Illinois
Feb. 4: Taste of Galena. Sample offerings from restaurants, wineries, candy-makers and others in this evening fundraiser. Advance ticket purchase advised. Fee applies; 815-777-2248; tasteofgalena.com. Miles from Chicago: 165
Feb. 10-13: “Cosi fan tutte,” Decatur. The Millikin Opera Theatre presents this comic masterpiece by Mozart, performed in English, at Millikin University’s Albert Taylor Theatre. Fee varies; 217-424-6318; millikin.edu/Kirkland. Miles from Chicago: 185
Indiana
Feb. 5-6: Indiana Vintage Snowmobile Association Winter Festival 2011, North Webster. Vintage snowmobile radar runs, drag races, oval races, an ice-fishing derby, vintage snowmobile show and swap meet, and more. Free; 800-800-6090; tinyurl.com/4hw8rsc. Miles from Chicago: 130
Iowa
Through April 24: “Tracks: The Railroad in Photographs,” Davenport. The Figge Art Museum exhibit explores 160 years of railroad and photographic history. Fee varies; 563-326-7804; figgeartmuseum.org. Miles from Chicago: 175
Michigan
Feb. 1-28: Harbor Country Chocolate Classic, New Buffalo/Union Pier area. Businesses in Harbor Country’s eight communities hold chocolate-related events. Fees vary; 269-469-5409; harborcountry.org/chocolateclassic/. Miles from Chicago: 70
Feb. 4-6: Ice Breaker, South Haven. This annual winter festival includes ice carving, a chili cook-off, curling and ice-skating lessons, and indoor activities. Fee for some events; 269-637-5171; southhavenmi.com. Miles from Chicago: 125
Feb. 11-13: 35th North American VASA, Traverse City. One of the top cross-country ski events in the nation continues to grow its annual Festival of Races, which includes classic and freestyle events. Fees for racers; 231-938-4400; vasa.org/race.php. Miles from Chicago: 325
Feb. 12-20: Detroit Boat Show. Check out the latest in the boating world, plus restored antique and classic watercraft on display. Fee applies; 734-261-0123; boatmichigan.org. Miles from Chicago: 285
Missouri
Feb. 13-May 8: “Fiery Pool: The Maya and the Mythic Sea,” St. Louis. The Saint Louis Art Museum exhibit showcases more than 90 works of Mayan art, many shown for the first time in the U.S. Works are from Mexico, Belize, Honduras and Guatemala and reveal the ancient Maya people’s fascination with the seas. Free; 314-721-0072; slam.org. Miles from Chicago: 300
Ohio
Feb. 5: Downtown Winter Blues Festival, Findlay. Two heated tents, specialty beers and lots of blues music. Fee applies; tinyurl.com/6y8gqng. Miles from Chicago: 280
Wisconsin
Feb. 4-6: Fish Creek Winter Festival. The Door County town sets its sights on the “weird and hysterical” in this annual event. Perhaps the main attraction is the Costumed Bed Racing Competition, but you can also see the toilet seat throw and bike toss, and the snowshoe dance contest. Small fee for some activities; 800-577-1880; visitfishcreek.com/winterfestival. Miles from Chicago: 250
Feb. 11-13: 6th Annual Labatt Blue USA Adult Pond Hockey Championships, Eagle River. More than 200 teams from all over the U.S. participate in this four-on-four championship event. Multiple rinks are carved on Dollar Lake near the Chanticleer Resort. Free for spectators; 800-359-6315; eagleriver.org. Miles from Chicago: 325
