You can really get spoiled with a CityPass in Chicago. Front of the line access to popular attractions and no admission fee when you’ve got your CityPass ticket in hand. There’s even a red carpet rolled out at the Art Institute of Chicago, which added to the VIP experience. I recently enjoyed my first trip to the Windy City and with a CityPass in hand, I got a great introduction to some of its most iconic attractions.
Using CityPass in Chicago
Booklet Cost
- Adult C $135.26; Child C $113.18 (at time of publishing)
Included Attractions:
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- Shedd Aquarium – VIP Entry
- Skydeck Chicago – FAST PASS
- The Field Museum – VIP Entry
- Museum of Science and Industry – VIP Entry or
360 Chicago – EXPRESS Entry
- Adler Planetarium – VIP Entry or
Art Institute of Chicago – FAST PASS
Delivery & Use
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- Select Email voucher when you purchase online or
have a ticket booklet sent to a physical address
- To use, bring your booklet to the ticket counter at the participating attraction and they will rip it out and issue admission tickets. Do not rip out the ticket ahead of time.
- You then have 9 days to use your CityPass perks, starting at the time of first use
Along with my sister and sister-in-law — who is from the area but was playing tourist-in-her-hometown — I spent an full morning exploring the Art Institute of Chicago, which has one of the finest Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collections outside of France. Of course it’s also the home of a famous scene from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and we made sure to stand and observe George Seurat’s “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte” quizzically, with our arms crossed.
I really wanted to see American Gothic, not only because it’s the country’s most famous painting, but because painter Grant Wood is from the same county in Iowa where John grew up. Unfortunately it is out on tour this year but I did see many other iconic pieces like Nighthawks by Edward Hopper, The Old Guitarist by Pablo Picasso, Two Sisters (On the Terrace) by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, The Bedroom by Vincent van Gogh, and rooms full of Monet, Matisse, Cézanne, and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec pieces.
Over in the Sculpture Court, my Sister-in-Law joined in on a free sketching class, while I explored Modern American Art (1900-1950) upstairs where a docent was giving a free artist talk. We met up later in the Modern Shop (one of two gift shops), which it also worth a lengthy visit.
Prices start at about C $38 for Art Institute admission alone so bundle that with a few more attraction visits, and the perks of VIP or FAST PASS Entry, and the booklet is worth its value and more. Chicago is also the only CityPASS city where all attractions offer express service so you can skip the normal lines. As a bonus, my sister who is currently attending SFU received the student discount, and just came with me in the FAST PASS line when I used my CityPass. I was also offered the audio tour as a part of my admission.
We had many more attractions to visit but in one morning we were already feeling grateful for the savings (which we then spent in the gift shop) and the front-of-the-line perks.
CityPass booklets have different offerings for each location, with a variety of attractions and perks. Participating locations currently include: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Southern California, Tampa Bay, Toronto.
I’ve used CityPass in Seattle before as well, and it includes favourites like the EMP Museum, Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and Argosy Cruises Harbour Tour. If you’re heading to a new city, or would just like to play tourist, a CityPass the best introduction you can ask for, to explore on your own in style.
During one of the most decadently divine food & wine festivals in BC, Whistler’s Cornucopia, you can find balance at the Nourish Retreat. With seminars, farm-to-table meals, yoga, wellness workshops, forest forages, spa time, and festival events at night, Nourish is the most soul-satisfying way to amp up your Cornucopia experience.
Nourish Retreat at Cornucopia
Where: Whistler Conference Centre
When: November 17 to November 20, 2016
Tickets: Available online now
Set within one of BC’s premier food and drink festivals, the Nourish Retreat, hosted by Allison Hunter, Nourish producer and veteran strengths coach, Tracy Hutton, will lead you through four days dedicated to nourishing your strongest life.
Greet each day with meditation and yoga, and then fuel your body with healing local foods and cooking demonstrations by the chefs and experts at the Nourish Culinary Stage. The afternoons are spent connecting with Whistler’s natural beauty, through forest forages, spa visits and more. The stage is set for exploring your best life – through Tracy’s strength coaching sessions, discover and uncover your gifts – leave with a vision and path for a life fully expressed.
