A beautiful wife, the silliest 3-year-old son on the planet, and an adorable, sweet, and hilarious now 1-year-old daughter, Mattie Marie.
Rachel and I have been married for more than 4 years now. She’s only seen me cry two times.
1: When she walked down the aisle at our wedding. Yes, I was a mess! Rightfully so, she looked like an angel coming down to me at the front of the church.
2: When Bennett walked into the living room at our old apartment holding a book that read “How to Be a Big Brother.”
It took us a little longer to get pregnant with Mattie than it did with Bennett. A big part of the emotion that overcame me arose from the months that passed by, with no pregnancy tests. In the greater picture, our wait has nothing on the pain and hardship many couples are going through right now. I want to acknowledge that completely, and say that Rachel and I are praying for you, and are sending you all the love and good energy in your journey.
Looking back at the last year, it’s been quite eventful. A year full of blessings, but also hardships, all of which lead us to loving Mattie that much more.
Mattie was born just 2 days before Christmas, 5 days after Rachel’s due date. No signs were happening that the baby was coming, so at 40 weeks Rachel was scheduled to be induced. We were grateful to be welcomed to OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria the morning of December 23rd, and Rachel gave birth to Mattie later that day.
We were discharged from the hospital the evening of Christmas Eve, and were able to spend Christmas at home, ringing in the New Year with Rachel’s side of the family. It was a really special time.
That first month, Mattie was just along for the ride to our fast paced life, tagging along to everything Bennett wanted to do. We visited the arcade at Northwoods Mall, walked around Bass Pro Shops, and went to Elevate trampoline park to let Bennett burn off some steam indoors. January in Peoria is no joke! Mattie got her first taste of St. Louis, both Rachel and I’s hometown, as well as going to Springfield, MO for our nephew’s birthday party. Mattie enjoyed seeing all the wildlife and fishies at Wonders of Wildlife.
In February, Mattie went on her first plane ride! We headed somewhere southwest and warmer, to good ole Phoenix, Arizona. What a great trip!
I’ll write a full 2025 recap before New Year’s Day of 2026.
Our first major hardship with Mattie was in May, when she spiked a 104 fever and we had to take her to the emergency department. She was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and had to stay in the hospital for 12 days. It was the hardest thing we ever went through, and something that will last with us forever. It was so sad to see her so sick, but I’m so thankful to the OSF medical staff for taking amazing care of our miracle baby. The doctors and nurses helped us every step of the way, and ensured she made a full recovery so that we could go home. We are forever grateful.
In her first year, Mattie has visited 7 states! Illinois, Missouri, Arizona, Florida, Tennessee, Indiana and Iowa (I need to check with Rachel to make sure I didn’t forget one, haha). She’s a great traveler, just like her brother. I think she even enjoys roller coasters more than him already! We’ll see once they’re both older.
She’s been a beach babe and a Disney princess, now we just need to get her to the Colorado mountains!
Mattie’s humor is the absolute best. She is SO funny, and she knows it, too. It’s quite the boisterous house we have; Bennett running around like crazy, singing songs, dancing, asking to wrestle or play with monster trucks. Now Mattie is crawling everywhere (and she’s FAST!) yelling all along the way.
Another great thing about Mattie is how much her and Bennett love each other. Bennett is such a great big brother, and Mattie just thinks he’s the greatest thing ever. She laughs at everything he does, and loves to spend time with him. We are looking forward to seeing their relationship grow as they both get older.
With beautiful blue eyes and a contagious smile, Mattie is a truly gorgeous baby girl. I thank God for the blessing she has been in our family’s life.
We love Mattie with everything we have. Happy birthday, sweetheart.
(SANTA CLAUS, INDIANA) — Did you know there’s a place in America that celebrates Christmas all year long?
Imagine Christmas stores, reindeer, bright lights, candies, chestnuts roasting and so much more. Well, that’s exactly what to expect in Santa Claus, Indiana.
Named after the big man himself, Santa Claus wasn’t the town’s original name. Originally known as Santa Fee, the town’s application for a post office was rejected back in the 1850s. The reason? There was a different town named Santa Fe, Indiana.
Legend has it that on a cold December day, the folks in the town gathered in a small, log church on Christmas Eve to discuss a new town name.
“Suddenly, a gust of wind blew open the church doors and the sound of sleigh bells drifted inside. The children ran to the door and shouted, “Santa Claus! Santa Claus!” The decision of what to name the town became clear. The name was accepted by the United States Post Office Department. The Santa Claus, Indiana, Post Office was established on May 21, 1856,” according to the Santa Claus, Indiana website.
Nearly 170 years later, here we are. Deemed “America’s Christmas Hometown,” Santa Claus has a population of roughly 2,600 people. However, the magical Midwest getaway welcomes more than 1 million people per year!
In this article, I’m going to tell you why. In doing so, let’s dive into where you can stay, eat, and experience Christmas magic along the way.
A beautiful duplex in a quiet neighborhood, Around the Corner 108 is in the perfect location for your visit. Located in a duplex neighborhood right behind Santa’s Lodge, the rental property offers two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen, spacious living room and outdoor patio.
As a family of four, this was the perfect amount of space for us. The main bedroom has a king bed, plenty of closet space, and a private bathroom & shower.
Bedroom #2 is also spacious, fitted with a queen bed that also has a full size pull out mattress underneath. The living room area also an air mattress. The second bathroom is connected to the living space, and while you’ll need to bring your own shampoo and conditioner, hand soap is available on the sink, and a bar of soap in the top left drawer for showers. There’s also a closet with a washer and dryer.
The kitchen is great. It has all the utensils you could need, especially if you plan to enjoy meals inside the house. There’s a stove, oven, fridge & freezer, microwave, dish washer and more.
If you’re traveling with kids, there are games for them to enjoy, as well as a travel pack n’ play, kids’ dinnerware, and a clampable high chair.
Proximity to everything is key. Staying here, you’ll be roughly 2-5 minutes from everything! We really enjoyed our stay, and thank Jodey for being a great host.
With a castle-like facade, step into The Chateau, located just 10 minutes from Santa Claus in Dale. Order off the menu, or enjoy the dinner buffet with fried chicken, fish, pork, green beans, mashed potatoes & gravy and a full salad bar that was fantastic.
Our server was wonderful, and the food was great! Like I said, you can order off the menu and get a chicken philly cheesesteak, which Rachel enjoyed, or chicken nuggets & fries, which Bennett ate. I’ve got a seafood lover in my daughter Mattie, which makes this dad happy. She chowed down on the fish, mashed potatoes and green beans with me.
Right in what I’d call the town’s main shopping area, North Kringle Place, you’ll find S&S BBQ & Pizzeria. We’re two-for-two on buffets and salad bars! The salad bar was packed with all the great toppings you’d want. This time, we enjoyed a pizza buffet! S&S also owns Annie’s Ice Cream and Coffee Shop which is in the same building. S&S is decorated all out, not for Santa, but for The Grinch! Once again, the staff was super great and welcoming. Make sure to get the fried green beans as an appetizer! The bread sticks are also perfect for kids to enjoy.
When Santa’s taking a break from eating cookies and drinking milk, he’s probably hanging out at Santa Claus Brewing Co., enjoying local bites and craft beer.
Santa Claus Brewing Co. held its official ribbon-cutting on November 23, 2022. Here you can find chicken wings, sauced or dry rub, burgers, appetizers and more. The craft beers rotate, and are all brewed by St. Benedict’s Brew Works in Ferdinand, Indiana. I enjoyed the Munich Dunkel, which was right in the middle in terms of bitterness. Not too hoppy at all, I thought the beer was smooth and enjoyable.
Located across the street from Santa’s Lodge, Fat Santa’s Pizza & More is a nice spot to order a pizza, have a soda, and enjoy the festive red & white diner-like chairs inside. There’s also an arcade inside! I really enjoyed the Santa’s Supreme (no onions or tomatoes), which was topped with black olives, beef, pepperoni, Italian sausage and mushrooms. The cheese curds we ate were great as well! Ice cream is available as well, but with a 5-hour drive we were about to embark on, we held off. Maybe next time!
Located at 301 N. Main St. in Dale, Indiana – this is an epic, free way for your family to experience Christmas lights and music in a home lights show.
The lights will dance to synchronized music. The display is 40+ minutes and starts over once it’s done. Tune your car radio to 100.3 FM to listen along!
We caught Santa climbing into the chimney! On top of the Santa Claus Christmas Store, of course. Inside you’ll find countless gifts, decorations, exhibits, while being able to take a photo with Santa Claus! There’s also a bakery to buy fudge, cookies, chocolates and more. We got the cotton candy fudge and candy cane fudge. On the far right side of the building is an ornament store which has just about every ornament you can imagine!
Got a letter to send through USPS? Why not take a selfie in with Santa before heading inside? There’s an actual post office on North Kringle Place, and Rachel sent off one of her packages! In front of the building is a large Santa Claus statue holding a United States Post Office sign. The Post Office is just up the street from the Christmas Museum, S&S BBQ & Pizzeria and Santa’s Toys.
This has to be the best way to learn about the story of Rudolph! Drive through the woods of Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph and see a spectacular lights show along the way. Through the drive, you’ll read different signs about Rudolph that match the lights sparkling in that section. Enjoy multiple light-up tunnels while driving through a smooth car path in the woods! There appear to be cabins you can rent in this area! Seems like a very cool place, and right next to Holiday World!
This was an amazing highlight of our trip. One of only two Archabbeys in the United States, and one of only eleven across the world – Saint Meinrad is a Benedictine Monastery with more than 60 monks living, working and praying here.
It was founded in 1854 by monks in Switzerland who came to Southern Indiana at the request of a local priest.
Saint Meinrad is revered in Catholicism as the “Martyr of Hospitality.” In 861, he was murdered by robbers who came to his hermitage. Although he invited them in for food & drink, he was killed, and the robbers fled in fear, taking nothing.
The public is invited to tour the Archabbey grounds for free. Our family really enjoyed the beauty of the buildings & grounds, reflecting on the history and connecting with God.
If you haven’t done all your Christmas shopping yet, here’s the place! Suited with every toy you can imagine, Santa’s Toys is located on N. Kringle Place and offers a wide array of options for families and kids to enjoy. From more affordable, $2 or $3 toys, to Melissa & Doug toys, to dinosaurs, spaceships, trains and more, Santa’s Toys is stocked with toys.
While we were there, Santa’s Reindeer Ranch brought two of the reindeer for people to come and see.
No doubt about it. If you’re a candy fan, you’ll LOVE Santa’s Candy Castle. They have just about everything you can imagine, and probably more. I love sour candies, so I went with the “Sour Boogers” and the Lemondrop Ropes. Both were fantastic! Bennett takes after his dad and also got something sour; Icee-flavored sour gummy bears. The highlight of the show for all of us? The frozen hot chocolate at the end of the store. Before you head out, stop by the food area and get you one of these. It was 10/10. So good in fact we drank it so fast I couldn’t grab a photo. Sorry! Guess you’ll have to stop by and try it for yourself. They were also holding a fun event, roasting chestnuts on an open fire! There was a great crowd listening to Christmas tales.
Another major highlight of the trip. Only mentioned last because it was the last thing we did before grabbing pizza and heading out of town! I prefer to list things out in chronological order. There are multiple things you can do at the Santa Claus Museum & Village. First, stop by the original Santa Claus Post Office. Inside you’ll be greeted by one of Santa’s elves! Your kiddo can write a letter to Santa, place it in the mailbox and ring the bells! This lets Santa’s elves know that your letter has been sent. Santa’s elves will then write you back! You can mail your letter to the post office from wherever you are and get a response. Address it as such…
Santa Claus | P.O. Box 1 | Santa Claus, IN 47579
After sending off your letter, head down the hill to the Museum! Santa and Mrs. Claus are inside and will be happy to speak with you and take a photo. My son decided it was time to breakdance when he met them, so they got quite the show. The rest of the museum is filled with antique items, history about the town, a mini train museum and gifts you can buy in the shop.
After the Museum, head back up the hill to the 1800s church. On the way, stop by the mistletoe overhang to give your hunny a smooch!
We met Pat Koch, known as the “Chief Elf” keeping the magic of Christmas alive. She is the daughter of “Santa Jim,” co-founder of Holiday World, the local theme park! It’s said that Pat has helped answer thousands of letters to Santa, and she told us all about the history of the church and the town.
After speaking with Pat, we took the path up to see the large Santa Claus statue at the top of the property.
This is the perfect destination for families to enjoy the Christmas spirit, whether it’s in the holiday season or year-round. We hope to get back soon over the summer to experience the waterpark and roller coasters at Holiday World! I also saw that there’s what appears to be a dinosaur path on the property. Stay tuned to learn more!
(ST. MARY, MISSOURI) — When you hear that you can stay in a castle, you might think of European countries like Ireland, Italy, Germany or France.
Well I’m here to tell you there’s a beautiful castle in Southeast Missouri (Ste. Genevieve County) – near the Illinois border.
Twin Turret Farm & Castle is a stunning property full of family-friendly activities, both indoors and outdoors, that is the perfect destination for your next family reunion or gathering with friends. It’s located in St. Mary, MO – roughly half an hour away from Ste. Genevieve.
In this article, we’re going to go through all the things you can do when staying at Twin Turret!
1: Go fishing!
Everyone caught a fish at the on-site lake. While we mostly caught bluegill, you can see a beautiful bass I reeled in during our stay!
This was one of my favorite parts of the trip. The lake is so beautiful and calm; and there were always fish biting!
2: Take a paddle boat, kayak or canoe out on the lake!
There’s a boathouse right by the lake, and a beach! The beach has bins full of sand toys that will keep your kids busy for a long time. My son (who is 3) loved playing with the CAT construction trucks in the sand.
There’s plenty of boats and ores to use, so get out on the water and enjoy the great outdoors! Bennett and I took the paddle boat out for a spin!
Bennett loves to get outside and explore with his daddy! Getting on the boat and fishing on the dock and beach with my boy was so much fun.
3: Swim in the indoor pool!
Too cold to take a dip outside? Luckily for you, there’s a heated indoor pool! At the deepest, it’s 7 feet. The more shallow side is 5 feet.
There are plenty of towels and pool toys there for everyone to enjoy!
4: Take a nature hike
There’s a loop around the property that goes around the lake. It’s a fun, scenic walk where you’re likely to see wildlife. Plus, you’ll get different views of the castle like my photo above! We saw a bald eagle, hawks, turkey vultures, a vole, deer, rabbits and more.
5: See a “crashed” plane!
I don’t have much history about this one, but I’m not complaining! It was pretty awesome to see a plane like this just sitting on the property. One of the things you’ll see while exploring the grounds. It’s right next to lake.
6: Play games in the game room!
Checkers, pool and darts are available in the big game room right next to the lodge room. This is another way to keep your kiddos busy for a bit! Especially if they’re learning how to play a game like Checkers.
The castle was originally more of a lodge for the owner, and the owners kept building on to it. The photo above and beneath are both in that main lodge room I was talking about. Comfy couches are available with a big TV on top of a beautiful fireplace.
To match the cabin vibes, we stayed in the lodge bedroom that is up the stairs from this area. A very comfortable king-sized bed and modern bathroom highlight the very spacious room.
On your way in to St. Mary, stop by downtown Ste. Genevieve and grab a meal to-go from Sirro’s. Delicious pizzas, appetizers and salads are available. We ordered the Sirro’s deluxe pizza, Sirro’s salad, grilled chicken salad, Totchos, Toasted Raviolis, and “Wing Dings” AKA boneless chicken wings. It was all so good!
Downtown Ste. Genevieve looks like a beautiful place to spend time, I hope we get to return soon! Thanks to Lauren and the team at Sirro’s for providing us a fantastic meal!
8: Climb the Castle tower!
You read it right! This Missouri Castle has a tower you can climb. After Rachel went up first, Bennett saw that mama did it – so he wanted to do it, too! Well, that meant daddy had to climb the tower with him. Bennett did a great job listening the whole way and letting me guide us up and down the ladder.
There are two levels of the tower you can climb to; showcasing great views of the front of the castle.
9: Stay in the Treehouse!
Did I mention the Castle can sleep up to 18 people?! There are so many rooms. On the third floor of the Castle, venture into The Treehouse. It’s painted vibrant green, and is a perfect theme for kids and families.
Find plenty of comfortable beds for your group, and stuffed animals for the kids to play with.
There is a full bath and shower on this floor as well.
10: Stay in the King & Queen’s Suite!
Feel like royalty by staying in the King & Queen’s Suite. Put on the robes while you’re at it!
And any king & queen needs a royal tub for bathing!
11: Host a medieval feast!
This had to of been my favorite room in the house. And trust me, it’s hard to choose!
With an outdoor deck right by the lake outside, you’re sure to catch a beautiful sunset by sitting in this room. You’ll notice in every room inside, or aspect of the castle outside, the attention to detail and beautiful architecture is on full display.
There are so many unique parts of the experience, you’re sure to find something new every where you go.
No matter what you choose to do, you’re sure to have a blast here at Twin Turret Farm & Castle. Not only is there so much to do, but the Castle is stocked with really anything you’d need!
On the front porch to the right, there’s plenty of seating for people to enjoy. On the right, there are multiple grills – and there is grilling equipment available!
This was by far one of the favorite stays we’ve ever done. The host, Lisa, was absolutely fantastic. I’ve enjoyed working with her every step of the way, and hope that more people will get to enjoy this beautiful castle for years to come! I hope to be back soon.
Where should we adventure to next in Missouri? Comment here or let me know on social media!
(CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS) — It’s been quite some time since we’ve done an Illinois winery blog! Happy to bring this back as part of our travels through Southern Illinois, specifically Carbondale, home of Southern Illinois University.
We visited Kite Hill Vineyards, part of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. It was a beautiful mid-October day, with clear skies and plenty of sunshine.
We met Scott, the Head Winemaker for some tastings, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the property! Let’s dive in.
The tasting room sits on the property, overlooking a beautiful lake just outside. A few tables are outside, but the majority of seating space is on the deck and lower area next to the lake.
As you can see, we tried quite a few wines this day! We started dry, and worked our way to semi-sweet, to sweet, to dessert wine.
We started with the 2024 Broadwing, a Seyval Blanc produced in the area we visited, known as Shawnee Hills. It has a 12% ABV and is a bit on the drier side. I enjoyed it! This is one of the top sellers, Scott said, and for good reason!
What you’ll notice as we discuss each wine, is they’re all aeronautical themed. Kites, birds, planes and more help inspire the names and designs on the bottles.
We also tried the 2021 Aquila, a Vidal Blanc with 13.3% alcohol. It’s a white wine with tropical notes of mango and pineapple. I really enjoyed this one! Also produced in the Shawnee Hills region.
Before we continue, I want to note how cool it was to here about the collaborative efforts between wineries in the region. Kite Hill grows its own grapes on-site, but it also brings in wines from other nearby or regional wineries. Not only that, but some other local wineries purchase product from Kite Hill. To hear about how much support is happening was really encouraging.
Next we moved to the Red Kite, a Concord red wine produced in Michigan! I feel like you can’t go wrong with Concord wine, and Michigan is known for its great wines! I think Illinois has some great wine and wineries as well.
Now on to my favorite wine of the day; the White Kite. As you may have read in former wine blogs, I love Niagara wines. That flavor, almost like bubble gum or cotton candy, is just so sweet and refreshing. That’s exactly what this wine is like. A sweet, white blended wine using Niagara grapes alongside tropical aromas from Vignoles.
We also tried both wine slushies, which were delicious. Peach Bellini and Blueberry Pomegranate. I loved both, Rachel preferred the Blueberry Pomegranate! The Pink Kite, a sweet rosé was a nice way to finish off the sweet section of our wine tasting.
Dessert wines are known to be stronger, and pairing them with (or on) desserts can help take away some of the strength of the alcohol. We tried the Mani. Mani has hints of cocoa and dried fruits, and is made from grapes harvested back in 2012! It’s gone through extensive barrel aging, and is named after the god of the moon in Norse Mythology.
Next we took a behind-the-scenes tour of the property, seeing where the wine is made.
Scott did a wonderful job walking us around and letting us see the different containers and barrels currently in production. It’s quite the process, so hats off to Scott and the team for doing all this work.
We discussed the different scents and flavors of different wines that Kite Hill produces. As well as Scott talking to us about his own wine company, Holotype Wine Co. I still have to taste test this wine, and I’ll be looking forward to sharing my review in the near future!
I hope you enjoyed this journey through Kite Hill Vineyards. Make sure to add it to your winery tour list the next time you’re in Southern Illinois.
(CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS) — For the second year in a row, my wife Rachel and I made a mid-October trip down to Southern Illinois for a kids-free getaway.
We’re very blessed and grateful to be able to spend quality time like this together, especially on our anniversary (October 16), but additionally thankful for the support the grandparents give for watching our children.
In 2024, I showed you a number of places you can stay, eat and play while in Southern Illinois. Specifically, southeastern Illinois. We’re back this year with seven more options, with our “HQ” being in Carbondale.
This Carbondale cabin makes you feel like you’re in Colorado. With three bedrooms (plus additional sleeping space) and two bathrooms, Premier Cabin can sleep up to 8 people. It’s a scenic, secluded cabin perfect for family reunions or a friends getaway. Highlights include a wraparound porch, outdoor fire pit with seating, and of course… the indoor hot tub! Vaulted ceilings and a beautiful fireplace hold the cabin together, while the upstairs loft brings me back to my childhood, when my family and I visited Yellowstone. It’s a very spacious cabin, with wonderful amenities.
Welcome to the BBQ Capital of Illinois! 17th Street Barbecue has historic roots in Murphysboro, being nationally recognized with awards and TV appearances across countless shows. Calvin, our server, was fantastic in taking care of us that night. I ordered the 17St Wings as an appetizer, covered in the Lil Kick sauce. Hands down some of the best chicken wings I’ve ever had. Smoky, juicy, tender and the Lil Kick sauce was the perfect choice. I then got the Rib & Pork sampler, but upgraded the pork to brisket! For the sides I got green beans and mac n cheese. A very solid meal, and the Magic Dust seasoning that is on every table was a great addition. Rachel ordered the Signature 17St Potato, which she also enjoyed. We also loved ordering dessert (who doesn’t?), which was banana pudding. It comes in a mason jar, which I think makes it taste that much better.
One of the hardest things for a restaurant to do is find its identity. There’s almost a story to tell when someone steps foot in your establishment. Who runs this place? Why do they make the food they make? Why am I here? Well, I can confidently say Underground Public House knows its identity, and its high-quality food, drinks and service proved that to me. Heath was our server, an absolute gem of a human. He made us laugh, stayed attentive to whatever we needed, and gave fantastic insights into every dish and drink item. Come to find out, I’m a huge Scotch eggs fan! It came with Oktoberfest sausage, smoked Gouda and more – all wrapped in Oktoberfest pretzel crust. Absolutely fantastic. My THEE P.B.R. (Pork Belly Reuben) was amazing as well. That meat was some of the most high-quality meat around. Perfectly cooked, the texture was just right, a nice amount of smokiness, and tender as can be. Rachel really enjoyed the filet mignon, and I ordered both a Black + Blue Daily cocktail and a Nerdy Dancing, which is a green beer that tastes like Nerds! Yes, the restaurant really is underground! The vibes here are 10/10, and the food matches that.
Another historic staple of Carbondale, Wazo’s Big Chill might be remembered by some as a long-standing Dairy Queen. The owner Mark has owned the store for many years, bringing it back to life as Big Chill a few years back after DQ pulled its franchise. The neon sign was reimagined, and there it shines to this day. Awesome ice cream!
Situated on a beautiful lake, Kite Hill is a great option for people exploring the Shawnee Hills wine trail. The White Kite was my favorite, with some amazing notes of Niagara. Rachel loved the wine slushie, with berry & pomegranate. Everything was great, and Scott was an awesome host. There’s a relaxing deck right outside the taproom and additional seating down below to just look out on the lake and enjoy your loved one’s company. We appreciate Scott giving us a behind-the-scenes tour of the winemaking process, and showing us some of the wines that are currently in production! It was really cool to hear about the different collaborations going on between local wineries in the area. Supporting each other’s businesses will help everyone grow and succeed!
Southern Illinois isn’t just known for its wine. It’s also known for its scenic hikes and breathtaking views. I wouldn’t say the Pomona Natural Bridge Trail has any “breathtaking” views, but the easy quarter-mile hike is an enjoyable one. The Natural Bridge is just that! A rocky bridge you can walk over in between two sets of bluffs in the middle of the woods. We had a beautiful day for our hike. Not a cloud to be seen and bright, radiant blue skies. The leaves were just starting to fall, too.
Driving out of town to head back to St. Louis, it was about mid-morning and we really hadn’t had any breakfast that morning. We just decided to drive home to see our kiddos and if something spoke to us, we’d stop. Well, we found that something in the way of Royal Blend Coffee House. A trendy looking coffee shop sitting right off IL-127, we decided to pull in and get some morning caffeine… which was desperately needed! Rachel got a delicious frappuccino and I went with an iced mocha latte with homemade salted brown sugar cold foam (WHICH WAS AMAZING). Super glad we stopped by.
Overall, we had another fantastic trip to Southern Illinois. There are so many wonderful places to stay, eat, drink, hike – really anything you can imagine. And the fall is a great time to do it!
Let me know in my email or comment below which places we should check out the next time. And what cities/towns are we missing? Let me know where we should go in future trips!
(LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA) — It’s no secret that a trip to Walt Disney World® in Orlando, Florida can cost a pretty penny.
You have the cost of park tickets, dining, transportation (both to get to Orlando, and once you’re there), Lightning Lanes, and then of course, lodging.
My family and I just got back from our trip to Disney, and we found a great lodging experience that could help save you money, while still enjoying the magic of Disney.
This 4-star hotel is a wonderful option for families, couples, groups and solo travelers, and it’s the closest hotel to Disney Springs®! In just a 5-10 minute walk (depending how fast you go), you’ll be walking through security and enjoying Disney Springs in no time.
Head out the front door of the lobby and turn right. There you’ll find a spacious walking path (our double stroller fit) that will take you to the pedestrian bridge. Immediately you’ll see the Disney Springs® sign across the street. Take the stairs or elevator up, walk over the pedestrian bridge, and head down the next set of stairs or elevator, and you’re there. You’ll just need to go through security, and you’re on your way to dining and shopping!
Affordability is a huge reason to stay at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista. Using October 1, 2025 as an example – after taxes & fees, it’d cost you $157.50 for the standard rate. Using Disney’s All-Star Movies as an example (a value resort on WDW property), it’s roughly $200/night ($198.33/ave.) for that same time period, BEFORE taxes and fees.
The Wyndham offers an hourly shuttle service to all four Walt Disney World theme parks, along with early entry to the parks! There are also five on-site dining options for guests.
We enjoyed the Oasis Restaurant by the pool, where we ordered coconut shrimp, fish tacos, pizza, chicken tenders, a virgin pina colada and nachos!
The food was great and we were able to enjoy it all in a private, poolside cabana which can be reserved.
Nate and Rich were both fantastic servers and took very good care of us.
For breakfast, we ate at Lakeview Restaurant, which boasts a breakfast buffet from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. daily, overlooking the pool. Of course you have to order the Mickey Mouse waffles! They offer your go-to breakfast staples like eggs, sausage, bacon and more, along with an omelet station and fruit bar. There’s also a specialty coffee machine in the restaurant!
