Bikes & Brews Packages: the Nines in Portland, Oregon and Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel

Now, travelers can tap into each city’s respective bikes-and-beer culture while exploring things on two wheels, thanks to partnerships with breweries and local bike companies. The Nines package, which starts at $269, includes accommodations in the landmark Meier & Frank Building, two rental bikes or a tandem bike to share, Portland walking and biking maps, two Fat Tire Beers from Colorado-based New Belgium Brewing, plus two local microbrews, house-made chips, and roasted nuts. Visitors will also snag a New Belgium gift bag with the brewery’s famous bike bell and bottle opener. Guests booking the package are entered into a drawing to win a New Belgium Cruiser bike, as well. The deal runs through September 2. To book visit the site or call (877) 229-9995 and mention booking code BNBPKG.

At the Renaissance, the package, which starts at $200, includes accommodations in the historic Beaux-Arts hotel, two welcome craft beers from local Goose Island Brewery, and two full-day bike rentals with a backpack lunch for two. (Side note for cycling in Chicago: The city has launched a new bike safety campaign, with newly proposed fines for motorists who “door” a cyclist.) To book, visit their site or call (312) 447-0955 and mention the “Bikes & Brews” package.

New York City Events:

The city’s boroughs are bursting with bike-centric events. For a good reason to visit Queens, plus a respectable 13-mile ride, pedal up to the Queens Botanical Gardens in Flushing. Anyone who arrives on two wheels will get a 50 percent discount on admission (from $4 to $2) throughout May. Another must-do event for budget-minded bike enthusiasts: The May 11 Brooklyn Bike Jumble, an outdoor bike market in Washington Park that draws vendors from all over the Northeast to sell new and used adult and children’s bikes, accessories, and all sorts of memorabilia. During May, the City of New York Parks and Recreation also has planned other events, including various Learn to Ride programs at multiple locations throughout the city.

Bikes & Bytes, Boulder, Co.:

Calling all Boulder-area bike and tech geeks: On May 14, the first annual Bikes & Bytes event, a competition to develop bicycle-themed mobile or web applications in three hours or less, will kick into high gear. Those who ride their bike to the free event can snag some great swag, as well as enjoy contests, roller races, and an awards ceremony – categories include “Longest Bike Commute” and “Most Tricked Out Commuter Bike” – and, of course, beer, will entertain the non-coders in attendance.

Other National Bike Month Events:

• Global Women’s Cycling Day: Organized by grassroots group Cyclofemme, this annual event includes more than 200 women-centric rides (though “manbassadors” are encouraged to participate, too) across the globe for Mother’s Day on May 12.
• Bike to Work Week and Day: Devoted car-free commuters can participate the entire week of May 13–17, while newbies can join in the fun on May 17, when local bike groups are sponsoring various events.
• Ride of Silence: On Wednesday, May 15, bike organizations across the country will participate in a Ride of Silence to honor cyclists killed or injured.

Out west, relax in luxury at the AAA Five-Diamond Fairmont Scottsdale Princess for only $125 per night from May through September, saving you up to 45 percent on high season rates at the same hotel. This upscale hotspot, located in Arizona’s popular resort town, features five swimming pools, a luxurious spa, a golf course, and tennis courts, so you’ll never need to leave in order to reap the full relaxing benefits of your Southwest summer vacation.

What about a trip to the Big Apple? You can stay at the Seton Hotel, a boutique property in Manhattan’s Murray Hill, for as little as $144 per night – an incredible rate for a hotel during New York City’s high season. Just book up to 30 days in advance for travel from June through September, and use the promo code ADVP.

Or, travel to Chicago, which can hardly be called the “Windy City” during summertime, and stay at the Central Loop Hotel, a downtown boutique hotel, for $143 per night, now through July. Use the promo code 10M5JL when booking.

For a beach vacation, lay out  in Miami, and receive unlimited golf at the Turnberry Isle Miami. Can you say “best of both worlds?” Use the promo code NCL for rates from $259 per night at this upscale resort.

Or, escape to sunny Los Angeles and stay at the 5-star Terranea Resort for $245 per night. Use the promo code DH13S1 for this Countdown to Summer special, and enjoy this luxurious oceanfront property while saving 30 percent.

Don’t fret about where you’re going this summer – let us do the work, and choose from these great hotel deals across the country for your next trip.

