Unique things to do in Michigan

In this workshop, you'll make a sterling silver ring through the silversmithing "fabrication" technique. Learn the basics of texturing metal, forming metal with mandrels and hammers, soldering (yes, you'll play with fire!), and decorative finishing and leave with a beautiful handmade ring that will last a lifetime! This is not just some craft project. You will be working on the same tools that I use myself as a professional silversmith and your ring will be professional quality. It's always a fun evening! You'll be floored by what you can create! Other things to note: You will get plenty of ideas for rings during the class. I also encourage you to look at the photos in this experience as well as guest photos for ideas!

Take the architecture tour voted #1 by TripAdvisor users! We will be taking a leisurely 2-hour walk exploring some of the most beautiful and often overlooked buildings in downtown Chicago, both outside and inside, and learning about the most important and interesting parts of Chicago's architectural history. Visitors often don't know where to go, or even where they're allowed. This experience takes them inside places they'd never even consider, to show off more than 100 years of architecture as it developed here in the Windy City -- including stunning stained glass, atrium-like spaces, 19th century skyscrapers, and more! Great tour for photographers and travel buffs! Some things to note: Bring a camera -- this is an AWESOME way to practice your architecture photography! Also, dress for the weather, and if it's raining, bring an umbrella. Also, please note that if you provide a non-US phone number as your day-of contact number, we **CANNOT** call you if you're lost or late!

Our sailing experience begins at Monroe Harbor right in downtown Chicago. Guests will enjoy a captained cruise on our sailing yacht, a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37. We will cast off and motor out to Lake Michigan where we will set sail to a favorable course. Bring your favorite food and drinks, listen to music, relax, and take in the views of our city’s iconic buildings from the lakefront. The courageous can try their hand at the helm and rigging the sails-Captain Greg is a volunteer sailing instructor for a local non-profit and enjoys sharing his knowledge. On hot days be sure to bring a bathing suit to swim in the lake to cool off. Please feel free to inquire about custom bookings. We have hosted engagements, bachelorette parties, corporate outings and many more memorable events! Things to note: Other Airbnb guests will potentially join your public booking unless you reserve the entire boat privately. There are six open spots on a first book first serve basis. We only wait 15 minutes at the dock for a late guest out of courtesy for timely guests. We only cancel for lightning and will refund everyone. If you tend to get motion/seasick, or have a hangover, take motion medication 30 minutes prior.

Discover Argyle & Andersonville, two of Chicago's best neighborhoods, on one tour! Enjoy foods from Vietnam, the Middle East and Sweden as you walk the tree-lined streets of this beautiful area. - Explore Asia on Argyle. Chicago's 'other' Chinatown is now home to the city's Southeast Asian community. - Experience the mouth-popping contrasts of Vietnamese flavors and learn how the cuisine has evolved over time. - Meet the generations of migrants and immigrants who have crafted Chicago's Uptown into the unique neighborhood you'll see today. - Stumble on a forgotten silent film studio and hear why Hollywood's biggest star turned his back on Chicago. - Celebrate Andersonville's Lebanese, Persian and Turkish cultures with a guided Middle Eastern spice tasting. - Follow the footsteps of Swedish settlers as they reshaped Chicago and browse the beautiful Nordic-inspired gift shop. - Find a treasure trove of quirky, independent shops that you won't see on the Mag Mile. - Sink your teeth into the pie that made Food & Wine's list of Best in America. SPECIAL DIET NEEDS? I will communicate before the tour to provide alternate tasting items as appropriate to your diet concerns. Other things to note Tours take place rain or shine. Rain ponchos will be provided if necessary. Wear comfortable shoes! Our total walking distance is 1 1/4 miles.

