Antioch, Illinois

Officially called the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory, this is a great stop to learn about some plants and take some photographs.  You can even catch live music or a light show!    Location: Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory - 524 S. Layton Boulevard, Milwaukee, WI 53215 Admission...

Elm Grove Park is one of the most picture perfect parks in the SE WI area, so be sure to stay for sunset as the sky lights up! The 1 mile long trail wraps the perimeter of the park. It is paved the entire way, if you want to venture off trail feel free. Dogs are permitted at this park! There is a...

Lakeshore State Park is kind of considered a hidden gem. While yes, it's right along the Milwaukee lakefront, people don't realize just how nice and beautiful it is! This urban state park features two loops (the Hank Aaron and Oak Leaf) that total 1.7 miles. To access the park, you can either par...

You will find plenty of unique things going on at this park at all times. People swimming at the beach on the east end of the lake, people canoeing from the boat launch, grilling, hiking around the perimeter of the lake, and plenty of people fishing on one of two piers. Dogs are welcome and encou...

There are not many sandy beaches in the lovely state of Wisconsin.  This might be the best one.  If you are from Wisconsin, you also might consider Lake Michigan an ocean when you are craving a real ocean.  And it comes close!  Even though it’s not on a real ocean, this beach has it all. There’s ...

Head 30 minutes west from Milwaukee along I-94 and you'll find yourself in the quaint town of Delafield, WI. Head south down Genesee St. for a half mile and you'll see the entrance to Lapham Peak, part of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Once there, you can head up the winding road to the parking...

This park has it all! Lake Park Bistro, golfing, hiking, a lighthouse, hiking trails, biking trails, and picnic spots galore!  Take the Oak Leaf Trail throughout the park to make a loop around all of the main landmarks in this historic park!  There are many things to see in this park! Multiple ra...

Enjoy breathtaking views on one of the few local lakes in SE Wisconsin to see sunset all year round! From September to March the sun lines up perfectly across the lake, otherwise the sun sets to the north (right) of the beach in the summertime. There are plenty of spots to sit and watch as the su...

A great park that you can park nearby the lake (down by the boat launch), or park in the designated parking lot and take the boardwalk down to the lake, you can't go wrong with these views. There is a looped trail that goes from the boat launch, along the lake all the way to the beach. This a gre...

Chicago – the third largest city in the US and home to the deep dish pizza – doesn’t exactly scream “outdoorsy.” In reality, there is much more to Chicago than skyscrapers; there are dozens of parks, outdoor music venues, and the city is right on Lake Michigan, making it very easy on the eyes. Be...

One of Milwaukee's truly hidden gems, this beach is right off of Capitol Drive and approximately 50 stairs down from the bluffs to the shoreline!  You can park anywhere on the road (Lake Drive) and be a short walk to the main overlook. This beach has many jetties that go out into the water which ...

This is an easy trail for beginners, with a packed gravel clearly-marked trail shared  by walkers, runners, bicyclists, and even horses (the trail is next to Denada Equestrian Center).  Gently sloping trails lead through prairie land, next to small ponds filled with singing frogs, some wooded are...

This is a six-mile loop along the banks of the Salt Creek in Oakbrook, IL. The flat trail features trees and wildflowers (great walk to do in autumn). Trail is also good for bike riders. There is a picnic area and the Graue Mill and Museum. Graue Mill is 150 years old and played a part in the Und...

The Morton Arboretum is located off of Route 53 in Lisle, IL. The arboretum spans both the east and west sides of the road. Head to the east side of the park to access the Main Trail Loops. Visitors have to pay a small fee to enter the arboretum ($14 April through November, $9 December through Ma...

Lakeshore Path: North Ave Beach to Navy Pier is a point-to-point trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Chicago, Illinois.

This trail is almost 7 miles one-way (14 miles out-and-back) of paved path, makes for an ideal biking (especially those of us with road bikes), skating, and even running path. The trail runs out-and-back along the Salt Creek in Brookfield, IL. The trailhead is right near the Brookfield Zoo (for a...