Where to get into the holiday spirit close to home, plus trips for cruisers and cyclists

Here are some of the more interesting events, deals, websites and other travel tidbits that have come across our desk recently:

♦For the eighth year, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis is staging its holiday model train extravaganza. “Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure” features train layouts with miniature replicas of myriad landscapes — from the skyline of Indianapolis to the impressive sights of the American West. New this year is a replica Hollywood, including famous film industry locations, the Hollywood sign, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and more. The exhibit runs until Jan. 15. http://tinyurl.com/plgjo74

♦The historic Barker Mansion in Michigan City, Ind., is decorated for the holidays. Depending on the day of the week, there are guided and/or self-guided tours, as well as musical performances. http://tinyurl.com/ydgcjfl7

♦The Ohio tourism folks have compiled a listing of where to go to see light displays, the top holiday activities in various parts of the state, and holiday festivals and events. Check them out at www.ohio.org/holidays.

♦The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch, Iowa, is exhibiting “Tales of the Sea Christmas” through Jan. 7. Christmas trees with a variety of sea themes recognize Hoover’s love of the water. http://tinyurl.com/hlzxm67

♦The Best of Indiana Fall Awards have been announced after online voting by more than 24,000 people. To see where to find the best waterfalls, wineries, tenderloins and more, go to http://tinyurl.com/jjdbzov.

♦Garden Glow lights up the Missouri Botanic Garden in St. Louis for the holidays. If you walk through the entire exhibit, it will be a little more than a mile. Tickets this year also include admission to the Gardenland Express Holiday Flower and Train Show. Garden Glow runs through Jan. 1. http://tinyurl.com/y77ubgkc

♦J.R. Sullivan’s Hometown Holiday, a tradition in Rockford, Ill., will be staged Dec. 8-10 at the Sullivan Theater in the Nordlof Center. Joining the cast for the variety show is native E. Faye Butler, a regular performer in Chicago venues such as the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Goodman Theatre and Steppenwolf Theatre. www.jrsullivanhometownholiday.com

♦The Christmas Lite Show is being held for the 20th year in Comstock Park, Mich. The drive-through show features nearly 2 miles of lights, tunnels and animated displays. New this year is an extended trail including 10,000 lights, new displays and the Memory Lane Train. The show runs Nov. 22 to Dec. 31. www.christmasliteshow.com

♦AlaskaCruises.com has a seven-night Alaska cruise departing from Anchorage on May 17 that’s priced from $799 per person, double occupancy. The Celebrity Cruise package covers hotel for one pre-cruise night and an itinerary that includes Seward, cruising Hubbard Glacier, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan and cruising the Inside Passage before ending in Vancouver, British Columbia. http://tinyurl.com/yaote5e7

♦If you’re a cyclist with dreams of riding stages of the Tour de France, Trek Travel lists its 2018 Tour offerings at http://tinyurl.com/y7xa3rpv.

♦The 109th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and Ring of Lights in Newport, R.I., typically draws a million viewers. It runs Dec. 13-17. www.christmasboatparade.com

♦The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has expanded fishing and hunting opportunities in 10 national wildlife refuges across the country. The refuges are in Georgia, South Carolina, Indiana, Minnesota, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon and Wisconsin. http://tinyurl.com/ybpq9de5

Deals and websites listed here have been checked for availability as of press time. Listings are not endorsements. Send tips at least a month in advance to ChicagoTribTravel@gmail.com.

Phil Marty is a freelancer.