After a dynamic day of movement, healing and relaxation, join in Cornucopia’s world-class food and wine events and celebrate the best of what this region has to offer. The Nourish Retreat is a perfect blend of restoration and inspiration.
I attended the Nourish Retreat last year and it was so unique, and so refreshing. From the welcoming smudging and tea ceremony and a longhouse dinner at Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, to morning meal demos and yoga. I am not usually a kale-smoothie-and-morning-yoga person but I learned so much and felt amazing at this retreat.
If you have the chance to get away, I highly recommend you book the weekend away with a friend, partner, or loved one. Find out more by following the Nourish Retreat on Facebook.
Dress for Success will host the Success Luncheon on November 3rd to celebrate and inspire business leaders in our community. Featured panelists include Lynne Platt, U.S. Consul General, Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia, CEO of Century Plaza Hotel and Spa, and Ratana Stephens, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Nature’s Path Foods.
Success Luncheon
What: Dress For Success Vancouver Success Luncheon
When: Thursday, November 3, 2016 from 11:00am to 2:00pm
Where: Pan Pacific Hotel (300-999 Canada Place, Vancouver)
Tickets: Purchase online for $125 ($75 tax receipt) with table option available
About: The luncheon features a panel of female executives sharing experiences with mentorship throughout their careers and personal lives. The Luncheon will also recognize a DFSV client and recent graduate from the Professional Women’s Group, who has found her success through Dress for Success programs.
The Success Luncheon is an annually anticipated opportunity to bring together the Dress for Success Vancouver corporate community and supporters. The event is hosted and panel moderated by Shaw TV personality Fiona Forbes.
“The Success Luncheon is a cherished event.” says Jennifer Halinda, Executive Director of Dress for Success Vancouver. “Talking about mentorship is so important as it touches all of our careers and plays a vital role at Dress for Success. It will also be a honour to recognize Fiona Hogg, an amazing client who has achieved so much and who is such a valuable member of our Professional Women’s Group program. We are very grateful to our corporate community who support not only this event but our programs year round. Nothing we do is possible without this support.”
In addition to the panel discussion, guests are invited to a pre-lunch networking event where they will meet with speakers and local corporate supporters across sectors. Raffles tickets and opportunities to support a DFSV woman will be available.
About Dress for Success Vancouver
Dress for Success Vancouver is a registered charity committed to empowering women into the workforce by providing professional attire, career development tools and a career advancement program. An affiliate of the international organization Dress for Success, DFSV was established in 1999 as the first international affiliate and has served over 22,000 women in the Lower Mainland.
The Professional Women’s Group program is then an 18 month program that provides education, mentoring and professional guidance.
How You Can Support Dress for Success
There are several ways to support Dress for Success on top of online donations:
- Planned giving: Support one women or specific programs for clients by sponsoring an interview suiting, job preparation, or the Professional Women’s Group. Use the gift tool to plan your contribution throughout the year.
- Item donations: The organization is currently in need of specific types of item donations (and wish list items) such as handbags (appropriate for work), plus size interview attire (18 and up), small size interview attire (size 00-2), outerwear, and new makeup.
- By attending special events throughout the year.
For more information about Dress for Success Vancouver, follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and their blog.
Thanksgiving has come and gone, and now sights are set on Halloween fun around Metro Vancouver. This weekend, check out some of the many (covered and sheltered from the rain) activities happening from Britannia Beach all the way to Abbotsford, like activities at National Historic Sites, and some Haunted Houses.
Ready your gum boots and wander through some local pumpkin patches like Richmond Country Farms, Chilliwack Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch, Aldor Acres Pumpkin Patch, and the Taves Applebarn.
Things to do in Vancouver This Weekend
Events that run for longer than three days in a row are highlighted in green.
