Before planning my next trip I’m going to attend the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show being held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois on January 21 and 22. It’s open to all travel enthusiasts. Travel writers Rick Steves, Peter Greenberg Pauline Frommer and Travel Channel TV Host Samantha Brown will share trends and insights as keynote speakers.
Loads of informational seminars are available for anyone seeking travel advice from destination experts. Speaker and travel writer Roger Naylor will talk about the hiking options in Arizona. He’s already shared with me some of his favorite trails that are close to train stations. Travel photographer Ralph Velasco will show his photos from recent trips and talk about how images can tell a story. I downloaded his My Shot List app and find I’m more intentional with my camera while traveling.
Exhibitors from around the world will be there. Travel show exhibitors generously share insider knowledge on how to customize a trip for whatever you’re looking for. I hope to learn more about the best train travel deals, trends in rail travel, and interesting events near train stations in the U.S. that I can feature.
I’m looking forward to the Taste of Travel stage where creative chefs will be sharing food recipes inspired by culture and geography. At 3:15pm on Saturday, Belinda Chang, partner and director of wine and services at Maple & Ash in Chicago, will lead a wine tasting seminar. Chang won a James Beard award for Outstanding Wine Program. From 1:30 to 2:30pm on Sunday the Culinary Fight Club will pose home cooks, culinary students, executive chefs and caterers against one another.
Cultural dance performances from around the world will be featured at the Global Beats Stage. Apache Danforth will present Native American dances at 3:35pm on Saturday. Polynesian, Nordic, Bollywood and other dances will be performed throughout the two-day event.
If you like hands-on activities try scuba diving in a heated pool, ride on a Segway or atop a camel while at the show. Reasons to roam the showroom abound. Beyond inspiration you can put details behind your travel wish list and map out a plan.
Want to go to the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show? Here are the details.
Dates & hours: January 21 (10:00am – 5:00pm), January 22 (11:00am – 4:00pm)
Address: 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont, Illinois
Admission fee: $18 Buy Tickets
Get there by train
The Donald E. Stephens Convention Center can be reached via the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue line train, Rosemont stop.
Out of town train travelers can arrive at Chicago’s Union Station and get on the CTA Blue Line at the Clinton stop heading towards O’Hare.
Visitors flying into O’Hare International airport can board the CTA Blue Line train at the airport and get off at the first stop, Rosemont.
CTA trains arrive and depart every six to 10 minutes on weekends. Temperatures in Chicago can dip into the single digits in January so dress appropriately.
Lodging options within walking distance:
Hilton Rosemont: 5550 N. River Road
Embassy Suites: 5500 N. River Road
Hyatt Regency: 9300 Bryn Mawr Ave.
Crowne Plaza, 5440 N River Road
Restaurant options within walking distance:
Liberty Tavern, 5550 N. River Road
Basil’s Kitchen, 5550 N. River Road
Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse 5464 N River Road
During 2017, the following cities will host their own Travel & Adventure Show. Each of these cities are served by Amtrak trains:
- San Francisco Bay Area, February 11-12, Santa Clara Convention Center
- Los Angeles, February 18-19, Los Angeles Convention Center
- San Diego, March 4-5, San Diego Convention Center
- Denver, March 18-19, Colorado Convention Center
- Philadelphia, March 25-26, Pennsylvania Convention Center
- Dallas, April 1-2, Dallas Market Hall
Let me know where you plan to travel this year.
