Interesting and adventurous destinations in the state of Illinois. Numerous type of locations and activities will be involved, but the distinctions here is based only on geographic location.
Specifically, we intend to include several types of articles about the state.
Illinois State Parks, which are numerous and varied, including the available activities and lodging options.
National Parks and monuments located within the geographical boundaries of the state, with recommendations and guides from the National Park Service.
City Guides- for specific significant cities in the state. City guides will be a mix of great things to do, great places to eat, free activities, sports teams, historical significance, major festivals, and places to stay.
Local Favorites, based upon reader feedback, to make recommendations around the state.
Special Attractions will include many small town features unique to Illinois, such as the Makanda main street store fronts, with their specialized features, or the Casey World’s Biggest selections, as featured on USA Today.
This post was most recently updated on May 6th, 2022. What is there to do if you are feeling the need to get away, but you are not quite ready to go away? Are you feeling the call of nature? Feeling nostalgic for a simpler time? It might be the perfect time for a farm stay! Whether you call it a […]
This post was most recently updated on May 17th, 2022. Chicago is more than hot dogs, deep dish pizza and bitterly cold winters. It’s a city of mesmerizing architecture that’s best seen on a boat cruise and has a pace that’s less intimidating than other major cities in the United States. There are so many thins to do in Chicago. Just […]
This post was most recently updated on June 17th, 2020. The Great American Road Trip has probably spurred fantasies in the heart of every American with a wandering heart, and every person from around the world who has ever dreamed of driving through the wide open spaces of the southwest. Â And for most, driving route 66, driving the Mother Road, […]
This post was most recently updated on May 31st, 2022. If you are looking for a weekend destination in the Midwest, we think you should consider Springfield, Illinois. It may be a relatively small city, without a lot of bi city glamour. But there are tons of things to do in Springfield, Illinois, and plenty of reasons a weekend in Springfield, […]
This post was most recently updated on October 9th, 2018. Hideaway Cabins in Shawnee National Forest are a perfect base for adventures, including Giant City Stables, Giant City Lodge, and the Garden of the Gods! Sometimes we all just need a quick escape, a way to hideaway. Â Life gets hectic. Â Everything seems to pile up and weigh upon us. Â We […]
This post was most recently updated on October 23rd, 2017. Need some time away? Down in Southern Illinois, in Makanda, Illinois,  near Carbondale, there rests an incredible State Park with an astounding  4,000 acres. Lying within the Shawnee National Forest is Giant City State Park. This park is full of many different wild flowers and over 72 varieties of trees, which you learn about on […]
This post was most recently updated on June 24th, 2018. Recently, my best friend and traveling companion, VerNessa, and I needed a quick getaway. Â As it happened, the home of Superman, Â Metropolis, Illinois, was exactly the right place. Â VerNessa has a fascination for tree, and really wants to see the Sequoias. Â But, hopping in a plane and heading […]
This post was most recently updated on October 9th, 2018. Being born and raised in The Land of Lincoln, you would think I would have visited New Salem Village many times. Â I have been fortunate to take school field trips to the location where Abraham Lincoln, the nation’s 16th president, is buried. As an adult, I have visited Gettysburg National […]
This post was most recently updated on August 17th, 2018. Whenever we are craving some adventure, we hop into the car and head to Matthiessen State Park. Sometimes the whole family goes, and sometimes we go when Mom is at work, and we guys are feeling the need to get out of the house, and do some exploring.  Charlie, our […]
This post was most recently updated on October 9th, 2018. The National Parks of the United States are well known around the globe, but what is not as commonly known is that the country also boasts an amazing network of US State Parks. An astonishing number of state parks are filled with small natural wonders, are well maintained, and visiting […]
This post was most recently updated on July 10th, 2017. The Olde English Faire is an annual Renaissance Fair held in central Illinois. I attended the Faire with Brittany, Cash and Jaxon, who you can read about on our Traveling Companions page. If you are not familiar with a Renaissance Fair, it is an event celebrating the post medieval times, […]
