Sketchbook Brewery celebrated Illinois Craft Brew Week all weekend. Every day featured a full slate of events.
On Sunday I started with a big bowl of creole gumbo from Bumbu Roux Chicago. With a Louisianan father and an Indonesian mother, chef Chris Reed creates Cajun and Indonesian delights.
I ordered an Orange Door and settled down to enjoy my gumbo. Hearty and full of layers of flavor, the creole gumbo was a meal in itself. Citrusy and piney, Orange Door was a refreshing, perfect complement to the gumbo.
Photo courtesy of Sketchbook
By now, The Long Farewells started filling the room with their music. Chicago-based, this folky Americana band mixes passionate vocals with lighter covers. Versatile singer Gabrielle Schafer and multi-instrumentalist Aaron Rester kept the vibe going for two hours.
After a while, I meandered through the Spring Arts & Crafts Market, picking up some locally made soaps and preserves. I also took a mini-tour of the brewery.
Without an in-house kitchen, Sketchbook Brewery is unique, but temporary kitchens and food trucks bring an ever-changing menu. Surprisingly, the lack of televisions doesn’t bother me, either, as I look forward to live entertainers or just the peace of a room filled with conversation.
— John Wroblewski, online writer
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Oct 9, 2026Andermatt, Switzerland, is This Year’s “It” Ski Destination
There’s no time like snow time — and if your idea of a grand winter escape means swooshing, shredding or schussing down a faraway slope and then relaxing in luxury, Andermatt, Switzerland, is the ideal destination. Located in the Urseren Valley and offering luxury lodging, Michelin-starred dining experiences and plenty of ski options, this corner of the central Andermatt Swiss Alps may just be the perfect winter season address.
Sponsored Content
The Art of Balance in Seoul: Beyond the Boardroom
The value of a destination is no longer defined solely by infrastructure, efficiency or scale. Increasingly, it is measured by a city’s ability to balance productivity with well-being — creating opportunities for focus, restoration and more meaningful connections.
Airlines
Oct 9, 2026Contour Airlines Adds Non-Stop Flights Between Alabama, Dallas
Travelers flying in and out of Northwest Alabama Regional Airport in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, can now utilize Contour Airlines' new non-stop services to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, beginning Nov. 12. As part of this addition, five weekly flights from its existing Muscle Shoals to Charlotte (CLT) schedule will relocate to Dallas, allowing for convenient connection opportunities at one of the nation's major aviation hubs.
Daily
Oct 9, 2026Cruise the Nile with an Egyptologist on This New River Boat
Learn about ancient Egypt like never before (or perhaps experience your own real-life version of The Mummy) with Travelmarvel. The river cruise line returns to Egypt with the debut of its newest river ship, Travelmarvel Sirius, now sailing the Nile.
Sponsored Content
An Adults-Only Resort for All the Milestone Moments
On Saturday, Feb.14, Devossion by Live Aqua celebrated its grand opening, marking a significant milestone for Grupo Posadas and the Live Aqua brand. This adults-only resort focuses on celebration, authentic Mexican experiences and elevated hospitality — perfectly situated in the heart of the Riviera Maya.
Daily
Oct 8, 2026Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan Unveils Reimagined Suites
Designed in harmony with the Ayung River valley, Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan recently unveiled seven newly reimagined suites, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the Ayung River valley and handcrafted Balinese details bringing a sense of place. The five Premier Duplex Suites and two Premier Family Suites were created with Hirsch Bedner Associates.
Daily
Oct 7, 2026Why Morocco Should Be Your Next Golf Getaway
Sure, there’s Scotland, Ireland, Portugal … but there’s a new golf destination quietly emerging somewhere even the most seasoned golf travelers may not expect: Morocco!
Sponsored Content
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.
Airlines
Oct 7, 2026Avelo Airlines Adds 4 New Non-Stop Destinations from Dallas’ DTX Airport
Avelo Airlines announced four new non-stop routes and a third based aircraft at Dallas’ McKinney National Airport, increasing the airline’s Collin County network to nine destinations.
ShareThis