Need a morning cup of joe or afternoon pick me up? Then head to the main lobby where you’ll find The Sundial which hosts Joffrey’s Coffee Shop, serving those Disney coffees you know and love. We ordered the Iced Dream frappe and it was amazing. The Sundial has plenty of other self-service food and beverage items if you’re on-the-go or need something for the room.
The Eclipse Lounge, on the other side of the main lobby from The Sundial, is a peaceful bar and lounge area to order a beer or cocktail. It’s open daily from 4:00 p.m. to midnight.
Did we mention there’s an arcade?! Bennett never wanted to leave. Good Game Arcade is also attached to the main lobby. Inside you’ll find racing games, basketball and other family-friendly arcade games your kids will love. Yes, I won that Bluey stuffy for Bennett at the claw machine. Won some dad points there!
Within the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort are two hotels, the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista and the Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista, both sharing all of these amenities.
The Wyndham Garden has 394 garden-themed rooms, while the Wyndham has another 232 rooms in the upscale 19-story tower overlooking Disney Springs ®.
Our room was in the Garden Sunrise area of the resort. We stayed on the main floor near the pool. The room was very comfortable! Two double beds, non-smoking room, closet space, and a full bathroom and shower area. Everything was very clean and tidy, a fantastic option especially when you consider the affordable cost.
Overall we had a fantastic experience staying at the Wyndham, and we would definitely do so again. We agree the hotel offers great quality, wonderful amenities and all for an affordable price.
If you rented a car, the Wyndham is 15 minutes or less from every theme park at Disney World. That is roughly the same amount of time, if not less, than driving from an on property resort to the theme parks.
Have you stayed at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista before? If so, let me know what you think in the comments! What other properties at Disney World have you stayed at that you really enjoyed? Send me an email with your thoughts.
(CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, ILLINOIS) — We enjoyed a beautiful Labor Day weekend visiting new places, seeing amazing sights and experiencing wonderful things. The weather was absolutely perfect, so that was a huge plus!
The general area we visited is commonly referred to as Champaign-Urbana, the home of the University of Illinois. But in our journey, we adventured to nearby towns outside of city & county limits. There is some driving in between towns that would have to be done, but this is a great start to show what amazing things are happening in the area.
I am going to move in chronological order of what we did on our trip!
This was easily one of the wildest things we’ve ever done as a family. Aikman Wildlife Adventure is home to 100+ large animals, many of which you can see up close and personal. When I say up close and personal, I mean that we had camels, zebras, bison, deer, horses and more eating right out of our hands. James Aikman, one of the owners, took us on a behind-the-scenes tour. We got to see all the animals Aikman takes care of. This includes lemurs, birds, foxes, hyenas and more. After getting to venture through the different buildings and exhibits, we hopped on a UTV and headed across the safari. Aikman is the only drive-thru safari in the state of Illinois. While you can drive your own car through the safari and not feed the animals, there are UTV tours where you feed them out of large buckets you hold! It was a really surreal experience, one we’ll never forget. We were chased by a camel named Fabio, I met a “zonkey” (zebra/donkey), and came face-to-face with a bison. Crazy! Amazing. Afterwards, we adventured through the rest of the grounds and visited the prehistoric museum and gift shop. Yes, there is a museum on-site with dinosaurs and other historic animals you might recognize! Aikman has one on-site rental property you can stay at, and hopefully more opening soon.
Owned and operated by the University of Illinois, Allerton Park & Retreat Center is open to the public for exploring the gardens which are absolutely stunning. You can also eat and drink at the cafe, plus there events at the Allerton Mansion like weddings. In our case, we were lucky enough to stay on-site at The Residence! It’s a renovated rental property right across from the visitor’s center and cafe. It has a full kitchen, bathroom/shower, living area, and 1 bedroom with 2 queen beds. It’s very spacious and the accommodations are nice! The Residence along with the gardens were the highlight of the visit for us. The relaxing walk we went on just keep going! Beautiful flowers line the bushes, statues stand overlooking different areas, and the way some of the trees are taken care of allows you to walk within them along the way. You can go from a paved walkway to walking within the trees in the blink of an eye.
My Irish roots were pleased to visit this Irish pub! Offering a mix of Irish and American fare, 3Ravens offers a nice bar area in its building’s room on the left, but then it opens up to a much larger room on the right that offers additional seating. I went with the fish and chips, Rachel ordered a chicken sandwich, and we got an appetizer of fried green beans! Bennett got the mac n cheese. Downtown Monticello seems like a great place to enjoy a Friday or Saturday evening! Outdoor seating is also available at 3Ravens and the nearby restaurants that line the block.
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#4: Grab ice cream at The Main Scoop | Monticello, Illinois
We took a family walk from the Irish pub to the ice cream parlor. Two of my favorite things, if we’re being honest! Serving Capannari ice cream (which we love), there are plenty of delicious flavors to enjoy. I also just found out today that Capannari is now “Cap’s Ice Cream!” The store was very clean and modern, and in a nice location in downtown Monticello. A nice, spontaneous decision we made to stop by here, and one that was a great choice.
Delicious breakfast, pastries and coffee await you at Pekara. We ordered crepes, a slice of quiche, coffees and got Bennett a macaron. Pekara does lunch and catering, so there are many ways you can enjoy! There’s both indoor and outdoor seating, and plenty of it!
This was one of those moments we realized that Bennett is a super lucky kid. Before the age of 3, the boy has gone on two goat hikes! First was a few years ago in Galena, Illinois for my dad’s birthday weekend getaway. The second time, here in Champaign at Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery. He enjoyed it much more this time, as he was able to run alongside the goats and pet them. There’s nothing like hiking with goats. It’s such a surreal experience. One that connects you with nature and allows you to learn about agriculture and what it takes to care for goats. We went on a roughly 1.5 mile hike. It was with a guided group on a Saturday morning. There were three stretches where they let people (whoever wants to) run with the goats on a straightaway path. Bennett chose to run every time. Which means his “old” man (me) had to as well! Afterwards we were treated to a platter of goat cheese, crackers, fruits and vegetables. Delicious. Make sure to visit the farm store and/or cafe before you leave to take some with you on the road! They also have barbecue sauce.
In searching online for the link to share with you all, I came across a recent article saying Black Dog was indefinitely closed due to a fire from one of its smokers! Hope they’ll open up back soon, as we had a fantastic time. Here’s the article if you want to read. It had been a few years since I had Black Dog. When I ordered it – I got it delivered to my hotel because I was in town as a fill-in TV anchor for WCIA News that Saturday evening. The Pandemic and ordering food to-go was still very “in” at the time as well, if I’m remembering correctly. The food was great then, and it was fantastic now! I went with the baby back ribs, green beans and double-baked potato casserole. I made sure to get the Texas BBQ sauce with it (by the way, sauce costs extra here. 75 cents). The potato casserole was OK, I wouldn’t order it again. The atmosphere was awesome! It was like you were in a train station, kind of. To further prove my point – a train passed us by while we sat and ate our food! We could look out our windows and probably 25-50 yards away was a train rolling down the tracks. Bennett loved it.
This was the easiest traveling period for us during the weekend. Mad Goat is literally right behind/beside Black Dog. We just walked on over and ordered our frappuccinos! I got the peppermint mocha. Yes, to you it may be pumpkin spice latte season. To me, it’s peppermint year-round, 365. We enjoyed our drinks and the vibes were good. A nice way to slow down the day before heading to our next spot.
Recently reopened and reimagined as a Hilton Tapestry Collection hotel, Hotel Royer was a magical stay. The building is beautiful, the rooms are spacious, clean and comfortable, and the Writer’s Room and hotel bar are both gorgeous places to spend time. There’s a lot of history in this building, and I’m happy my family was able to experience the next phase of the hotel’s historic journey. Comfortable beds, a spacious suite and a very nice bathroom were highlights of the room. There’s a very nice workout room, as well!
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#10: Breakfast or brunch at Maple & Yolk | Urbana, Illinois
Delicious breakfast awaits you at Maple & Yolk. This was one of those “what breakfast places are nearby?” situations, and Maple & Yolk is what we chose. And I’m very happy we went with it. Nutella Biscoff pancakes. What else do I need to say? Literally one of the best breakfast dishes I’ve ever tasted. Topped with bananas as well. So good. We also split a breakfast burrito served with fresh fruit. Bennett enjoyed some pancakes and sausage. Mattie enjoys any food we offer her, she’s the biggest foodie in the family!
What a great way to end the trip. A perfect weather day at a family farm, full of an apple orchard, activities for the kids, a cafe, and so much more. We loved riding the tractor and learning the history about Curtis Orchard and the family. Bennett got to ride the ponies, which he adored. We walked through a field of zinnias, which you can pick and take home with you. We picked apples, ate lunch in the Flying Monkey Cafe, walked around the country store where I bought Bennett a stuffed black cat. Debbie and the owners at Curtis Orchard were so kind and welcoming to us, making sure we had the best visit possible to a very special place. There’s so much to do for very reasonable prices, it’s a perfect fall activity!
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I was happy to be able to experience more of what Champaign-Urbana has to offer. It was my pleasure to work alongside Experience Champaign-Urbana and all of these great businesses mentioned above.
Drop a comment on this post or send me an email on other recommendations you have in the area!
(ILLINOIS) — Over the past few months, my email and “Contact Us” inbox has been filled with constituents from Texas, reaching out about Senate Bill 840.
The bill was signed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) and goes into effect on September 1, 2025. The Texas Legislature online reads, “Relating to certain municipal regulation of certain mixed-use and multifamily residential development projects and conversion of certain commercial buildings to mixed-use and multifamily residential occupancy.”
If you want to read more about the bill, you can find the website here.
That’s all I’ll get into about the bill, because… I have nothing to do with it! There is a “Matt Shaheen” who is the Republican State Rep. for District 66 in Texas (notice the spelling?).
For anyone new here, that’s not me!
Thank you for your attention to this matter!
If you’re wondering “what photo is the featured image of this article?” It was one I took in June of 2014. My dad and I were fishing off an abandoned dock in Corpus Christi, TX. We also went deep-sea fishing that trip, where I got unbelievably motion sick. I blame it on the Sonic breakfast we had before. Anyways, enjoy your day!
(DESTIN, FLORIDA) — Mornings at the beach are warm, welcomed changes for visitors in Destin, Florida.
The thing that doesn’t change? Humans’ need for that cup of coffee in the morning. According to the National Coffee Association, nearly two-thirds of Americans drink coffee every day! That’s roughly 230 million people, by the way.
The Gulf Coast city is known for its white, sandy beaches and is a popular destination for families and friends alike. And through our travels, I’ve found the Okaloosa County-based city has a great coffee scene.
For those days that leftovers for breakfast just don’t sound appealing, or you don’t want to eat eggs and toast AGAIN, consider supporting one of the local coffee shops below. Let’s dive in!
My wife Rachel felt right at home at Lady Ray’s! Sharing a name with the owner and head chef was just the beginning of a great visit, the delicious food and coffee is what really won her over, though.
Croissants were used for food items, both sweet and savory. I ordered the “Meglassant,” (top line, photo in the middle) topped with 2 eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, American cheese, candied jalapeño and peppers on a toasted croissant. This was filled with flavor and an awesome twist to breakfast sandwiches.
Rachel got the Croque madame, with grilled ham and cheese and sourdough bread, topped with melted Swiss cheese and an egg. This was also absolutely delicious.
Chef Rachel worked for the Ritz Carlton in New Orleans and West Palm Beach, and she has been part of several groundbreaking farm-to-table restaurants. Rachel has done it all, which includes previously running an Award-Winning Catering Company in South Florida specializing in weddings, event planning, and complete production services. Her do-it-all spirit continues in Destin! She helps run a salon next door to the bakery, as well as running an event planning company, cake decorating company, and more. Need a specially-decorated cake for a special event or occasion in Destin? Make sure to contact Lady Ray’s.
The pastries and treats here are 10/10 as well. Make sure to check out the full menu and learn more about Lady Ray’s Culinary Delights on their website! We were also very impressed at how affordable the items were!
If you’ve got a sweet tooth like us, then Beignets & Brew (French donuts) is going to be sweet treat Heaven for you. Beignets are the focus here, including traditional and specialty.
We got an order of the traditional, covered in powdered sugar and an order of the Cinnaswirl specialty beignets. Both extremely delicious! Frappes and cold lattes are also a great option, I got a cookie butter iced latte, while Rachel ordered Nutella frappe. The location is Destin is right off the harbor, offering pretty views of the boats, fish and birds.
It had been quite some time since I had enjoyed an Acai bowl. Now, I’m hooked once again and ready to start making these healthy treats at home. I got the East Pass Acai bowl with peanut butter, bananas, strawberries, granola and honey. It was one of the best food items I got on our trip. We also split an order of fried donuts which were amazing. Served with tater tots, we also split a bacon, egg and cheese breakfast burrito. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it! Then for our iced lattes, I got the Coco for Mocha and Rachel ordered the Iced Sweet Cream Vanilla Cold Brew.
These were all great ways to start our days in Destin, Florida. Having places that offer this good of food AND coffee add to the reasons of why Destin is a fantastic place to visit.
What coffee shops did we miss? Let me know for next time?
What other things would you like to know about visiting the area? Drop me a comment or email and I’ll look into it for next time!
(ILLINOIS) — Just two days before Christmas, our family got the greatest gift.
Mattie Marie entered the Sheehan household, making me a “girl dad” for the first time and letting Bennett become a big brother.
It was Rachel’s idea to name her “Mattie” after me. I wasn’t objecting to that!
Her baptism photos show the real angel that she is. Everyone says she should be a “Gerber baby,” and that she looks just like Bennett! Both are true statements.
Becoming a family of four has not been all butterflies and rainbows. Sure, there’s some road bumps along the way. But the good far outweighs the challenges, and the blessing of Mattie’s life is the greatest thing I could have imagined.
Bennett absolutely loves his little sister. He makes her giggle, truly wants to spend time with her, and tells her “Mattie, you’re so beautiful!” every day. Mattie is just in awe of him. Smiling at anything and everything he does. He makes her laugh so much!
Mattie is full of energy and spunk, just like her mama. She’s quite chatty, as well (also like her mom)!
We got our first real taste of family travel as a family of four to Indianapolis in April. We fit a lot in to our schedule for the weekend, but allowing periods of time that could allow flexibility really helped. We went in with our expectations at a reasonable place. I think that’d be my biggest piece of advice for families looking to travel together with young kids. Manage your expectations. Don’t overdo things and think ahead on periods of time that could work for your kids’ naps. One day it was in the stroller around the zoo! Talking these things through ahead of time really helped relieve stress for when we got to the moment. And just look at her with her flamingo stuffed animal!
Seeing her milestone moments has been a joy, just as it was with Bennett.
However, like I mentioned, not everything has been super easy. In late May, Mattie spiked a 104.3 fever at home. We rushed her to the emergency department, thinking we might be there for a few hours and then hopefully be sent home. Little did we know we were in for a really long journey.
Mattie was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. It’s not fully clear how the infection happened, or where everything started. The thought is that she got sick with a virus, likely from another person who had just a common cold, and that her body wasn’t fighting the body off because of her young age. That caused bacteria to grow, which grew into a serious illness, eventually being bacterial meningitis. The photo above is when she started to feel better, probably halfway through our 12-night hospital stay. The first few days were grueling. She wasn’t smiling, she wasn’t moving, and there were a lot of unknowns.
We were blessed with a great medical team at OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois, and an amazing support system at home to watch over Bennett. We are so grateful to everyone who stepped in to help. We could not have done it without you!
It was a joyous moment to be able to welcome Mattie back into our home. Everything felt right again. The house felt empty without her smile and contagious laughs. I don’t think I will ever forget those 12 days. I was already a protective daddy, this definitely increased that!
We prayed for these moments long before Mattie was ever here. I always wanted to be a dad. I got the best of both worlds with Bennett and Mattie. Both similar in all the best ways, yet unique in their own ways as well.
We’ve started feeding Mattie real foods! Here Mattie was trying strawberries. I think she loved them! Strawberries are currently Bennett’s favorite fruit, as well!
She also got her first pool experience at Great Grandma Di’s this past weekend! Isn’t she the cutest swimmer you’ve ever seen? She was naturally kicking her legs in the water as we waded her around. She’s going to be a great swimmer (and soccer player!).
And just like we did for Bennett, we had to take Mattie to Chick-Fil-A on her six month half birthday. Rachel got Bennett and Mattie matching pajamas, which are so cute. She took a bite of chicken, but wasn’t quite sure yet. We’ll teach her!
Mattie has softened my heart. She’s a blessing from God. Rachel and I want to give her the world, because she deserves it! I pray she brings joy to those around her, and is loved well by her family and friends. We love her so much, and can’t wait to see how she grows these next six months.
(ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI) — If you want some of the best views, coupled with some of the best food in St. Louis – then this article is for you.
Atop the 8th floor of the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis is the famously-named Ramsay’s Kitchen. An important part of any experience we have, is all about the way it makes us feel. What do we see? What do we smell, hear, feel, taste? When a place can succeed in all of these areas, that’s when the business really shines. And that’s exactly how we felt walking through the hotel and into the restaurant.
It smelled amazing throughout the hotel. The views of the hotel itself, the dining areas, the outdoor bar and patio (with GREAT views of the Arch) all add to the vibe.
We visited on a very rainy, cloudy day. But on a beautiful, sunny day or a cloudless night – the outdoor views would have been even more breathtaking. But this is the Midwest. We’re used to rainy, dreary days in April. So the fact we enjoyed the afternoon looking out at the river, Arch and other downtown buildings was a great experience.
Well, you’re probably wondering. How was the food? I’m getting there! It’s all about the presentation, right?
Ramsay’s Kitchen just launched a brand new brunch menu. Which is perfect for Rachel and I, because we got to order something sweet and something savory.
Ahead of our food, we ordered some specialty cocktails. Hey, mom and dad had the late morning/early afternoon away from kids. We earned the chance to enjoy ourselves! And we did. I ordered the Bali Holiday, and Rachel ordered the Other Side of Paradise.
To get the whole Gordon Ramsay experience, I tried to get anything our waiter Julien said was a go-to or a Ramsay family recipe. The main course was the Petit Beef Wellington, Chef Ramsay’s most famous signature dish.
The dish boasted a potato purée, glazed baby root vegetables, red wine demi, and comes served medium rare. Medium rare is how I like my steak anyway, so we were the perfect match.
I am now a Beef Wellington fan. This dish was easily a 10/10 for me. Being able to swoop the beef in the potato was fantastic, and I love carrots. So getting served all of this one plate? Magnificent.
As I went savory, Rachel went sweet. She greatly enjoyed the lemon ricotta french toast, including milk bread and blueberries.
We split truffle fries, which were some of the best fries I’ve ever tasted. Served with truffle butter, truffle aioli, parmesan and parsley – it’s the perfect size to be divided between two people.
And how can you say no to dessert? Especially when it’s Gordon Ramsay’s family recipe! Introducing the Sticky Toffee Pudding.
This was my first time ever having this delicious dessert. And I have to ask, where has this been my whole life? Why has it taken 29 years to finally have this? I don’t have a good answer for you, but I’m not waiting another 29 years to enjoy it again. I’ll take the blame on this one. Topped with vanilla ice cream and sitting on top of a caramel sauce, once again, this dish was a 10/10 for me.
While this was the perfect place for a date night (or afternoon) out, this would also be a phenomenal spot to take the friend group. We’d love to come back when the weather is nicer to sit out on the patio and enjoy the outdoor bar. The scenery was just stunning. There’s even an outdoor, rooftop pool!
Many thanks to our server Julien and the Ramsay’s Kitchen staff for providing Rachel and I an amazing experience. The food and atmosphere was top notch, and we will definitely be back again!
(INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA) — Some cities just “get it.” They know who they are, their branding is on point, and they are 100% dedicated to their identity. Indianapolis, Indiana is one of those cities.
The sports scene is vibrant. The foodie scene is popping. And the family-friendly activities are available for all to enjoy. And you can’t forget the racing! Roughly 300,000 plus people are gearing up for the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” the Indy 500. It’s coming up on Memorial Day weekend, May 25.
Everything my family and I experienced was done over a weekend! It’s going to seem like a lot, but it’s possible! Careful scheduling met with flexibility is where you’ll have to be. So let’s dive in!
This is the BIGGEST children’s museum in the world! Right now, the Children’s Museum is hosting the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse exhibit, available on the second floor through September 1, 2025. If your kiddo is a fan of the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, this is a must-see for them! There are interactive activities within the exhibit, where your kid can solve puzzles with Toodles! We celebrated Pluto’s birthday, and my 2-year-old loved interacting with the staff on different activities. It’s the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse world brought to life!
While Mickey is always the star of the show, here the dinosaurs are also stars! Right now on Facebook, my post about the dinosaurs at the Children’s Museum has reached 1.5 million people, with many people planning their next trips in my comments section. I love it! These were some of the best dinosaurs we’ve ever seen. Bennett was in awe and loved getting to dig in a fossil pit.
The Children’s Museum also has a 7.5 acre outdoor sports area that allows kids to explore pretty much any sport you could think of. Football, soccer, golf, tennis, hockey, baseball and running are all part of this area. All the Indy sports teams have different areas and it’s called the Riley Children’s Sports Legends Experience. Such an amazing place.
If your kids like trains, outer space, tombs, shipwrecks, art, comic books – really anything you can think of, the Children’s Museum is for them! My advice? Spend the entire day here. Show up when the Museum opens, and stay until it closes!
The IMS Museum is back open! I remember coming here when I was in 8th grade. Now (quite a few) years later, I was so happy to bring my wife and kids. And, to top it all off, the Museum reopened with AMAZING renovations in early April of this year! See historic cars throughout multiple floors of the Museum. Learn about the trophies, the champions and the history of the Indy 500. Get a race track tour and see the track up close and personal, along with some behind the scenes aspects. We rode in a bus around the grounds, seeing the media area, some private viewing suites where high-ranking officials like the Governor would sit. When we were there that day, a bunch of Mercedes Benz drivers were practicing in different parking lots and on the track. Such a cool experience! We spent roughly 3 hours at the IMS and I feel like that was the perfect amount of time for a family with small kids.
If you’re heading to the Indy Zoo & Aquarium, plan to spend all day there. It’s the same thing as the Children’s Museum. THERE’S SO MUCH TO SEE! It’s incredible. When you first walk in, talk a stroll through the tulip garden and then stop by the butterfly house. Next you’ll find yourself in the midst of sharks, sting rays, sea lions and penguins in the aquarium section. One of my favorite parts was seeing the two walruses right outside the aquarium building. These massive, curious creatures just come up to the glass to say hi to you. I feel like you don’t get to see walruses every day so that was a treat. But the main event of the aquatics offerings had to be the dolphins. First and foremost, there’s an underground tunnel and dome where you are completely surrounded by water, and dolphins swim all around you. It’s amazing. Then you can even sit in an area to see dolphin shows throughout the day. The show is only 15 minutes long, which is perfect for toddlers who don’t want to sit still very long.
After this, the zoo pretty much has every animals you can think of. Lions, cheetahs, giraffes, rhinos and elephants can be found in the Plains section. Chimpanzees, orangutans and other monkeys are sprinkled throughout the zoo as well. The bears were sleeping with their legs up in the air when we walked by, which was hilarious. And the tiger was acting very sleepy (or hungry maybe), licking his chops as we looked into its area. I also rode a roller coaster! They take you around the tracks twice because the ride is so short, but it was pretty fun! Don’t be expecting anything super crazy if you’re a roller coaster fanatic. But this is a good way to start kids out.
The train ride was also a fan-favorite! Bennett loved snuggling next to mommy and his baby sister as we rode throughout the zoo. There are multiple food options as well. Your typical burgers, fries, hot dogs, pretzels etc.
I like how the zoo does “chats” at the different exhibits. It’s where zoo staff take 10ish minutes or so to come to an exhibit, letting guests learn about that specific animal. I had to go to the walrus one, of course! Make sure to get tickets to feed the kangaroos and giraffes!
This was a very fun way to get indoors for a while and let Bennett learn and explore. There’s a cardboard area on the top floor that lets you build things by using cardboard! This is a great opportunity for kids to learn about different things in history. There’s also an IMAX theater inside! The Museum is located right off the downtown canal. So when you’re done visiting the Museum, head outside and take a walk alongside the canal for nice views of the water and downtown Indy.
INDY ATTRACTION PASS
Visit Indy, Indianapolis’ local tourism bureau, offers an Indy Attraction Pass which allows people to buy one pass and get into a whole bunch of different attractions. This is a great way to save money and still get to do a whole lot of fantastic things. There are four other attractions in the Pass that we didn’t even get to! Hopefully next time.
This has to be one of the coolest stays we’ve ever done. Staying in a train car at the historic Union Station in downtown Indianapolis. On the second floor, your train car stay awaits. We were in the Rudolph Valentino car, which has two queen beds, a mini fridge, bathroom/shower combo and closet inside. With the train being longer than your typical hotel room, there was still plenty of space for our family of four. Bennett absolutely loves trains, so he was in Heaven while we were here. Enjoy the breakfast buffet or order off the menu before leaving. We enjoyed the omelet station! The hotel is right by Lucas Oil Stadium and Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Each train has a different name, ours was named after an Italian actor.
A quiet retreat just steps from downtown Speedway, IN is a duplex home turned AirBnB. We stayed on the right side of the home, known as the Modern Speedway Bungalow. It was a relaxing stay with plenty of space. It includes a closed in front porch, a front room with chairs, a pullout couch and TV, followed by a full kitchen, laundry/dryer setup, bathroom/shower combo and one bedroom with a king size bed. There’s also a small backyard with chairs to congregate and a small slide if you have younger kids. The owners really put in a lot of work to make this bungalow a nice play to stay. The amenities were all fantastic, and it was really nice to have a place with in-house laundry service, dish washer, etc. On the other side of the duplex is the Speedway Bungalow Off Main. We walked to breakfast one morning and were there within 5 minutes. I walked to Main Street Speedway to grab a pizza and was there and back in less than 10 minutes. It’s the perfect location to be close to a lot of amazing things happening in downtown Speedway.
If you’re looking for trendy vibes, Baby’s is the spot for you. There’s a nice enclosed patio you can sit along with an outdoor recreation area that Bennett loved to explore. Burgers, fries, and shakes oh my! It was my birthday, so I had to get the birthday cake shake, which was vegan.
We visited the Downtown Indianapolis location, which has a beautiful bar, spacious seating and wonderful service. Our server, Austin, was a great host and provided excellent service. Steaks, seafood, cocktails, pasta and more are all available here. Rachel got the filet mignon and mashed potatoes. I ordered the penne pasta with lobster and an appetizer of fried calamari. Bennett got a cheese pizza he absolutely loved. I also got a side of brussels sprouts. To end a wonderful meal, we ordered the creme brulee. Great atmosphere is meet with wonderful service in a great location downtown.
The morning we went to the Speedway Museum, we stopped by Charlie Brown’s for breakfast. A wonderful diner full of history and racing memorabilia. You never know, you could run into a famous race car driver! They recently opened up another room in the back part of the restaurant, giving guests more space if you’d like. The breakfast menu has a lot of classic breakfast items. I got an omelet with pancakes and hashed browns, Rachel ordered a burrito with breakfast potato chips and Bennett got a waffle, sausage patty and cup of strawberries. Great service!
