Spring Grove, 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

This segment of the Ice Age Trail features stairs, river views, pretty rocks, a nice park, and a golf course.  We started at the north end (not the park end) and enjoyed it.  If you have kids, I would recommend starting at the park end.  It is an out-and-back type hike.  From the south end of the...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

Park Hours: 6AM to 10PM  Official Nashotah Park Website Excerpt from the website: Nashotah Park is a 444-acre park nestled among rolling hills, woodlands, wetlands, and grasslands that offer habitat for deer, waterfowl and a variety of songbirds. Nature trails lead through easily identifiable lan...