Head to the Big Easy while the temperatures are pleasant and rates are low. The Courtyard New Orleans Downtown/Iberville, which is located in the heart of the French Quarter, is offering spring rates as low as $119 for those who use promo code WBZ for bookings made by May 31.

Or, discover Phoenix, the largest metropolis in the Southwest, and stay at a stylish boutique hotel for just $90. This offer at The Clarendon Hotel is available for weekday stays and also includes daily breakfast.

On the West Coast, another boutique hotel, the Executive Hotel Pacific in Seattle, draws visitors with nightly rates of just $105 for select dates in May. Plus, if you book two nights or more, you’ll receive a $10 iTunes gift card!

Traveling east, you can find great deals at the upscale Sofitel properties in Chicago (from $165 a night) and Minneapolis (from $101 per night) when you stay four nights or more in these up-and-coming Midwestern cities.

Don’t mind sharing to get a good deal? Reserve a bed in a nature-inspired, 4-person shared room at The OUT NYC. For just $99 a night, you’ll get a full-sized bed with a 22-inch personal TV and privacy curtains as well as a daily spa pass (a $50 value) and full access to the hotel’s amenities.

Visit our neighbor to the North with Porter Airlines flights to Toronto, Montreal, and more starting at $137 one-way.

So don’t delay and book one of these great deals today!

There are few places as synonymous with sunshine as Southern California. In beautiful San Diego, enjoy 4-star perks at the Omni San Diego with the ‘Sun’ Diego Package. Stay for $281 per night – a 30 percent savings at this luxe downtown hotel – plus receive nightly valet parking for one car ($38 per night value), two welcome cocktails, and a bottle of sunscreen to protect you from the SoCal sunshine. Take advantage of this offer now through May 31 and stay minutes from the historic Gaslamp Quarter and PETCO Park Stadium (home of the Padres), as well as within easy driving distance from SeaWorld, the San Diego Zoo, and the beaches and shopping on beautiful Coronado Island.

For a warm weather trip the whole family will enjoy, travel to Virginia’s Colonial Williamsburg this summer with the Kids Stay, Play & Eat Free offer. When accompanied by an adult, children 12 and under stay free at a Colonial Williamsburg hotel, plus play free golf and tennis, enjoy free admission to local museums and attractions, and eat free breakfast at their hotel and dinner at participating restaurants. Meanwhile, rates for adults start at just $78 per night, at a number of participating hotels. Experience the history first-hand with re-enacted Revolutionary battles, authentic 18th century cuisine, and cultural events – all during the town’s sunniest season.

Chicago comes alive in the spring, and you can take full advantage of it with rates from $178 per night at the 4-star Raffaello Chicago. Bask in the spring sunshine as you stroll along Lake Michigan, shop on the Magnificent Mile, and admire the city’s renowned architecture while staying at this boutique hotel in the heart of the city. Or head up to New York‘s Finger Lakes and work on your swing with a golf package at the Bristol Harbour Resort. Stay weekdays through May 23 for $159 per person, per night, and receive one full day of golf, a $50 gas card per couple, and lunch at the course. Call 800-288-8248 for more information.

Finally, take the ultimate sunny vacation to the Sunshine State itself, and unwind at the Jupiter Beach Resort in Florida’s North Palm Beach. Stay for three nights from June through September and you’ll get the third night free, meaning you’ll only pay $126 per person, per night, saving you over 30 percent. Enjoy the largest stretch of secluded beach in Palm Beach County, along with an oceanfront pool, waterfall spa, tennis courts, and more at this 4-star resort. Click here to book or call 866-943-0950 and mention the Third Night Free offer.

So pack your sunscreen and sandals, and get ready for a sunny vacation this spring or summer with one of these warm weather deals.

Seeing the Art Institute and sampling a hot dog are indeed compulsory and logistically speaking, relatively easy for Chicago visitors to pull off without much fuss.

Taking in a Chicago baseball game is almost as easy, believe it or not, and doesn’t necessary require a ton of planning or money. While it’s always a good idea to try to buy your game seats before you leave home, it’s entirely possible to snag last-minute tickets online once you arrive or at the stadium on game day. Consider the following basics if you’re hoping to catch a game while in the Windy City.

The Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field (333 W. 35th St., Chicago)

Why go: If you get shut out of a Cubs game and want to stay within the city limits. Or if you’re a Sox fan.