Chicago is known for its striking architecture, and you’ll get a chance to appreciate this on this walking tour of the Windy City. *HIGHLIGHTS* - Marvel at the stunning Chicago skyline - Discover why Chicago’s art, food and architecture is one of a kind - Get a photo opportunity in front of the world-famous “bean” sculpture *INCLUSIONS* - Popcorn tasting - A taste of a local, homemade chocolate The tour shall start under the dazzling Chicago Marquee (best known for the sign that appears in the film Chicago), before heading to the Chicago Pedway, a network of concourses, bridges and underground tunnels that locals use to get around the centre of the city. It’s the best place to escape the cities cold winters! Next, discover City Hall, where you can observe its beautiful architecture and classic interior design. Indulge in some traditional Chicago-style popcorn, before you stroll along the Chicago Riverwalk. Discover the city’s soaring skyline and most well-known buildings such as Marina Towers and the Willis Tower, before sampling another sweet treat from a local eatery. Enjoy meandering through the delightful lakefront parks along Michigan Avenue, until you arrive at Millennium Park, home to the iconic Bean Structure (don’t forget to snap a picture)!

Join local meditators to learn about the essential concepts of meditation. We have a group discussion to build working models and lay a foundation for understanding why it works, then dig in and explore the practice together in a guided session. This is a ~15-minute lesson in the mechanics of meditation, followed by a guided meditation. After mapping out our understanding of the science, we will chart our course and jump together into "the river of change," applying what we've learned in an extended seated session for 45-60 minutes. We also make space for 5-10 minutes of integrated rest and assimilation at the very end. We are aiming in each session to relax the heart and awaken the brain, thereby creating a sense of balance and harmony between our emotional center and intellectual center. We close with an integrated resting period to assimilate the effects of our meditation and carry them with us into the evening.

We will first meet at Shatila, one of the most popular Arabic pastry shops in Dearborn, to enjoy Arabian tea or coffees and get to know one another. Next, we will meet at one and only museum in the world - the Arab American national museum. Finally, we'll learn about the different countries of the Arab world. Learn why Arabs only eat with their right hand? Why do some women wear a covering and others don't? What is it like in a traditional Arabian household?. This experience is hosted by me, who has been an official tour guide of the museum for eight years. We'll discuss answers to these questions & many more. Lastly, we'll have an immersive culinary experience at one of the most popular middle eastern restaurants of our choice ( Lebanese, Yemani, or Iraqi cuisine ), where we will enjoy the delicious aromas and flavors of Arabic food while engaging in conversations about traditional Arabic hospitality. Other things to note Dress casually and wear comfortable shoes. Bring your camera. You'll also need to provide your mode of transportation to all of the three locations mentioned.

In this workshop, you'll make a sterling silver ring through the silversmithing "fabrication" technique. Learn the basics of texturing metal, forming metal with mandrels and hammers, soldering (yes, you'll play with fire!), and decorative finishing and leave with a beautiful handmade ring that will last a lifetime! This is not just some craft project. You will be working on the same tools that I use myself as a professional silversmith and your ring will be professional quality. It's always a fun evening! You'll be floored by what you can create! Other things to note: You will get plenty of ideas for rings during the class. I also encourage you to look at the photos in this experience as well as guest photos for ideas!

Take the architecture tour voted #1 by TripAdvisor users! We will be taking a leisurely 2-hour walk exploring some of the most beautiful and often overlooked buildings in downtown Chicago, both outside and inside, and learning about the most important and interesting parts of Chicago's architectural history. Visitors often don't know where to go, or even where they're allowed. This experience takes them inside places they'd never even consider, to show off more than 100 years of architecture as it developed here in the Windy City -- including stunning stained glass, atrium-like spaces, 19th century skyscrapers, and more! Great tour for photographers and travel buffs! Some things to note: Bring a camera -- this is an AWESOME way to practice your architecture photography! Also, dress for the weather, and if it's raining, bring an umbrella. Also, please note that if you provide a non-US phone number as your day-of contact number, we **CANNOT** call you if you're lost or late!

upon entering Aroma Workshop in Chicago's Lincoln Park guests are given a card to indicate which scents from our "Scent Bar" they like, then a friendly Perfumer expertly blends scents on tester strips for the guests to sample. When their favorite is picked it goes into a choice of 2.2 oz. bottles. They can even name it and we are BYOB. Couples, Mothers Daughters, Best friends all have fun creating scents together.

