The White Mountains National Forest is most well known for being home to Mt. Washington, the highest mountain in the Northeast (6288 ft) and one of the windiest places on Earth (wind speeds reached 231 miles per hour back in 1934). The area is very popular for recreational activities, especially ...

Starved Rock State Park is frequently rated the top attraction in Illinois. The park is very popular with over 2 million visits a year. Known for its’ beautiful canyons and waterfalls, Starved Rock is one of the most popular escapes from the hustle and bustle of Chicago. The legend of the ...

On our road trip home from Chicago, Mike and I wanted to check out a new city. We had heard a lot of good feedback about Pittsburgh. Since it was located near the halfway point of our route, we decided to give it a try. Pittsburgh was a lot nicer than I expected with a […]

Visiting a big city does not always equate to spending big bucks. In fact, cities can often be the cheapest tourist destinations considering the many free attractions. Chicago is home to some of the world’s top tourist attractions including world-class zoos, museums, and parks. Many of these ...

I have always wanted to spend the day riding along Chicago’s magnificent 18 mile long Lakefront Path. Despite living in the city for years, I never managed the opportunity. Most of my visits have taken place during the snowy winter months. There are plenty of fantastic things to do in ...

The Rosebud on Taylor Street in Chicago is truly an authentic Italian dining experience. Located just outside of downtown in Little Italy, The Rosebud is the perfect quiet dinner hotspot away from the tourist crowds. This celebrity hotspot was Frank Sinatra’s favorite spot in the city. Along ...

Dixon, Illinois, a small town in Northwest Illinois, is most well known for being the hometown of President Ronald Reagan. In addition to the Reagan house, there are plenty of other historical attractions in town, including: the Memorial Arch, the Lincoln Memorial, and Veterans Memorial Park. The ...

Little Red School House is one of my favorite places to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Located just 20 minutes outside of Chicago, this hiking and nature area is easily accessible for a weekday or weekend outing. There are 2 nicely shaded trails here: The White Oak Trail and the Black ...

Lake Katherine is a scenic nature preserve located in Palos Heights, just a half hour or so from downtown Chicago. This beautiful recreation area includes a walking path, gardens, an arboretum, and a waterfall. Mike & I got up early one morning during our Chicago trip as we knew crowds would ...

Lowden State Park in Oregon, Illinois is most famous for its’ historic 50 foot tall, 100 ton Blackhawk statue. The impressive Blackhawk statue, which is dedicated to all Native Americans, stands as the world’s second largest concrete monolithic statue. We were able to get up close and ...