Notable mentions when in Speedway:
Visit Daredevil Brewing for a nice lager and order a pizza from Brozinni Pizzeria.
Is this the best place to catch a game or race in all of Indy? I can’t say that with full certainty since I haven’t been to a TON of places in Indianapolis, but it sure was for us. We visited when The Hangar was hosting a watch party for the Grand Prix of Long Beach, while also showing the Masters golf tournament simultaneously. The buffet was absolutely incredible. Nachos, pizzas, cinnamon rolls, salads you name it. Not only was it a lot of food, but it was delicious. Partner that with one of my new favorite beers, the Sunlight Cream Ale from Sun King Brewery, and you’re bound to have an amazing time. Specialty cocktails and frozen drinks are also available. When there’s not a major watch party, they have golf simulations inside. A big part of The Hangar’s services is the HandleBar Pedal Bar that rolls through downtown Indianapolis. I’ve never done one of these, but they look like a blast. Make sure to check them out for incredible times!
Our trip to Indianapolis was one of our favorite trips yet. We agree that the family-friendly environment of the City was amazing, and there’s so much to do! We will absolutely be coming back. All of the attractions we did, we’d do them again! Especially as exhibits change at the Children’s Museum, that is a place you can return to over and over again. I’d love to also visit Speedway for a future race. I feel like that would be electric! As Bennett and Mattie get older, it will be fun to bring them back so they have fond memories just like Rachel and I have.
Thank you to everyone who collaborated with us during our trip. You were gracious hosts and your support is more than appreciated!
(WASHBURN, ILLINOIS) — From years of driving the Peoria to Starved Rock State Park route, to multiple followers highly recommending it, I finally made my way to Stringtown BBQ.
The peaceful 45-minute drive to Washburn, Illinois is one of my favorite drives. It’s the scenic route, driving alongside the Illinois River paired with seeing herds of cows and corn or soybean fields (depending on the year).
But that’s not what we’re here to talk about today! We’re here to discuss barbecue, something so widely beloved and enjoyed.
Right off Illinois Route 89 sits Stringtown BBQ, a fairly large building with an outdoor patio. The building really opens up once you get inside.
You’ve got the bar to the right, and the music stage to the left. Perfect for bands to play on a Friday night, I’m sure.
If you’ve read any of my barbecue blogs, you know how important BBQ sauce is to me. While quality is of the utmost importance to me when it comes to the sauces, the quantity is usually what I desire more of. Here, there is no shortage of sauces.
House Spicy, Carolina Gold, Blueberry Shiner, Whiskey Kiss, Memphis Sweet and the original sauces. We tried them all.
Our favorites? It’s hard to choose. But I can give you our top 3.
1: Blueberry Shiner
2: Memphis Sweet
3: Carolina Gold
But we need some food to put these sauces on, right? Let’s dive in.
To start the meal, we ordered the bacon mac n cheese bites. It’s hard to go wrong with bacon and cheese. This is no different. A delicious appetizer and an amazing choice.
For me, you know what it is… ribs! I had my choice between St. Louis style and baby back ribs. 9/10 times I’d choose St. Louis, but it was recommended I try the baby back. So that’s what I did! The ribs are meaty, tender, full of flavor and topped with the original BBQ sauce. For sides, I went with the steak fries and Cowboy Beans. The fries were really good, but the Cowboy Beans stole the show. There was a sweetness to them, along with ground beef spread throughout.
Rachel ordered the Prairie Fire handheld, a brisket sandwich topped with cheese sauce and jalapenos. She then spread some of the Memphis Sweet on top, which was a good mix. She loved it! “It was fire,” to quote Rachel Sheehan.
Bennett went with the chicken tenders and fries kids’ meal, but his favorite part of the meal was my cornbread. Which I don’t think I ever got to try! Haha.
Co-owners and spouses Lisa and Dave Scott were phenomenal hosts, and we really enjoyed speaking with them and getting to know them. They should be proud of the fantastic restaurant they’ve put together, featuring many longtime family recipes.
Stringtown BBQ is gearing up for its “Gatorfest” on Sunday, May 4th. After a HUGE turnout for their inaugural Gatorfest, it’s coming back to Washburn! Dave tells me they sold out of the one gator they had, with cars lined up down IL-89 and everyone packed into the restaurant as well.
This year? He’s ordered four gators to make sure there’s plenty to go around. I’ve had gator before. I really like it! And yes, to say the most cliche line about eating different meats, “it tastes like chicken.” But really, it’s delicious.
What Illinois BBQ restaurant should we visit next? Drop a comment below or comment on my Facebook page, Matt Sheehan TV and let me know.
(McHenry, Illinois) — If you’re looking for a Midwestern getaway, here’s an article for you.
Maybe you’re in Chicago and are looking to get out of the city for a little, hopefully this spurs on some ideas for your next weekend adventure.
We were home-based in McHenry, but through this article we’ll stop by Volo and Crystal Lake, Illinois as well. As usual, we’ll go through our trip in chronological order to help you build out your travel itinerary.
We never imagined taking our kids to a salt cave to play. Our minds have definitely been opened now, though. Get Salty Skincare Studio is a great place for mom or dad to get pampered for a while. It includes treatments like massage, an infrared sauna bed, O2 therapy, facials and more. While when you have a kid who absolutely LOVES sand (or in this case, salt), the salt cave is perfect for them. I experienced the sauna bed, which I loved. I got introduced to red light therapy in Scottsdale and enjoy that quite a bit. Rachel relaxed (as much as possible) during the O2 therapy. Bennett got curious and wanted to sit on her lap! The salt cave has healing properties too. It’s actually commonly used for families whose kiddos have a cold! Very fun and unique.
If there was a way to measure deliciousness of desserts, SweetPeas Emporium would definitely win international awards. This cute sweet treets shop in McHenry is full of specialty cookies, chocolates, candies and more. It’s adorably decorated and should be featured in a Hallmark movie. We have dreams about these treats! Especially the cookies topped with Hershey’s bars and salt and the cream & sprinkles-filled sugar cookies!
Have you ever had your breakfast delivered to you by train? I hadn’t. Until now! Windhill Pancake Parlor knows how to do it right with the seasonal themes. We came in early March, so St. Patrick’s Day and Easter were all around us! But the star of the show was the train circling the tracks, bringing your coffee and food out. My toddler loved this so much. Every time the train came he got so excited. Perfect place for families to visit, and the food is amazing! If your kiddo is a Mickey Mouse fan, get the Mickey pancake!
If you’re a movie buff, superhero fan, or just like cool cars – the Volo Museum is for you. Many of you know that Batman is my favorite character of all-time, so being able to see multiple Batmobiles made my day. But there’s so much more! There are five showrooms throughout the property where you can see all kinds of cars. Many of which were used in movies, or movies drew inspiration from them. The Terminator and Ford vs. Ferrari just being two examples. Bennett is a huge Lightning McQueen fan! So getting to see him and Mater made his day.
If you’re looking to continue your fun-filled day – why not just stay on the property and check out Jurassic Gardens? This interactive dinosaur exhibit takes you past all kinds of dinosaur animatronics, with great photo ops and chances to learn for kids. At the end (for just $5) I had a machine make Bennett a Brontosaurus! This is now one of his favorite toys and he takes it everywhere.
More commonly known on the East coast, Rita’s offers amazing Italian ice and frozen custard. Let’s be clear, frozen custard is very different (and superior, in my opinion) to ice cream! So anytime you can try some frozen custard, you should! I loved the ways you can fix the Italian ice with custard here. We tried the Sour Punch Kids watermelon and cotton candy Gelatis, along with a cookies n cream Blendini with cookie dough bits. Cathy works very hard to make these flavors fresh every day!
Arguably the trendiest spot in our visit, is Whiskey Diablo! A fresh take on Mexican cuisine can be found here, including the queso trio, tortas, the Diablo bowl and specialty margaritas. The top left photo is the hallway leading to the bathrooms, which I thought was so cool haha. Plus say “step aside” to the regular seating options (if you want) and choose the swing seats located by the windows! Also, you can get Crème brûlée served in a pineapple! How crazy is that? It’s not crazy, it’s delicious!
When you have an adventurous toddler, you take every chance you can get to go to a trampoline park. I swear he would stay here all day if you let him. We headed to Urban Air in Crystal Lake! While it was snowy and windy outside, we had an absolute blast inside. From trampolines, a ball pit, a ropes course, slides and more – Urban Air was so much fun. Yes, daddy had to dust off the basketball “skills” a little and slam dunk a couple of times. Bennett cheered for me after. The photo shows me dunking on the lower hoop, but was able to dunk on the higher hoop as well. Just saying!
I would love to see one of these Treehouse Play Cafes open in Peoria. There were so many kids and families having a blast, I think it would do so well. We are currently loving the idea of play cafes! Your kids get to play, and you get to drink coffee? What a deal! Remote workers can bring their laptops and work while their kids play, and it’s so much fun. Slides, obstacle courses and even a 3 and under section for the little kiddos are available here.
Right next to a “finger” of the Fox River is D.C. Cobbs. Known for its burgers, brews, appetizers and more – we really enjoyed our visit here. I ordered The Peasley which has corn salsa, chorizo and pepper jack cheese on top, along with a Cajun spice blend. Of course we had to try the cheese curds for an appetizer, as well as the mozzarella wedges which are delicious.
It was a 3-hour drive from Peoria to McHenry, so this is a great weekend getaway option for central Illinois families! It’s just over an hour away from downtown Chicago, as well.
We had so much fun and hope you enjoyed the list! What did we miss? Let me know in the comments or on social media.
(ARIZONA, USA) — We experienced a few “firsts” in our February 2025 trip to Arizona.
First time traveling as a family of four. It was my first time ever visiting Arizona, and it was also Mattie’s first time flying in a plane.
We managed to do so much during our 5-night stay, everything mostly* based in Phoenix and Scottsdale! Before we dive in to everything there is to do and see (which I feel like we barely scratched the surface) – let me just say that February is the perfect time to visit. When we left St. Louis, we had been dealing with subzero Midwest winter temps and snow. When we landed in Phoenix, we were greeted by lows in the 50s and highs in the mid-80s. A ton of sunshine, no rain or snow in sight, it was absolutely amazing.
This trip is up there now as one of my all-time favorite trips. Now, let’s get into it!
Where to stay:
First things first, you’re going to need a place to rest your heads after a fun, long day in the desert. But one of the fascinating things about Phoenix & Scottsdale is the great amount of resorts in the area. It’s hard to choose there’s so many! Well, we stayed at two during our time, and we absolutely loved them both. The great thing about resorts, is if you’re really not looking to drive much, maybe you want a relaxing day at the pool, you don’t even need to leave where you’re at! Let’s start with where we started our resort stays.
This mountainside resort boasts 7 pools, 3 restaurants, a nearby golf course and spa. For breakfast, you can start your day at Pointe in Tyme, a buffet located near the main building.
I know we’ve been dealing with the Midwestern winter, where maybe the fruit isn’t that great up in Illinois. But the fresh fruit here was spectacular. And there was so much of it! When you’re a parent of a toddler like me, you know this is an amazing start. My kid loved the strawberries, raspberries and blackberries. And we wanted more! You can get a freshly-made omelet from the omelet station, as well as waffles, potatoes, eggs, sausage, bacon and more.
Located at the main building is Tocaloma Spa, a relaxing getaway from the hustle and bustle of life. This is a great way to decompress after a travel day, get out of the sun for an hour, and just relax.
We stayed in the Signature Suite, which was extremely spacious and comfortable. With a king-sized bed and patio, the sleeping area also has its own bathroom, closets, chairs and shower attached. But what you don’t see is the foyer by the entrance, which has a fireplace, TV, two couches, multiple chairs and tables for sitting or working. There’s also a private bar attached to the front room, along with another bathroom and closet.
Dinner and drinks overlooking Phoenix? Sign me up! This was one of the coolest restaurant/bar experiences I’ve ever had. A very stylish, elegant restaurant inside is coupled with some of the best views of the City just outside. The perfect place to gather with friends or go on a date. And the drinks were amazing!
Finish your day with an evening swim in the family pool. Located in the center of the main Tapatio Cliffs building, this heated pool is a great place to take your kids (it’s a great way to wear them out, too!) This is just one of the many beautiful pools at the resort.
We miss Tapatio Cliffs already, and can’t wait to be back one day!
Moving about 13 miles southeast lies the exquisite Scottsdale Resort & Spa. Located in the McCormick Ranch area, is a AAA Four-Diamond resort. The resort and grounds are stunning, the pool is a relaxing oasis, and there’s plenty to do on-site. This includes multiple restaurants, one being a hidden speakeasy, a spa, fitness center and more. There was live music playing as well as plenty of outdoor seating areas perfect for dining.
We loved the pool! Which had a poolside bar & restaurant, Barnaby’s. My kiddos loved it too, as you can see them taking a snooze in the shade.
The grounds at night are spectacular.
Let’s move on next to things to do for families in the area. We’ll go in chronological order of how our schedule went.
The Arizona Science Center is a MASSIVE space. It’s packed with interactive exhibits, a movie theater, learning experiences, science labs and more on four stories!
Bennett was wearing his “dinosaur excavation team” shirt to ASC so of course he loved seeing this long neck in the lobby.
I can give credit to the Arizona Science Center for making Bennett fall in love with sand pits. Theirs is quite large compared to a few others I’ve seen, and it allows kids to run their hands through the sand while the land or sea moves with them. We have since purchased a sand kit to have at home with us.
The fourth floor might have been our favorite. There’s an outdoor area with musical instruments, grassy seats and beautiful views. We spent a lot of time up here. And it was the perfect day for it! Here’s Bennett playing on a xylophone.
If you’re more on the adventurous side, you can ride the SkyCycle!
Here I am on the second floor of the ASC. You get all harnessed in, and then you take a ride! So much fun.
This was a fantastic time for my toddler, but honestly it would be just as much fun with older kids. There was a lot of things geared towards grade-school-aged children, where I think they’d learn a lot of things and have a blast!
We visited Arizona’s largest aquarium, located in the Scottsdale AZ Boardwalk! OdySea has the absolute coolest bathroom I’ve ever seen. Where the mirror would be, you’re looking into a shark tank! We had so much fun at OdySea seeing the sharks, jellyfish, penguins, otters and more. Some of the best parts were the interactive activities available. There’s an “underground submarine” where you sit in chairs that rotate you through four different scenes. Each scene is a tank full of water and sea creatures. One tank has sharks, another has sea turtles, then there are sea lions! It’s super fun. There’s also an escalator you can ride down that goes underneath a fish tank. I even did a virtual reality deep sea dive seeing a digital squid. Very cool!
If you’re going to visit the desert, you have to immerse yourself a little, right? A controlled way to do that (especially with toddlers) is by visiting the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. With unique sculptures and a ton of cacti, there’s something new around every corner. Bennett absolutely loved pointing to EVERY cactus and saying “cactus a little pointy…” He cracks me up. This is a great way to get outside and enjoy some fresh air.
It’s not everyday you get to visit a place that has a zoo, aquarium and safari park all in one! Welcome to Wildlife World Zoo in Litchfield, Arizona. It was roughly a 40-minute drive for us out of Phoenix to get here, and it was absolutely worth the drive. We got up close and personal with zebras and giraffes, even feeding a tall, hungry giraffe! Bennett loved it. Bennett also made friends with the albino alligator as you can see above. The area was so spacious and you felt very immersed in the environment at Wildlife World Zoo. In the bottom left photo, you see a lot of tall trees surrounded by water. There were a lot of these areas, which had different types of monkeys hanging around. So cool!
A place your kids can play while you enjoy a coffee? Sounds like the perfect recipe. You can experience this at the Little Play Avenue in Phoenix, an adorable play cafe that offers a clean, fun atmosphere for kids to enjoy. The staff was so kind to Bennett and played with him during our visit. We loved it here!
Located in the AZ Boardwalk, the same area as OdySea Aquarium, lies Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs. Dinos are definitely “in” for Bennett right now. He’s obsessed. And he absolutely loved walking through Pangaea and seeing all the different dinosaur animatronics. There’s a really fun part towards the end where it lets you and your kids excavate for dinosaur fossils, and dig for dinos in the rocks. Such a fun time!
#7: Hike to Hole in the Rock! (Papago Park, Phoenix)
This free, somewhat easy hike is right by the Desert Botanical Garden and Phoenix Zoo. If you’ve got toddlers, I’d recommend wearing them in a hiking carrier on your back, or taking your time going up and down the hill. It’s really not steep at all, but you are literally walking on a rocky surface the entire time. There are great views at the top, but there were a decent amount of people at the hole, which made my photos not as great as I expected. But that’s OK! The hike is very accessible. You can park right downhill from the Hole in the Rock and walk right up to it. You circle around the rock for a few minutes before heading up some man-made stairs. Then you walk up a little more and are at the hole!
Located nearby the Scottsdale Resort & Spa is Redefine Wellness and Treatment. This recently-opened wellness center is a great opportunity for a parent to get away for just a little to decompress and become rejuvenated. I experienced red light therapy here, which was the first time I had ever done it! I really enjoyed it. The building was extremely clean, professional and welcoming. They offer things like group therapy, yoga, mental health healing and more. It’s really focused on improving your wellbeing, healing from trauma, and improving your overall health.
It’s not everyday you see a massive dragon mural! But at George and Dragon in Phoenix, you can!
The English Pub has award-winning fish and chips which were delicious. It also serves the Wrexham Lager from the Wales-based Wrexham AFC (owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney). Awesome vibes and a fun atmosphere! Perfect for watching a football (soccer) match.
As mentioned earlier, delicious fruit, omelets, waffles and more headline this menu. It’s a super cool atmosphere inside the restaurant as well, with comfortable booths perfect for families or groups of friends.
The place I first saw John Cena! Short story time here, I was living in San Diego, California in summer 2015. I was surfing one afternoon in Mission Beach when one of my friends told me John Cena was at Better Buzz filming a TV show he was currently in. I have always been a big WWE fan so I dropped my board by my friend (who was reading a book on the beach) and ran to Better Buzz. With my wetsuit not even covering my chest, I walked into the coffee shop to see what was going on. I probably looked crazy, but it was worth it! Anyways, we enjoyed going through the drive thru and getting our drinks on the way to our next activity.
Serving homemade Mexican food across Arizona, we really enjoyed our visit to Someburros. This location on 7th street was very conveniently located, nearby our resort and other activities we were going. I absolutely loved the mini chimis I got, while my wife enjoyed the pollo fundido. Someburros is “toddler approved,” with Bennett munching down on some quesadillas, rice and beans. He also tried horchata for the first time! Which he loved.
Where rustic lodge meets the desert. Meet Tavern Grille Scottsdale. With a lineup of juicy burgers, chicken wings and lettuce wraps, we had a fantastic time here. I tried the Scottsdale Blonde by Huss Brewing, an Arizona brewery. It was amazing!
These might be the best views of Phoenix. Different Pointe of View is at the top of the mountain overlooking the city, and it’s absolutely stunning. Delicious cocktails headline the drinks menu, along with exquisite food options and dessert. I came for late night drinks and took some dessert back to the room for Rachel and I. Make sure if you’re staying on property to get a shuttle to take you here! I walked up the mountain to get here and was definitely out of breath once I reached the top. But it was totally worth it. One of the coolest restaurant/bar experiences I’ve ever had.
I think I can confidently say Prep & Pastry is one of the most aesthetically pleasing restaurants I’ve ever been to. And their pastries? I need them delivered to my house ASAP. We got a red velvet “dossant” (donut/croissant crossover) and a Crème brûlée donut. I have dreams about these. Rachel got the chicken and waffles and I went with a Southwest Croissant Sammie. The signature coffees were also delicious. I think we need one of these in Illinois… like yesterday!
Luckily for us, the weather was literally perfect in late February during our visit. However, if it gets a little too warm for you, Gertrude’s at the Desert Botanical Garden is a great place to sit down and unwind. With signature cocktails, delicious appetizers and specialty desserts, you can relax in shaded, covered seating outside or enjoy a meal indoors. Highly recommend the cauliflower and shishito.
Is this the most unique coffee spot in Phoenix? I think it might be. Check out Trolley Car Coffee Co. A place you can grab caffeinated beverages like teas and coffees (including frappes!!) and the service is great. I got to see them make a few things inside the trolley. Head on over to my Instagram @themattsheehan to check out my reel with them!
Barbecue and a shark tank? What else could you possibly need? Maybe one thing…
Flamingos. You can either enjoy some BBQ ribs inside with the sharks, or on the outdoor patio with flamingos. We went with the sharks! I got the “brontosaurus beef ribs” which were fantastic. Bennett loved chowing down on his chicken tenders, fries and mac n cheese. The BBQ sauces are great as well!
We love a good, trendy breakfast spot. And Phoenix has plenty of them! Introducing Crepes Churros and More. A great place for blended drinks and breakfast food. We got a sweet crepe, savory crepe and waffle that were all delicious. You can see my beautiful wife and kids taking advantage of the adorable backdrop located inside.
Taqueria Obregon is owned by the same people who run Crepes Churros and More. This spot takes Taco Tuesday to the next level! Delicious tacos, bacon-wrapped burritos and queso fundido are all on the menu. Plus there’s a great toppings bar located in the middle of the restaurant. Some of the best food I had on the trip!
We were too stuffed from lunch to even think about getting food, but Barnaby’s at the Scottsdale Resort & Spa pool had some amazing frozen drinks. The piña colada hit the spot!
In-room dining, especially when it’s fresh, is the best. And that’s what we got from La Fogata at Scottsdale Resort & Spa. Pancakes, sausage, fingerling potatoes and eggs hit the spot and gave us the energy we needed for the day!
On our final night of the trip, we enjoyed Birdcall restaurant near our resort. The food was great! Fries, tots and chicken were all on point. Oh and you can’t forget the cookies n cream milkshake. Yum. But I think the highlight was the kids’ activities they had in the store! A train track was in the “toddler area” while a few arcade games were near the soda fountains. Bennett was absolutely in love and was playing with the trains until we got our food, and then again after! Such a cool concept, and on behalf of toddler parents – we thank you!
It will always be hard to top two trips for me. First, Rachel and I’s honeymoon to Cancun, Mexico. Second, my trip to Ireland with my dad and brother.
However, this trip to Phoenix is absolutely at the top of both Rachel and I’s lists in terms of places we visited. I think a huge part of that is because all that we did! We are a very “go go go” family, and so I think visiting the different attractions, eating at a lot of local restaurants, and staying at two different resorts really worked for us. If you’re not that way, it would be easy to just relax at your resort and soak up the time there!
I hope this article helps give you some ideas for your next Phoenix/Scottsdale trip.
Did I miss any places? If so, let me know! Because I’m positive we’ll be coming back here soon.
(St. Louis, MO) — St. Louis is known for its world-famous barbecue. There’s a reason “St. Louis Style Ribs” are on BBQ menus around the world.
Now, you can experience flavors from around the world in St. Louis! Introducing Expat BBQ, by Niche Food Group.
Located in the City Foundry STL, Expat features three stories full of seating and space, including an outdoor patio on the third floor.
The slogan is “Well Traveled Barbecue,” and there’s good reason for that. Just look at the menu! You’ll see food inspiration from Brazil, Vietnam, Mexico, China and more, while still staying true to Midwestern BBQ.
We started off with the “Slay Tray,” a trio of delicious appetizers including Hot Wisconsin Cheese Curds, Jerk Chicken Wings and Spare BBQ ribs. The cheese curds should be submitted into an international cheese curds awards show, because they are absolutely amazing. Just on their own, they’re packed with flavor and not TOO hot. The perfect amount of kick. They are served with a mango habanero sauce, if you like things extra spicy.
Diving into the international flair, there’s the World Tour on the menu. This is a way to try many meats like lamb shoulder, pork shoulder, brisket, ribs and more. We personalized ours since we already tried the ribs, so we got lamb shoulder, pork shoulder and brisket!
With sides of jalapeño mac ‘n cheese, baked black beans, Texas toast, collard greens and fries – there are delicious sides for everyone. The brisket and jalapeño mac ‘n cheese were the stars of the show for us on this order.
Rachel and I are big dessert fans. So when the option came up to try Tiger’s Blood Shaved Ice and Pineapple Crisp, we were in!
With ice cream and brown sugar crumble laid on top, this was my kind of dessert. The pineapple was juicy and packed with flavor, while the brown sugar crumble gave the perfect texture to wrap it all together.
The MVP of desserts, though, was the Tiger’s Blood Kakigori. Served at the perfect consistency, the shaved ice is flavored with strawberry, watermelon, coconut and sweetened condensed milk. It’s so light, but packed with flavor to make it a refreshing dessert. This was perfect even when the temps were frigid outside, so I can see this being a huge hit when the warm weather returns! Grab a patio seat and enjoy!
The international-inspired atmosphere at Expat made me want to travel the world! The attention to detail makes the space feel exquisite, but the open space concept offers a welcoming breath. Plus, the staff were all amazing. Our server, Sarah, was very attentive to our orders and offered great insight into the different food options. Sarah did a wonderful job!
Zach, the General Manager, was also welcoming and knowledgeable. He did a great job on providing some history of the restaurant and the vision they’re working with. You can tell Zach is passionate about what he does, which includes providing a fantastic menu to customers. With a recent opening of fall 2024, Zach and his team are constantly looking for ways to improve and evolve the menu.
All in all, this was an extremely unique experience for Rachel and I. Plus, it was our first date night out since having Mattie in December! Thanks, grandparents!
Check out Expat at the City Foundry STL, located at 3730 Foundry Way, St. Louis, MO 63110.
(PEORIA, ILLINOIS) — It’s a new year. And I’ve got some extra time on my hands as I wrap up paternity leave, with my sweet angel baby just snoozing away.
I love to vision cast. I look at the world around me and constantly think about what improvements I think could be cool to see.
You might disagree with me, you might love my ideas! But as I did a few years ago, here is a list of 10 things I personally think could be beneficial to add to Peoria, Illinois.
1: Kids Play Cafe
This is a trendy concept seen in cities like St. Louis, Missouri and Phoenix, Arizona. It’s an affordable, public kids’ play zone that has a coffee shop/cafe inside of the building for the adults. This would be a great addition for families to experience, and allow both kids and adults to socialize in a fun atmosphere.
2: Raisin’ Cane’s
I’ve been saying this for years. Bring on Cane’s! Especially with the recent closures of other fast food chicken restaurants, bringing in a successful brand like Cane’s would be a good move.
3: More coffee options!
Did you know in the area of War Memorial and Big Hollow, that there are 3 Starbucks in roughly a quarter mile radius? There’s one right off War Memorial, one in Target, and one in Barnes and Noble. I’m not opposed to a Starbuck’s drink here and there, don’t get me wrong. But let’s get some variety! Not to add all the Dunkin’s in town. Supporting local shops like CxT, The Spot, Intuition and Zion are fantastic first options. But if we’re going to have a certain amount of chain-like coffee shops throughout the City, let’s add in Scooter’s, Caribou Coffee, Better Buzz and Dutch Bros just to name a few!
