FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

At Play in Chicago

by Holly Godbey

Oct 11, 2009

Following a mellow Sunday in the western suburbs of Chicago (including a stop for brunch at our favorite breakfast cafe, Blueberry Hill, in LaGrange), our last full day in the city combined some museum-going with shopping. Harry and I began our day early at the Field Museum, home of the largest, most complete T-Rex fossilized skeleton in the world, “Sue.” (Did you know that “Sue” is named for the paleontologist who found “her,'” and scientists don’t really known the gender of the specimen?) We planned only a quick stop there (I had visited before, but Harry hadn’t and he was eager to see Sue.), as we planned to meet younger daughter Jenny at the nearby Adler Planetarium at 11 a.m. We spent an entire hour just checking out the “Ancient Americas” exhibit which included the opportunity to watch paleontologists in their labs working to free fossilized remains of prehistoric critters from their encasing stone. The Field, a natural history museum “exploring the earth and its peoples”, has such an amazing array of exhibits, both permanent and temporary, covering everything from mummies to pirates, water to DNA, that even a full day does not allow one to explore all it has to offer. We know we will have to return on future visits to delve further into its displays. We used our CityPass tickets for admission on this trip, and I would strongly urge anyone planning to visit at least two or three of its included attractions on a trip to the city to purchase one. It will certainly save you money, but just be sure to budget enough time to enjoy your options. After meeting up with Jenny, we moved on to the Adler , part of Chicago’s “Museum Campus” sited on a peninsula of land (along with the Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium) jutting out into Lake Michigan just south of the downtown skyscrapers and just north of Soldier Field and McCormick Place. We lucked out on a sunny, breezy, warmish day, and Jenny told us of seeing Robert DeNiro  filming the upcoming Little Fockers in a nearby park on her way to meet us that morning. Once again, I miss out on a celebrity sighting! The Adler is a fantastic attraction where one could easily spend an entire day exploring its many interactive exhibits and taking in star shows and informative films in its Sky Theater and Space Theater. Alas, we only devoted a few hours here (one can get a bit museum-weary, after all, and I caught my eyes growing heavy in the darkened Sky Theater) before heading off for lunch in town and an afternoon of shopping. Starting down in the Loop and working our way up Michigan Avenue, we managed to eat up several hours and a bunch of dollars doing our best to stimulate the local retail economy in our own small way. Late in the day, we trekked north to the neighborhood adjoining the Loyola  campus, where Jenny treated us to our first taste of Five Guys burgers and fries. Oh, my, was that a delicious way to end our sojourn in Chicago! The free-formed burgers made on order from never-frozen beef were great; and the skin-on fries, lightly salted and cooked as you wait, were light and crispy. Each visit to the Windy City just leaves us eager to return and see more of what we only glimpsed on the last trip, and this time was no exception. Believe me, no matter your interests or inclinations, Chicago will not fail to entertain you. -Patty Vanikiotis, proofreader

Introducing

FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Explore Excursions

#globility

Insta Feed
Daily
Sep 21, 2026

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Expands Special Happens… Program

Fairmont recently added eight new experiences to its experiential travel program known as Special Happens…, which delivers on the brand’s commitment to Make Special Happen for each guest. The eight bespoke Special Happens... experiences cover four curated categories: After Dark, In the Spotlight, Around the Table and In the Wild.

GET TO KNOW TAP FORBIZ

Unlock flexible, refined business travel with TAP Air Portugal’s program, TAP FORBIZ. Developed for small, medium and large Companies, with options for corporate events, TAP FORBIZ offers exclusive advantages adapted to each type of business.

September 2026
Sep 20, 2026

Celebrity Reflection Launches 13 New Spaces

Celebrity CruisesCelebrity Reflection transforms Caribbean cruising with 13 new spaces, launching in March 2027. From a three-story Grand Plaza entertainment hub to two first-to-fleet experience concepts, these new spaces raise the bar for premium Caribbean cruising.

September 2026
Sep 19, 2026

Seven Seas Prestige to Feature New Spaces

Regent Seven Seas Cruises unveils its all-new Solara Sports Deck and Solara Pool Deck aboard Seven Seas Prestige, introducing a new era of open-air relaxation and active luxury.

What Actually Happens If You Get Sick or Hurt on a Cruise?

You’ve booked your cabin, mapped the ports and packed the sunscreen. Hopefully, you also bought some insurance. But have you ever thought about what actually happens if a medical emergency strikes mid-voyage?

Daily
Sep 18, 2026

Downtown Phoenix Welcomes First Upscale Urban Retreat

This month, in Phoenix, Arizona, Pacific Hospitality Group opens Denū Hotel & Spa, the newest hotel property in The Meritage Collection.

eFlyer Reviews
Sep 17, 2026

Review: InterContinental Barcelona

When searching for a place to stay in Barcelona, I was picky. I wanted a well-situated hotel to access all the city has to offer and to serve as a respite from the hustle and bustle of the Spanish hot spot. My search led me to InterContinental Barcelona.

Luxury Travel in Chilean Patagonia: Where Refinement Meets the Wild Edge

At the gateway to Chilean Patagonia, Los Lagos opens a landscape in constant motion. Volcanic peaks rise sharply above glacial lakes, mist moves through dense forests, and light shifts across every horizon. Here, luxury travel in Chilean Patagonia unfolds moment by moment, balancing raw energy with seamless comfort.

Daily
Sep 17, 2026

Conrad Washington D.C. Introduces 1/3/5 Experiences

Celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary are still in full swing across the nation. In Washington, D.C., storied Conrad Washington, D.C. wants visitors to the capital to encounter the city on a local level. With that in mind, the property introduced a selection of signature Conrad 1/3/5 Experiences — a collection of one-, three- and five-hour jaunts providing an insider’s glimpse into how residents enjoy the city.