Need NEW ideas for girls/mother's day weekend trip

All the ladies in my family love Chicago and have been several times. We are planning a trip to meet up (we are scattered across the US) in Chicago for Mother%26#39;s Day weekend and need some NEW ideas. We%26#39;ve done the tourist things, shopping, Navy Pier, Museums, etc.

Looking for ideas for Saturday afternoon. A couple would like to find a salon for a make up application lesson, mani %26amp; pedis, maybe a cooking class, maybe a dance lesson(for fun, NOT for a workout!!). Our ages range from 32-75, there will be 6 of us. Budget is moderate, we are not big spenders, but understand fun is not always free! :)

Will be staying just off Mich. Ave, either just north of or just south of the river...have yet to lock down hotel.

Any suggestions for something NEW to do/where to go within walking or quick cab distance? Please?? Thanks!

Need NEW ideas for girls/mother's day weekend trip

Check www.explorechicago.org and www.metromix.com for ideas.

Cooking school in the Merchandise Mart - http://www.thechoppingblock.net/

Need NEW ideas for girls/mother's day weekend trip

In fact, look up the Merchandise Mart and see whether they have anything going. A few years ago we went there w/ someone who had ';access,'; an interior designer-type. We were 4 women - 18 y.o. to 55 y.o. and everyone enjoyed visiting the various showrooms (no shopping, just displays and lots of decorating ideas).

Someone told me that access to the Mart is easier now (for us run-of-the-mill folks) and that they often have special events/themese/displays. Might be worth checking out or posting a question here.

Time Out recently had a feature on spas

鈥imeout.com/articles/spas-gyms/71123/stretc鈥?/a>

Take a look at travelzoo.com for hotel deals, I%26#39;ve been seeing some for under $100 a night recently

Cooking classes

http://www.chicagoworldkitchen.org/

I enjoyed the Chic Chicago exhibit at the Chicago History Museum, you could easily combine that with a visit to the Lincoln Park Conservatory (free) or Lincoln Park Zoo (free), lunch or dinner at Adobo Grill or Mon Ami Gabi, a show at Second City

chicagohistory.org/planavisit/鈥hic-chicago

Another fun idea if you haven%26#39;t done it is a free neighborhood tour. Check www.chicagogreeter.com.

There is a great walking tour that includes neighborhoods and food tastings. We are from out of town and have done Chicago many times as well - We loved it! Chicagofoodplanet.com Now, since we did all the tastings we go back on our visits and buy from the ';stops'; we made. It was interesting to see a side of Chicago that locals see. It takes about 3 hours and was an easy walk with many stops. Loved it?