Plan your Illinois getaway! Explore diverse attractions, rich history, and breathtaking scenery. Your perfect travel experience in the heart of the Midwest awaits with trip ideas including driving Route 66 or the Great River Road, exploring the Shawnee Wine Trail, discovering cities like Springfield and Galena or state parks like Starved Rock, and so much more.
While we were on our last mega road trip my mom celebrated her one-year cancer-free scan. If that doesn’t call for a celebration, I don’t know what does! It was time to put my thinking cap on and find somewhere … Continued
You’ll find many opportunities to stop along the eight-state journey but there are a few famous Route 66 roadside attractions and hidden gems that you MUST experience on your trip. From the utterly awesome to the notably historic to the … Continued
It’s time to hit the road again. We are leaving Springfield, the Land of Lincoln, and heading to the Gateway of the West, St. Louis. The two cities are only about 100 miles apart, but we took our time stopping … Continued
We have driven from Chicago to St. Louis and back, countless times over the years. Before sitting down to write this, I actually tried to calculate how many times we’ve taken the mind-numbing drive. It has to be at least … Continued
There’s nothing that captures the heart and soul of America like a cross-country road trip. From the very beginning of the westward expansion, promises of prosperity and opportunity enticed Americans to make the long journey. With the invention and eventual … Continued
We have tent camped, truck camped and stayed in a pop up, but we had never stayed in a cabin. There’s something about the idea of snuggling up in a tiny house in the woods that is exciting. It’s definitely … Continued
No disrespect to my home state of Illinois, but the prairie land is not the first place that comes to mind for diverse landscapes. I was proven wrong this weekend when making a trip from Chicago to Shawnee National Forest … Continued
As we pull into the parking lot, gasps of breath come from the two in the backseat. Bright colored flags atop of the large castle flap in the wind, signaling the impending tournament. Excitement and anticipation fills the air. My … Continued