Illinois
Through April 29: “Megalodon: Largest Shark that Ever Lived,” Rockford. The Burpee Museum of Natural History hosts this traveling exhibit that explores a very large prehistoric shark. 815-965-3433
815-965-3433, burpee.org. Miles from Chicago: 85
March 7-9: Antique Spectacular, Rock Island. More than 70 dealers in antiques and collectibles offer furniture, prints, primitives, glassware, postcards, coins and more. 309-788-5912309-788-5912, tinyurl.com/pus4cpg. Miles from Chicago: 170
Indiana
March 15-16: Springtime in Indiana — Art, Craft & Gift Marketplace. Noblesville. This fourth annual event offers fine arts, crafts, collectibles, antiques, gifts and gourmet gift foods. 419-436-1457419-436-1457, tinyurl.com/q427j8a. Miles from Chicago: 180
Through Aug. 3: “Ansel Adams,” Indianapolis. The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art presents this collection of nearly 80 images that the legendary photographer chose to represent his portfolio. 317-636-9378317-636-9378, tinyurl.com/pevrdm8. Miles from Chicago: 185
Michigan
March 8: Brew-Ski Festival, Harbor Springs. Boyne Highlands Resort hosts this fifth annual event that features skiing, live music, grilled food and more than 220 beers, ciders and meads from Michigan and across the globe. 800-462-6963800-462-6963, tinyurl.com/85esnh3. Miles from Chicago: 375
Through April 30: “Butterflies Are Blooming,” Grand Rapids. This is the 19th year the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park comes alive with thousands of colorful butterflies from around the world. Hundreds of new ones are introduced each week. 888-957-1580888-957-1580, tinyurl.com/p33ff78. Miles from Chicago: 180
March 15-16, 22-23, 29-30: Michigan Maple Weekends. Maple syrup makers across the state demonstrate how they make that delicious nectar and offer it for sale. To accommodate different weather throughout the state, the first weekend is for producers below U.S. Highway 10, the second for those above U.S. 10 in the Lower Peninsula and the third for the Upper Peninsula. tinyurl.com/oehmcc7
Ohio
March 6-9: Artiscape, Dublin. Scores of hands-on mixed-media workshops presented by professional instructors on topics such as bookbinding, jewelry, metalwork, beading, calligraphy and altered books. There are also vendors present and an art fair. tinyurl.com/olqqovk. Miles from Chicago: 310
Wisconsin
March 5-9: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show, West Allis. Visitors can try out the latest outdoor sporting equipment for fishing, boating, hunting, archery, dog retrieving and training, kayaking and camping. 888-488-4286888-488-4286, jsonline.com/sportsshow. Miles from Chicago: 90
March 7-9: Canoecopia, Madison. This is billed as the world’s largest paddle-sports consumer event. There’ll be more than 100 seminars as well as dealers showing kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and gear. canoecopia.com. Miles from Chicago: 150
March 15-16: Cedar Creek Winery & Settlement Open House, Cedarburg. Cedar Creek Winery offers tastings, live music, cooking-with-wine demonstrations, cheese tastings and more throughout the 25 shops of Cedar Creek Settlement. 800-827-8020800-827-8020, tinyurl.com/ntpjjyo. Miles from Chicago: 110
