Several historic sites along the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor will be visited as part of three fall foliage cruises from Chicago to Starved Rock State Park near Ottawa, Ill. Cruises will depart Chicago Oct. 10, 17 and 24.
Travelers will be following the route of Indians and early explorers at they journey aboard the 150-passenger motor yacht Trinidad as it cruises down the Illinois Waterway.
On the first day, the boat will stop at Lockport`s Illinois and Michigan Canal Museum and Pioneer Settlement. Passing through the Dresden and Marseilles Locks is on the agenda for the second day as well as an arrival at Starved Rock and a park picnic.
Later that day, those on the two-day trip will return to Chicago via motorcoach. Passengers on the three-day trip will spend part of the third day driving through the Goose Lake Prairie State Park in Grundy County before returning to Chicago on the Trinidad.
The Holiday Inn in Morris will house passengers on both trips.
Included in the fares are hotel accommodations, all meals, shore excursions, taxes and tips.
Fare for the three-day cruise is $299 per person, double occupancy. It`s $239, per person, double occupancy, for the two-day cruises.
For more information, contact Great American River Cruises, Odyssey, Inc., 414 N. Orleans Plaza, Suite 401, Chicago, Ill. 60610, or call 312-828-1145.
B&B ENGLAND Two new bed and breakfast organizations await travelers to England, Scotland and Wales. One is a Los Angeles branch of London`s Worldwide Bed & Breakfast Association.
By using an 800 number, travelers have access to more than 800 bed and breakfast accommodations that range from stays in Tudor houses to country pubs, farm houses and modern bungalows.
Travelers usually receive a confirmation within two to three days after making a reservation through 800-852-2632.
The other organization-Bed and Breakfast Great Britain-allows clients to book rooms with private bathrooms for about $28 to $50 per person a night. The company books standard B&B rooms (without private bath) at more than 300 homes throughout England, Scotland and Wales at rates from $15 per person a night.
To make reservations, write Bed and Breakfast Great Britain, Symot House, P.O. Box 66, Henley-on-Thames, Oxon RG9 1XS, England. For more information about the organization, contact the British Tourist Authority, 875 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60611, or call 312-787-0490.
GRAPE STOMPING Just under two hours from Chicago is Tabor Hill Winery, and on Aug. 29-30, a Harvest Festival is planned there featuring, among other things, picnic food from chef Michael Foley of Chicago`s Printers Row and Foley`s.
Besides the tasty morsels, there will be jazz music by Judy Roberts, Brad Goode, Brad Sonneseldt with Viewpoint and the Jeff Kier Quartet featuring Mike Hershenson.
The whole bash will take place from 1 to 8 p.m. both days. Entrance fee is $4 per adult. Children 15 years old or younger will be admitted free.
Another fun event should be a grape stomp, scheduled the afternoon on both days.
Tabor Hill is located outside of Buchanan, Mich., just off Int. 94 (take exit 16 and follow the signs). For more information call the winery at 616-422-1161.
AMATEUR SLEUTHS The amateur sleuthing season is upon us with several murder mystery weekends on the fall agenda. Guests become part of the drama at both locations.
The Viroqua Heritage Inn in Viroqua, Wis.-about 246 miles from Chicago and 32 miles from LaCrosse-has four mystery weekends: Sept. 11-13, Oct. 16-18, Nov. 6-8 and Nov. 13-15.
The 4-room Victorian inn can accommodate up to 10 persons, who can take part in one of the special weekends.
The cost is $148 per person, double occupancy, and includes the drama, four meals and two nights lodging.
For more information, write the Viroqua Heritage Inn, 220 E. Jefferson St., Viroqua, Wis. 54665, or call 608-637-3306.
Meanwhile, over in Michigan at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island,
”Murder at the Grand: The Case of the Silent Movie Murders” takes place Oct. 22-25. Guests will be ”transported back to 1923 for a weekend party thrown by Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks Jr.”
The weekend includes lodging, meals, cocktail parties, a costume ball and souvenirs. Price is $424 per person, double occupancy. The single supplement is $194.
For more information about the mystery weekend at the Grand Hotel, write Murder at the Grand, 26075 Woodward Ave., Huntington Woods, Mich. 48070, or call 313-543-7954.
FREE FOR THE WRITING For a copy of the Massachusetts Fall Calendar of Events and Fall Foliage Guide, write the Massachusetts Division of Tourism, 100 Cambridge St., 13th Fl., Boston, Mass. 02202, or call 617-727-3201. . . . For a copy of How to Drive in New York City, write the American Trucking Association, Public Affairs Office, 2200 Mill Rd., Alexandria, Va. 22314.
A CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR THE MIDWEST ILLINOIS
15th Annual Sweetcorn & Watermelon Festival, Mt. Vernon, Aug. 24-29. Flea market; sweetcorn and watermelon served; 800-341-KING.
13th Annual Silvis Country Music Festival, Silvis, Aug. 25-26. Country music on three stages as well as food booths; 309-792-9553.
DeKalb Corn Fest, DeKalb, Aug. 28-30. More than 100 booths of various items, carnival, entertainment, bingo, free corn on the cob; 815-756-4881.
26th Annual Mennonite Relief Sale, Arthur, Aug. 28-29. Continuous auction of Amish handcrafted furniture, handmade quilts and food; 217-543-2665.
INDIANA
Indiana State Fair, Indianapolis, through Aug. 30. Entertainment, livestock shows, food, outdoor concerts, harness racing and a midway show;
317-927-7524.
Tri-State Gas Engine & Tractor Show, Portland, Sept. 27-30. Antique engine and tractor show, arts and crafts, entertainment, fiddle and banjo contests; 317-998-2264.
Michigan City In-Water Boat Show, Michigan City, Sept. 27-30. Pleasure boating expo; 216-621-3618.
Amish Country Market, Noblesville, Aug. 29. Amish food, antiques, crafts, auction; 317-923-9919.
Neavill`s Grove 102d Old Settlers Meeting, Madison, Aug. 28-30. Antique engines and farm machinery, craft demonstrations; 812-273-5964.
90th Fontanet Bean Dinner, Fontanet, Aug. 28-30. Serving 2,000 pounds of free beans, flea market, Civil War reenactment, carnival; 812-548-2408.
St. Henry Quasqui-Centennial, St. Henry, Aug. 28-30. Music, food, beard contest, crafts; 812-367-2229.
IOWA
Iowa State Fair, Des Moines, through Aug. 30. 100 carnival rides, games, art show, livestock exhibits; 515-262-3111.
Lincoln Highway Days, Nevada, Aug. 29-30. Country western and gospel music, antiques, arts & crafts, flea market; 515-382-6538.
MICHIGAN
Leelanau Wine Festival, Northport, Aug. 29. 616-456-8557.
1987 Michigan State Fair, Detroit, Aug. 28-Sept. 7. Events, activities and competitions; 313-368-1000.
WISCONSIN
County Fair, Manitowoc, Aug. 25-30. Craft exhibits and demonstrations, carnival; 414-683-4378.
International Farmer`s Market, Green Bay, Aug. 26-30. Food, produce, flowers; 414-494-9507.
Road Racing, Elkhart Lake, Aug. 28-30. Auto racing at Road America track; 414-876-3369.
Polish Fest, Milwaukee, Aug. 27-30. Continuous Polish and polka music, dancing; 414-672-4077.
