We love Chicago, but it’s also nice to get away every now and then. Find the best weekend excursions and getaways in Chicago and beyond.
Some of our most memorable Chicago moments are when we’re perched atop a fabulous rooftop, sipping delicious cocktails and enjoying light bites. Luckily, we have no shortage of spectacular rooftops downtown, e...
Apologies to everyone in Chicago, but despite our beautiful beaches, it seems we don’t have the best one. In fact, the top beach in the Midwest isn’t even located in Illinois; it’s in Michigan. ...
If you venture deep into Southern Illinois, you’ll encounter Kinkaid Lake—a stunning 2,750-acre area located in Jackson County. Constructed in the late 1960s by the Crisenberry Dam on Kinkaid Creek, th...
A short drive from Chicago, you will find a sprawling 3,000-acre park in Oceana County along the Lake Michigan shoreline; it’s an impressive oasis compared to the crowded shores of North Avenue and Oak Beach....
Did you know there is a family-owned plant store along Clark Street that covers almost two entire blocks? Oh, and it happens to be one of the oldest in the city. Since its opening in 1977, Gethsemane Garden Cent...
There are many places to make a splash this summer, but one of the most unique spots is Hall Quarry Beach. Located in Batavia, this facility was built into a former stone quarry and has been transformed into a sand...
Even though we are in Illinois, we don’t have to venture too far to find some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world. If you drive about 100 miles west of Chicago, you will transition from one of...
Lake Michigan is dotted with popular and breathtaking beaches, making it difficult to choose the best one. While staying in Chicago is an option, the inland lakes and quarries in the suburbs offer picturesque views...
No, we can’t compare Chicago to places like Aruba, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico—we’re not a tropical paradise, even though we are surrounded by water. While Chicago is an architectural gem, it doesn̵...
Two things are true: first, Lake Michigan is glorious during the summer, but it can get quite crowded; second, when we want a reprieve from the chaos, there are plenty of beautiful, smaller lakes that rival those o...