Distance from Chicago Art Institute: Yes, the Art Institute is both a mandatory experience and a handy landmark for visitors who need to get their bearings: U.S. Cellular Field (formerly Comiskey Park) is 20 minutes south of the Art Institute via the Red Line subway.

Ticket availability: Often purchasable on game day. Children under 3-feet-tall are admitted for free if they sit on a parent’s lap.

Tailgating permitted? Yes.

Outside food permitted in stadium? Yes, if carried into stadium in clear bags.

Concessions: Chicago comfort foods, including an impressive lineup of sausages, and even vegetarian options like veggie dogs.

How cheaply can you get in? Prices vary according to who’s playing and where you sit, of course, but by way of example, for the April 7 Sox game against the Seattle Mariners, the cost of  an upper corner, right-field side seat is $7.18.

The Kane County Cougars at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark (Geneva, IL)

Why go: Delightfully off the beaten path, plus the novelty of seeing the Cougars play their first season as a Class-A affiliate of the Cubs.

Distance from Chicago Art Institute: The ballpark is 40 miles and 40 minutes west of the Institute by car.

Ticket availability: Often purchasable on game day. Children 2 and under are admitted for free if they sit on a parent’s lap.

Tailgating permitted? No.

Outside food permitted in stadium? No, though the ballpark will make exceptions for guests with special dietary needs (i.e. kids with food allergies).

Concessions: Usual suspects including kid-friendly chicken tenders and fries, as well as grown-up-appropriate choices like bison burgers and margaritas.

How cheaply can you get in? An April 8 box seat for the Cougars game against the Clinton LumberKings (entering their fifth season as a Class-A affiliate of the aforementioned Mariners) is $12.

The Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field (1060 West Addison, Chicago)

Why go: Whether your loyalty rests with the Cubs or Sox, the magic of Wrigley Field is undeniable.

Distance from Chicago Art Institute: Wrigley is 20 minutes north of the Art Institute via the Red Line.

Ticket availability: Varies wildly according to who’s playing and time of the season, so buy as far in advance as you can. Children 2 and under are admitted for free if they sit on a parent’s lap.

Tailgating permitted? No.

Outside food permitted in stadium? Yes, in any kind of soft bag (it doesn’t have to be clear) or soft-sided cooler. Hard-sided coolers are not permitted in the stadium.

Concessions: All manner of sausages from Italian to Polish, including a dog topped with Fritos.

How cheaply can you get in? For the April 8 game against the Milwaukee Brewers, the least expensive ticket available (when I wrote this) was a $46 seat in the terrace reserved outfield. But, it pays to spend a few minutes checking alternate days: For the Cubs’ April 9^th game, also against the Brewers, terrace reserved outfield seats were just $14, and upper reserved outfield seats were still available for $9.

Have you been to any ball games in the Windy City?

MORE from ShermansTravel:

8 ballpark bites to try across the country

Read more about things to do in Chicago

East Coast: Heat up your plans this spring with a trip to sexy Miami where rates at the Regency Hotel go for only $104 per night – a savings of 30 percent. When you’re not admiring views of the city from your private balcony, or doing laps in the hotel’s outdoor pool, head over to nearby Little Havana for some authentic Cuban cuisine, or take a quick 20 minute drive to South Beach for a margarita and a tan.

Further up the coast in Myrtle Beach, rates at the oceanfront Westgate Resort start at $79 per night, saving you 40 percent on current rates. The hotel is conveniently located on South Ocean Boulevard, providing direct access to the beach, and many of the area’s top attractions like Family Kingdom Amusement Park. Bring the kids along and upgrade to an oceanview villa, complete with a kitchen, for just $30 more per night.

An east coast round-up wouldn’t be an east coast round-up without mentioning the Big Apple. Jet over to New York City and stay in the trendy Lower East Side for $170 per night (30 percent off). The boutique Hotel 91 provides chic accommodation that’s a quick walk away from Chinatown, Little Italy, and SoHo. The Manhattan Bridge is just around the corner, providing immediate access to Brooklyn’s Downtown and the scenic waterfront parks in D.U.M.B.O.

Gulf Coast: Vacation by the cerulean waters of the Gulf of Mexico in Galveston, Texas, with a stay at the 4-star Hotel Galvez & Spa, a Wyndham Grand Hotel, for $179 per night. Known as the “Queen of the Gulf” since it opened in 1911, the beachfront property has attracted visitors from Texas and beyond for over a century. Have a cocktail at the hotel’s swim-up bar, then walk down to the beach to catch some rays.