4: Skiing/sledding/tubing area
The closest places to go skiing are Rockford, Galena and St. Louis. That’s a 2-3 hour drive in the winter for those who love to ski, snowboard and tube. I’d love to see a “ski resort” type vibe come to Peoria, bringing more people to town during the cold months and giving our local residents a fun option.
5: Fun lodging options
With the closure of Sankoty Lakes in Spring Bay, I feel like a hole has been left in terms of really cool places to stay in the area. We’re lucky to have lodging at Wildlife Prairie Park which offers a super cool atmosphere, but central Illinois is a pretty wide area and could use some more options other than just hotels and Air BnBs.
6: Peoria City soccer stadium
Of course I’ve got to throw some love to Peoria City, our local USL League Two and Women’s Premier Soccer League franchises. Having our own stadium would be incredible! I envision the opportunity to host regional and statewide soccer tournaments, professional combines and other events year-round in a stadium like this.
7: A winery!
Whether it’s a downtown or Warehouse District brick and mortar, or someone taking over the property where Kickapoo Creek Winery was located, a winery in Peoria would be fun. Look at what Galena Cellars does in Galena, Illinois. Or Grafton Winery as well. They have both a rural winery and vineyard on the outskirts of town and a downtown wine bar and restaurant.
8: Some sort of amusement park
Waterparks and amusement parks are hard to come by. There’s a lot of upkeep, Peoria can have some harsh winters, so I understand the barriers that could arise. But I think in Peoria had something like Knight’s Action Park in Springfield or Raging Rivers in Grafton, Illinois – that could bring some people outside of our community in during the warmer months.
9: Frozen custard!
And I’m not talking Culver’s! While I do love me some Culver’s, something local would be fantastic! Frozen custard is a huge deal in St. Louis. You’ve got Ted Drewe’s, Fritz’s and Andy’s. Have one option in Peoria would be amazing.
10: Barbecue festival on the riverfront
To honor our local barbecue scene, let’s have a BBQ festival downtown on the riverfront. Paducah, Kentucky has a pretty solid festival from what I hear (I’m still trying to make it down for one). This would be a way for all the Central Illinois BBQ restaurants to showcase their products. I think we have plenty across the region to have a fantastic lineup.
11: An aquarium!
After visiting my college town, Springfield, Missouri, over the weekend – I had to add this to my list. The Wonders of Wildlife aquarium at Bass Pro Shops’ HQ is amazing. It’s so much fun for kids and families and is an amazing way for people to connect with nature and appreciate conservation. I could see something happening alongside the Peoria Riverfront Museum or Bass Pro here in East Peoria.
What do you think about my list? Do you have any other ideas? Drop me a comment on social media or on this article and let me know.
I think the last few years I’ve said the year prior was always the best of my life. There’s a continuing factor in that equation; being married to my beautiful wife, Rachel.
Our lives the last couple of years have been nothing less than whirlwinds, in a good way. We dated for 4 months, were engaged for 8, got married, and then she got pregnant 2 months later.
Fast forward to today, and a lot has grown. Let’s start in chronological order.
Ahead of the 2024 Peoria City soccer season, I was promoted to Vice President of the club. Heading into 2025, I’m entering my 3rd year with the team, and it’s been such a blast. I’m blessed to lead our efforts on social media, while building community relationships and strategic partnerships.
One day in the spring, I was sitting on the couch at our old apartment (we’ll get to that later). Bennett walked up to his daddy and handed me a big brother book while wearing a big brother shirt, marking only the 2nd time Rachel has seen me cry. The first being when she walked down the aisle at our wedding.
We were filled with so much joy that we would be bringing another life into the Sheehan household.
In May, the Peoria City USL League Two season started. On night one, we broke the attendance record at our home opener. The season was an absolute success, with Peoria hosting Chivas de Guadalajara U23 in the River City for a 4-day event in June. Peoria City ended up making the playoffs, and went all the way to the National Final. USL chose Peoria to host playoffs, five rounds straight. This was an economic boom for the area and helped bring pride into our local sports scene. While we fell short, losing 2-3 in the Final, the boys brought excitement and energy all season long. We are very proud of them.
In the fall, I began teaching Public Relations (PR) Writing at Bradley University. It’s a completely online class, which fits my schedule perfectly. I was asked to return in spring 2025, where I’m excited to continue teaching the future generation of marketing and public relations professionals the ropes.
I continue my time at OSF HealthCare, working full-time in Media Relations. I have the best boss I could ask for, and a fantastic team I love working with. I’ve been dedicated to finding stories that make a difference in our communities and engage with the consumers’ interest. A big part of my work has been working with national media outlets, which we’re off to a great start on.
This fall, we moved out of the apartment we’ve lived in for 3 years and bought a house! It feels great to really put roots down in Peoria, and we’re so happy we did. Before baby girl was born, I bought a car! We needed a size upgrade, and after months of research, I found one locally that really caught my eye. A “Hey babe, you alright if I go test drive this car?” Turned into “Hey babe, I bought a car!” all in one day. Whirlwinds, am I right?
Of course, the absolute highlight of the year has been welcoming our sweet angel, Mattie Marie, into the family. After showing up into the world 5 days past her due date, Mattie entered the world on December 23rd, just ahead of Christmas. Her mommy and daddy prayed tirelessly for her all nine months, and we’re so thankful she is here.
Travel has been a highlight of our year, as it usually is. In February, I had a partnership with Starved Rock Lodge and some surrounding restaurants, breweries and dessert shops to showcase LaSalle County. It’s always an amazing time at Starved Rock, and I was so excited to be able to write about our stay.
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In March, I took Rachel and Bennett on a birthday trip for mama to Sarasota, Florida. We had a blast, even though dad either got food poisoning one night, or a stomach bug (still not fully sure). Bennett loves the beach and it was a great time bonding as a family. The food highlight of the trip had to be at Brick’s Smoked Meats. You can read all about it here!
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Ahead of the Peoria City season in May, we traveled to Pine Mark Inn, located in St. Clair, Missouri. This was another fun partnership filled with fun, local activities we got to enjoy.
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In August, Rachel Bennett and I took my parents on a trip through Colorado. I say through, because we did quite a lot of driving! Flying into Denver, we then drove to Estes Park. After staying there a few days, we went south to Colorado Springs, enjoying Garden of the Gods and a nice dinner with my aunt and uncle.
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After the Springs, we headed south some more to Walsenburg, where we stayed at the Inn at Pennington Place. Following Walsenburg, we went even more south to Cuchara, a family-favorite, and stayed at Yellow Pine Guest Ranch. My family has been traveling to Cuchara for five generations now. It’s such a scenic place, filled with the beautiful outdoors. Life seems a little slower there.
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You may or may not know, but Rachel and I’s anniversary is October 16th. So for our anniversary, I took us on a little getaway to Southern Illinois. We stayed at Hartline Hill Cabin in Makanda, and visited a lot of local eateries, while going on hikes and visiting Giant City Lodge.
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Soon after Hartline Hill, we did an overnight at Wildlife Prairie Park! We rode the train, fed wolves and enjoyed the Prairie Stables. It’s nice to have such an awesome place so close to home.
Just a week later, I had a partnership in Galesburg, Illinois with the local tourism bureau. This partnership saw us staying at Dragonfly Lakes, a brand new glamping experience in the area. Once again, as you probably guessed, we partnered with local eateries, a children’s museum, an alpaca farm and more during our stay. Such an amazing time!
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After Galesburg, we really stopped any travel because Rachel was so far along in her pregnancy. But I’d count 2024 as a successful travel year! There are some exciting things in the works for 2025, don’t worry! Any suggestions on a place we should visit? Comment on this post or send me a message on social media.
I want to thank everyone who subscribes to this website and follows our journey on social media. We’re surrounded by some truly amazing people, and I’m honored to be able to do what I do.
We had a whirlwind Christmas. You could call this year the gift that keeps on giving, since we still have to celebrate with the other side of our family.
But the greatest gift of 2025 was the birth of our sweet daughter, Mattie Marie Sheehan.
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Her due date was supposed to be December 18th, but she must get her stubbornness from her daddy, as she wasn’t born until the 23rd. Which is actually perfect, because now every single year we get to have a 3-day “Christmas extravaganza,” starting with her birthday.
It was always important to Rachel and I that if we ever had kids in December, their birthdays would get their time to shine apart from Christmas. We were nervous, as we quickly approached Christmas and baby girl still wasn’t born yet. But now that she gets her own day, we have peace about the whole situation.
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Like her brother, Mattie was born at more than 8 pounds and 20 inches tall. Her head is in the 94th percentile, as Bennett’s was in the 99th percentile. We had an amazing experience at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. The staff was terrific, making Rachel feel cared for and safe the entire time.
During Bennett’s birth, the epidural did not work on Rachel. This was something we prayed for all 9 months of her pregnancy, that it would work during Mattie’s. And it did, praise God.
Yes, Mattie is named after me. But for the record, it wasn’t my idea. Rachel had this name in her mind (without telling me, of course) since when she was pregnant with Bennett. In case we had a girl, she loved the name Mattie. So here we are!
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Marie has a few meanings for us. It’s the middle name for Rachel’s grandmothers on both sides of the family, as well as the middle name of one of Rachel’s former residents at the Boulevard Senior Living in St. Charles, MO.
Velma, the resident, was a WWII veteran and was even honored at the Missouri Capitol for her service. She was amazing, and we were blessed to see her earlier this year before her passing. She was 104-years-old. Her and Bennett were BFFs.
Mattie looks exactly like Bennett when he was a baby. Her bright eyes are captivating, with a beautiful face and chubby cheeks.
We love our Mattie Marie so much, and are so joyful that she’s finally here.
Bennett has been an amazing big brother, saying “I love you, Mattie” and “goodnight, baby sis” every day. He’s very caring and protective of her, and I can’t wait to see their bond grow as time goes on.
It’s the perfect way to end 2024, and I pray you have a great rest of the year, too.
(GALESBURG, ILLINOIS) — In working in local TV news for five years, I traveled to Galesburg, Illinois for a handful of stories.
Fast forward to present day, and there are some other times I will go to the city in a professional setting. The only time I’ve really gone to the area for leisure was when I did my Illinois Winery Tour blog with Hidden Hills Winery, which was a great time!
This month, my family and I got the chance to experience the Galesburg area in a more fun setting, and we had a wonderful time! There are so many different places to eat, along with fun, family-friendly activities you can do while there. Let’s dive in to 8 things to do in and around Galesburg, Illinois.
While actually in Dahinda, Illinois – Dragonfly Lakes is a brand new glamping experience that’s perfect for those looking to connect with nature, while still preserving a luxurious cabin feel.
We stayed in Locust Landing #1 – which is a 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom cabin on the upper level of the property. There are really two levels that curve around the lakes, which are all in view of the cabins. It appears a few cabins on the lower level are still getting the final touches, while the you’re able to stay in the upper level right now.
The exterior and interior of the cabins are magnificent. With a rustic luxury design, the timber-frame built cabins offer a cozy place to relax in after a busy day. We were provided fire wood and a fire starter kit for our firepit, which we used outside on the first night. I specify outside – because there is in fact a fireplace inside the cabin, which I did not try to start a fire in. Because, well, I have a 2-year-old. Enough said.
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With blackout curtains surrounding nearly every window, it provides a great sleep setting on the main floor, which I’ll call bedroom #1. This is where Bennett and Rachel slept, which I’ll get to why here in a second.
Bedroom #2 can only be reached through a pretty steep, 8-step ladder that connects the lower floor to the upper floor. These were my sleeping quarters. I say this not to criticize at all, because I had no problem going up and down the ladder – it made for some good exercise. But if you have young children, like I do, who want to climb the ladder – you have to have your guard up a little bit more than usual. When thinking through everything I wanted to write about in this article, it became apparent that that piece of information was important to share with families, or those who don’t do well with heights. There are some one bedroom cabin options, and the sleeping arrangements appear to be on the upper level there, as well.
Dragonfly Lakes has 400 acres of private property, with two lakes you can fish, kayak or canoe in. There are also private hiking trails that are well preserved. This walk was absolutely stunning when we went, having fall leaves everywhere.
The cabins are roughly 25 minutes outside of downtown Galesburg. We absolutely loved staying here, and I’m sure we’ll be back one day when the kids are a little bit older.
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Where to play:
On a mission to find family-friendly things to do in the Galesburg area, the Galesburg Tourism & Visitors Bureau helped us find just that.
I’ve heard about Discovery Depot many times from parents across Central Illinois. People will travel from Peoria to Galesburg just to visit children’s museum, and I now see why.
The museum is bustling with fun, sensory activities that are great for kids of all ages. For those with the little babies who are just crawling and climbing, there is a dedicated section on the first floor where they can play.
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Where to I begin with what kids can do here. There are all these exhibits in Discovery Depot where kids can let their imagination run free. In one section, you’ll have an ambulance and fire truck that kids can turn on the lights or hit the sirens.
In another section, there’s a grocery store where kids can pick fruits, vegetables and other items and “check out.” There’s a post office, veterinarian’s office, bank and much more. All places for kids to interact with things they probably see mom and dad doing in real life, they’re able to creatively experience all of it.
There’s also a dedicated room for craft projects! When we were there, kids were able to make towers out with wooden sticks and cranberries.
One of Bennett’s favorite things to do was sit in the John Deere combine. It’s a full exhibit you can sit multiple kids in and “drive” the combine over the corn stalks.
There are two levels to Discovery Depot. The lower level is what I just described. The upper level has a lot more science-based exhibits. Learn to interact with water in the WAVES section, which has water tables and much more. There is a climbing area that is perfect for the older kids, the Discovery Depot website says the museum is for kids 1-12.
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And don’t forget about the train car you can walk through right outside! You can see it in the photo above.
There is a science experiment room in the area as well, and ways to learn about air and wind. It’s a great way for kids to learn critical thinking and get hands-on experience with everyday things.
Talk about an amazing experience. Kathy at Heartland Criations Alpaca farm gave us a private tour of her Rio, Illinois farm.
If you’ve ever pet llamas and/or alpacas, you’ll know how friendly they are. They’ll walk right up to you and let you pet or feed them.
Kathy raises Suri Alpacas and sells alpaca products, while also traveling to trade shows around the country.
You can tour the farm, by appointment only. I’d recommend emailing Kathy at hcalpacas@yahoo.com or heading to hcalpacas.com.
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Where to eat:
What Rachel and I were pretty impressed by when driving through downtown Galesburg, were all the food options! It seemed all different streets downtown had new options, and we barely scratched the surface! But we did a pretty good job trying local spots, let’s start with dinner on Friday night.
Located on Seminary Street downtown, baked (yes, the “b” is lowercase) offers specialty pizzas and good vibes. And, the prices are very reasonable!
For Bennett, we got a smaller pepperoni pizza and milk.
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Then Rachel and I split what I’d consider a medium or large pizza, I believe we went with 12 inches, and did two different toppings. Half of the pizza was a spinach artichoke pizza, which I absolutely loved. I’m a big “spin dip” guy, and will eat artichokes with just about anything. The other half was the Pheasant Run, topped with pepperoni, green olives, chipotle, mozzarella cheese, garlic oil and red sauce.
I love olives, so that’s why Pheasant Run caught my eye. The variety of having spinach artichoke on one side and Pheasant Run on the other was a perfect match, in my opinion. You could go back and forth no problem, and the flavors balanced each other out very well.
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The walls are covered in chalk designs, which my kiddo loved. We had Bluey and Bingo from the show Bluey right by our table. baked also serves sodas with a frosted mason jar, nice touch there.
Now it’s time for your Saturday morning coffee. Head to downtown Galesburg and park in the free lot across Simmons Street, or just do street parking, and head in to The Beanhive.
A quaint coffee shop with good vibes, tasty coffee and delicious breakfast options – The Beanhive is a must-do if you’re downtown. The staff were extremely friendly, and it was absolutely clutch that they have a games corner and table. When Bennett got a little restless, I was able to take him over there where he was SO FOCUSED on all the games and toys.
I ordered an iced mocha, which was great. Rachel got a hot chocolate, and we all split a cinnamon roll, slice of quiche and a breakfast sandwich!
Welcome to Galesburg’s oldest restaurant! Decorated like a 50’s diner, Coney Island is known for their hot dogs. I got the Coney Island Dog, which is a hot dog with Coney sauce, brown mustard and onions on it (I got no onions).
Rachel got a cup of chili, which she said was really good! And Bennett got a plain hot dog. Miss Vickie’s chips are available with your meal and you can get bottles of soda, water etc. in fridges at the front of the store.
I was very pleased with my meal and the affordable price it offered. The brown mustard was a nice touch along with the Coney sauce.
Located on Simmons Street super close to The Beanhive, Iron Spike is located in a restored and converted central fire station. It’s now a 2-story, 10,000 square foot brewery and restaurant. Iron Spike is a great place for friends and family to gather, and it also was family-friendly. The high chair they had for Bennett was better than just about any other high chair around, and Britni our server was extremely friendly.
I ordered the Saturday night special, which consisted of a parmesan crusted ribeye, which sat on mashed potatoes. It was delicious, and honestly, the steak was better than some steaks I’ve had at actual steakhouses.
Rachel ordered the buffalo chicken salad and Bennett got a plate of mac n cheese off the kid’s menu. The mac n cheese was amazing. Rachel and I may or may not have eaten some of it as well. Bennett enjoyed some of the veggies that were served with Rachel’s meal as well. You can see the full menu here!
For my beer drinkers out there, I ordered the Light Rail cream ale. It was extremely smooth and matched the energy of classic American ales. It’s definitely on brand for the Galesburg area, which has plenty of trains rolling through and the Amtrak station, but it’s also extremely refreshing.
Judy’s Family Cafe has exploded on the social media scene, mostly because of its owner, Judy. She creates hilarious TikTok content which has gone viral, earning her coverage from Chicago TV stations as well as a New York Times article in September.
You may have seen Judy’s social media videos, claiming to have the best pancakes and offering a great sense of humor. I never pass up watching a Judy’s Family Cafe video. But these quick videos, maybe 30 seconds or less, are prime advertising for her restaurant. People are traveling to Galesburg, Illinois just to stop at Judy’s and get the pancakes. When you can hop on the Amtrak from Chicago to Galesburg and see one of your favorite TikTok creators, why wouldn’t you?
Well, her advertising worked on me – because I ordered the pancakes.
I ordered the Sweet Stack, which is two pancakes topped with whipped cream, blueberries and strawberries. You can also order the Sweet Stack, except switch pancakes for French toast. But why would you do that?
The pancakes were really good, I have to admit. Rachel ordered the Cinnamon Toast Crunch French toast, which she loved, and Bennett got pancakes and sausage links. The links were nice and crispy, which was a good change of pace. Judy’s was VERY busy. The parking lot was packed and we had to park around the corner on street parking, which was fine. It turned out to be a beautiful walk on a nice fall day.
It was a packed weekend for my family and I, and I have to say thank you to Randy and Experience Galesburg for setting up such a fun weekend away.
It’s so close to Peoria (40ish minutes), which makes for a nice and easy drive down westbound I-74. I’m sure there’s much more to do and see in Galesburg, and we’re looking forward to coming back one day to see what that is!
I hope you enjoyed hearing about our weekend getaway, let me know if there are any places on your list I missed!
(HANNA CITY, ILLINOIS) — Imagine a place you can wake up in the morning to bison in your backyard.
Wildlife Prairie Park, a 1,800-acre zoological park in Hanna City, Illinois — offers just that, plus a lot more.
Here’s your “What-To-Do” list, Wildlife Prairie Park edition.
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Where to stay:
There are 7 ways to stay and reconnect with nature at Wildlife Prairie Park.
Legacy Cabins (where the bison can be easily seen)
Train cabooses
Megan’s Lodge
Grain bin cottages
Prairie Stables
Cabin on the Hill
Tent camping
Rachel, Bennett and I stayed in the Prairie Stables, so that’s what I know the most about.
Sitting aside Caboose Lake, the Prairie Stables are a rustic, cabin feel with two bedrooms and one bathroom, and a porch.
It’s very simplistic and nature-themed, with the pillows and decorations giving a Colorado vibe.
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The vibrant, red train cabooses looked incredible. They sit across Caboose Lake from the Prairie Stables. We’d love to stay there one day.
The Grain Bin Cottages are just steps away from the Prairie Stables, as well.
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What to do:
There’s so much to do at Wildlife Prairie Park. I say this as someone who has come on a weekend just to walk around and explore, and also as someone who has stayed here overnight. Hiking trails, animal exhibits, train rides, kayaking and much more just to name a few. Head to WPP’s website to learn more.
During our stay, we rode the final Prairie Zephyr train ride of the season. The train takes you through two different loops around the park, seeing plenty of nature along the way. This is a really fun option for kids, and WPP offered free park admission + Prairie Zephyr train rides for veterans on Veteran’s Day. The park is also gearing up for Santa’s Wildlife Express, which is a holiday-themed take on the train ride experience. Tickets are on sale now for the event, which runs December 13-15.
Probably the highlight of our trip was getting a private experience feeding wolves! Bennett, my 2-year-old, must have no fear – because he fed Tala and Aurora (behind a secure fence) with no hesitation. You can sign up for different animal feedings by emailing programming@wildlifeprairie.org
Some of my personal favorite things about Wildlife Prairie Park are the trails to see all the animals. Wolves, bears, bison, cougars and elk lead the charge with plenty more to see along the way. A really fun part, especially for kids, is the education center where you can see owls, turtles, snakes and more inside. This is also a great place to get indoors when the months get a little chillier, which is coming up soon for us Midwesterners.
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You can also get married at Wildlife Prairie Park! Say “I do” with some bison in the field behind you, then celebrate in one of the event spaces the park offers. You can find the different options here.
The WPP website says the park is known as a jewel of the North American Midwest. I’d have to agree. It’s well-located, just outside of Peoria – while feeling like you’re escaping to nature.
Many thanks to the WPP team for their hospitality during our stay. Until next time!
(MAKANDA, ILLINOIS) — If it’s one thing I love, it’s log cabins.
My family and I have stayed in log cabins ever since I can remember. Always in Colorado, though. Their rustic vibe joined with the rustic outdoors, it’s a spiritual experience. I’ve seen the Milky Way sitting outside of a log cabin before. I’ve sat by a running stream, seen elk walk by, and just listen to the wind whistle by.
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Illinois probably isn’t the first place you think of when you think of staying in a cabin. But for those of us who live in the Land of Lincoln, that time has come, and I’ve got a great choice for your next log cabin visit.
If you read my article about 8 things to do in Southern Illinois, you’d know Hartline Hill was at the beginning of the list. Located in Shawnee National Forest, Hartline Hill is in Makanda (pronounced muh-CAN-duh) – just 10-15 minutes outside of Carbondale, the home of Southern Illinois University.
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The cabin is one of the Southern Illinois Vacation Rental (SIVR) properties. The 2,300 sq. ft. log house is right by Route 51 and close to so many fun activities.
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With five beds total, you can comfortably fit 10 people. The living room is gorgeous, boasting vaulted ceilings that welcome you in with open arms.
The main bedroom is situated with a comfortable king bed, walk-in closet, and spacious bathroom. The shower was AMAZING!
Every detail at Hartline Hill was spot on. The architecture of the building, inside and out, was spectacular. It made you feel like you were at home, yet connecting with nature all at once.
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The kitchen is beautiful, full of modern appliances you can use if you just want to stay in for the night. I envision the dining area being the perfect place for a Friendsgiving, a family reunion, or a weekend getaway with friends.
Whatever the trip you’re doing, Hartline Hill is the perfect place for it. It’s great to have a fridge where you stay that has a built-in water dispenser and ice maker. We like our water and ice in this family! Especially with the hikes we did on our adventure. The living room has a real wood fireplace, couch, loveseat, recliner and smart TV.
The second and third bedrooms have a Jack & Jill bathroom in between them, and there’s a half bathroom in the hallway near the living room and kitchen. There’s a washer and dryer with all the supplies you need on that side as well.
You can walk out from the main bedroom upstairs right to the deck, overlooking a grassy field with a forest behind it. This is a great place for stargazing at night! The property sits on 5 acres of private land.
If you’re a sit-on-the-porch type of person, you can do that here too. There’s even a fire pit out back on the gravel drive behind the house. Speaking of driving, you have two indoor parking spaces inside the cabin! You can pull in to the bottom level of Hartline Hill where there’s two perfectly paved parking spots.
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Other incredible features of the lower level include the bar room with seating, a mini fridge and arcade games.
I played a few rounds of Buck Hunter myself! There’s also a Pac-Man machine and another machine with hundreds of games inside of it. It’s hard to choose!
Right outside the bar area is a ping-pong table, darts board and more.
I told my friends from college we travel with that this needs to be on our list for an upcoming friends’ getaway.
The lower level has a huge bedroom with two beds in it and a half bathroom.
The close proximity to activities makes this the perfect destination. Southern Illinois is wine country, so if you’re a wine lover, this is your spot! There are plenty of places nearby to eat, drink, get coffee or dessert, and take hikes.
What we did during our stay:
Hiked at Giant City State Park
Visited StarView Vineyards
Ate pizza at Quatro’s
Ate dinner at Giant City Lodge
Climbed a water tower in Giant City State Park
Visited Boo Castle Park
Ate frozen yogurt at Cool Spoons
Had breakfast at Harbaugh’s Cafe
Got Frappuccinos at Kiki’s CoffeeHouse & Cafe
If you enjoy the outdoors, but need a mix of city life, you’re only 10 minutes from Carbondale. There are plenty of stores in town that you can shop at like TJ Maxx, Kohl’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods and more.
Allison was a fantastic host and was very communicative during our stay. Another perk of Hartline Hill and SIVR is they send you an E-Guide before your visit! The guide has all of the FAQs you could imagine about the property. Plus it lists out all the nearby things you can do! Many of the things we did were from this list, and there were so many more I wanted to get to! I of course have to thank Derek Hayden for connecting me with Hartline Hill Cabin, I’m very grateful we got to make this happen!
(MAKANDA, ILLINOIS) — Let’s be honest. There are two major things people think of when they think of Illinois. They both start with the letter C.
1: Chicago
2: Corn fields
I’m a Midwesterner through and through. I grew up in St. Louis, lived my college years in Springfield, MO – and have been in Illinois now 6 1/2 years. I can attest that Midwest living is a lot more than just that. And I hope my journeys through the Prairie State can help prove that.
This time, we’re talking about Southern Illinois! The area we visited is just a 2-hour drive from St. Louis. I feel like I barely scratched the surface in terms of things to do here. This article will hopefully give you an idea of things to do over a weekend with friends or family. Extend it out and have a 3-day or 4-day weekend why don’t ya! Let me know what you find along the way. Here are 8 things to do on your Southern Illinois getaway.
Gone are the days you have to travel to a mountainous state to stay in a log cabin. When I say this place is beautiful through and through, I mean it. It’s where nature meets luxury. I’m doing a full travel article on our stay at Hartline Hill Cabin, so stay tuned!
The cliff notes are:
Sleeps 10
Deck with views at the back of the house. Full porch at the front of the house
Spacious bedrooms with walk-in closets, gorgeous bathrooms
Game room with arcade games and bar area
Two indoor parking spaces
Downstairs bedroom with 2 queen beds, 1 bathroom
Roomy living area upstairs with TV, couches and recliners
There’s so much more to discuss, but let’s save that for next time. For now, enjoy the photos!
