Illinois

Wide stretches of open water, sandy beaches, and colorful sailboats give Carlyle Lake the kind of summer atmosphere…

By Abigail Cox · Aug 2

Rows of expertly cut steaks, handcrafted sausages, house-smoked meats, and specialty cuts make Paulina Market a destination long…

By Abigail Cox · Aug 1

The dessert case at Blue Springs Cafe has been stopping travelers in their tracks for decades. Famous for…

By Abigail Cox · Aug 1

Adventure doesn’t have to begin in a big city or a famous national park. Across Illinois, small towns…

By Abigail Cox · Aug 1

Slip beneath the streets of River North and the atmosphere changes almost instantly. At Untitled Supper Club, exposed…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 31

Boat masts swaying in the breeze, waterfront patios, and the sound of Lake Michigan nearby aren’t the first…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 31

Choosing where to eat in Winnetka is harder than it looks. This North Shore community packs an impressive…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 31

Stepping through the doors of Haven 1890 feels like discovering a piece of Chicago history with an entirely…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 30

Before coffee chains filled every corner, the neighborhood soda fountain was where people gathered for hand-dipped ice cream,…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 30

Biting into one of Albano’s Pizzeria’s famous giant pizza puffs is enough to understand why hungry customers keep…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 30

Fresh fried fish somehow tastes even better with a river breeze and a picnic table nearby. That’s part…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 29

Long daylight hours deserve something more memorable than another evening spent indoors. That’s where Novelty Golf & Games…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 29

The best summer movie seat might already be parked in your driveway. Pulling into a drive-in theater just…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 29

White tablecloths and elaborate presentations are easy to find, but they’re rarely what keep people coming back year…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 28

Nothing says summer quite like an afternoon built around something sweet. That’s exactly the feeling waiting at HEY…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 28

Ghoulish Mortals has become one of Illinois’ most unusual shopping destinations, welcoming visitors to downtown St. Charles with…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 27

Bari Foods has earned its reputation as one of Illinois’ most iconic Italian delis, drawing sandwich lovers to…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 27

DeKalb’s restaurant scene offers far more variety than many first-time visitors expect, with longtime local favorites serving everything…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 27

Zion is quickly becoming one of Illinois’ most talked-about Lake Michigan beach towns, attracting visitors with wide sandy…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 26

Illinois is home to some of the Midwest’s best vegetarian brunch restaurants, where creative meat-free menus, fresh local…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 26

With a population of around 7,000, Salem might not seem like an obvious destination for food lovers—but that’s…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 26

Word spreads quickly when a sandwich shop consistently gets everything right. Throughout Southern Illinois, locally owned delis, cafés,…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 25

Long before craft cocktail bars became fashionable, The Village Tavern was already serving guests in the heart of…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 25

Afternoon tea becomes an experience rather than just a meal at High Tea With Gerri, a charming tea…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 24

For more than 65 years, Harner’s Bakery & Restaurant has been one of Illinois’ most beloved destinations for…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 24

Ordering gluten-free pizza shouldn’t feel like choosing the consolation prize. Across Illinois, pizzerias are putting just as much…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 24

Alton is one of Illinois’ most rewarding antique-shopping destinations, pairing a historic Mississippi River setting with a downtown…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 23

Corned beef has been part of Illinois dining culture for generations, and the state’s best delis and diners…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 23

Community Threads is one of Illinois’ largest thrift stores, giving bargain hunters the chance to fill an entire…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 23