West Coast: If the west coast is more your speed, get away to San Diego and reserve a room at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront starting at $139 per night. You’ll receive a complimentary in-room movie, waived parking fees, and $50 in dining credit good for meals at the hotel’s restaurant. In addition to the harbor, the 4-star hotel is close to the San Diego Convention Center, Petco Park, and the trendy Gaslamp Quarter. The famous San Diego Zoo is only two miles away.

The Great Lakes: Let’s not forget about The Great Lakes’ massive coastlines, which border eight U.S. states, and one Canadian province. Travel to the region’s biggest city, Chicago, and stay at the opulent Millennium Knickerbocker, situated three blocks from Lake Michigan near the Magnificent Mile. Nightly rates start at $165, saving you 20 percent.

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Other singles don’t share my enthusiasm – or, rather, lack thereof. To many, Valentine’s Day is an annual reminder of his or her failure to land a partner, doomed to a lifetime of unanswered OkCupid messages and plucking errant cat hairs off ratty pajama pants. But, much like the 14 pounds of chocolate I will consume Thursday, there is no need to be bitter. There are plenty of events intended for the singles out there that are guaranteed to make your Valentine’s Day memorable.

New York Singles: If you’ve ever stolen glances at someone on the subway, only to have your hopes dashed as he or she vanished once stepping off the train, you’re in luck. The New York Transit Museum is hosting their annual Missed Connections party in one of the city’s most romantic spots, Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall. The event will feature all the Valentine’s staples: music, poetry, wine, and chocolate, with the added bonus of possibly running into the commuter in the red scarf who got away. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.

Chicago Singles: Workaholics often have difficulty squeezing a date into a packed schedule. The “Be My Valentine” speed-dating event, held at Chicago’s Whiskey Bar, lets daters use their time efficiently. Each date lasts between six and seven minutes, and suitors can find out if his or her affections were returned at the event’s conclusion. Tickets are $49, which includes appetizers. The price also includes a complementary makeover for ladies – perfect if you’ve spent the week sleeping at the office.

San Fran Singles: San Francisco is a romantic place for couples, so it’s understandable for singles to grow frustrated with the excess of ooey-gooey-lovey-dovey nonsense going around. Take out some of that pent up aggression at San Fran’s annual Pillow Fight, being held in Justin Herman Plaza. The event is BYOP (bring your own pillow, naturally), but it’s wise to bring a trash bag as well: once the feathers settle, they’ll be plenty to clean up. Best of all, the puffy beat-down is free of charge.

Philly Singles: Maybe you’re not quite as over your former lover as you would like to admit. What better way to get rid of those feelings, once and for all, than by venting your ex’s most egregious flaws in front of a group of strangers? Philadelphia’s World Live Café is hosting “The Ex-Files Story Slam,” where storytellers can take to the stage to rehash some of their most heartbreaking and hilarious tales. The event proved so popular in the past that this year they’ll have two showings, at 7 and 9:30 p.m.

Austin Singles: So you can’t escape your bitterness, and you just want to spend your day wallowing? Fair enough. Consider, then, wallowing in the most over-the-top way possible: by belting “Love Stinks” power ballads with fellow lonely-hearted souls. The Alamo Draft House in Austin is hosting a “Love Bites Sing-a-Long” for those who think heartbreak is best expressed through the works of Bon Jovi and Poison. Belt your favorite 80’s tune, or tease your hair and break out your finest zebra-print spandex for the Power Ballads Costume Contest. But, if you’re the type who still believes love can conquer all, the venue is also hosting a Moulin Rouge Quote and Sing-a-Long at 7 p.m.

Stay in downtown Chicago, near shopping and restaurants on the Magnificent Mile and the shores of Lake Michigan, at the 4-star PUBLIC Chicago, designed by famous hotelier Ian Schrager. This winter offer, which includes Valentine’s Day and Presidents’ Day weekend, starts from only $125 per night – a savings of over 60 percent at the same hotel in spring and summer.