There’s a few things that make what I do so much easier. First, when the food and wine tastes really good. Check. Second, when it’s a picture-perfect day outside. Check!
It was a gorgeous October afternoon when Rachel and I stopped by StarView Vineyards. We ordered food from the menu and I got a wine tasting while we sat on the patio overlooking the very blue lake.
What we ordered:
Spinach & artichoke dip. Amazing!
BBQ Pulled pork sandwich made by a local restaurant. So good!
Rachel got a chicken salad sandwich. She loved it!
Now let’s get to the wine. In my tasting I went from semi-dry to semi-sweet. You get 5 wines to try, but I asked for a 6th because I saw it was made with Niagara grapes (my favorite).
1: Vignoles
2: Vidal Blanc
3: Red Star
4: Morning Star
5: Moonlight White
6: Silver Star
All were AMAZING. I ordered three to take home. The Vidal Blanc, Red Star and Morning Star. I’d highly recommend anyone stop by StarView Vineyards. We had an amazing time and I already can’t wait to go back. I’ll be posting an Illinois wine blog with more details on the different wines that you can try. Stay tuned!
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3: Eat Deep Pan Pizza at Quatro’s | Carbondale, Illinois
If I went to Southern Illinois University, Quatro’s and I would’ve been best friends. It’s a lovely pizza place famous for a few things. Yellow take-home cups, side salads with world-famous ranch, and Deep Pan Pizza. It’s a delicious take on deep dish pizza. The crust was layered with burnt cheese which was fantastic. We ordered the Meateater Bonanza which had sausage, beef and pepperoni along with cheese… and more cheese! Yes, you could eat it with a fork and knife, which I did for the most part. But it stayed intact so well that you could pick up a slice on your own and dive in.
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4: Climb a water tower | Giant City State Park | Makanda, Illinois
My wife is a rockstar. When she was pregnant with Bennett, we went on a babymoon to Holland, Michigan and she climbed a sand dune while 7 months pregnant. This time she climbed up a water tower with me, while 7 months pregnant! The water tower is located right by Giant City Lodge, a rustic lodge with cabins and a restaurant. We ate there last night and I really enjoyed the all-you-can-eat chicken! I ate one plate and was stuffed, though. But everything was reasonably priced. But the water tower is a great place to catch the sunset over the forests.
We love a good frappe in this family. And Kiki’s had just that! Right now they have fall themed drinks, I got the witches brew, and they’re decorated for Halloween. They have food options as well, and a kids’ play area if you want to bring the little ones along!
With over 300 toppings, you can’t go wrong here at Cool Spoons. I mixed the cake batter and blue cookie frozen yogurt to make a delicious combo, and topped it with things like cookie dough, mochi, strawberry gummies and more.
We’re back to Giant City. We returned to the park our second day before leaving town. The Giant City Nature Trail is where we walked. It’s a moderate difficult 1-mile loop that takes you through the forest, and what you see along the way is what’s magnificent.
I walked through caves, climbed on top of huge rocks, and walked through the “Giant City Streets.” This was truly one of my favorite hikes in Illinois and we completed it in roughly 45 minutes. There are some hilly areas throughout the hike, so make sure to stay hydrated, take your time and enjoy the scenic views.
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8: Hang out with wizards and dragons while seeing a castle! Boo Castle Park | Carbondale, Illinois
We drove by this place one night and were like “what in the world is this place?” So naturally we had to check it out. It’s a privately owned park, but it’s free and open to the public. The park was created in honor of Jeremy “Boo” Rochman, who passed away in a car accident in 1993. As a kid, Boo loved action figures. As he got older, he enjoyed painting wizard figures. This is a place that’s fun for kids and adults. I felt like a kid again walking through the park and seeing wizards, dragons, gargoyles and of course… walking through the Castle. It’s a very intricately designed castle that you can walk through with ease, and there’s something new around every corner. The amount of design and effort put into this part is incredible.
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As I mentioned, I barely scratched the surface on what to do in Southern Illinois. This is really just in the Carbondale region. And even then, there are so many more things you can do while visiting. I want to thank everyone we met for being so hospitable, and we can’t wait to visit again!
(PEORIA, ILLINOIS) — Tonight was the first time I’ve ever seen the Northern Lights in person. And I was in Peoria, Illinois! Who would have thought.
It seems that this year more opportunities have come up for us Midwesterners to get a glimpse of the aurora borealis, whether it be just a sliver or the whole nine yards. I got just a glimpse, but I’ll take it!
The Northern Lights aren’t the only “firsts” happening in life right now. And the beautiful painting in the sky had me realizing I haven’t done a proper life update in quite some time.
We bought a house! It’s hard to believe I’m writing that. It’s one of those things you wish and dream for, and it’s finally here. We’re very grateful to everyone who helped move us in and have supported us along the way. Bennett loves it. It’s so new and exciting for us adults, imagine it for a little kiddo whose imagination is just exploding right now. We’re very blessed.
Almost time to become a 2x dad! Rachel would tell me “you already are a father of two!” Which I am, she’s right. But what I’m meaning is, little baby Sheehan #2 is now roughly 2 months away from making her grand debut. Yes, you read that right, we’re having a baby girl. I’ll be honest… for the first kid, I wanted a boy. Now I’m ready to have a “daddy’s little princess.” And she’s already spoiled. I feel like I’m buying her a new onesie or sleeper everytime I step foot into a store. And… we picked a name! But, so sorry to share, we won’t be sharing until she’s here earthside.
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Career: I’m now working three jobs. It’s not as bad as it sounds, I promise. Everything syncs together perfectly, allowing me to give 100% in each workplace. Full time I’m in healthcare marketing, working with a fantastic team, led by a wonderful boss. I feel like the work we do is meaningful and beneficial to our local communities, and it’s a job that brings fulfillment.
I’m the Vice President of Peoria City, the pre-professional soccer team in Peoria, Illinois. We just made it to the National Championship! Out of nearly 130 teams, we were one of the final two. Sadly, we lost 2-3 in extra time, but Peoria sold out Shea Stadium with over 3,100 fans in attendance. It was fantastic. We’ll be back for 2025 in no time, and I hope you’ll join us for some games. We’re always looking for partners and sponsors. So if you’re interested, let me know! Let’s talk.
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Lastly, I’m working as an adjunct professor at Bradley University teaching Public Relations Writing. It’s been an enjoyable experience! It’s just after midnight and I just got done grading my students’ discussion posts. For a lot of them, this class is the first time they’re really learning about the PR/marketing field. I hope the work they’re doing helps them become better writers and communicators once they reach the real world.
And of course, I’m doing this! I’m trying to write whenever I have a chance, and I’ve got some really exciting content coming up. Multiple Illinois-based projects within the next month that I’m pumped for, and hopefully an out-of-state adventure in early 2025. The last Illinois projects I’ve done were back in March when we visited Starved Rock Country! It’s a beautiful place and I loved getting to try different food options nearby the State Park, of course while staying at the infamous Starved Rock Lodge.
It was fantastic to visit Colorado back in August. It’s such a special place to my family and I. I’m already dreaming of getting back to Estes Park and hiking through Rocky Mountain National Park. Or heading to Walsenburg and Cuchara in Spanish Peaks Country, and enjoying the slowness of life there. It’s such a beautiful area.
A big part of what I like to do through this blog and show people locally and afar the fun things there are to do that are closeby. With many of these projects coming up, I’ll get to do that!
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While life has been truly rewarding for myself and my family lately, it hasn’t been for a lot of people in the southeast. I made some connections in Sarasota, Florida this past March when we visited, and it’s heartbreaking to hear and see the devastation brought by hurricanes Helene and Milton. If you can support the local communities, I’d ask you pray about it. I did a quick search on the official Sarasota County website, and there was a donation link that took me to the Disaster Recovery and Relief fund, headed by United Way South Sarasota County. If you feel inclined to join me in donating, click here.
I hope this reading finds you well. Thank you for sticking along with the blog. With all the other work going on these past few months, I recognize it has been a bit quieter. But hopefully not for long!
While everything happening in the current moment is extremely exciting, I’m ready to enter this October and November to bring you some must-read stories! Talk soon, and God bless.
(WALSENBURG, CO.) — There’s something special about southern Colorado.
Maybe it’s the 10 degree drop from Colorado Springs or Denver, the slowness of life, or the beauty of the outdoors. Maybe it’s all of the above?
Whatever it is, there’s a magnetic connection deep down in the spirit of southern Colorado, and it keeps my family and I coming back. And I’d argue we aren’t alone.
One of the southern Colorado mountain towns is Walsenburg. There’s a vintage downtown with a few new businesses breathing some life into the city, surrounded by flat lands providing a decent view of the Spanish Peaks. Walsenburg is also home to the oldest state park in Colorado, Lathrop State Park!
The vastness of the Spanish Peaks always becomes obvious to me while driving down I-25 South when you start to see them and your GPS says you’re still an hour away. It makes the drive a lot easier when you’ve got something to look forward to. In this case, you literally have something right in front of you, almost cheering you on to just get here already.
Let’s dive right in to where you can eat, stay and play while wandering to Walsenburg!
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Where to eat!
The Stokehouse: Connected to the Walsenburg Mercantile, let me introduce you to The Stokehouse! This modern restaurant and bar’s menu is filled with options for food lovers of all kinds! Steaks, salads, seafood, burgers, tacos… you name it! They’ve got it.
And if you’ve got kids like me, you’ll love the play area connected to the dining area which has plenty of toys and games kids can play with while waiting to be seated, or if they get bored during the meal. The food was top notch. I was told to order the T-bone steak, and how was I supposed to turn that down? It was fantastic.
So were the fried calamari and nachos we got.
My wife got a salad she really enjoyed along with soup. The one thing I did bring up with the management is the service was not the fastest, and the order was missing a few things. I have to give the benefit of the doubt that the restaurant is a bit newer, and there wasn’t a be a ton of staff for the amount of orders there were. I would definitely go back and they were very gracious with my feedback, so I wish them the best!
Second St. Bar & Grill: If you would’ve told me anywhere that the local golf course was one of the best places to grab a bite of food, I would’ve been a bit skeptical. But hear me out.
When you’re driving through Lathrop State Park, you’ll find the Walsenburg Golf Course, a beautiful course with the majestic Spanish Peaks golf clapping for you when you sink that birdie putt. At the top of it all, you’ll find the Second St. Bar & Grill. It’s not a very boastful building, but it stands on business and the staff works harder than most other places I’ve seen.
There was one bartender/server handling all the tables, and he was serving like a pro. Taking orders. Boom! Bringing out drinks. Bam! Order’s ready. Kapow! Need a refill. Kachow! Okay, you get the point. I mean, give that man a raise! And not only was the food really good, but the variety of food was awesome!
It was recommended to us by our friends at The Inn at Pennington Place, which I’ll get to here shortly.
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Places to stay!
The Inn at Pennington Place: I tell you what. If you’re looking for someplace new to travel, then look no further. Seriously, the Inn at Pennington Place is one of my newest all-time favorite places we’ve stayed. Located in a private community, Pennington Place stands on its own and is a beautiful property. The inn itself is magical, featuring three stories of different spacious, themed suites that cater to different people’s wants. You want a romantic getaway? There’s a room for that. Want a rustic, quiet night? There’s a room for that. Small family looking for some time away? You betcha, there’s a room for that, too. The grounds of the property sing a magical song, enchanting every step with something new to see, feel and experience.
There’s a mini chapel located at the southern end of the garden, with the Spanish Peaks perfectly positioned behind it. Yes, it was done purposely by an architect with quite the eye for design. So if you’re looking to elope or have a very small wedding away from all the hustle and bustle of daily life, here’s your place!
They even have a pickleball court!
Play with the Spanish Peaks at your back (or in front of you, depending on the player).
The asphalt court is high quality, and they’ve constructed a pickleball-themed shed right outside the court you can sit, drink some water and get some shade.
The suites have so much room, it was such a breath of fresh air. With a toddler, we’re packing extra bags on our trips so sometimes rooms can get a bit… tight. The extra space here was a nice reprieve from all that, and the lush, comfortable king size bed was the cherry on top. Each suite comes with a full bathroom and shower, filled with shampoo, conditioner, lotions, body wash, towels of all sizes. There was also a small kitchen available to make coffee, keep waters cool in the fridge, etc. Donna Pennington Birkmann and Rich Birkmann do a fantastic job keeping this place fantastic, and are amazing hosts. Their dedication to detail makes the Inn at Pennington Place a must-visit.
There’s even an underground wine cellar with a dining room right outside, perfect for dinner parties, murder mysteries, the list goes on!
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Where to play!
Lathrop State Park: As mentioned earlier, Lathrop State Park is the oldest state park in Colorado. With beautiful Lake Martin offering a stunning view, you can’t miss the Spanish Peaks from wherever you stand. Mule deer, rabbits, coyotes and bobcats roam the park, along with birds and fish, according to the Colorado Virtual Library.
Martin Lake offers plenty of water-based activities like swimming, fishing, jet skiing, water skiing and tubing.
Horseshoe Lake offers a quieter spot for visitors, where you can canoe, fish and bird watch. We did not get much time in Lathrop other than driving through, so this is on my list of to-dos when we return to Walsenburg.
Walsenburg Golf Course: If you’re a golf enthusiast, or just want to play a pretty course with some great views, Walsenburg Golf Course is the place for you.
You already heard about the food, so combine that with some fantastic golf, and you’ve got an amazing afternoon ahead of you.
All in all, Spanish Peaks Country is a beautiful place for anyone to visit. It has everything you can ask for. Beautiful views, friendly people, delicious eats, and the wonderful outdoors. The air seems crisper, life seems slower, and it lets you breathe a sigh of relief that you’re getting away from the everyday world. Until next time, which I hope is very soon.
(ESTES PARK, CO) — It was basically four years to the day since I had been in one of my favorite places in the United States. Estes Park, Colorado.
The Colorado mountain town was the beginning of an August 2024 family trip, etching more fond memories in a town we visited multiple times growing up.
Now it was time for me to make new memories with my growing family. My wife of nearly 3 years, a son that was turning 2 and a little baby girl on the way, due on December 18, 2024.
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Where to stay!
Growing up, Whispering Pines Cottages was our go-to spot. Quiet, rustic cottages right off the Big Thompson River provided an affordable destination for friends and families alike. While we did not stay here on this trip, we had to stop by for my dad to take a photo of the sign (which is a total dad thing to do). I have very fond memories there of wading in the chilly river, shivering like a fool and laughing just as much.
This time we started out at Ram’s Horn Village Resort, tucked away on the outskirts of town, while staying close by to Rocky Mountain National Park. These are beautiful 2-story timeshares, with porches downstairs and upstairs, comfortable sleeping arrangements, full kitchens and great bathrooms. The front office staff are extremely friendly and helpful, and they even offer complimentary hiking backpacks if you need them! I took them up on the offer and loved the hiking carrier as we traversed through Rocky Mountain National Park. We found the resort on Booking.com but you can also find them on Vrbo and AirBnB.
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Next we headed to an AirBnB called Redmonds on the Rocks. It’s a rental property right by the Big Thompson River, filled with gorgeous cabins. The cabin’s interior is breathtaking, filled with a very open, spacious social area, super comfortable beds, top-notch amenities in the kitchen, beautiful bathrooms, and even in-house laundry options which came in clutch. This was also nearby one of my all-time favorite coffee shops, which we’ll get to later in this article. To avoid booking fees, I’d recommend going to www.rockymountainspropertyservices.com and work with Renee.
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Where to eat!
The foodie scene in Estes Park is top tier. From quick pickups to sit downs on the downtown strip, or steakhouses with scenic mountain views, you can find whatever your heart desires here.
Twin Owls Steakhouse: Located in the Taharaa Mountain Lodge, Twin Owls Steakhouse provides some of the best restaurant views Estes Park has to offer. This is where my wife and I found out the gender of our baby girl, with the waitress bringing a dessert at the end of the meal. Cheesecake for girl, creme brulee for boy. A delicious cheesecake came out to my surprise, yet I was very joyous to learn we would soon have a daughter. A Colorado apple cider started off the meal, followed by a ribeye steak for me and filet mignon for Rachel. To top it all off, there was a rainbow across the valley in front of the restaurant, which I take as a blessing from God over our little girl.
The Post Chicken & Beer: You ever heard of The Stanley Hotel? Maybe you’re a horror film buff like me and enjoy Jack Nicklaus in The Shining. If so, you know what I’m talking about (if not, see the photo above). Located on the property is The Post Chicken & Beer. The Post has a few locations across Colorado, and we had a great time at the Estes Park location.
We started off with baked oysters which were tremendous. I got the half fried chicken meal with fries. My mom got shrimp and cheddar grits, Rachel ordered chicken tender lettuce cups and Bennett got a chicken tender meal. Below the restaurant is a super cool theatre and library with spooky vibes if you’re looking for a Halloween getaway. The servers were very welcoming and the service was fairly quick. Just be prepared to pay $10 to park on The Stanley property! You get a special Stanley coin which you can use on property to help pay for drinks. I kept mine as a souvenir.
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Munchin House:Deemed Estes Park’s “Sweetest Spot,” this downtown homemade ice cream shop is an great place to stop by. This is where my wife and I told my parents we were having a baby girl, when I ordered a strawberry ice cream cone to give to Bennett. It was VERY pink, which was perfect for the gender reveal. It was equally delicious. They have multiple cones offerings, some with chocolate or white chocolate drizzle all over them. The owner also owns multiple other shops downtown, so make sure to stop in The Lazy Moose next door and see the biggest pajamas store you’ve ever seen!
CasaGrande: Like I said, there’s tons of food options downtown Estes Park. One of those is Casa Grande. Fajitas, burritos, street tacos and more line the menu of the Mexican restaurant. After a long morning of walking, walking and walking some more, this hit the spot.
Coffee on the Rocks: When I mentioned one of my newest favorite coffee shops of all time, this is it. Yes, the coffee itself is really good. But, the best part of this restaurant is the atmosphere and quacky friends outside. When I was speaking to someone ahead of the trip, she told me that Coffee on the Rocks had “8 billion ducks” that waddle around the property. She wasn’t very far off.
Ducks and geese galore stampeded around a scenic lake and walkway around it, waiting for you to feed them their duck/geese food (which you can buy inside). The frappes were fantastic here, as was just a normal iced latte. If you’ve followed my website for awhile, you know Rachel loves a good frappe while I get a hot coffee, iced coffee, frappe… who knows with me.
There I am with my pops Bruce and brother Kevin.
But anyways, we get a good variety. And Coffee on the Rocks has a great variety of coffee options for you to enjoy. Right behind the property is the Big Thompson River, which offers stunning yet relaxing views.
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What to do!
The line should really read, what not to do? There’s so much, but for me, there’s only one place to start. Rocky Mountain National Park.
RMNP is always ranked as one of top national parks around the country, but it’s never quite at the top. I have quite a ways to go in my national park hopping experience. But for me, this is my favorite so far. You drive up the windy yet scenic Trail Ridge Road and can stop at beautiful overlooks to see mountain passes galore. Some stops have trails you can walk out to, and I love how the higher you go up, the cooler it gets. Which is common sense, right? But it still takes you by surprise when you drive 20-30 minutes and it drops 10 degrees, all while the wind is packing quite the punch. But I love it.
Of course you should stop by the Alpine Visitor Center, where you feel like you’re “on top of the world.”
Want a hiking challenge? Climb up the steep steps right outside and get to the highest point in the park.
You better be prepared to breathe heavy and take rests if needed, because the steep ascent in this high of an altitude gives your lungs a challenge. But your lungs are up for it! Go for it. Unless your medical provider tells you not to 🙂
There’s so much more to do in the park, but I’d rather you experience it for yourself. Make stops along the way, pack a lunch and head out on your journey. Take your time, and enjoy the ride.
Lake Estes Trail: With this being my wife and son’s first time to Colorado, we wanted to “take it easy” a bit when we first got here. Overdoing it on your first day is never a good idea. So to still get out and enjoy the beautiful blue Colorado skies and see some scenery, we walked along the Lake Estes Trail. We started downtown near the Visitor Center, and headed towards the lake and around it a bit. It’s a very flat walk that goes right by the golf course downtown, and the journey becomes worth it once you reach the lake. It’s a great way to get acclimated to the Colorado climate.
We didn’t stay in Estes quite as long as I would’ve liked. But aren’t all vacations like that? But this is a good start to send you on your way. I will 100% be returning here, hopefully sooner than four years from now, where I plan to explore Estes Park some more.
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(ST. CLAIR, MO.) — Have you ever seen billboards that say “DOES BILLBOARD ADVERTISING WORK? IT JUST DID” or something similar?
Well rewind about six months ago, when my wife, son and I were on our way to Springfield, Missouri. We were driving down I-44, an interstate I’ve traversed a thousand times during my time at Missouri State University (Go Bears!).
I continued to see billboards for a place I had never heard of before, the Pinemark Inn.
Intrigued, I told Rachel to look up the place and it seemed really nice! Not only that, but it appeared there was a lot to do in the area. So, I made the connection with Pinemark, and here we are today, writing about a weekend away in St. Clair, Missouri.
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Roughly 45 minutes outside of St. Louis, you can hop on I-44 and head southwest towards St. Clair. The Pinemark Inn is an easy exit off the interstate, which is great for any travelers looking for a place to stop during a long road trip.
We stayed in the Club Suite, a magnificent multi-room unit with a jacuzzi tub, king size bed, full bathroom, a desk where you could work or read, and a secondary room with a mini fridge, sink, microwave and multiple seating areas.
For a smaller family of three, this was the perfect size. They had a pack-n-play ready for Bennett, and it was super spacious.
The jacuzzi was fantastic, and while it was outside of the full bathroom, that doesn’t take away from the greatness of the shower in the bathroom.
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The shower had three shower faucets inside. One like usual, above your head, one that could be hand-held and moved out of where it was stationed, and a third that came out of the wall.
The attention to detail in the room is where Pinemark really stood out compared to other hotels we’ve stayed in. From the remote-controlled candles around the jacuzzi, to the desk with mirror in the main bedroom, to the overall design of the Suite. This is the perfect place for any traveler, but a couple of specifics come to mind.
1: Long road trips, need a night to rest your head. The bed was really comfortable, the jacuzzi and shower were very relaxing, and you have a work space either at the desk in the main room or in the secondary room.
2: Smaller families like us!
3: Remote workers needing a night or two away. This was something local tourism bureaus tried to promote during the COVID-19 Pandemic, when hotel stays weren’t happening as often as usual. Doing “staycations” at a local hotel to get out of the house and enjoy something new. I think the Club Suite at the Pinemark Inn would be perfect for this.
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The Pinemark Inn does have food service, too! I would recommend the pepperoni flatbread!
There is a complimentary breakfast as well, which has a great variety of food and drink options. Plus, coffee! Route 66 themed, I might add.
Another awesome amenity at Pinemark is the outdoor pool! It’s a bit of a smaller area, but the chairs and couches make for a comfy cozy setting. It was the beginning of May so the water was a little chilly, but Bennett and I still had a fun time swimming!
Local places to eat/drink nearby:
Let’s start at breakfast time, then move ourselves later!
1: BB Coffee Lab: With delicious coffee and AMAZING food, you need to stop by BB Coffee Lab. The inside is very modern and spacious, and the breakfast burrito is arguably the best I’ve ever had. It comes with a sauce that reminded us of the sauce Taco Bell has inside of Crunch Wraps, and I got a side of apple slices.
I went with a grape passion drink, which was refreshing, and Rachel ordered a frappuccino like usual. The flavor… toffee crunch and white chocolate. It was one of the best frappes I’ve ever had. If BB Coffee Lab wants to expand to Peoria, Illinois – I’m down! While mine was really good, hers was heavenly. Next time I’ll be ordering a frappe for sure.
Known for their St. Louis-style pizza, wings and cheeseburgers, Gibby’s is a great St. Clair restaurant to add to the list.
Rachel enjoyed a nice salad while we split some pizza and wings, and I also ordered a cheeseburger. Way too much food for the three of us, we definitely had leftovers!
Feeling adventurous? Well then take on the The Great Gibby Burger. It’s 1 1/2 pounds of lean ground beef smothered with provel cheese and other toppings. You’ll notice one thing about Gibby’s, there’s plenty of provel cheese to go around. Us St. Louisans sure love our provel, and Gibby’s makes sure it’s all across the menu.
One of the best highlights of the trip was our visit to Wild Animal Adventures. This is a place I had seen a thousand times driving from STL to Springvegas (a nickname for Springfield, MO by some Missouri State folks) during my college years. It did not disappoint!
At the wildlife habitat, we were able to feed goats, chickens, ducks, porcupines, deer and even sharks! It was a blast feeding these sharks with a piece of meat on the end of a feeding stick. Now I can cross feeding sharks off my list of things I’ve done!
The place has all kinds of animals. Wolves, bears, lions and tigers and much more. It’s mostly an outdoor walk, but for those reptile and amphibian lovers, there’s plenty of options inside.
As weekends always do, it came and went too fast. I definitely think there were a lot of other things in the area we would’ve liked to see, but nap times for a toddler and every bedtimes have an impact on that.
But as you have to do in family travel, be flexible! Take your time, relax when you have a chance, and don’t rush things. Allowing ourselves to recharge midday helped the evenings go much smoother.
I definitely hope to return to Pinemark Inn one day. It was overall an outstanding stay and I would recommend it to anyone. Thanks to Jason and Courtney at Pinemark for the hospitable stay, and all the local food recommendations! I’m still craving that frappucino from BB Coffee lab.
(SARASOTA, FL.) — In the span of just a few minutes, I gained two new “favorites” just like that!
1: BBQ brisket
2: Fried okra
On our recent trip to beautiful Sarasota, Florida, I came across Brick’s Smoked Meats on Main Street.
Located right downtown, Brick’s aesthetic is modern Western, with a beautiful indoor dining space, built-in bar area, and outdoor seating on the downtown Main St.
For an appetizer, coined “Humble Beginnings” on the menu, we split the bacon burnt ends. Served in a bowl with toothpicks to eat, these were smothered in sauce and delicious.
To get a taste of as many things as possible, I ordered the Texas Trio. Enough to fill up 2-3 people, the Texas Trio consists of three meats and two sides. I ordered the ribs, brisket and sausage! For sides, I got French fries and the highly-enjoyed fried okra.
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The St. Louis ribs were lathered in sauce, meaty, and full of flavor. The brisket, now my favorite brisket I’ve ever had, was also packed with flavor, extremely tender, and delicious. The sausage was packed with jalapeno and cheddar cheese, which is one of my favorite kinds of sausage.
The fried okra was perfectly crispy and seasoned to perfection. I also got the brussel sprouts which were served in a mini skillet, amazing texture and flavor.
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We also went during Happy Hour which comes with special pricing and items. Rachel ordered the Happy Hour nachos, covered in guacamole, meat, pico de gallo and more.
The only negative part is that Brick’s Smoked Meats is so far away from Peoria, Illinois. For my friends at Brick’s – there is an open space available and for sale in North Peoria if you’re interested in expanding! It used to be a Famous Dave’s, and is surrounded by shopping, hotels, and a state-of-the-art sports complex at Louisville Slugger Sports Complex.