Friday, October 14, 2016
#discoverTHIS with Vaclav Smil
Graham Clark Presents: A Salute to Halloween
Vancouver Aquarium Toast to the Coast
Postcards by musica intima
Violent – Theatrical Opening at International Village
BC Lions vs Winnipeg
Murray Adaskin Celebration
Oktoberfest at the Alpen Club
Vancouver Art Book Fair 2016
Roadside Harvest Social, Abbotsford
Momentum Youth Arts Movement
Vancouver International Puppet Festival
Bear Creek Park Halloween Train
Haunted Circus
Music in the Morning
James & Jamesy in the Dark
Vagabond Players Present: Body & Soul
Zombie Syndrome
Potter’s House of Horrors
Lost Souls of Gastown Tour
Taste of Yaletown
Vancouver Halloween Parade & Expo
Pacific Theatre Presents: A Good Way Out
The Slamming Door Artist Collective Presents: Flare Path
FlyOver Canada: Halloween
Stanley Park Ghost Train CLOSED DUE TO STORM
Maan Farms Haunted Corn Maze
Saturday, October 15, 2016
Sponsored by Miss604: Canuck Place Gift of Time Gala
The East Van Bazaar
Loutet Farm Pumpkin Patch
Mulan the Musical
Splash – Arts Umbrella’s Annual Art Auction & Gala
Discovery Saturday: Latin Fiesta
The Magic Flute – Karen Flamenco
BC Beer Awards
Deja Vu Vintage Market
Oktoberfest at the Alpen Club
Trout Lake Farmers Market CLOSED DUE TO STORM
West End Farmers Market CLOSED DUE TO STORM
Burnaby City Hall Farmers Market
The Valley Haunt
UBC Botanical Garden Apple Festival
Vancouver International Puppet Festival
Bear Creek Park Halloween Train
Haunted Circus
James & Jamesy in the Dark
Vagabond Players Present: Body & Soul
Roadside Harvest Social, Abbotsford
Vancouver Art Book Fair 2016
Zombie Syndrome
Potter’s House of Horrors
Lost Souls of Gastown Tour
Taste of Yaletown
Vancouver Halloween Parade & Expo
Pacific Theatre Presents: A Good Way Out
The Slamming Door Artist Collective Presents: Flare Path
FlyOver Canada: Halloween
Momentum Youth Arts Movement
Stanley Park Ghost Train CLOSED DUE TO STORM
Maan Farms Haunted Corn Maze
Fright Nights at Playland is CLOSE DUE TO STORM Tonight
Sunday, October 16, 2016
RIPE: Vancouver Farmers Markets Gala Fundraiser
Brock House Wedding Show
Photo Exhibition at the West End Community Centre
Frankenstein at The Cinematheque
A Wilde Reading at Roedde House
Family Sunday at the Surrey Art Gallery
Vancouver Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra
EcoBlitz at Burnaby Lake Park
Kitsilano Farmers Market
Ambleside Farmers Market
UBC Botanical Garden Apple Festival
Vancouver International Puppet Festival
Bear Creek Park Halloween Train
Haunted Circus
James & Jamesy in the Dark
Vagabond Players Present: Body & Soul
Roadside Harvest Social, Abbotsford
Vancouver Art Book Fair 2016
Zombie Syndrome
Potter’s House of Horrors
Lost Souls of Gastown Tour
Taste of Yaletown
Vancouver Halloween Parade & Expo
The Slamming Door Artist Collective Presents: Flare Path
FlyOver Canada: Halloween
Momentum Youth Arts Movement
Stanley Park Ghost Train
Maan Farms Haunted Corn Maze
Subscribe to the Weekly Events Newsletter
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Check out the full October event listings here and if you have an event to include, please send it in by email for a free listing. Follow Miss604 on Twitter for more daily updates.
When I spoke with Safety Chick, Kathleen Baty, about returning to the West Coast Women’s Show she was excited. “All these entrepreneurial women, with all these different businesses, and the best way I can describe it is walking into a Superbowl-filled arena full of empowered women, who are just there to have fun. I’m so looking forward to going back!”
There is one panel that is building up some anticipation as it features some amazing women from around the region: Meet the Entrepreneurs of the Fraser Valley (on the Main Stage Sunday, October 23rd at 12:30pm).