If you’re looking for a Big Apple getaway, choose the Kiss and Tell Package at the Affinia Manhattan, which starts from $169 per night and includes complimentary champagne plus two cocktails and a dessert delivered to your room. Enjoy dinner and a Broadway show, see the glimmering lights in Times Square, or take in romantic views of the city that never sleeps from the top of the Empire State Building, which is just blocks from the hotel. Or, stay at a different Affinia Hotel – the Liaison Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. – and enjoy a bottle of champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, unlimited in-room movies, and a $50 room service credit for a meal from the renowned Art and Soul restaurant.

In Baltimore, dozens of hotels are slashing their rates from February 8-18 for Baltimore Hotel Week; rates start from $99 per night, and many hotels include extras like breakfast, shuttles to center city, drinks, food and beverage credit, and more. Plus, stay two nights or more at any hotel and receive two free tickets to top attractions like the National Aquarium, the Frederick Douglass – Isaac Myers Maritime Park, and the American Visionary Art Museum.

For a truly romantic getaway far from a major metropolis, escape to the Belhurst Castle in the Finger Lakes Wine Region of upstate New York. Located on the shores of Seneca Lake, the historic property features renowned dining, a winery, a spa, and cozy rooms, many of which feature fireplaces and lake views. The Belhurst Fires Package features a bottle of wine, buffet breakfast for each night of your stay, gourmet chocolates, and a $40 dinner voucher in the on-site restaurant, Stonecutters – from $213 per night.

Don’t forget that Valentine’s Day weekend bleeds into Presidents’ Day, which means you have a three-day weekend, and all the more reason to get away.

Ski on fresh powder out West at major Colorado ski resorts like Breckenridge and Keystone, where individual condos through ResortQuest by Wyndham Vacation Rentals start from just $119 per night. Most of Fairmont Hotels‘ 4-star properties throughout Canada offer rooms for 20 percent off this season, including the Jasper Park Lodge in Alberta, which sits at the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. Not only can you ski at the nearby Marmot Basin, you can also enjoy ice skating, tobogganing, snowshoeing, and dog sledding.

Northeasterns can take a quick jaunt up to Vermont, with arguably the best skiing on the East Coast, and stay near major resorts for less, like the NorthStar Lodge in Killington from $129 per night, the Inn at Stratton Mountain from $79 per night, or the Green Mountain Inn in Stowe from $159 per night (valid February 3-7).

Not interested in hitting the slopes? Take a city getaway instead, like to the 4-star Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers, which is only three blocks from the Windy City‘s famous Michigan Avenue, for $102 per night when you stay three nights or longer. Stay over Presidents Days Weekend for $139 per night on Friday, Saturday, and Monday, and for just $79 on Sunday. Or head to our nation’s capital, where you can explore dozens of free, indoor museums perfect for the chilly D.C. winters, and stay at the State Plaza Hotel downtown from $109 per night.

Finally, if you’re looking to go even farther away this winter, take advantage of low flights to Europe, with round-trip rates starting from a mere $740 to Barcelona (from $760 to Rome, and from $803 to Paris). Your passport – and your wallet – will thank you.

With its surprisingly spring-like weather in the winter months, San Francisco makes for a great destination this season. The San Francisco Marriott Fisherman’s Wharf starts from just $129 per night from January 10-15, and $142 per night throughout the month of February, which saves over 45 percent on rates in the spring. Enjoy local California cuisine and weekly wine and cheese receptions at this culinary-centric hotel, which is just two blocks from both famous Fisherman’s Wharf and the shopping and restaurants in Ghiradelli Square.

Or, for even warmer weather, hit the beach in Miami while staying at the Sofitel Miami, an Art Deco hotel located on a lagoon, for as little as $110 per night on select dates in April.

If you can handle the cold, you’ll find plenty of great deals in cooler weather destinations this winter. At the Hotel Monaco Chicago, A Kimpton Hotel, you can stay for as little as $133 per night on select dates from now through March when you book three nights or longer, saving you 30 percent on current rates (use the promo code SP9). The hotel, located in the downtown Chicago Loop, overlooks the Chicago River and is within walking distance to major Windy City attractions like Michigan Avenue and Millennium Park.

In historic Boston, choose from a number of upscale and centrally located hotels under $200, like the Omni Parker House on the Freedom Trail from $159 per night and the boutique Copley Square Hotel from $175 per night. Or travel to Philadelphia and stay steps from picturesque Rittenhouse Square at the Sofitel Philadelphia from $154 per night.

Oh, and did you want to lose weight while you travel, too? Well, you’re on your own with that one.

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