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Other stories in "Fall"

• Big birds on the move
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• Join the fun
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• Remember the wrecks
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• All quiet up north
  Like the leaves, room rates have dropped.
• Save on the ski hills
  Get a deal now on a season pass.
• Home of horsepower
  In Wisconsin, see where race cars, snowmobiles, outboards and motorcycles were born.
• On the ropes in Lanesboro
  Try walking a high wire on Halloween.
• Eyes on the skies
  On bluffs and ridges, it's time to watch the hawk migration.
• Culture in the bluffs
  Follow musicians to four unusual venues near the Mississippi.
• Ghouls ahoy
  On Great Lakes, two haunted ships are spoiling for a fright.
• Scenery in the studios
  On autumn art tours, treasure hunters strike gold (and orange and red).
• Hot tip/A different North Shore
  Didn't reserve for fall-color season? Thunder Bay has rooms.
• Hunters on the North Shore
  A special deer season this weekend may put guns close to hikers.
• 10 great trails to ride in fall
  Here's where to get your fill of flora, fauna and fall colors.
• Go on a trail-clearing trip
  If you enjoy a hike, help make it possible for others.

Head toward the (twinkling) lights

At Christmas, tourist destinations pull out all the stops.

If you have money, now is the time to plan a holiday getaway.

Air fares are at historic lows, and hotel rooms always are cheap close to Christmas. And there's a lot going on.

Fly to Chicago to shop at the open-air Christkindlmarket, ice skate in Millennium Park and hear the Apollo Chorus sing “Messiah’’; for more, see Chicago at Christmas.

In Milwaukee, watch fireworks during Christmas in the Ward, see “Plaid Tidings’’ at the Skylight Opera Theatre, tour the decorated Pabst Mansion and see the lights in Cathedral Square (pictured); for more see Milwaukee at Christmas.

In downtown Minneapolis, see a holiday show at one of the grand theaters on Hennepin Avenue — the Moscow Ballet is performing “Great Russian Nutcracker’’— and see the fabulous Holidazzle Parade. Many hotels offer packages; see A jolly holiday in Minneapolis.

If you just want to shop, look for getaway ideas in Shopping towns. And now is the time to reserve seats at one of the big holiday feasts, including the Pabst's Dickens Dinners, St. Paul’s Fezziwig’s Feast and the ethnic dinners at Old World Wisconsin; this year, they’re Swedish. For more, see Indulging at the holidays.

  Last updated on December 3, 2009