This sum­mer, the Chicago Greeter pro­gram invites locals to explore a new neigh­bor­hood or Chicago tra­di­tion with a Chicago Greeter. From June 1 – July 31, Chicagoans can cel­e­brate “stay­ca­tion months” by reg­is­ter­ing for a free, cus­tomized Greeter visit. Normally avail­able only to out-of-town vis­i­tors, the Greeter ser­vice will be offered to Chicago res­i­dents exclu­sively dur­ing the months of June and July.

In 2010, vis­i­tors to Saratoga National Historical Park can find them­selves hooked on the his­tory of the Revolutionary War. This week’s National Park Getaway intro­duces Saratoga and makes poten­tial vis­i­tors aware of the recre­ational oppor­tu­ni­ties avail­able in upstate New York.

Around Missouri, out­door fun is mul­ti­plied by the dozens of unique fairs and fes­ti­vals sched­uled to take place in the com­ing months, so, no mat­ter where you live — or are vis­it­ing — in Missouri, you’ll surely find an event to your lik­ing. We’ve got sto­ry­telling events, fes­ti­vals with an inter­na­tional flair, and plenty of good food and drink. So put away your snow boots and grab your ten­nis shoes, it’s time to stroll through Missouri’s fes­ti­val landscape.

Ford’s Theatre Society announced the spring and sum­mer 2010 sched­ule for its pop­u­lar History on Foot walk­ing tours, which are guided by actors play­ing char­ac­ters from Civil War Washington. The tours begin out­side of the his­toric Ford’s Theatre (511 10th Street NW) and con­tinue through down­town Washington, D.C. Beginning March 24, 2010, Ford’s will offer the assas­si­na­tion con­spir­acy walk­ing tour “Investigation: Detective McDevitt,” includ­ing two tours on April 15, the anniver­sary of Lincoln’s assas­si­na­tion. The pop­u­lar “A Free Black Woman: Elizabeth Keckly” tour will begin April 3, 2010, and con­tinue through August.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has named The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail one of its 2010 Dozen Distinctive Destinations. The Crooked Road was selected for blend­ing eco-tourism and small town charm with the Appalachian region’s musi­cal her­itage, pro­vid­ing vis­i­tors with a unique cul­tural expe­ri­ence that spans 300 miles across 19 towns. In the month of February, The Crooked Road will be par­tic­i­pat­ing in the first-ever pub­lic online vot­ing con­test for the 2010 Dozen Distinctive Destinations Fan Favorite.