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I give Brick’s Smoked Meats 5 stars across the board. Food, service and atmosphere were all stellar. We appreciated the “Future Grill Master” onesie the staff gave to Bennett as we left. See a photo of us grilling out this past weekend below!
Thanks once again to the staff at Brick’s for the amazing experience. I hope to be back in Sarasota in the near future where I can come back and visit.
(STE. GENEVIEVE, MO) — If anyone tells you Missouri is completely flat, don’t listen to them.
Home to The Ozarks, the southern half of Missouri provies to have beautiful views, back road drives, and be the perfect place for wine country.
Missouri is sometimes called the “Napa Valley of the Midwest,” and there’s a reason for that.
Planning for a weekend getaway to the Ste. Genevieve area, I came across a very intriguing winery. One that connects my love for wine, and my love for caves (Big Batman fan here, folks).
It didn’t take me more than 5 seconds to decide “that’s where I want to go” for our trip to Ste. Gen. So, we made it happen!
First we were treated to a behind-the-scenes wine pairing tasting, which was phenomenal.
We tried 5 wine samples, all paired with different cheeses, crackers, salami and chocolates.
Wine #1: Venti Anni White
Paired with Havarti cheese, this dry white wine is a Vignoles and Traminette blend, and is crisp, fruity and light. It also helped me realize I absolutely love Havarti cheese. Watch out Provel, you’ve got some competition!
Wine #2: Norton
Missouri’s state grape! You’ve probably heard of our tried a Norton red wine before. This variation has notes of plum, dark cherry and smoky tobacco. You can pair this with smoked meats and sharp cheeses. It was pepper jack, for us! Another favorite of mine. We also dipped the Norton into Biscotti, which was surprisingly delicious. The Cave Vineyard has a Biscotti Bar in the Winery Loft, nearby the Tasting Room. All of the recipes are based on Grandma Strussione’s Almond Biscotti recipe. Amazing.
Wine #3: Cave Rock Off Dry
This was my favorite wine of the tasting. The Off Dry is in the Semi Dry/Semi Sweet category, and I’d argue it leans a little bit more to the sweet side. Maybe 55/45, which was perfect for me and my group. Packed with citrus notes, this was one of the wines both myself and my friend Jessica purchased bottles of before we left.
Wine #4: First Time Blush
This was a close second. Definitely more on the sweeter side, but full of flavor, beautiful color and goes really well with that Havarti cheese again. It’s a Semi Sweet Rose; fresh and fruity, with hints of berry. This was my second bottle I bought.
Wine #5: Cave Rock Red
One of the sweet-listed wines on the menu, but I found it tasted a bit more in the middle than the First Time Blush! This red wine is packed with flavor and pairs well with chocolate.
We did not try this wine in the pairing, but the Cave Rock White is the top seller at Cave Vineyard. It’s got a pineapple and grapefruit aroma, and the sweet finish pairs well with dessert.
After our pairing tasting, we headed to the bar and had… another tasting! This one was a wine flight with 5 samples, which costs $8. This time I added a few other wines to my list I really enjoyed; the Rockin Rosie, which is similar to the First Time Blush. The Venti Anni Red, which is a dry, Norton and Chambourcin blend. Very nice as well.
After one Norton/Chambourcin blend, came the Grotta Rossa, a sweeter blend of Norton and Chambourcin. Very tasty.
Next came the Grande Bianco is a fortified dried white that I tried. It’s a dry traminette fortified with Grappa.
What is Grappa, you say? I learned about it here as well. It’s an Italian liquor made from the grape seeds, skins and stems left over from fermentation. It can even aid in digestion!
The Cave Vineyard also produces smaller-batch spirits like Brandy, Grappa, Schnapps, Bourbon and Whiskey. While there was none the day we came by, the son-in-laws of the family produce even smaller batches of beer! Cleverly titled SIL, the beer options come in wheat, and IPA. They can also produce stouts!
After we got done with our multiple tastings, we headed down to the place the Cave Vineyard gets its name from. The Saltpeter Cave.
It’s about a 200-yard walk downhill to reach the cave. It’s a great way to burn some calories off after all that delicious biscotti. You head down the path, through the forest, and there she is in all her beauty.
We saw two bats while walking through the cave. The sleeping, beautiful creatures were just hanging upside down at the top of the cave. You can picnic in the cave, or on a platform at the mouth of the cave. There are enough tables and chairs to fit roughly 100 people.
Here are a few reasons the Cave Vineyard is one of my favorite wineries I’ve ever been to (and I’ve been to a lot).
1: Consistently high-quality, delicious wine.
2: Amazing selection of cheese, crackers, chocolates and meat. They do sell more meat in the fridge in the wine tasting room. I was tempted to buy a bunch and take it home with me. Next time.
3: The friendly staff. I want to send a heartfelt thank you to Laura Oliver, our wonderful host during the journey at the Cave Vineyard. She was extremely knowledgeable about the wines, the fermentation process, and gave wonderful history of the property. The bartenders were fantastic as well!
4: THE CAVE!
Of course this has to be one of the reasons. If you like caves, bats, and nature; come to the Cave Vineyard! It’s the perfect cool temperature inside the cave, so bring a picnic, have some wine, and relax!
Plus, you can see some bats. I’m always in for that. Unless they’re in my apartment, I may have an issue with that. But we would gently figure out how to relocate you.
Thank you to the Cave Vineyard for an amazing experience. My friends and I all had a wonderful time, and we’d love to come back! If you’re ever in the Southeast Missouri area, stop by and say hello!
(SARASOTA, FL.) — In 2020, I was at a crossroads in my career.
In the span of two months, I interviewed for TV anchor and reporter jobs at stations from the Northern U.S., to the Midwest, to sunny Sarasota, Florida.
Let’s go back even another 2 years, to spring 2018. I was a senior in college and finishing up my undergraduate degree in Broadcast Journalism. I was interviewing and applying left and right, getting a lot of “no,” “maybe so,” and “not right now” emails.
If you asked me during that time what my top markets were that I REALLY wanted to work in, here’s how I would have responded:
1: Sarasota, Florida
2: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Two beautiful locations, two different environments to why I wanted to live there.
But I chose to come to the station I interned at in college in Peoria, Illinois. Funny enough, the couple of days after I accepted the Peoria job, both Sarasota and Colorado Springs called wanting to interview me and offer a job. I believe life turned out how it was supposed to.
So now fast forward back to winter 2020, and I’m on a flight down to Sarasota, Florida to interview for a weekend anchor gig. It’s beautiful. It’s warm. It’s perfect. It was also late February, when the first COVID cases were appearing in the United States. The day of my interview? The first COVID case in Sarasota.
So, I did my interview as a recording in the studio that the manager would look at later, and the following day I continued my interview with the General Manager and Assistant News Director.
Three weeks later, I received the official job offer to move to Sarasota, Florida – the market of my dreams. But by then, COVID-19 was spreading quickly and there was uncertainty about lockdowns or “stay at home orders” coming soon. So, I declined.
Present day, I’ve now been in Peoria for six years, have a beautiful wife and kid, two jobs, and life is good! So when Christmas 2023 was coming up and Rachel said she didn’t want any “physical gifts,” but that she wanted to travel, I thought Sarasota would be a good place.
High Quality Beaches:
#1: Siesta Beach
It’s no secret Florida, sunshine and beaches go hand-in-hand. Sarasota is home to one of the consistently top-ranked beaches in all of America, Siesta Beach (also commonly referred to as Siesta Key).
It was the perfect mix of clouds overhead to provide some relief, and sunshine on our first beach day in Sarasota. The sands were pristine, white and soft underneath our feet. The water was chilly, as it was early March, but still fun to go out and get our feet wet.
Bennett loved the bucket of water game, we probably filled his bucket dozens of times and he just kept mixing it with the sand and letting his imagination run wild. He also loved all the seagulls around! He wanted to chase them everywhere.
It was a weekday, but the beach was not too crowded at all and we had plenty of space. Another great thing about Siesta Beach? The huge playground right outside the beach area. Bennett was a little too young to really enjoy it, but that’d be a great, more shaded area to take older kids who are tired of the heat. Plus – there’s a beach bar and grill right above.
#2: North Lido Beach
I may have to give Lido Beach my favorite beach of Sarasota, simply because the walk out to the water at Siesta Beach is pretty long. We didn’t pack too heavy, but a cooler backpack full of snacks and drinks, a beach tent, and a toddler made for a tougher walk. Lido Beach, on the other hand, was a much shorter walk, but still had the amazing soft, white sand. We had another beautiful day of sunshine, blue skies and just a little bit of clouds this time. I took Bennett out into the very shallow water, and he warmed up to it, but he still wasn’t the biggest fan.
#3: Turtle Beach
Say goodbye to the soft, white sands commonly seen across Sarasota, and say hello to the gray sand. While it was still very soft, this sand got everywhere in our tent and bags. We didn’t last long on this beach, sadly, due to an upset stomach from dinner the night before. It was also our last full day in Sarasota, which was a huge bummer!
Before I get to the food (since I just mentioned a bad dinner we had, which FYI I will not be writing about on this blog), let’s talk about Circus Park!
Parents, if you head to Sarasota with your kiddos, you gotta check out Circus Park. These expansive, circus-themed park is free to the public and has plenty of slides, jungle gyms and other activities for your kids to have a blast. Bennett loved roaring at the lion statues, running around, and sliding down the slides. There were a lot of young families there hanging out, so it’s a great place to socialize and meet new friends!
Delicious Food options:
#1: Brick’s Smoked Meats
Are you even surprised I’m starting with BBQ? I’m going to do an entire blog separately on Brick’s, so stay tuned for that! I tell you what, this was some of the best barbecue I’ve ever had. I now had TWO new favorites since coming here. 1: The brisket, and 2: the fried okra.
The ribs were also phenomenal, as were the fries, sausage and brussel sprouts. I got all of this in the “Texas Trio.”
Rachel got the happy hour nachos which were HUGE and delicious. She loved them. Also, Brick’s has an extensive kids’ menu! Which we were very impressed by. The vibe is very modern and we both loved the aesthetic with the “garage door” type windows that you can raise up to include outdoor seating right by Main Street downtown Sarasota. The wait staff was fantastic here and very kind to Bennett who can sometimes drop his crayons on the ground.
2: Cafe L’Europe | St. Armands Circle
This restaurant is magnificent. Beautiful indoor seating areas with wonderful architecture, paintings, chandeliers, statues and much more. In the back there is an additional bar area with tables that would be great for parties or events. The staff was extremely attentive and kind, we felt like royalty! The food was fantastic, too! I went with the walleye & chips, a high-quality version of the classic fish & chips meal I love.
Rachel got a quiche with chips that was delicious. The server brought a bowl of fruit for Bennett, which was very nice of him. I love the building and the area of St. Armands Circle in general. There are so many food, drink and dessert options plus a ton of shopping.
3: Hashtag Cafe
When looking for coffee shops, Rachels #1 question is “Do they have frappes?” While I’m a coffee drinker, she’s more of a, milkshake with a tiny bit of coffee gal. Which is great! I love a good frappe, too. And that’s exactly what we found at the Hashtag Cafe! The couple who own the place were awesome, we ended up talking with them for about 30 minutes after we ordered and they gave us a tour of the place. They’re expanding soon to have a full cafe! I got an iced coffee, Rachel got a frappe, and they made Bennett a tiny cup of whipped whole milk with whipped cream on top.
4: Le Macaron French Pastries
We’re back in St. Armands Circle! After walking around and eyeing the options, we came across Le Macaron. With a great array of chocolates, pastries, and macarons, obviously, we went with the gelato. It was AMAZING. I did a scoop of the Macaron Almond (which was my favorite) and a scoop of the cookie dough. The was a fantastic, light treat to enjoy on a hot day.
When you make it down to Sarasota, make sure to enjoy the beautiful downtown cityscape with plenty of shopping, hotels and restaurants along the way. That’s one of the things that makes Sarasota so beautiful to me.
Honorable mention to Ram’s Barbershop who gave me a great haircut while we were down there. I decided after a day or two the hair was too long for beach life, and made a spontaneous decision to get it snipped. They got me in right away and did a fantastic job.
If you’ve been to Sarasota and have other “favorites,” let me know on social media!
(LASALLE COUNTY, Ill.) — While Starved Rock State Park and Starved Rock Lodge are a huge part of what makes LaSalle County such an attractive place to visit, there are many fantastic food and drink options nearby to round out a fantastic getaway.
During our stay to Starved Rock (read the full article here!), we ventured out in nearby towns in LaSalle County like Ottawa, Peru and La Salle! Here are some great options for you to try during your next trip to Starved Rock Country.
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Please note: There are many other amazing places to visit while in the area. These are just a few that we were able to try over our weekend there!
Nestled in the coziness of Starved Rock Lodge is the Lodge’s dining room, home to one of my wife and I’s favorite steaks ever. But let’s start with the appetizer.
If you’ve read enough of my articles by now, you’d know cheese curds are a go-to for us. These were packed with the right amount of crisp and flavor that melts in your mouth. Instead of ranch, it’s served with the Lodge Lager beer cheese sauce.
There’s a common theme for us when we get steaks out. I get the ribeye, she gets the filet mignon. This is definitely one of my favorite ribeyes I’ve had. This time I went with the green beans and baked potato. Hard to go wrong with a baked potato!
Rachel’s filet mignon lived up to the expectation once again, and she got green beans and mashed Yukon gold potatoes for her sides.
The lodge is obviously the most convenient option for you if you’re staying at Starved Rock Lodge. It’s just a quick walk through the Lodge to get there from your room, and they offer breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
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But, there are plenty of other amazing options nearby that you should check out. Let’s get into it!
Right along the downtown strip of Ottawa, Illinois you’ll find The Lone Buffalo. It’s the home of Tangled Roots’ original craft brewery and their restaurant. The modern, relaxing vibe is welcome to all customers, and then menu is amazing as well.
To start, we went with the dry rub Drunken Wings. Served with ranch and Brewmaster BBQ sauce, these wings are meaty, juicy and delicious.
Rachel ordered the spicy pepperoni flatbread and loved it. She said it wasn’t too spicy but had the right amount of kick.
I enjoyed the Halfway to Nashville chicken sandwich, loaded with pepper jack cheese, crispy bacon, dill pickles, frites aioli on a brioche bun.
These all were part of the brunch menu recently launched by the Lone Buffalo. Just because it says it’s brunch, doesn’t mean you can’t get lunch type items! There’s a great variety where if you’re feeling french toast, you can get it! If you want a chicken sandwich like me, more power to you!
Speaking of french toast; that’s what we got Bennett!
BBQ, bourbon, blues. That’s a good motto! And that’s what Haze is all about. Located at 159 Bucklin St. in La Salle, Illinois, Haze provides top tier BBQ and a great selection of meats.
To try them all, I had to go with the Haze smokehouse platter, covered with BBQ ribs, brisket, pulled pork, chicken, and “sassy sausage.” For sides, I got the sweet potato tots and ham & poblano mac n cheese. It was all incredible and the prices are reasonable for the amount of food you get.
The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. The vibe inside the restaurant was awesome, and you could even look through some windows inside and see the chefs cooking meats on the grills.
Haze also has a fantastic outdoor space for parties and events. We saw a birthday party there with roughly 50 people and there was plenty of room for families to gather and the staff did a great job serving them.
I love this place. If you are ever in North Utica, Illinois – you have to stop by Lodi Tap House.
I’m gonna say it, they have my FAVORITE cheese curds ever. Beer battered, flaky, cheesy goodness. Let’s take a look.
I mean, come on. Just absolutely beauty right there. I also had to try the fried mushrooms this go round. Delicious as well!
I guess I was in a chicken wings mood this weekend, because I got them again! We split 2 flavors, Korean ginger zing and sweet chili amazing!
For the meal, we went with the smashed burger, which was phenomenal as well.
Lodi Tap House is on Mill Street in North Utica, which is one of my favorite places for a day trip. When the weather gets warmer, the street gets blocked off and all the businesses open up outdoor seating. It’s a fantastic atmosphere and you have a plethora of options to choose from. Multiple eateries, two wineries (remember my article at August Hill?) and… an ice cream, coffee and food store. Which is where we’re heading next 🙂
I went on too long in my life without ever having Bruce & Ollie’s ice cream.
Located in the Bickerman Building on Mill Street, Bruce & Ollie’s has some of the best ice cream around from Capannari Ice Cream located in Mt. Prospect, Illinois. And the best way to serve it up. In an ICE CREAM FLIGHT.
Move over wine flights, ice cream flights are here to take the cake! What a phenomenal way to let you try a little bit of everything and make it fun. We went with the Cosmic Cookie, Mediterranean Sea Salt Caramel W/ chocolate-covered pretzels, Cherry Vanilla and Lick-The-Bowl Cake Batter (in order from top to bottom).
My favorite was the Cosmic Cookie, Rachel’s was the Cherry Vanilla, Bennett wanted whatever dad was eating. So mainly the Cosmic Cookie and Cake Batter. He’s got good taste in ice cream!
Like I mentioned, Bruce & Ollie’s has many more options like coffees, floats, sundaes and even food items. I was too stuffed from lunch when we stopped by, but there’s always next time!
As you can see, LaSalle County is home to a large amount of fantastic restaurants. I barely scratched the surface with this list!
I hope you get to explore LaSalle County similar to how I have, and let me know your favorite places to eat, drink and have fun!
(OGLESBY, Ill.) — There’s a reason Starved Rock State Park and Lodge are consistently ranked as a top Illinois destination. Many reasons, in fact.
The beautiful scenery of nature trails, canyons and waterfalls intertwined with the relaxing ambience of the lodge makes a perfect getaway for anyone.
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On Friday, we arrived to Starved Rock Lodge with sunshine and 50s to welcome us.
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It’s a beautiful drive from Peoria to LaSalle County, Illinois. A combination of back roads and interstate leads you to an area filled with inspiring state parks, ready to help you embark on your next adventure.
After checking into our room at Starved Rock Lodge Friday, we were ready for dinner! A warm lodge dining room welcomes you in with an impressive fireplace, unique wooden tables, and friendly staff ready to serve amazing food.
I have always been impressed by the food served at the Starved Rock lodge’s dining room. My go-to is the ribeye steak, while my wife orders the filet mignon.
Of course, in typical Sheehan fashion, we get cheese curds to start us off.
Hey, it’s hard to go wrong with cheese curds! Plus, my kiddo loves cheese. So when he’s acting grumpy because he’s hungry, you get him something he’ll enjoy and you get it fast!
You get two sides with your steak dinner. I got the baked potato and green beans, Rachel got the Yukon mashed potatoes with green beans. For little Bennett, we ordered him the chicken tenders. Which mom and dad may have also snuck in a couple bites of!
After leaving the dining room, we went back to relax. I think we were all asleep by 8:30!
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It’s not February in Illinois without some climate changes every day. Saturday morning, we woke up to snow on the ground and lows in the 20s. Talk about a change of scenery!
The room’s alarm clock automatically went off at 6:00 AM, because I’m assuming the guest before us forgot to turn the alarm off, so we were all up and at em’ a little earlier than expected. But nonetheless, we decided to take advantage of being up early and go on a coffee run.
I’m writing a more thorough article soon about the food & drink options in and near Starved Rock very soon, so I’ll get into more of these details then.
After our coffee/breakfast run, we headed back to the Lodge for another fun adventure.
It was time to take advantage of one of Starved Rock Lodge’s best amenities. The pool!
Bennett absolutely loved playing in the kids’ pool. He also had a lot of fun while mommy and daddy swam him around the bigger pool. He’s currently in swim lessons, so we were able to take some of things we’ve learned and put it to the test!
The pool area provides guests with towels and comes with a hot tub, sauna and locker rooms. The sauna and hot tub were calling my name, as well!
After swim time, came lunch! We headed to the Lone Buffalo by Tangled Roots Brewing Company in Ottawa. They have recently started offering a brunch menu at 11:00 AM, so we ordered off of that! More to come in the next article.
Now it’s nap time for Bennett and Rachel. Which meant hiking time for me!
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There’s a lot of different routes and plans you can put together to hike at Starved Rock State Park. I chose a route I’m pretty familiar with, which is the combination of hiking to the French Canyon and Wildcat Canyon.
First, you head down the staircase behind the Lodge that leads you to the State Park near the trailhead and Visitor’s Center. Take a right, and you’re on your way to the trails!
The French Canyon is the closest and one of the easier hikes, so it’s a good place to start. The water was flowing a little on Saturday afternoon, which made for a scenic walk up to the canyon. It’s extremely important to make sure you have proper hiking shoes/boots and dress warm, especially when it’s a “balmy” 30 degrees. It always feels nice, cool and refreshing when you approach the canyon and see the waterfall rushing over.
After heading down, I wandered to the Wildcat Canyon. Another beautiful walk that eventually takes you down a couple flights of stairs, before you’re faced with the beauty of the canyon. The Wildcat Canyon had more water flow and ice formation than the French Canyon.
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What I had been walking on was the “Bluff Trail.” It’s the innermost trail system of the State Park that connects you to different canyons, whereas the “River Trail” as you probably guessed, has you walk alongside the river.
After getting my steps in on the bluff trail, I decided to switch things up and take the river trail to return to the Lodge.
Walking near the picturesque river makes for a great opportunity to relax and unwind. The river trail takes you to the Beehive Overlook and Lover’s Leap, two great opportunities to get an amazing view of the Illinois River and the Starved Rock Lock & Dam.
After trekking back to where I first entered the State Park’s hiking area, I decided to stop by the Visitor’s Center to check out the stickers they have. The last year or so I’ve started collecting stickers for my water bottle of the different places I’ve been. I’m happy to add Starved Rock State Park to the list!
It was time to head back to the lodge, so up the tall staircase I went. After 5 miles of hiking, I was ready to relax and head to dinner.
HAZE Smokehouse in LaSalle was our next food stop. Can’t wait to tell you all about some delicious BBQ in the next article!
We loved the pool area so much, we decided to swim again before bed time Saturday night! I used the hot tub a little more this time to rejuvenate after the 5 mile hike earlier. It was amazing!
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Sunday morning we woke up to a much more pleasant day, weather wise. Temperatures were a little warmer, the snow was no longer on the ground, and we decided to explore the Visitor’s Center and let Bennett look at all the stuffed animals on the walls. This is a great way to spend some time, having your kids learn about nature and getting them inside.
We headed to Utica for lunch at one of our favorite local stops, Lodi Tap House. If you’re a cheese curd connoisseur like we are, just wait until you hear about these! Afterwards, we walked across the street to Bruce & Ollie’s Ice Cream & Coffee at the Bickerman Building for an ICE CREAM FLIGHT. Can’t wait to tell you about that.
You may remember my article on the August Hill Winery Tasting Room in Utica. That is on the same stretch of road on Mill St. in downtown Utica.
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A weekend away to Starved Rock Lodge is the perfect getaway for friends, a family, or solo travelers needing some time away. The hotel wing part of the lodge we stayed at this time was amazing. The beds were extremely comfortable, so much so I need Starved Rock Lodge to tell me what brand they were so I can buy one for my next bed! The double queen room was spacious, came with a good-sized mini fridge and microwave and TV. The bathroom was nice, with plenty of space with a nice bath/shower included.
We had stayed in the lodge wing the time before, which had a king size bed which was really nice as well.
I have yet to stay in the cabins here, but I think that needs to be my next trip up there!
It was great to partner with Starved Rock Lodge and ExplorUS on this amazing adventure. There are beautiful things to see throughout the Midwest, and I’m honored to be able to help tell these stories!
(MORTON, Ill.) — It’s the clever line when you pick up the phone, “Yeah, honey. I’m at the Office!” But which office? That’s the real question.
Located on Main Street in Morton, Illinois sits The Office on Main. Welcoming you into Morton’s downtown, The Office is a great place to eat delicious food, order cold drinks, watch a sports game and hangout with friends.
Thanks to Jimmy Rassi for hosting us, and Maggie was a great server! Now, let’s get into the food options.
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Appetizers
Boneless chicken wings. We ordered the garlic parmesan and the Morton Firefighter wings. The Morton Firefighter is the garlic parm mixed with their hot sauce! Both were extremely good. Ordering with ranch is always a good option, but these are tasty enough on their own!
Cheese quesadillas. This might be the best bang for your buck around. We will definitely have enough for leftovers! Which is great, because Bennett absolutely loved the quesadillas.
Fried green beans served with apricot sauce. Apricot sauce, you say? Yes, we were skeptical too. But it’s the perfect flavor and texture to dip the fried green beans in. Jimmy told me the cooks whipped up the idea one day. Now here it is!
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Main course
The Office on Main is well-known for its smash burgers. We ordered the double Classic Smashburger and split it, because we were pretty stuffed from the apps. I am no smashburger expert, as I’ve only had a handful in my days, but I have to say The Office on Main might just be the greatest smashburger I’ve ever had! The meat patties are packed with flavor, juicy, and grilled just right. Soft buns, melted cheese, smashburger sauce and pickles help seal the deal for me. Ten out of ten!
Bennett was a big fan of the serving containers we got. They double as a hat!
He also loved all the food here at Office on Main. Just ask him yourself!
The Office on Main have been incredible supporters of Peoria City Soccer. Over one of the tables, the Peoria City scarf remains! I always appreciated Jimmy and the team’s passion for the game of soccer and willingness to help the club and community succeed.
Thank you Jimmy and Office on Main for having us by, I’m already looking forward to the next soccer watch party we have at your place!
(WASHINGTON, Ill.) — Every year, the owners of Tres Rojas Winery close down shop in the month of January for a little time off and relaxation.
But February 1st, it’s back to the races. And the Washington-based winery is approaching 2024 with a lot of new options!
For starters, the Heart of Illinois Wine Trail is doing a wine and chocolate promotion the weekend of February 3rd-4th. Tres Rojas is offering wine by the glass with truffles made by The Chocolatier, a chocolate shop in Bloomington, Illinois.
Two Glasses/Two Truffles for $21
Milk Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Truffle with Marquette or Resurrection Red
Dark Raspberry Truffle with Marquette Rosé or Traminette
Owner Lisa Barry gave me a sneak peek at the new wine selection for 2024. See below!
For your reference, RS means residual sugar, so you can know how sweet a wine is.
0-0.5 is dry, 1-2%is semi-dry, 3-5% is semi-sweet, and 6%+ is sweet.
“We released our Marquette Rosé – Dry, crisp, very traditional feeling rose. My new favorite, hands down! 0%RS,” Barry says.
This spring Tres Rojas will be bottling the following:
Peach – with 6%RS this will be a sweet wine. “This is the wine we used to make our La X Peach that we brought out in December again,” Barry adds.
Black Dog White“I’m excited about this blend since we’ve run out of Chardonnay – Dry white blend of Seyval Blanc, LaCrosse, and Edelweiss. Evaluated as a lightly oaked wine.” Plus, Lisa and Bob Barry’s dog, Onyx, is pictured on the label. Under 1%RS
Landot Rose (limited release) “Made with our first harvest of the Landot Noir grape – this is a light rose that will be made available to Wine Club members first, then the public. 0.5%RS”
Chancellor“This will also be a dry red. Developed as a hybrid in France, it is almost exclusively grown in the US. It takes to oak nicely, and has blueberry, cedar and plum flavors.”
