Blogger Val Moloney met U2 hotness Larry Mullen Jr. in Chicago's Gold Coast 10 years ago. Credit: Clancy3434.
By Valerie Moloney
In the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, let’s talk random run-ins. (more…)
Articles for ‘Big Cities’ Category
Locking Irish eyes: My run-ins with 2 Irish celebrities
Friday, March 2nd, 2012Paying homage: Black History Month in Chicago
Tuesday, January 17th, 2012
Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood is loaded with cultural gems and vibrant murals -- not to mention engaging events during Black History Month throughout February. Credit: Zol87.
By Jennifer Olvera
Black History Month is celebrated throughout the month of February nationwide. In Chicago, the park district is one of many entities to usher in honorary events. What’s more, it’s a great time to celebrate the every day contributions of Chicago’s African-American visionaries, from blues, gospel and soul music performances to stops at culturally rich gems in the city’s Bronzeville neighborhood. Conveniently, you find a plethora of cheap Chicago hotels this time of year. (more…)
The Neon Museum Boneyard: Sin City history in lights
Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012
Bright lights, big city: A slice of Sin City's history at the Neon Museum Boneyard. Credit: Bark.
By Blane Bachelor
Neon signs are the iconic art form of Las Vegas. But as a more generic image takes over The Strip, dozens of the neon signs that once adorned casinos, hotels and nightclubs have been removed. Fortunately, thanks to the efforts of a local nonprofit, they’ve found a new home at the Neon Museum Boneyard – or Neon Graveyard, as it’s also called — where visitors can experience the Sin City of yesteryear with a tour of the colorful relics. (more…)
NYE 2011: Celeb-studded bashes and old-school shindigs
Thursday, December 22nd, 2011
Bring in 2012 with a bang in Las Vegas. Credit: Las Vegas News Bureau.
By Blane Bachelor
From reality star shenanigans at nightclubs (Kim Kardashian at TAO, anyone?) to intimate concerts with show business legends (Stevie Wonder at the Cosm0politan) to an old-school street party, New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas is the place to be if you’re looking to rub elbows with celebs while ringing in 2012.
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Pumpkins, lederhosen, drag queens: Autumn in L.A.
Friday, October 14th, 2011
Geishas and monsters: Drama at the West Hollywood Halloween Party and Street Carnaval.
By Abby Samler
Originally from the East Coast, I didn’t think that fall existed in Los Angeles, but I quickly learned that even West Coasters can enjoy the changing of the season. Take it from me — a 16-year resident — there are plenty of ways to celebrate the harvest season in L.A. (more…)
Cheap Chicago hotel vacations ahead of Old Man Winter
Thursday, October 6th, 2011
All about autumn: Plan a cheap Chicago vacation before the Bean gets iced over. Credit: Bosc d'Anjou.
By Valerie Moloney
As if Chicagoans don’t hear it enough already, the forecast just got more frigid for 2012. An AccuWeather.com meteorologist predicted that folks in the Windy City might “want to move after this winter.”
As a 9-year Chicagoan who’s endured cracked hands, high heating bills and a Snowmaggedon that swallowed a jillion cars on Lake Shore Drive, I won’t state the obvious. However I will say that fall is the most glorious time of year (read: it’s in the 70s today) and if you’re at all curious, now is the time to stroll through Millennium Park to snap a photo of Cloud Gate. You know, before it gets too cold. (more…)
Ranches and rodeos: Saddle up for a Dallas vacation
Tuesday, July 26th, 2011
Stockyard parade at Fort Worth Stockyards, home of the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. Credit: Woody H1.
By Derek Brown
You don’t have to don a 10-gallon hat or drawl to appreciate the Big D. Wannabe cowboys and cowgirls can carve out their own piece of Texas via rodeos and Western adventures. So here are 5 ways to experience the ultimate Dallas vacation, and don’t forget to sample the local ‘cue. (more…)
Cheap Toronto hotels: Getaways to the Great White North
Tuesday, April 19th, 2011By Vince Font
If you’re in the market for an out of town vacation and you’re entertaining ideas for an alternative to the typical Caribbean or Yucatan Peninsula destination, maybe it’s time you turned your sights 180 degrees and took a look at what our friendly neighbors up north in Toronto have to offer. Sure, Canada doesn’t exactly experience tropical weather — but you said you wanted an interesting change, so here it is. What’s even better, you can find cheap Toronto hotels that give the discounted rates you’re used to scoring south of the border a run for their money. (more…)
Sweet on SoCal: 3 great cheap hotels in Los Angeles
Thursday, March 31st, 2011By Maria Mora
Cheap hotels in Los Angeles are surprisingly ritzy for the price. When booking your Los Angeles vacation, do some investigating ahead of time to find cheap Los Angeles hotels with great reviews and convenient locations. No matter what part of the city you want to stay in and explore, you can find Los Angeles hotel deals perfectly suited for your spring break vacation or summer vacation. Here are some of our favorite go-to hotels in Los Angeles.
What's more L.A. than cruising with the top down? Lounging by a rooftop pool. (Pictured: AVIA Long Beach)
Long Beach
AVIA Long Beach has rooms at under $150 a night. With the new Rooftop bar opening mid-March 2011, this affordable hotel is becoming a must-visit hot spot for poolside drinks and entertainment. In the morning, rejuvenate with fresh seasonal juices at the Barista Bar. This cheap Los Angeles hotel is a great option for couples and singles.
Universal City
Traveling with the family to see some of the iconic sights in Los Angeles? Try Sheraton Universal Hotel. With rooms just more than $150 a night, it’s an affordable option for families — and you’ll know exactly what to expect from the clean and comfortable Sheraton brand. This property was recently upgraded with a $30 million renovation. (more…)
A pair of cheap Chicago hotels for St. Patty’s Day weekend
Wednesday, March 16th, 2011By Vince Font
Chicago painted the river green on March 12, but locals will still be painting the town red beyond Patty's Day. Credit: Marit & Toomas Hinnosaar.
This might sound strange, but every time I think about St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago I can’t help remembering the scene from “The Fugitive” where Harrison Ford uses the parading throngs to make good on his getaway from Tommy Lee Jones. While the actual parade and river dyeing happened over the weekend, the party will most definitely carry on past the actual holiday, making for a great last-minute trip if you can manage it.
Maybe it was seeing the waters of the Chicago River dyed green on such a big screen that started my fascination, or the fact that the people in the parade all seemed to be having such a good time that I’d rather have had the camera follow them for the next hour and a half. Either way, real life has a way of proving that sometimes it’s entirely impossible to climb into your favorite movie scenes — and that doing so in this case doesn’t have to be all that expensive, especially if you know how to round up some of the best cheap Chicago hotels.