Illinois
Jan. 20-23: Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition, Rockford. Twelve teams from around the state compete to represent Illinois in the national contest. There’s also a high school division. http://tinyurl.com/jszcraj. Miles from Chicago: 90
Jan. 23: Chip off the Block Ice Carving, Hartford. Starting with a block of ice, a professional carver will create a bald eagle that will remain on display until it melts. 618-251-9101, http://tinyurl.com/pk2gnb4. Miles from Chicago: 285
Indiana
Through Jan. 31: “The Richmond Group Artists: Out of Silence,” Indianapolis. The Indiana State Museum hosts this traveling exhibit of 40 paintings by a group of artists from the mid-1900s who made their mark in the Richmond, Ind., area. 317-232-1637, http://tinyurl.com/nsn2zb8. Miles from Chicago: 185
Iowa
Jan. 22-24: Iowa Boat and RV Show, Cedar Falls. They bill this as the state’s largest boat and RV show. In addition to those, there will be a variety of outdoor gear, along with seminars and entertainment. www.iowaboatandrvshow.com. Miles from Chicago: 320
Michigan
Jan. 16-24: North American International Auto Show, Detroit. This is one of the premier auto shows in the country, featuring new models, concept cars, high-performance vehicles and much more. 248-643-0250, www.naias.com. Miles from Chicago: 285
Jan. 16: Winter Warm-Up, Traverse City. Wineries of the Old Mission Peninsula sponsor this event, which includes wine tastings along with food pairings. http://tinyurl.com/j2639ty. Miles from Chicago: 320
Jan. 17-22: Ann Arbor Restaurant Week. Participating restaurants offer $15 lunches and $28 three-course dinner menus. Some also have two-for-one pricing. www.annarborrestaurantweek.com. Miles from Chicago: 245
Minnesota
Jan. 21-24: 2016 Minneapolis Boat Show. Lots of boats and gear on display, along with ice sculptures, a boat school, the PaddleFest Pool (to experience various paddle sports) and seminars. www.minneapolisboatshow.com. Miles from Chicago: 410
Ohio
Jan. 23-24 and 30-31, Feb. 6-7: 3rd Annual Hocking Hills Comfort Food Cruise. From Laurelville to Nelsonville and Logan to Rockbridge, you can sample 12 classic comfort foods at 12 restaurants. Tickets can be bought online or at the Hocking Hills Welcome Center in Logan. 800-462-5464, http://tinyurl.com/la4yvt6. Miles from Chicago: 410
Wisconsin
Jan. 15-16: Bald Eagle Watching Days, Prairie du Sac. You can drive to viewing points in your own vehicle or take a bus tour. There also will be birds-of-prey shows and other presentations. There are also bus tours on other dates. 800-683-2453, http://tinyurl.com/o8ffod3. Miles from Chicago: 175
Jan. 15-17: Waukesha JanBoree. Time to get out and enjoy winter. There will be live entertainment, an ice-sculpting contest, hockey, indoor ice skating, an ice-fishing clinic and much more. 262-524-3737 www.janboree.org. Miles from Chicago: 105
Through Jan. 24: “Larry Sultan: Here and Home,” Milwaukee. The Milwaukee Art Museum is airing this exhibit of the works of the California photographer’s 35-year career. This is the sole venue outside of California for the exhibit of Sultan’s documentary-style photography. 414-224-3200, http://tinyurl.com/zgkvl7k. Miles from Chicago: 90
Phil Marty is a freelance reporter.
