Lake Villa, Illinois

North Avenue Beach, located in Chicago’s Lincoln Park, is one of the city’s most popular lakefront spots. Its iconic beach house, designed to resemble an ocean liner, offers 22,000 square feet of space, including upper decks and portholes for stunning views of Lake Michigan and the bustling lakef...

Your journey begins at the Fox River Sanctuary and E.B. Shurts Environmental Education Center at 810 College Avenue in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Parking is plentiful, and you'll find restrooms and bubblers (or, water fountains to you non-natives) available seasonally. The Glacial Drumlin Trailhead is ...

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...

To access the complex, head south from downtown Milwaukee along 1st St. Once you reach Greenfield Ave., turn left heading East. You'll pass under a concrete train bridge before seeing an open field on your right. Park your car along the street and head south past the crumbled brick of another for...

Urban explorers, meet your new favorite spot. Located right outside of downtown Milwaukee, Jones' Island is home to a water reclamation facility, road salt storage, milorganite, the Port of Milwaukee and more. But us explorers view it as a desolate haven ready to become our canvas. Train tracks a...

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...

Ice Age Trail: Scuppernong is a point-to-point trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Dousman, Wisconsin.

Millennium Park in Chicago, which opened in 2004, is a world-class public space featuring iconic landmarks like Cloud Gate (“The Bean”) and the Crown Fountain. Originally a rail yard, the park was transformed as part of a larger effort to revitalize the downtown area. It spans 24.5 acres and serv...

Visiting Chicago I was on a mission to find a great outdoors spot to be in. This definitely fulfilled my goal of finding a beautiful garden to hangout in! There are plenty of different paths and areas to explore just within the city! Location Located in Millennium Park it will be easy to find,...

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...

Grant Park is located on the east side of Chicago. It is a great place to spend the day and explore. From the famous "Bean", which is actually named "the cloud", to Buckingham Fountain there is plenty to see in this park. It is also a great place to see the Chicago skyline, as well as have a picn...

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...