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A month for the ladies

During hunting season, women head out to have fun with their friends.

In November, women make a break for it.

As men sit in deer stands or watch football games on TV, women hit the road with their friends. They shop, they visit spas, they sip wine and they see shows their husbands or boyfriends don’t want to see.

For women, November is a great month. Not only do they have a good excuse to get away with their friends, but it’s time to start shopping for Christmas. There are art fairs and holiday markets everywhere; Madison has them on three weekends in a row.

And festivities start early in such shopping meccas as Cedarburg, Wis., which starts its Festive Friday Eves on the eve of Wisconsin’s firearms deer opener.

Broadway shows draw weekenders to Chicago and the Twin Cities. Galena is the perennial favorite for power shopping, but groups of girlfriends also sample wine, tour historic houses and take cooking classes.

Women who love the outdoors can join a snowshoe-making workshop or hike in the woods. Hiking won't be so fun after Minnesota's firearms deer season starts Nov. 7, but Wisconsin's doesn't start until Nov. 21.

Below are some of the choicest events going on around the region in November 2009. For the rest of the year, see 12 months of girlfriend getaways and  50 great girlfriend getaways.

Art fairs

Madison always is a fun place to shop, in the quirky shops and museum stores along State Street and on more sophisticated Monroe Street. And in November, three big markets make shopping especially fruitful.

The run starts with the Madison Ballet's Madison Holiday Market at the Alliant Energy Center, Nov. 6-8. The Winter Art Festival, featuring the work of 140 Wisconsin artists, is at Monona Terrace Nov. 14-15. And the Holiday Art Fair is at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art on State Street Nov. 20-22. For more, see Shopping in Madison.

The Autumn Festival: An Arts & Crafts Affair, with 500 artisans from 30 states, will be Nov. 12-15 at Canterbury Park in the Minneapolis suburb of Shakopee and Nov. 19-22 at the Odeum Sports & Expo Center in the Chicago suburb of Villa Park.

The Wisconsin Holiday Market at the American Club in Kohler, Wis., is Nov. 20-22; it tends to be heavier on crafts than fine arts. For more, see Kohler's luxuries.

Scrapbooking

In Duluth, the 1908 mansion Glensheen is holding a Craft Retreat from 5-10 p.m. Nov. 7. Cost is $30, including refreshments, a gift and special tours. For more, see Duluth's Glensheen.

Near Galena, Ill., Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa holds a Scrapbooking Weekend Nov. 20-22, with work space, supply shop and product and technique demonstrations.

Antiquing

In Minneapolis, Southwest High School Community Education offers an annual antiques trip that's very popular. This year, the River Ramble Antique Tour will visit Red Wing, Cannon Falls, Lakeville and Zumbrota on Nov. 7.

Cost is $38, including transportation by motorcoach, coffee and pastries. To reserve, call 612-668-3100.

Shopping and a free concert

Less than an hour south of the Twin Cities, the college town of Northfield has an adorable downtown full of unique, locally owned shops. Spend the day browsing, then take in a free concert at St. Olaf College, whose music program is world-renowned.

On Nov. 6, hear Norway's Bergen Woodwind Quintet. On Nov. 13, the Collegium Musicum and Early Music Singers perform.

For more, see Scrappy Northfield. For other good places to shop, see Best shopping towns for weekenders.

Indulgences

In the popular chick town of Galena, "Chocolate, Champagne & Candlelight'' will be held at the DeSoto House Hotel Nov. 7 as a benefit for the Galena Historical Society, $14. For more, see Galena getaway.

Theater

In the McKnight Theatre of St. Paul's Ordway Center, Theater Latte Da is staging "The Full Monty'' through Nov. 8 — now there's a play tailor-made for groups of women out for some fun.

In Minneapolis' downtown theater district, "Grease, the Musical'' will be at the Orpheum Nov. 18-22. For more, see A jolly holiday in Minneapolis.

In Chicago's Ford Center/Oriental Theatre in the Loop, Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth (Lilith of "Cheers'') play Gomez and Morticia in the new show "The Addams Family,'' starting Nov. 13. "Jersey Boys'' is playing at the nearby Bank of America Theatre.

There's a whole lot more to do in Chicago. For more, see Chicago stories.

At the Des Moines Civic Center, "Rent'' is Nov. 10-15.

In Duluth's historic Fitgers brewery complex, Change of Pace Productions presents the musical comedy "Cold Feet'' in its dinner theater, catered by Midi Restaurant & Wine Bar, Oct. 23-Nov. 22. Fitgers also houses an inn, day spa, nightclub, brewpub and shops. To make a weekend of it, see Girlfriend getaway to Duluth.

Comedy

In St. Paul, The O'Shaughnessy is presenting Joan Rivers on Nov. 4 and the comedy trio Southern Fried Chicks on Nov. 5.

In the western Minneapolis suburb of Plymouth, the Plymouth Playhouse is showing “Away in the Basement, A Church Basement Ladies Christmas,’’ starting Nov. 5.

Outdoors

Near the northern Wisconsin town of Tomahawk, Treehaven, an outdoors-education center operated by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, is offering a snowshoe-weaving workshop Nov. 6-8, $265 including five meals, lodging and kit.

It's also offering a Quilt Retreat, Oct. 30-Nov. 1, $190. Register at 715-453-4106. Nearby, hike on the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.

In the Twin Cities, Fort Snelling State Park is offering a Snowshoe Lacing Workshop Nov. 7-8.

Holiday festivities

Cedarburg, a postcard-perfect village 20 minutes north of Milwaukee, is a favorite destination for girlfriend getaways.

At Cedar Creek Settlement, a restored 1864 woolen mill, Festive Friday Eves start Nov. 20, featuring dancing, live music, puppet shows, appearances by Father Christmas, cookies and cider and luminarias.  For more, see Jolly Cedarburg.

Hanging out

Most women like bed-and-breakfasts, but most have rooms with only one bed. But the Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast Association web site makes it easy to find the inns that  have two beds: Plug "Bed: Two beds in room'' into its amenity search, and you'll get 16 choices.

But you'll find a better deal in the north woods of Wisconsin and Minnesota, which will be recovering from the fall-color rush. Many lodges, especially the bigger ones, drop their rates by up to half.

And larger gangs of girlfriends can rent a cottage, condo or house. For more, see Renting a vacation house or A cottage of one's own.

Last updated on December 8, 2009