Dos Vides“This is a dry red blend of our Chancellor and Chelois grapes. Chelois is the grape that gives our 1st Harvest Red its jammy red raspberry flavor, so add that to the fruity Chancellor, this blend is definitely going to be popular.”
New Batches of previous released/popular wines
Vignoles – We got this one back on the shelf in December. It is very close to its previous vintage – same honey finish, medium bodied, green apple and citrus and 1.5%RS
Resurrection Red – We only have 2 cases out on the shelf, so we are bottling another run before we open Feb 1st. 6%RS
1st Harvest Red – This wine went FAST!!! So I’m super excited to get this one 2.5%RS
Leon’s Rose– I love the aroma of our current vintage, but this one – if it can be better – is! 0%RS
Glacial White – Last time Glacial White was on the shelves, Moscato drinkers drank us out of stock on this one. Cayuga grapes have apple, peach, soft pineapple, spiced pear, and citrus aromas/flavors. This will be 6%RS, so a Sweet wine. We don’t grow it in our vineyard, but a grower had extra, so we jumped on it!
Bulldog– We will probably run out of our current vintage before the 2023 is bottled, but it will be coming! 0%RS
Leon Millot – We are decently stocked on Leon, so we should be consistent. 0%RS
Lisa Barry | Co-Owner of Tres Rojas Winery
Tres Rojas is located at 1774 E Cruger Rd, Washington, IL 61571. The Washington winery was my first-ever wine tour article! So it made sense to start off my 2024 wine writings back with the Barrys at Tres Rojas.
(PEORIA, Ill.) — There’a a reason Blue Duck Barbecue Tavern was voted “Best ribs in Peoria area” this year.
Meaty, tender, fall of the bone delicious, and full of flavor.
With crispy fries, pickle chips, and cornbread to go with your ribs, you’re set! The two sauces available are a sweet red and a Carolina-style, for those mustard lovers out there. Luckily for me, I loved both sauces! It was a perfect match to have two completely different flavors to dip the ribs into.
Blue Duck is a staple business of the Peoria Riverfront district. We’re lucky with our beautiful riverfront views in Peoria, and Blue Duck is a great food option for anyone in the area. It’s located in the River Station building right across from Martini’s, where of course, you can get some martinis before, or after, you eat some delicious BBQ. My Tony, the owner of Blue Duck, has been great to work with over the last year. He and his business supported Peoria City Soccer, where I work, and we greatly appreciate it!
I was happy to meet the General Manager, Tim, while visiting this time. We were also provided great service by Kristin, our server for the night.
To start, my wife got the chopped wedge salad. Drizzled ranch on top, it was delicious.
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Of course I got the ribs, but Rachel got the Brisket Philly Cheesesteak.
Can you tell she enjoyed it? Here’s another look!
For appetizers, you can get smoked fried wings, which I’ve ordered multiple times over the last few years. They are incredible, if I wasn’t writing a rib blog, I would’ve gotten an order of the wings, too! You can also get Poutine, barbecue nachos, fried dill pickle chips (which I ordered as a side instead), and a barbecue quesadilla.
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Brisket, pulled pork, St. Louis-style ribs and smoked half chicken lead the charge on the entree section. You can get them A La Carte or as plates, with 2 sides and cornbread like I did.
Sandwiches, burgers and tacos round out the menu. Offering a variety of options, you can get Asian pork belly tacos, Mexican tacos, the Brisket Philly my wife got, a “mustard clucker sandwich” and much more.
Whether you get it with the fries, salad, a side or something else, get a cup of ranch! My kid LOVED it. He also loved the sweet red BBQ sauce, as you can tell below.
To end our adventure, we ordered the key lime pie.
I highly recommend this. It’s a milder key lime pie, not so in your face as some can be, and that made it easy to scarf down by me, my wife, and 1-year-old son of course. I mean, when he’s begging to have a piece of key lime pie, how can I say no?
That’s a good lookin’ picture right there. The garlic aioli served with the fried pickles is incredible. Nice and smooth and a great addition to some already delicious pickle chips.
Head down to the Peoria Riverfront and stop by Blue Duck Barbecue Tavern for an amazing atmosphere, incredible food, and wonderful crew serving you. The address is 212 Southwest Water Street Suite B, Peoria, IL 61602.
(IRELAND) — In April 2023, I had the trip of a lifetime. Since I was a young kid, my dad would talk about his lifelong goal of getting to Ireland.
With a gift from my mom and travel agent-esque planning on my part, we made it happen.
My Sheehan Irish lineage runs through County Limerick. Specifically, Newcastle West and Limerick City. So we knew those two spots were a must on our trip.
But after mapping out a 7-day adventure, we explored many more corners of the Emerald Isle.
The greatest parts of the trip were the views, the people, the vast green land and the stunning blue waters crashing onto the cliffs. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the incredible pubs, filled with delicious food and the greatest pints I’ve ever had.
I’m going to move in chronological order of my trip. We started in Limerick, headed to Killarney, and then settled in Dingle a few days for the first leg of the trip.
The middle part was in Ennistymon and Lahinch as we hiked the Cliffs of Moher.
We ended the trip in Newcastle West, Limerick again, and finally, Dublin.
1: Flannery’s Pub on Shannon St. (Limerick)
How often does it happen that your first meal is your favorite meal? I don’t have any data on that, but my guess is not often. Well, that was the case for me in Ireland.
Delicious fish & chips, seasoned to perfection. My introduction to mushy peas! It all happened at Flannery’s Pub on Shannon Street in downtown Limerick. The classic, rugby-loving Irish pub has character, coziness, and amazing foods. It’s also the place I learned Magner’s Hard Cider is called Bulmers in Ireland.
2: The Curragower (Limerick)
Sitting across from the River Shannon rests The Curragower. The bar & restaurant has much more modern vibe than Flannery’s, but a wonderful outdoor seating area gives great views of the River Shannon, King John’s Castle, and downtown Limerick.
I started out with some amazing fried calamari and a pint of Guinness.
Next, came the burger and chips to round out the meal. The ambience of the restaurant was very unique and I really enjoyed. Aside from the fried calamari, the meal was not something to write home about. I would like to go back and try a different entree if I were to return there.
3: The Shire (Killarney)
Lord of the Rings fans, this one is for you. On good ole TikTok, my brother (pictured above) and I came across The Shire. The LOTR-themed restaurant looks almost as cool as it sounds, with Middle Earth and Mordor memorabilia hanging on the walls, a green light undertone around the bar, and photos of LOTR stars who have visited before.
I hate to say it, but the food did not match the awesomeness of the restaurant. It was not bad, let me be clear on that, but it was nothing special either. If I were to return, I’d happily stop by for a pint, but would probably choose another local pub for my meal.
4: James Long (Dingle)
Grabbing a bite to eat in downtown Dingle isn’t the easiest thing on earth. Pubs are full of locals and tourists alike, with barely a table available in sight. We thought, foolishly, we could just walk down the street and find a table easily. We stumbled across the James Long pub, which lay right across the street from the harbor in Dingle. A beautiful sight. Luckily, we were put on a rather short waitlist and got a table outside.
We got back on track here in the good food category. Fried calamari and chips tamed my appetite after a long day of walking, hiking, you name it. And look at the fish & chips my brother got across from me. That fish was HUGE.
I also tried the Kopparberg strawberry/lime hard cider! 7th Street Cidery in Springfield, Illinois has this flavor cider, and it is my favorite. The Swedish cider was very refreshing, and served over ice to keep it cold.
5: The Dingle Pub (Dingle)
Dingle’s food scene continued to impress. After a full afternoon of walking the town, we decided it was time to stop for a meal. The Dingle Pub was in the vicinity, so we stopped on in.
Known for its good food, local pints and live music, the Dingle Pub was a fantastic time. I enjoyed the fish cakes & chips. My dad got the Irish stew which he said was some of the best stew he’s ever had (next to the beef stew my mom makes, of course).
Local pints were enjoyed. This was one of the rare times I strayed away from an Irish stout, lager, or red lager. Sadly, there was no live music and dancing when we were there. Maybe next time.
6: Foxy John’s (Dingle)
I wish I had more to say about Foxy John’s. But the truth is, we only stopped in for a quick pint before heading back to our Air BnB. We stayed off the Wild Atlantic Way about 10 minutes outside of town, so we thought it wise to not drive the windy, narrow roads after dark.
If you know of Foxy John’s, then you know it’s not only a pub. It’s also a hardware store. Iconic to tourists from around the world, I’d recommend Foxy John’s to anyone who visits Dingle.
7: Danny Mac’s (Lahinch)
When I think about our time at Danny Mac’s, I have to recall how much we went through to get there. Here’s another travel tip; always check the restaurants hours in towns you’re going to. We wanted our trip to be somewhat planned, somewhat spontaneous. This was one of those nights. Every restaurant was closed in Lahinch because it was in the middle of the week. But thank God for Danny Mac’s.
I veered off my usual meal to get back to an American classic with an interest twist. The BBQ ribs. Layered with sauce and sesame seeds, this was one of the best meals of the trip.
I did get back on track with my beer choice, though. The Smithwick’s Irish red lager. I also found out the “w” in Smithwick’s is silent. So it’s pronounced “Smith-Icks.” The more you know.
8: Chaser’s Bistro (Newcastle West)
Connected to our hotel in Newcastle West, I had a wonderful fish & chips meal. Newcastle West is the city my Irish roots run through (alongside with Limerick). We enjoyed searching for family history, although we came up empty handed.
On the bright side, I was introduced to one of my now favorite beers of all time. Asahi super dry. The Japanese lager is so smooth and rich in flavor, this is a special occasion beer for me now. It’s also pretty pricey if we’re being honest. Another thing I loved about Irish restaurants, is no matter what drink you ordered, you would drink it in a pint from that company.
9: Katie Daly’s (Limerick)
We stopped back in Limerick before our train ride to Dublin, which is the last stop of our trip. Katie Daly’s Irish pub was on the schedule, and it was a wonderful time. It’s eight across from King John’s Castle and near the River Shannon.
I enjoyed a different Irish staple here, the bangers and mash. Sausage and potatoes covered in gravy, this is now one of my favorite meals to cook at home.
10: Bar Rua (Dublin)
Well, I had to get one last fish & chips before I left the Emerald Isle. Bar Rua was so awesome to us. We had our luggage still, because we took the train from Limerick to Dublin, walked to the Guinness Open Gate Brewery, and then grabbed an Uber and took it to downtown Dublin. We enjoyed one last full dinner in Ireland, reminiscing on the trip and talking about the future.
Bar Rua is a modern take on the Irish pub. It’s part of the Galway Bay Brewery family.
11: Sheehan’s Pub (Dublin)
All week long I had been talking with my brother and dad about coming to Sheehan’s Pub in Dublin. I was excited, until I wasn’t. We walked up to the pub, only to be told we could not come in because of our luggage. Hence the reason we ended up across the street at Bar Rua. Luckily, the worker was extremely kind about it and felt very bad. They just didn’t have the room to hold three large suitcases. I can’t blame them. Later that night, my brother said he wanted one drink in Sheehan’s. I told him and my dad to head in and have fun. I was really tired, and was OK with staying with the luggage while they enjoyed themselves. Next time I’m in Dublin, I’m coming here and leaving my luggage at the hotel. Haha.
12: Gravity Bar @ Guinness Brewery (Dublin)
After taking the full tour in Guinness’ Open Gate Brewery in Dublin, you finish the journey at the Gravity Bar. The bar is at the very top of the building, looking over Dublin from the 7th floor.
The Guinness tour was an amazing cap to the trip. You definitely get your money’s worth here. There is so much to see, so much walking to be done, and you get to try freshly poured Guinness along the way.
While the following are not pubs, I thought they were worth mentioning. Because Ireland’s food culture isn’t just known for the pubs, the Irish breakfast is an amazing thing, too.
1: Vincenzo Grill House @ The George Hotel (Limerick)
The George is a boutique hotel in downtown Limerick. The staff were amazing and the rooms were really nice. The breakfast buffet, included in your hotel payment, was delicious.
2: Station House B&B (Ennistymon)
It was a beautiful, clear night in the photo above. That’s our bed & breakfast in Ennistymon, a town *somewhat* close to the Cliffs of Moher. We all really enjoyed our stay here. The owner was extremely friendly and there was an antique vibe inside the B&B that was warm and welcoming .
The breakfast, once again included in your B&B pricing, was pretty good once again. You were given a menu when you checked in, and you’d give it to the owner later that day so they could have your order in the morning. You’d also pick a specific time to come down for breakfast. I enjoyed the ham, sausage and eggs but pretty much steered clear of the rest. The black circle on the plate is Irish black pudding. When I was told blood is added to the meat, barley, oats and whatever else is in there, I made a clear choice to decline that. Maybe next time I’ll feel a little bolder.
All in all, the food in Ireland was fantastic. When I go back, I now know what to get, and what not to get! Thanks for reading along, I hope you enjoyed the journey.
(EUREKA, Ill.) — No matter the occasion, add Pickled Radish Provision Co. to your list for restaurants to visit.
Sitting along Main St. in Eureka, Illinois, the cozy yet exquisite atmosphere welcomes you in with arms wide and delicious food.
At Pickled Radish, you are the champion of your destiny for the meal you want to have.
Want a fancy date night meal? Great, then order a steak! It comes with a roll, salad and side.
Looking more for pub food? Get the fish ‘N chips, Half Pounder burger, or brisket!
So what did I get? Glad you asked!
We started with an appetizer of “The Hot Mess.” Squared, butter-dipped Pepper Jack cheese curds tossed in hot-pepper bacon jam. On a scale of “how spicy is this?” I’d have to give the mark right in the middle. The flavor is fantastic and the heat of the Pepper Jack is just right. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about the hot-pepper bacon jam, but it was very tasty and added great flavor.
To make sure my 1-year-old got his tummy filled while we chomped on the cheese curds, I ordered him a side of Wild Rice Blend. He tore it up and absolutely loved it. There is a kid’s menu by request, but it’s not printed.
On to the main course! As I mentioned, you get a salad, side and roll with your meal. I went with the Ribeye, a Char-grilled Black Angus cut of meat. My wife, Rachel, decided on the Filet Mignon. Also Char-grilled and Black Angus, but hers was bacon-wrapped!
The salad was tossed by our wonderful server, Kennedy, at tableside! “Dinner and a show!” Rachel exclaimed.
The house salad was tossed in a basil vinaigrette, topped with onions and tomatoes if you wanted them. As many of you know, I steer clear of onions and tomatoes, but I was able to sift through them and enjoy a very nice salad. I got the green beans as my side.
Pickled Radish does an amazing job at keeping the mood just right and presenting an entertaining atmosphere. Well, what the heck do I mean by that?
On each table, there’s a portable lamp that changes colors when you tap the top of it. You can also make the light brighter or dimmer. It’s a great distraction to a small child when they start demanding food, randomly yelling, or any of the other crazy things small children do.
Not only is this a great place for a date night or family meal, but there’s a full bar on its own in another open space room. Outside, Pickled Radish has a seating area and a firepit. The snow and low temperatures took that possibility out of the equation, but it’d be great especially in the fall when the temps are dropping a little.
Now, on to the main course!
Sizzling steaks ripe with flavor, the Ribeye was extremely tender and packed with flavor. The juicy cut of meat was one of the better steaks I’ve had across central Illinois. I order my steaks medium rare. Hats off to the chef, because they understood the assignment and did a great job sticking to the order.
My wife, on the other hand, ordered her Filet Mignon medium well. I only got one bite of her steak, but it was amazing as well! She really enjoyed it and said it was cooked perfectly to her liking. The steaks are all grilled over an open flame.
One interesting tidbit about the restaurant is that most, if not all of the tables are sponsored by a local business! I thought that was really cool to see other local businesses supporting the restaurant, and in turn, the restaurant supporting them by promoting their business for their customers!
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In 2011, Jeff and Shelli Stahl took ownership of The Chanticleer. Known for its fried chicken and catfish, The Chanticleer closed down in May 2021.
Starting in October 2023 as reservations only, the husband/wife duo revitalized the location at 744 N. Main St. to become Pickled Radish Provision Co.
When I took to Facebook to ask my followers who had the best steaks in central Illinois, Pickled Radish was mentioned multiple times. This is definitely a location worth driving from Peoria, Bloomington or wherever you’re driving from.
The staff was extremely friendly. Our server, Kennedy, did a fantastic job.
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Save room for dessert? Might I recommend the Oreo Cheesecake. We took it to-go and enjoyed it at home later that night. It was amazing! The Crème brûlée looked fantastic, as well. I guess I’ll have to have that the next time.
I wanted to thank Pickled Radish Provision Co. for being fabulous hosts to me and my family. We now have a new favorite restaurant to add to our list, and will definitely be back! You can call 309-481-4055 for reservations, and follow them on Facebook here.
(PEORIA, Ill.) — There’s no better feeling than equilibrium.
Life flows up and down, in and out, but when you are fully aware of who you are and are joyful with how your life is going, you retain a sense of peace.
The constant joy in my life is my wife and my son, hands down. I have two jobs at the moment (with a potential third coming in 2024), but no career, no accolade, no promotion can amount to the deep honor I feel to be the husband of Rachel and the father of Bennett. I tell everyone that my greatest title is “dad” and “husband.” It’s true!
When Bennett was born in September 2022, I was working a job that had me waking up at midnight some nights, and 2:30 AM the other nights. Combine that with a newborn baby waking up every 2-3 hours to feed and be changed, it made for hellish nights and really rough mornings.
I loved journalism, I still do. I still get to achieve that goal I had in college of being a journalist as a Media Relations Coordinator and Director of Communications for my respective jobs. But at some point, you reach a moment where you have to reevaluate your life and make a decision. That is where I was at the end of 2022.
I am abundantly grateful for the job I took at OSF HealthCare, where I started early February this year. Not only do I have a wonderful team, but I have a supportive boss who makes her team want to work hard and do an excellent job. That’s a rare thing to have, so cherish it if you have it. Plus, I still feel like I am doing good for my community by writing medical stories that offer beneficial medical advice for parents, families and individuals.
That same month I started working for OSF, I got a call with an offer to work for Peoria City Soccer. Not everyone knows, but I played soccer all the way from 4-years-old through senior year of high-school, then intramurals in college. I am a huge soccer fan and an advocate for Peoria, so putting these two passions together was a no-brainer. I ended up being promoted at Peoria City to Director of Communications, where I am still at today. I have a lot of pride in our club and am once again thankful and blessed to work with such a great crew, and have a manager I greatly respect and enjoy working with.
This year has been a wonderful opportunity to experience family travel in a way I never have before. We went to Disney World, Wisconsin, Florida, Minnesota and more. A lot of people seem to be scared to travel with kids. Can it be tough at times? Sure! But so can traveling alone or with your partner. Things happen, and you have to adapt appropriately.
I was also privileged to be a content creator for the City SC Report, a fan-based publication that covers St. Louis City SC, the newest expansion team in Major League Soccer. I was on the field for most home games shooting video of the action, it was amazing.
The greatest trip of the year was my adventure to Ireland alongside my dad and brother. This was a trip decades in the making, one my dad had told me he wanted to take since I was a young kid. We got to experience the Emerald Isle as a family, searching for family history and trekking through beautiful scenery all across the country. This is a place I absolutely want to take my own family to one day. Ever since, I’ve been building relationships with people and businesses there, so I believe this will happen soon.
The highlight of my year has been to see my son grow. I’m a proud dad. I’ve said those words to him since he was a newborn and didn’t know what the heck I was saying. Now, he’s starting to understand the things we’re saying and I hope he feels the pride I have in being his dad. He’s a hilarious kid. Could easily be a Gerber baby. I joke that he’ll be a Hollywood superstar one day, it’s possible. But it’s his joyful energy that is his most attractive quality. Everyone always says “he’s always happy!” He gets that from his mom. He’s always smiling, laughing, playing and loving life. Whether it’s snuggling his stuffed dog animal we creatively named “Puppy,” being ornery and acting like he’s going to hand you something then he pulls it away, or raising his hands in the air and yelling “AHHHH” simultaneously with his dad like a couple of cavemen.
As I write this article, Bennett is going through his first real cold since being born. It’s turned me into an anxious daddy, but I think it’s also brought us closer and led him to see I’m his protector. All throughout the day I’ll be checking his temperature, wiping his nose, giving baby medicine when needed, and putting the baby’s version of Vicks VapoRub on his chest and just ensuring he’s taken care of. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been fulfilling. Keeping him safe and healthy is my top priority, and you have to step to plate when you’re needed. When I’m in another room doing something, he comes searching for me yelling “dad!”
I think there’s something about a mother’s love us dads just can’t replicate. There’s this closeness a child feels with their mother that brings them peace. Maybe it’s the heartbeat they were close to for 9 months inside the womb, maybe it’s their mother’s scent and voice, maybe it’s all these things. As a dad who wants to be active in my son’s life, sometimes I want that same closeness with my kid. But I have to remind myself that maybe my hands are too rough, maybe my facial hair is a bit scratchy, and maybe I don’t smell as good as his mom. Just kidding, I always smell good.
But what I have realized is while the snuggling nature my wife and son have, my son always wants me around. He might not want me all up in his grill, but he feels safe with me standing in the room with him. And that’s all I need. Now don’t get me wrong, sometimes my kid just wants to be held by his dad and I’m not complaining one bit. And yes, I do sing my son to sleep. We start with a little slow country for a song or two, then switch to a Jonas Brothers song, and he’s asleep. Works every time.
What do I wish for in 2024? A lot of things. I hope to travel to new places. Every year I want to see at least one new place. I want to continue succeeding in my jobs, moving the needle forward and perfecting my craft. I’ve started collaborating with businesses on content creation, showcasing restaurants, wineries and resorts. I want to do more of that, and I have many plans to! There’s a lot more, but I’ll leave it at that for now.
As always, I’m very thankful for the people who have followed this journey of mine. You don’t have to, but you want to. You enjoy the things I’ve done and you wish the best for me and my family. I’m thankful for that. So raise a glass of your favorite wine, beer, spirit, milk, water heck I don’t care, and drink to the end of another year on God’s green earth. God bless you all.
(ILLINOIS, USA) — When thinking about barbecue, your mind might go right to Texas, St. Louis, Kansas City, or Memphis.
While all of these places have AMAZING BBQ to enjoy, let’s go through six BBQ restaurants in Illinois I visited this year that you should try, too!
Most are located in Central Illinois, but one is near St. Louis, MO on the Illinois side! As I did in my 2023 year-end Illinois winery article, I’ll start in chronological order!
After my first visit to Brickhouse BBQ for a Valentine’s day with my then-girlfriend, now-wife Rachel, this has become a place we enjoy visiting in Washington. The BBQ ribs with green beans and fries was my go-to here, but for starters, the burnt ends and cheese curds are where it’s it. The staff has always been extremely friendly here and the food comes out decently quick. The ribs are well-seasoned and the sauces are a good addition to the flavor for both the ribs and burnt ends.
Illinois Foodies recently named Dac’s Smokehouse the #1 Barbecue restaurant in Illinois. Recently, Dac’s focused their efforts on their Morton location and closed down the Campustown spot near Bradley University in Morton. The ribs are very meaty and packed with flavor. I gave the breaded cauliflower wings a 5/5, great flavor and just the right amount of kick! I’m also a sucker for cheesy corn, which was a great addition to the meal at Dac’s.
One of my all-time favorite BBQ restaurants is a place called Rudy’s. It’s mainly in Texas but can be found in Colorado Springs, too. BC BBQ in Pekin reminded me a bit of this, especially with the gas station meets saloon vibe. First I tried the “hog wing.” This was something I never had had before and I’m glad I tried it. It’s a meaty piece of pork that falls right off the bone. There are 4 BBQ sauces to choose from, and I was happy to see Lovingood’s BBQ was a part of this! They’re a local barbecue sauce/seasoning company that has great flavors. Try the mac n cheese + green beans alongside some well-cooked ribs, packed with sauce and spices that you’ll love.
For weeks, I received comments and messages on Facebook that I had to try Whitey’s BBQ as part of my rib report. So I did! When I visited, Whitey’s was a part of Crusen’s on Route 29 in Creve Coeur, now the BBQ is offered inside Crusen’s on Farmington Road in West Peoria. I have told many people this before, Whitey’s had some of the best ribs I have ever had. Perfectly glazed in sauce, with the right amount of smokiness and tenderness, you don’t even need to dip these in sauce. Alongside the ribs, the honey sriracha wings and tots (which my wife said were “crisp to perfection) are great options. Whitey’s served us up the 3 meat combo full of burnt ends, pulled pork and brisket. I put that the burnt ends were the best I’ve ever had.
Opened last December in East Peoria, Smokin’ Notes BBQ has entered the central Illinois BBQ scene in strong fashion! With a quaint, country vibe, the atmosphere is really nice and the food is even better. We started out with a shareable of loaded fries, covered in pulled pork and a cheese blend that was delicious. As seen above, I ordered the Nick’s Combo which was a 1/2 rack of BBQ ribs which was greatly glazed with BBQ sauce so you didn’t even need to cover them in sauce along with pulled pork. For a side, I got the fried okra, my favorite BBQ side on planet earth. We really enjoyed our stay and we will be back!
Meaty, tender, fall off the bone delicious, and full of flavor.
With crispy fries, pickle chips, and cornbread to go with your ribs, you’re set! The two sauces available are a sweet red and a Carolina-style, for those mustard lovers out there. Luckily for me, I loved both sauces! It was a perfect match to have two completely different flavors to dip the ribs into.
Last but not least, let’s head to Glen Carbon for Edley’s Bar-B-Que! The Tennessee-based restaurant mainly is home to spots across Nashville, with an additional restaurant in Franklin and Chattanooga, TN. The BBQ chain hits Illinois in both Glen Carbon near the campus of SIUE, and O’Fallon. The ribs were very meaty with great flavor, glazed in BBQ sauce where they were fine all by themselves. The star of the show were the smoked wings, though. I got the White BBQ wings which for a spicy level, is in between the BBQ sauce and the hotter sauce Edley’s has. My wife got the brisket tacos. I’d like to get back to Tennessee and visit Edley’s at one of their locations there! Maybe in 2024 or 2025.
Comment, email or message me what Illinois barbecue restaurants I should visit in 2024. I have been in talks with multiple locations already, and I think we’ll have a great line up for next year!
(CHICAGO, Ill.) — The worldwide brand of Guinness has expanded even more in the United States.
Back in April, I visited the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Dublin, Ireland. It was a classic, rainy day in Dublin, and the perfect opportunity to stay inside for hours on end and walk around the immense brewery that Guinness has to offer.
Earlier this fall, Guinness opened up an additional U.S. brewery in Chicago, Illinois. It’s located in the West Loop of the City, near Fulton Market.
In terms of visual appeal, I was blown away by the exquisite architecture and design of the brewery, yet relaxed by the comfortable atmosphere the bar provided.
The Open Gate Brewery offers a smaller gift shop where you can buy Guinness merchandise. Your next stop will be through the first-ever Guinness bakery. A dazzling array of lights hangs across the ceiling above you, offering a beautiful view as you walk through the brewery.
I did not stop for coffee and pastries, but this is an awesome addition for those who need a late morning or early afternoon pick-me-up, and for those who aren’t beer fans but love coffee!
Next you will head into the main bar & restaurant area. This is where I come back to beautiful architecture the brewery offers.
