ONE-TANK TRIPS

ILLINOIS

Oct. 17-23 | Fashion Focus Chicago 2011, 7:30 p.m., Millennium Park and venues citywide, Michigan Ave and Randolph streets, Chicago, explorechicago.org

This event is a week-long celebration of Chicago's thriving fashion industry. Some of the city's top designers will have runway shows in Millennium Park and at various locations around the city. The week will also include a variety of free and affordable shopping events and industry happenings.

Oct. 28-30 | Halloween Franken Plaza, Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St., Chicago, (312) 443-5500, chicagoween.us

Halloween is more than a day in Chicago; it's an entire season. The city, parks, buildings and streets are decorated and filled with an array of activities for families children.

Through Oct. 29 | Navy Pier Fall Fireworks, 9 p.m. every Sat, Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, navypier.com, (312) 595-PIER

Changing leaves aren't the only source of brilliant colors this fall. Spectacular lakefront fireworks continue to dazzle the Chicago skyline. Plus, as part of the Fall Fireworks, Navy Pier presents the "Chicago Celebrity Playlist" series featuring music selected by notable Chicago artists and sports figures. The best place to hear the music and view the fireworks is on Dock Street.

Through Oct. 30 | Landmarks of America, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe, (847) 935-5440, chicagobotanic.org

A family favorite during its 12th season, the Model Railroad Garden delights visitors of all ages with the sights and sounds of garden-scale trains traversing bridges and trestles, past miniature scenes of America's best-loved landmarks and beautiful gardens planted to scale.

INDIANA

Oct. 14-17 | Elvis FANtasy Fest, Woodland Park Community Center, 2100 Willowcreek Rd., Portage, (317) 844-7354, elvisfantasyfest.com

This festival is an annual fundraiser for Porter County Special Olympics. Its goal is to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of 1956 with live entertainment, Elvis games and auctions, free sock hop, Elvis vendor convention and a buffet.

MICHIGAN

Oct. 8 | New Buffalo Harvest & Wine Fest, noon to 10 p.m., Lion's Park, downtown New Buffalo, (773) 791-1809, newbuffalo.org

The New Buffalo Business Association and the Four Winds Casino are hosting the 5th annual festival featuring a copious farmers market, world-class wines from Southwest Michigan, tasty fare from area restaurants, live music, hayrides, a pumpkin patch and more.