Men's Journal

Kayak the blue waters of the Puget Sound or ride the melodic waves of the blues. From Washington State to Chicago, we’ve got you covered this weekend.

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By Chase Scheinbaum and Tara House

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Puget Sound Challenge, May 22

Puget Sound, Washington

Launch into the gunmetal waters of the Puget Sound this weekend for a 15-mile sampler of sea-spray, day breeze, and bald eagles. Wait — was that sea-spray, or was it an orca exhaling? Your kayak will glide through calm waters teeming with wild salmon, set against a backdrop of temperate rainforest. You’ll be tagging along for one leg of the Puget Sound Challenge, a 150-mile traverse (done over 13 days spread throughout the year) that covers the length of the Sound. Saturday’s tour slices through a section of the killer whale-filled inlet just south of Bainbridge Island. After departing from Manchester State Park, you’ll loop around Blake Island, an unspoiled, tree-covered nub of deep green pines. A $50 donation fee gets you an organized tour, with boaters who know the waterways, and supports the water trails that give paddlers access to the area. Click here to see a map of what Saturday’s tour looks like.

After this day-long introduction to paddling the Sound, make the most of your time there by tackling any of the other itineraries of the Puget Sound Challenge. Check out this list of the 13 segments that comprise the event.

Travel and Accommodations

Manchester is about an hour from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, on the other side of the Sound. Camping among the fir and maple trees of Manchester State Park is a good bet for sleeping outdoors; $21 per campsite (click here to make a reservation). Click here to see a map and get driving directions to the event’s put-in. Before (or after) you hit the backcountry, have a taste of cosmopolitan culture at Zig Zag Café, a renowned bar and restaurant in Seattle with sandwiches and good, strong drinks.

Chicago Blues Weekend, May 21-23

Chicago, Illinois

The blues has always played a significant role in the culture of music, and even if you’ve never spent a second succumbing to its rhythm and sound, this weekend we suggest you embrace and celebrate the genre by heading to the Windy City for its annual “Chicago Blues Weekend.” The blues has acquired quite a heavy history there, and this weekend just might open your eyes, ears, and heart to a music that has tugged at the heartstrings of millions for generations.

Kicking off Friday night, the Chicago Blues Express leaves local pub Lizzie McNeill’s, at 8PM and 9PM. The trip includes five hours of blues music at three different venues, two drink tickets, and a CD download from the Lee’s Unleaded Blues Chainsaw Dupont album release party. Advanced tickets are required and can be purchased here, for $75.

On Saturday head to Lizzie McNeill’s once again for the official Chicago Blues Tour and pub-crawl. Featuring 10 clubs and 11 different bands, the tour pulls out at 8PM; buy tickets in advance and arrive early, as the blues-cruise tends to sell out quick. If you can’t make it this Saturday, try another; the event takes place every weekend.

The last day of “Chicago Blues Weekend” starts bright and early on Sunday morning with a Gospel Brunch at 10AM at the House of Blues, or a trip on the Maxwell Blues Shuttle starting at 9:30AM. Advanced tickets are required for both — shuttle tickets can be purchased here, and for brunch tickets please call (312) 923-2000. If you missed the first Blues Express on Friday, make sure to catch the second on Sunday night at 9PM, and bid farewell to your musical weekend of the right way.

Travel & Accommodations

The Congress Plaza Hotel features special rates for this weekend’s festivities every year and is conveniently located in the middle of all the fun, on Michigan Avenue. Simply call up and request the Blues Weekend package.

Another great blues spot to visit this weekend is Buddy Guy’s Legends. And of course, while blowing around the Windy City, be sure to explore and see what else Chicago has to offer.