**Spring and Winter hikes** Arrowhill farm had a busy January/February! We now have added 50 new kids to our farm. Lots of cute cuddly baby goats to come and pet. Bring your mudboots and warm attire. We might be hiking through snow and mud! Every morning at 10 am our goat herd is released from their over night paddock to forage through our wooded dune lands. The farm is surrounded by the county’s recreational public Manistee forest with hundreds of acres of pure Michigan nature along beautiful sandy hiking trails. Guests begin the hike at the rendezvous goat barn with the goats. Here is where our goats can be pet and introduced, starting the hour long easy walking trail hike. During this gentle jaunt through the woods our guests will get to know our friendly goats by being able to hand feed treats, learn what shrubs are the goats’ favorite forage, and have any extra belongings (such as a water bottle) be panniered by our goats. Although this experience is routinely beginning every morning, sometimes we can flexibly arrange our goat hikes to start at anytime from 8am till noon. Our hike does wind in and off of our farm property as well so our guests will be given stories of farm life and all the ins and outs of what it takes to raise these wonderful creatures.

We will meet at my homestead in the deep, lush forests of Northern Michigan. First, there will be an informative time and introduction to the goats and the lifestyle of keeping them. Next, we will then join the goats, on foot, as we venture out onto the surrounding trails through the forest scape . There will be time and space to observe and interact with the goats as they walk along with us, eat and browse the greenery available. As we progress down the cleared paths there will time for more Q&A, an offering of some type of storytelling, poetry, history of goats or nature wisdom transmission from Nicole to guests. There will also be at least a brief time for noble silence, a time quiet for simple reflection and enjoyment of the surrounding nature. Upon our return, we will celebrate and en~joy local and seasonal refreshments which highlight the goats contribution to humans through their delicious milk. We serve you goat milk yogurt, local fruit and honey and locally made sourdough bread with goat cheese. We sip on either hot or iced organic teas, depending on the temps outside. During this time we discuss the food and also share stories of life, guests and hosts alike.

After we meet at the pavilion next to the Eddy Discovery Center, we will read the map and prepare for the hike. I will make sure that we have enough snacks and water. During the hike, we will talk about the local history, the ecology of the forest, and I will answer questions. I'm very familiar with these trails and chose the Eddy Discovery Center because of the varied terrain, diverse flora, unique photogenic locations, and many opportunities to see wildlife. Other things to note Please wear waterproof shoes and weather-appropriate clothes, we will be outside for 3 hours.

We will visit our beautiful family of rescued cows. They’re a bit non-traditional for American pets, but they are definitely furry, and super cute. They just love attention. We will spend time petting, feeding, brushing, and hugging them, sometimes, cuddling with them. If you are lucky, then we will show you how to milk them too! Great For Groups and Team Building. When you book a session with the cows it will be about getting close to the natural world, slowing down, taking time to breathe, and experiencing something new & exciting! We’ll tell you about their personalities, their likes & dislikes, and funny things they like to do. Cows are sentient beings, they are individuals just like you, and it’s wonderful to get to know them. We will be there with you to create a safe environment for everyone involved. After the cows have licked you to your satisfaction, we shall serve a warm and delicious Vegan dinner. You would go back filled to the brim both in the heart and stomach. How to dress? -Make sure you wear shoes with closed toes (no flipflops or slippers) -Dress in clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Note: Birthdays, graduation, and wedding parties - we handle all small or large groups. We can also provide catering with our award-winning vegetarian restaurant - Gora's Grill.

Working up an appetite won’t be a problem on this tour! We’ll be sampling from each of Chicago’s four favorite food groups — pizza, hot dogs, brownies and beer. You’ll learn the history behind the foods that made Chicago famous and also get a taste for some of Chicago’s most popular neighborhoods as we cruise through Streeterville, the Gold Coast, Lakeview, Wrigleyville and Lincoln Park during the day. While our evening tour covers the same foods, we stick to the downtown city attraction scene. Come taste the best of Chicago pizza, snacks, and beer while having a blast on two wheels! All Food and Beverage samples included in ticket price. Day and Evening Tours available. 11:30am Bikes, Bites & Brews Tour: Signature Dishes includes the northside neighborhood route through the Gold Coast mansions, Old Town Historic District, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Wrigleyville (and Wrigley Field), and the Lakefront. 5:30pm Bikes, Bites & Brews: Signature Dishes Tour includes the downtown city route through the Gold Coast, River North, Chicago Riverwalk, Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain, and the Lakefront. Both the 11:30am and 5:30pm tours include healthy portions of Deep Dish pizza, Chicago hot dogs, locally crafted beers, and dessert to top things off. We look forward to showing you our beautiful city!

