 at Crystal Mountain resort in Thompsonville, Michigan. There will be chairlift rides, mountain bike racing on Saturday, a leisurely mountain bike ride on Sunday and plenty of food and drink. https://tinyurl.com/y58kasr3
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Artists in south central Wisconsin will open their studios during the annual Fall Art Tour, Oct. 18-20. The self-guided tour includes studios in Baraboo, Dodgeville, Mineral Point and Spring Green. More than 40 artists will participate with media ranging from pottery to metalwork and from painting to glasswork. www.fallarttour.com
Runners and walkers can enjoy fall color while getting a workout during the Great Turtle Trail Race on Oct. 26 on Michigan’s Mackinac Island. Up to 3,000 can participate in the event, choosing either the half-marathon route or a 5.7-mile run/walk course. https://tinyurl.com/yafv3b7e
You have until Nov. 3 to vote in the 2019 Best of Indiana people’s choice campaign. Votes will be tallied for Best Indiana Brewery, Best Indiana Main Street and Best Indiana Hiking Trail. https://tinyurl.com/ngyj8v7
The Des Moines Lapidary Society will hold its 2019 Gem, Jewelry, Mineral & Fossil Show on Oct. 19-20 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. Vendors will be selling fossils, gemstones, jewelry, tools and more. There will also be demonstrations and kids’ activities. https://tinyurl.com/yxlg3jfr
Victory Cruise Lines has announced its 2020 voyages, which include various Great Lakes trips. Among the cruises that begin or end in Chicago are itineraries to Niagara Falls, Montreal or Toronto. https://tinyurl.com/y66cldcv
Deals and websites listed here have been checked for availability as of press time, but the listings are not an endorsement. Send tips at least a month in advance to [email protected].
Phil Marty is a freelancer.