Entrepreneurs of the Fraser Valley
New to the main stage this year, you are invited to an intimate conversation with some of the fastest growing Entrepreneurs based right in our own backyard. Learn their secrets to success, their rise to social media stardom, how they took the pages of Vogue by storm and how they balance growing their booming businesses while raising their busy families.
Amanda Penner
Owner, minimoc
The inspiration for the popular soft-soled shoes came from Amanda’s desire to give custom, ‘made-with-love’ gifts to the many babies being born to her friends and family. After giving a few pairs to babies in the Fall of 2013, Amanda and her husband Jeff started receiving orders and it has been full steam ahead ever since! Minimoc leather shoes are handmade in Abbotsford, BC from ethically sourced materials and are available for sale online as well as in over 250 stores across North America.
Lorene Mah
Owner, Glitter and Spice
With Lorene’s second born, her son, the teething, drooling, and constant need to smack mom’s face and pull her hair while nursing was in full-blown effect! She immediately scoured the shops for the perfect teething necklace, but came back disappointed. So inspired by her darling son, she decided to create stylish teething necklaces for the modern day mom that are safe and fun for babies to chew. Products are handcrafted right here in Canada and for sale online or at the Glitter & Spice booth at the West Coast Women’s Show.
Laura Derksen
Owner, Arrow and Lace Designs
After Ariella, Laura’s daughter, was born in May 2010 she starting making hair accessories which quickly became popular with family and friends. In August 2013, with her second child, Kenton in tow Arrow & Lace Designs were born as a way to work while staying home with her kids. Arrow & Lace is vintage inspired apparel accessories with a focus on quality and extra measures to make these accessories last. Details like adjustable headbands, ribbon lined alligator clips, and headbands use felt so they are soft and comfortable to wear. Arrow & Lace designs are available online as well at the West Coast Women’s Show booth.
Karen Johnson
Owner, k’pure Natural Body Care
Karen’s business kind of happened by accident. Five years ago, when her youngest son was a newborn, she found out that he had abnormally high levels of aluminum and plastics in his system. Turns out, Karen’s deodorant and skin care products were loaded with aluminum and plastics and making their way into her breast milk. This is where her quest for natural skin and body care started. Each product is hand made, labelled and packaged, with the strictest attention to quality control and detail. K’pure Naturals can be found online or at the West Coast Women’s Show today.
Meet the Entrepreneurs of the Fraser Valley on the Main Stage Sunday, October 23rd at 12:30pm.
West Coast Women’s Show
- When: Friday October 21, 2016 from 1:00pm to 9:30pm; Saturday October 22, 2016 from 10:00am to 9:00pm; Sunday October 23, 2016 from 11:00am to 5:00pm.
- Where: TRADEX in Abbotsford (1190 Cornell Street)
- Tickets: At the door: Adults $12; Seniors (65+) $9; Seniors (65+) Friday from 1:00 to 5:00pm $7 (no coupon required); Youth (13 – 17) $9; Children (6 – 12) $4; Children (5 & under) are free. Save $2 online and in store at London Drugs!
Theme Days
Show themes include Fashion & Style, Home & Interior Décor, Health & Wellness, World of Taste, Natural & Organic Products, the Active Women’s Zone, Travel Showcase and the Artisan’s Marketplace.
- Friday is Girls Night Out Martini Night. Calendar Firefighters Fashion Show (Main Stage) 7:30pm
- Friday is Seniors Discount Day – Only $7 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm (65 + years)
- Saturday is Girls Night Out Martini Night. Calendar Firefighters Fashion Show (Main Stage) 7:30pm
- Sunday is Mothers & Daughters Day at the West Coast Women’s Show. The first 500 visitors to the show will receive a FREE Gift Pack from Pretty Things
Stage Schedules are available here: Main Stage, Health & Wellness Stage, Kitchen Theatre Stage, Beauty & Cosmetics Stage, Cheese Tasting Stage.
Follow the West Coast Women’s Show on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more information. Join the West Coast Women’s Show VIP Club to receive information on the best ticket deals, show updates and exclusive deals available only to VIP Club members.