Our sailing experience begins at Monroe Harbor right in downtown Chicago. Guests will enjoy a captained cruise on our sailing yacht, a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37. We will cast off and motor out to Lake Michigan where we will set sail to a favorable course. Bring your favorite food and drinks, listen to music, relax, and take in the views of our city’s iconic buildings from the lakefront. The courageous can try their hand at the helm and rigging the sails-Captain Greg is a volunteer sailing instructor for a local non-profit and enjoys sharing his knowledge. On hot days be sure to bring a bathing suit to swim in the lake to cool off. Please feel free to inquire about custom bookings. We have hosted engagements, bachelorette parties, corporate outings and many more memorable events! Things to note: Other Airbnb guests will potentially join your public booking unless you reserve the entire boat privately. There are six open spots on a first book first serve basis. We only wait 15 minutes at the dock for a late guest out of courtesy for timely guests. We only cancel for lightning and will refund everyone. If you tend to get motion/seasick, or have a hangover, take motion medication 30 minutes prior.

1. Guests join us at our space Studio W.I.P. and dive into the world of spray paint and urban art. All instruction is done by local artists. Each guest will go home with their very own piece of the mural to remember their night. 2. Upon entering guests can relax and enjoy our ever changing gallery. Feel free to bring a beverage. It's BYOB! Guests will unleash their inner street artist on a 50ft wall! This interactive workshop will turn guests into the artist and be guided along the way. Experimenting with lettering, stencils, aerosol, & cap technique guests will experience something truly unique. 3. Our main objective is to break down stereotypes that often are connected with spray paint. Guests will leave with curiosity and basic skills when applying aerosol to boot.

A goat yoga experience that is a delightful marriage of yoga and lovable goats. Of course no yoga experience is necessary to enjoy this bucket-list experience. The session begins with a 45 minute yoga flow in the company of silly and attention-demanding goats, followed by 45 minutes of goat play time. The experience is much more than yoga with goats. It is a chance to connect, relax, unwind and recharge your soul. The goats provide comedic relief for the group and bring out the best in the attendees. They can melt the hearts of even the most skeptical guests. Guests are instructed not to leave the premises until their heart feels good.

Chicago offers a lot of hidden bars for night owls. We will start the night at my favorite hidden gem in West Loop, we will spend about one hour here then head to the next bar which is an 8 minute walk. Some of the bars have secret entrances so be ready for a fun night. The bars have amazing cocktails, beers, non-alcoholic drinks, good music and a good ambiance. There are plenty of secret bars and unfortunately we cannot explore all of them in one night. However, I will share with you the location of other secret bars which you can visit later. Please be advised that drinks or food are NOT included. This is not prohibition level speakeasy tour, this is a chill bar hopping experience. I was not born in the early 1900s and don’t know anything about prohibition so don’t ask. Have a drink and relax. Please note the experience time says it lasts 3 hours but you are welcomed to stay at the bars as long as you like. If your preferred hour is fully booked, don't worry, bar fits a fair amount of people, send me a message. There are still some locations that may ask for your proof of vaccination to access the bars. Please bring it with you. A photo of your vaccination card is fine.

Our sailing experience begins at the Monroe Harbor Public Dock (Google maps). Boarding our 37’ luxury cruising class sailing yacht Dragonfly, a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey, we will cast off and motor out to Lake Michigan where we will set sail to a favorable course. Bring your favorite food and drinks, listen to music, relax, and take in the glittering skyline and the city’s iconic buildings from the lakefront. This tour offers an unbeatable up close and personal view of the Navy Pier Fireworks Show- on display every Wednesday and Saturday evenings Memorial through Labor Day. Do note Airbnb experiences are social, and up to 6 guests from different parties can join our standard cruise, however we welcome inquiries about private or custom outings. If you do not see a time on our calendar that works well for you, please contact us! Other things to note New friends will join your booking unless you reserve the entire boat. We only wait 15 minutes for a late guest out of courtesy for timely guests. We only cancel for lightning and will refund everyone. If you tend to get motion/seasick, or have a hangover, take motion medication 30 minutes prior.