Illinois

Romance does not always require luxury resorts or big-city skylines. Some of Illinois’ most memorable weekend getaways are…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 3

Illinois has plenty of seafood restaurants, but few inspire the kind of loyal following earned by Captain Porky’s…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 3

Chicago’s newest cultural landmark is already becoming one of Illinois’ most talked-about attractions. The Obama Presidential Center, which…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 3

Learning feels a lot more exciting when kids can touch, build, experiment, and discover for themselves. Fortunately, Illinois…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 2

Bookstores and coffee shops are a perfect pairing, but few places blend the two as seamlessly as Town…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 2

Finding an attraction that keeps kids, teens, and adults entertained at the same time is not always easy,…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 1

Few dining experiences are as satisfying as sliding into a booth at a classic roadside diner, where the…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 1

Chicago is home to plenty of unusual attractions, but few are as fascinating—or as delightfully creepy—as The Insect…

By Abigail Cox · Jul 1

A truly great pastry is worth going out of your way for, and Illinois is home to bakeries…

By Abigail Cox · Jun 30

Some diners earn a loyal following through variety, while others become famous for one dish that customers simply…

By Abigail Cox · Jun 30

Illinois may not be famous for caves, but some of the state’s most spectacular hiking trails reveal a…

By Abigail Cox · Jun 29

Route 66 is packed with memorable roadside attractions, but few capture the spirit of classic Americana quite like…

By Abigail Cox · Jun 29

Chicago is famous for its hot dogs, but few places have achieved legendary status quite like Gene &…

By Abigail Cox · Jun 29

Great barbecue is not always found in flashy restaurants with long marketing campaigns and polished dining rooms. In…

By Abigail Cox · Jun 28

Few breakfast restaurants in America can claim the kind of legacy that surrounds Lou Mitchell’s. Serving hungry diners…

By Abigail Cox · Jun 28

Illinois is known for prairies, farmland, and small-town charm, but one destination in the southern part of the…

By Abigail Cox · Jun 27

Chicago is home to countless bookstores, but few inspire the kind of devoted following earned by Myopic Books…

By Abigail Cox · Jun 27

For crafters, quilters, sewists, and DIY enthusiasts, a great fabric store can be just as inspiring as the…

By Abigail Cox · Jun 27

Illinois is home to plenty of charming small towns, but few feel quite as distinctive as Arcola. Known…

By Abigail Cox · Jun 26

Few sights capture the feeling of summer quite like a field of blooming sunflowers stretching toward the horizon.…

By Abigail Cox · Jun 26

Chicago is one of America’s great food cities, but some restaurants offer far more than just an excellent…

By Abigail Cox · Jun 25

Some ice cream shops come and go, but a select few become part of a community’s identity. Petersen’s…

By Abigail Cox · Jun 25

Some restaurants become famous for fine dining, while others earn their reputation by serving portions that seem almost…

By Abigail Cox · Jun 25

For book lovers, few things are more exciting than discovering a bookstore where every aisle promises a new…

By Abigail Cox · Jun 24

Finding a peaceful outdoor escape can feel impossible when popular parks are packed with visitors, crowded trails, and…

By Abigail Cox · Jun 24

Illinois is filled with hidden attractions, but few are as unexpected as the towering Rock Men of Rockford.…

By Abigail Cox · Jun 24

Few foods satisfy quite like a plate of soul food, and Chicago is packed with restaurants that serve…

By Abigail Cox · Jun 23

You do not have to be a pilot to appreciate the thrill of standing beneath a fighter jet.…

By Abigail Cox · Jun 23

Great sandwiches can turn an ordinary road trip into a destination, and one Amish Country market in Illinois…

By Abigail Cox · Jun 22