There is a giant harp sculpture above the bar in the middle of the room. Surrounded by tables and chairs, the brewery offers a place for patrons to sit down, relax, and have a pint + food.
There is also plenty space, if all tables are taken, for people to stand around, pint in hand, and enjoy the ambience of the brewery.
Part of Guinness’ nature is offering that “perfect pour” in your glass. I was asked by multiple people how the Guinness was in Chicago and if it differed from when I’ve had it elsewhere (including Ireland), to which I replied that it was equally amazing.
The bartender was very chill and welcoming, my friend Chris and I really enjoyed our time.
The food was exceptional. We split an order of fried cheese curds which were perfectly crispy and tasted so good.
I then had the corned beef board, which allowed me to make two 1/2 corned beef sandwiches that were equally phenomenal.
Alongside the corned beef board, I ordered a side of brussel sprouts for us to enjoy. They were really unique and had great flavor, but they were laid on top of a spicy sauce underneath it, which made it a little too spicy for us when eaten in large portions. Just something to keep in mind if you are not a huge fan of spicy foods, and to have plenty of water (or Guinness) on hand!
Of course I had to wear my Limerick GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) hurling jersey! If you’ve never heard of hurling, I’d highly recommend looking up highlights on YouTube, it seems so fun!
I will definitely be back to the Guinness Open Gate Chicago Brewery for more perfect pints and delicious food.
(ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES) — Every year I do an evaluation of life.
What’s going well? What goals do I have for the next year? What needs to be left in the past?
Well, today, we’re not going to worry about those questions. We’re going to talk about good wine, and where you can go to get some.
I’ve had the pleasure of partnering with many wineries across the State of Illinois this past year. I’ve made many friends over a common love for the red and/or white beverage gracing our glasses, and I hope you can do the same.
Not a wine person? Give it a chance! I’ve had many “non-wine” people try the wines I recommend, and they really enjoy it. I’ve had people say “Oh, all Illinois wine is sweet wine!” To whom I then offer a glass of something semi-sweet and they say “oh, that’s really not that sweet.” It just depends! Every winery has a different vibe and their wines have different flavors. They are some similarities, though, especially to which grapes are mainly used in the Midwest.
Illinois is well-known for having “French hybrid” grapes. The main 6 grape varietals grown in Illinois cover more than 75% of the State’s total grape acreage, according to Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Alliance (IGGVA, also known as Illinois Wine). 5 of the 6 top grapes are the French hybrids, as shown below.
These grapes are Chambourcin, Seyval, Vignoles, Chardonel and Vidal Blanc. These are developed by crossing French grapes, like Chardonnay, which are normally grown in France and California, with native American vines.
The 6th main grape varietal in Illinois is Norton, used in dryer wines. It can also be seen in wine blends, which are also popular in Illinois.
To learn more about Illinois grapes and wine, head to the IGGVA’s website.
So let’s get the maps out and see where you can travel this upcoming year for a glass, or two, of delicious Illinois wine. I will go in chronological order from when I started this Illinois Winery Tour.
Surrounded by Central Illinois countryside, Tres Rojas opened their doors December 2020, during the Pandemic. I met Bob Barry a couple years before this, when he was still searching for the perfect plot of land to start his winery. Well, he found it. The grounds are very serene and perfect for a casual get together with friends, a special party, or even a wedding! They do a great job at building relationships with their customers, and they have adorable dogs to greet you when you arrive. I also enjoy how Tres Rojas partners with food trucks and musicians to add to the experience. Some of my favorite wines are the Sweet Maria, Resurrection Red and Rhu-Berry!
Mackinaw Valley is well known for its beautiful landscape and tasty wines. With a lake behind the property, the winery is the perfect place for outdoor music, events and just walking around on a nice day. The Red Dragon and Deux Noir are my favorites. The Red Dragon is a sweeter red wine bursting with flavor, while the Deux Noir is a blueberry/blackberry wine that is right down the middle. The staff at Mackinaw is always very friendly and I enjoy striking up conversation with them.
Nestled into Knox County, Illinois is Hidden Hills Winery. Roughly 35-40 minutes West of Peoria, you’ll find Hidden Hills on your way to Galesburg right off I-74. The winery has a really nice and calm outdoor seating space with plenty of green space. I really appreciated the behind-the-scenes tour my friends and I were given of the winery, that always helps give you a deeper sense of the process winemakers go through. A really exciting product Hidden Hills recently launched is a raspberry hard cider. They sell it at Peoria Chiefs games (and hopefully will have it at Peoria City Soccer games in the near future!).
August Hill Winery is one of the most popular wineries in Illinois, and for good reason. You can do a cave wine tasting tour in August Hill’s man made caves at the Peru winery location. They have live music and food trucks there, as well as tours where you can walk up to the vineyards and learn about the history. August Hill helped me find my love for Niagara wines. Normally a sweet white wine, Niagara grapes are typically grown in Niagara County, New York but have become popular across the Midwest. I’d say the flavor of these wines gives me a hit of bubble gum when I sip on it, which I love. August Hill also has its own sparkling wine brand, Illinois Sparkling Co. I tend to steer away from the sparkling wines, but they have some decent ones I have tried before. Recently, I fell in love with the 2023 Nouveau, which is a semi-dry red wine. “Nouveau” signifies the first wine release of the year, just weeks after the grapes are harvested.
August Hill also has a tasting room in the wonderful Utica, Illinois. Mill Street in downtown Utica is a hopping place, full of restaurants, wineries and stores that proves to be an excellent day trip. You can have a flight, wine tasting, food while sitting and relaxing (or standing at the bar) at the wine tasting room.
Tucked away in the rural countryside of Metamora, Illinois lays Old Mill Vineyard. The tasting room is called Bent Tree at OMV, an exquisite escape from the hustle and bustle of life. It’s very nice on the inside, with the bar, tables and chairs for you to unwind and relax. Outside you can find additional seating facing a lake behind the property. Old Mill tends to sway towards the dryer wines, so if you are a dry wine fan, then you’ll love Old Mill! I really enjoyed the wines I tried and was happy to get out of my comfort zone when I was just starting to try dryer wines. Now I usually enjoy the range from semi-sweet to semi-dry.
This is for all my Chicago readers out there. There’s not just 1 Lynfred Winery in the Chicago suburbs, there’s 5! On the way to the Illinois Beach Hotel in Zion, Illinois – my wife and I stopped by Lynfred Winery in Wheeling, Illinois. It was a very fancy yet relaxed vibe in an old home renovated to become a winery. The main facility is in Roselle, which I am hoping to visit in 2024! My favorite wine I tried here was very unique, and that was the Pear Wine. Perfect for a fall gathering, the pear wine is sweet but not too sweet. I took it to a Friendsgiving in November and it was a hit.
Whether you want to go to a brewhaus/winery or a vineyard with a view, Grafton Winery has you covered. For my wife and I’s second wedding anniversary, we stopped by the Vineyard on a sunny October day and had an amazing time. The wine was phenomenal, but the food was just as good. Flatbreads are their specialty here, and I’d recommend getting the chicken and spinach artichoke flatbread that I ordered. It was fantastic. Looking to spend some more time in Grafton? Head right across the street to Eckert’s Grafton Farm for a fun day with the family. If you go to the Brewhaus in downtown Grafton, you can have a fun weekend filled with other restaurants, bars and overnight stays. Grafton Winery is one of the most well-known wineries in Illinois.
Last but certainly not least, Galena Cellars Vineyard and Winery. My family trip to Galena this fall was one of the best trips I’ve had in a long time. The beautiful green, hilly countryside of Galena reminded me a little bit of Ireland. Galena Cellars is also one of the most popular wineries in Illinois. Similar to August Hill, Galena Cellars has its vineyard location out in the countryside and then a wine tasting room downtown Galena. The downtown location is featured in an 1800s building I was unable to visit, but I definitely will next time. Some of my favorite wines were the Gobble Gobble, a cranberry wine perfect for the holidays, and the Edelweiss. The Edelweiss is Galena Cellars’ closest wine to a Niagara. It is a honeyed peach and pear wine, and is a smooth sipper.
What Illinois wineries would you like to learn about in 2024? I definitely have some plans in the works, but would love to hear from you all and what areas and what specific wineries you want to learn about. Comment, email, or message me on social media!
(GLEN CARBON, Ill.) — Back when I was on TV, we’d have a joke term we’d use ever now and then: “Smellivision.”
This was normally during our cooking segments where we either had some DELICIOUS food and it smelled wonderful in the kitch, OR some horrendous prank food that stunk up the place. We’d tell the audience “We know you can’t smell this at home, but …” and finish the sentence with whether it smelled amazing or horrible.
I experienced something similar with Edley’s Bar-B-Que (in a positive way). For years I’ve driven I-55 South to St. Louis from Peoria to visit family and friends. Over the last year or two, Edley’s Bar-B-Que graced drivers’ eyesight by purchasing a big ole billboard right alongside the interstate.
Probably a dozen times I turned to my wife and said “Hey, we should stop there sometime.”
“Yeah, maybe some other time!” She’d usually reply. Well, the stars aligned and the timing was right, because we all were equally hungry and Edley’s so happened to be on the way to where we were going.
So finally I got off the interstate a bit earlier than I normally would and we headed to Edley’s Bar-B-Que in Glen Carbon, Illinois (close to SIUE’s campus).
With a modern take on a Southern style restaurant, Edley’s was very trendy. You’d walk up to the counter and order, then a server would bring the food right out to you. It was a very simple process.
Starter:
The starter this go around was the star of the show. White BBQ smoked wings. Does the picture do these justice? Crispy, tender, melt in your mouth, I could go on. Amazing flavor. I usually would go normal BBQ sauce but I was feeling adventurous, and I’m glad I tried the White BBQ. Spicy wise they told me it was in the middle of their regular sauce and their “Walking Bird” wings, which were spicy.
My wife got the brisket nachos, which she really enjoyed. As you can see, there’s plenty of red tomatoes on there, and I don’t touch those things with a 10 foot pole. But I’m glad she liked it!
The mac n cheese was a hit with her and my son, too. She also got banana pudding which was incredible. It was thicker than most yet kept that amazing flavor.
Main Course:
1/2 rack of ribs a la carte. These were smoked, tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs. They were also meaty, which is always a plus.
If you’re in Southeast Illinois (near St. Louis, MO) you can visit Edley’s in Glen Carbon or O’Fallon. Otherwise, you’ll have to head to Tennessee! Edley’s is Volunteer State-based, mainly in Nashville. There is one in Franklin and another in Chattanooga.
I am very glad I stopped by Edley’s BBQ and we will definitely be back!
(EAST PEORIA, Ill.) — If you’re driving around the Peoria area, you’ve probably seen ads for Smokin’ Notes BBQ in East Peoria.
I’ve been wanting to get here since they opened about a year ago, and I’m glad I finally did.
It’s a quaint, country vibe restaurant near a lot of the East Peoria shopping and eateries. It smells good right as you walk in.
Starter:
Loaded fries! Covered in pulled pork and a cheesy blend, this was a show stealer. The fries retained their crispness while offering a boat load of flavor. Loved it!
Side:
C’mon y’all! You know me. I had to go with the fried okra. These were some of the best fried okra I’ve had in a long while. I’m trying to get my son on the fried okra train, but he’s still unsure.
Main course:
Last but certainly not least, what this blog was named after. The BBQ ribs.
I got the Nick’s Combo, 1/2 slab of ribs with pulled pork and Texas toast.
For the ribs: You didn’t even need to pour sauce on them, they were already glazed with it and the flavor was both unique and delicious. I felt the same way about the pulled pork. They were already doused in BBQ sauce when they came to the table and both the tenderness and flavor were near perfect.
My only complaint: They only have 1 BBQ sauce here. I like BBQ restaurants that have a wide array of sauces, but not all places do, so I understand that. But if they would like to add to the BBQ sauce collection, I’d happily partner with them on creating an award-winning flavor 🙂
All in all I really enjoyed Smokin’ Notes and I will definitely be back. Our waitress was very attentive and the staff was friendly. I’d highly recommend it!
(SONOMA, CA.) — As snow laid across the fields behind our home, I received a package full of California sunshine at my front porch.
After writing 10 Illinois Winery Tour articles in 2023, I decided it was time to spread my wings a bit and expand the tour. I was thrilled when I connected with Sean Minor Wines on Instagram, and the rest was history.
I love the brand of Sean Minor Wines. It’s very clean, elegant yet friendly and welcoming. “Always Invited,” is a motto they use.
The company was founded in 2005 by Sean and his wife Nicole Minor, it’s still family-owned and operated today. It was originally named Four Bears Winery after Sean and Nicole’s four children. One of their children, Elle Minor, joined the team in 2023 as Production Manager and Assistant Winemaker.
While based in Sonoma, California, the Minors don’t own a vineyard you can go and visit. They invest directly in long-term contracts with grape growers and sustainable farms throughout California and Oregon, according to Skurnik Wine & Spirits.
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So let’s get started with the wines I tried. You’ll get to see that lovely snow I mentioned at the beginning of the article.
California Series 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, California
Vibrant and juicy, our Sauvignon Blanc has vibrant, refreshing flavors of kiwi, green apple, pink grapefruit and peach. An ideal aperitif or year-round sipper.
I proved the Sauvignon Blanc is in fact a year-round sipper, seeing I’m drinking it in December! This is a semi-dry white wine that is so smooth even sweet wine lovers would enjoy this. I first drank a glass of this at room temperature, which I enjoyed.
But, I’m a “I like my food hot and drinks cold” kind of guy, so I chilled it in the refrigerator to have another time. I thought the chilled Sauvignon Blanc was just as fantastic as the room temp.
A little background about me, I worked as a banquet server one summer in college at the Country Club of Peoria. This is where I learned how to say Sauvignon, and where I realized how many people enjoyed it.
Signature Series 2021 Nicole Marie Red Blend, North Coast
This full bodied, zesty blend has flavors of warm blueberry pie and dark cherry compote with hints of vanilla and cassis, making it perfect for your weekly pasta night.
50% Merlot – 25% Zinfandel – 25% Petite Sirah
With many awards and honors under its belt, the Nicole Marie Red Blend is a dry red, blossoming with flavor so unique and refreshing.
For my Peoria followers, you can find Sean Minor Wines at the Hy-Vee Grand Prairie location, as well as Binny’s Beverage Depot on Lake Avenue.
For Bloomington folks, Binny’s and Friar has it, as well as a few more locations.
I want to thank Sean Minor Wines for partnering with me on this exciting project. I always enjoy trying different wines throughout the region in which I live, but it was nice to sip on something out of state.
AD: Looking to book your next trip? Head to Booking.com for flights, car rentals and travel packages! I am a travel affiliate through Travelpayouts, and you can use my link here! Note: I will receive commission from any purchase made through my Booking.com link.
(UTICA, Ill.) — One of my favorite places to get away for a day trip is Utica, Illinois.
Located in LaSalle County, just less than 10 minutes away from Starved Rock State Park, sits a beautiful town bustling with shops, restaurants, tourist activities and more. That leads us to our next Illinois Winery tour, at August Hill’s Tasting Room & Lounge.
Located at 106 Mill St., North Utica, IL, August Hill offers wine tastings, flights, private parties for wine club members, and an outdoor patio where you can order wine and food.
This visit I discovered my new favorite August Hill red wine: the 2023 Nouveau. Labeled as a semi-dry red wine, the 2023 Nouveau is as smooth as it gets. A Nouveau wine symbolizes the first wine released that year. August Hill’s take on the wine is a mix of Norton and Chambourcin grapes. Even if you’re a sweet wine drinker, you will enjoy the 2023 Nouveau. It’s a light bodied red wine that’s very fruity, yet clean and fresh.
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Now, you’ll notice I specified that the 2023 Nouveau is my favorite August Hill red wine. That’s because my go-to white wine here is still the Niagara.
This sweet and fruity white wine has such a distinct flavor, it’s a great example of America wine. You won’t be surprised here, the Niagara grape got its start in Niagara County, New York back in the 1860s. I almost get a taste of bubble gum when I sip on Niagara wine, and since I am a sweet tooth, I highly enjoy it. I tell people Niagara wine is almost like Moscato, just a tad less sweet.
Speaking of sweet August Hill wines, I’m sipping on the Emerald here tonight! A green apple wine filled with edible glitter (shake the bottle and you’ll see an amazing show), the Emerald is a top-seller around St. Patrick’s Day.
As you see below, the August Hill Tasting Room has a spacious lounge with comfortable seating. The lounge can be used for any visitors most days, but the winery also hosts private wine club member events here. When you’re done with your tasting, you can see the cases of wine bottles ready to be picked up and taken home.
So what did I get in my tasting? I’m glad you asked. The tasting are 6 for $10, by the way.
1: 2023 Nouveau
2: Berlyn – a semi-dry red wine.
3: Caramel Apple – let’s talk about this one. Both Chris and I tried this one, since it was a cool fall day, we felt like we had to! First it was served chilled, and I wasn’t a huge fan. It reminded me of medicine. But then… the bartender let us try it heated, as they had a batch warming up on the bar. MUCH BETTER. This reminded me of a mulled wine or even a hot apple cider.
4: Mardi Gras – sparkling take on the Sweet Catawba wine. It’s a fun one!
5: Trapolino – semi-sweet red wine. Easy to sip on and a great table wine.
6: Indigo – this is the blue brother to the Emerald I’m sipping on now. With notes of tropical fruit, cotton candy and edible glitter, this is another fun wine.
After our tasting, my friend Chris and I decided to do a wine flight! I wanted a tad more of the 2023 Nouveau, I went back to my roots with the Niagara, and also tried the Angel of Hope, which is a sparkling Niagara wine with a touch of red wine to give it a pink tint. For each bottle of Angel of Hope sold, a small donation is made to Relay For Life.
Planning your next trip? If you’re like me, there are things you can’t go on any vacation without! That’s why as an Amazon Influencer, I’ve created my own Amazon Storefront with an entire list of must-haves! Browse my store to see if there’s anything you like, and by purchasing something that is listed on my store, I’ll earn commission! If you’re a new parent like me, I have a list for that, too!
I would argue August Hill is one of the better-known wineries in Illinois, and that they have some of the better wines.
When it’s the warmer months, head out to the Peru, Illinois vineyard for a cave wine tasting and then head to Utica for lunch at Lodi Taphouse across the street before some more wine at the tasting room off Mill Street. When it’s warmer, Mill Street will be blocked off and each restaurant and bar will offer outdoor dining along the street. It’s a great atmosphere!
Thanks to August Hill for once again being great hosts. We’ll see you again soon!
AD: Looking to book your next trip? Head to Booking.com for flights, car rentals and travel packages! I am a travel affiliate through Travelpayouts, and you can use my link here! Note: I will receive commission from any purchase made through my Booking.com link.
Just steps away from the Lime Garage in Disney Springs, The Polite Pig boasts a delicious barbecue menu with incredible entrees and sides for you to enjoy.
Meet the Butcher Block. While the menu says it’s “for 2,” this could easily feed 3-4 people. You get pulled pork, brisket, chicken and cheddar sausages for the meat alongside cole slaw, pickles and corn bread. Plus, two sides of your choice! I went with the mac n cheese and brussel sprouts. AMAZING!
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This was some of the best mac n cheese I’ve ever had. The aged cheddar and fontina cheese with bread crumbs is mouthwatering.
Of course I had to show a closer up photo of the brussel sprouts. Doused in whiskey caramel, these sauteed veggies have a nice bit of sweetness to them. “They get better the further down you get in the basket,” my wife said.
For all this food, it was just $45! Folks, we know how pricey Disney food can be. This is a great opportunity to experience amazing food and not pay an arm and a leg. And yes, they DO take Disney gift cards!
HUGE TIP: I wasn’t fully aware of what to do when we got to the Polite Pig. There are no call-ahead reservations, so you just have to show up! But I think some things I found could help you in your next journey to make life a little simpler.
1: Doing a to-go order? Order online or face-to-face with an employee just outside the door. They can do it then and there for you and will direct you where to wait until your order is called.
2: Dining in? Just walk right in! Get in line and look up at the menu, then order! It’s super simple but if you aren’t sure of all the rules, it can seem intimidating. But it’s not! Part 3 will explain this a bit more…
3: The “reserved” tables are just for those who order their food in the restaurant. Once you place your order at the counter, you can sit at any reserved table open! My recommendation? Have someone from your party sit down at a table and have at least one other person get in line and order!
4: The sauces: You can douse your meats, fries and more in four different sauces. My favorite was Layla’s sweet sauce. I’m a sucker for some good sweet BBQ sauce. And this was it! Lil John’s signature porter sauce was decent as well. It has a touch of honey and black pepper but is balanced by malty flavors. Next is Thomas’ southern gold filled with mustard and vinegar. It’s just like your classic honey gold sauce. Last but not least is the BBQ ranch. I love BBQ sauce, I love ranch! So I thought this would blow me out of the water. It didn’t, but it was still a nice alternative when dipping the cheddar sausage or chicken.
AD: Looking to book your next trip? Head to Booking.com for flights, car rentals and travel packages! I am a travel affiliate through Travelpayouts, and you can use my link here! Note: I will receive commission from any purchase made through my Booking.com link.
I’d highly recommend stopping by the Polite Pig if you are ever spending some time at Disney Springs. Let me know what your favorite dish is if you stop by!
Planning your next trip? If you’re like me, there are things you can’t go on any vacation without! That’s why as an Amazon Influencer, I’ve created my own Amazon Storefront with an entire list of must-haves! Browse my store to see if there’s anything you like, and by purchasing something that is listed on my store, I’ll earn commission! If you’re a new parent like me, I have a list for that, too!
(GLENDALE, WI.) — Mostly known for its Fire-Brewed root beer, Sprecher Brewing Co. has graced the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area since 1985.
Being Milwaukee’s first craft brewery since Prohibition, its rich history led Randal Sprecher, its founder, to get creative.
Now, people of all ages can enjoy Sprecher beverages. From root beer to cherry cola, the soda flavors are plentiful!
I mean… just look at that box full of soda!
You can usually find four flavors in your local grocery stores. The popular ones I see at Hy-Vee are orange cream, creme soda, root beer, and sometimes a maple root beer.
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But the craft brewery has many more flavors if the ones above aren’t your taste. Just this year, the brewery debuted its black cherry which I was lucky enough to try.
I love flavors that have a tang or tartness to them. Most black cherry flavored drinks have this quality, and Sprecher’s black cherry was no different!
There’s ginger ale, “Dr. Sprecher,” “Mt. Sprecher,” cherry soda, watermelon soda, blue raspberry… there’s so many you might as well just go to their website and see for yourself!
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My favorite has to be the cherry cola. But ALL of their root beers are extremely delicious. If you’re a calorie counter like me, you can also enjoy just about every flavor in a low-cal version!
Anytime I’m in Milwaukee, I make sure to stop by Sprecher. They offer brewery tours where you can see where the magic happens. Plus you get free (adult) drink stubs for before or after the tour, and unlimited free soda!
Sprecher likes to do experimental flavors, and I was able to partner with the brewery to share the news of their Tropical Cherry! You can read my full article here.
Thanks to Sprecher for partnering again with me on showcasing some wonderful flavors! We’ll see you soon. Cheers!
AD: Looking to book your next trip? Head to Booking.com for flights, car rentals and travel packages! I am a travel affiliate through Travelpayouts, and you can use my link here! Note: I will receive commission from any purchase made through my Booking.com link.
Planning your next trip? If you’re like me, there are things you can’t go on any vacation without! That’s why as an Amazon Influencer, I’ve created my own Amazon Storefront with an entire list of must-haves! Browse my store to see if there’s anything you like, and by purchasing something that is listed on my store, I’ll earn commission! If you’re a new parent like me, I have a list for that, too!
(GALENA, Ill.) — Nestled in uppermost Northwest Illinois is the breathtaking town of Galena.
The town has roughly 3,500 full-time residents, yet welcomes in over 1 million visitors each year. And it’s places like Galena Cellars Vineyard & Winery that make it a perfect place to visit.
There are two locations for Galena Cellars, the Vineyard out in the Galena countryside (that reminds me of the Irish countryside) and a historic downtown location settled in at 111 N. Main St. I visited the Vineyard location with my father and brother, who were extremely impressed with our visit.
We were honored to meet Eric White, the President & Winemaker at Galena Cellars during our visit. Eric is a third-generation winemaker of Galena Cellars, which was founded by his grandparents, passed to his parents, and now is led by him and his sister, Britt White.
Britt is the Brand Ambassador of Galena Cellars, and was an incredible part of welcoming us to the Vineyard and allowing us to have the greatest time possible.
Eric worked in Napa Valley for 9 years, learning the ropes and bringing what he learned back to Northwest Illinois. Now, Galena Cellars has 5 acres of grapes and offers between 60-70 rotating wines, with at least 40 wines available at all times.
Now, let’s get into the wine we tasted and what we thought!
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Wine tastings at Galena Cellars are 6 tastings for $8. This is a really great deal and lets you try a a large variety of wines for a low price.
I started with the Gamblers Red: It’s a Zinfandel blend, jammy, ripe and baked fruit notes with fig jam finishing. It’s not too sweet and not too dry, right down the middle.
Next I moved on to the Edelweiss (which I’m currently sipping on as I write this article. Guess that means I liked it, eh?) It’s a honeyed peach and pear wine, and is the closest thing to a Niagara wine, which is one of my favorite types. This was in the top 2 wines I tried all night.
What is the other top 2 wine, you may ask? The Gobble Gobble Cranberry. This seasonal wine was PHENOMENAL, and was just launched the day we visited! This red wine is flavor-filled with fresh cranberries and I was told it is great for a spritzer! I’ll have to give this a try soon. And yes, I bought a bottle of this as well.
On to Galena Cellars’ top-selling wine, Oktoberfest. This refreshing white wine is 80% Riesling, finished with 20% Moscato. My brother, Kevin, got this in his tasting and I was able to try it later on in our stay.
I tried another delicious fruit wine in my tasting, the Berry, Berry Berry. This wine is powered by aronia berry and ends with a blueberry finish.
With it being a cool, crisp October day; we moved on to the Spiced Apple! To quote my father, Bruce Sheehan, “It fits the bill!” And it did. This autumn sipper was just right for the occasion.
There are certain wines only wine club members can buy glasses or bottles of, but yet are offered on the tastings menu. One of those wines is the Drunken Cherry. This sweet yet tart wine was the perfect addition to my wine tasting variety.
Last but certainly not least, is the Country Red. This fruity and semi-sweet red table wine is a blend of the Marquette & Concord. This was the third bottle of wine I bought at the end of the night. It was incredible! I have to give a shoutout to Debra who encouraged me to try this wine! She was also a wonderful host and extremely kind.
After our tastings, we each got flights which are three wines for $12. I went with the Edelweiss, Gobble Gobble Cranberry and Country Red. My top 3!
Additionally, we were able to try the Foxy, which is a sparkling Catawba. Extremely good as well. Lastly, Eric let me try their Sweet Cider. I’ve tried many different ciders over the years, and the one made by Eric and his team is definitely high-quality.
Lastly, we tried the Gratitude sparkling wine. This smooth, fresh wine has notes of green apple and fresh pear. I’d highly encourage you to watch the link I posted above about Eric and Britt’s family and where Galena Cellars started. This is how the Gratitude came to be; honoring Eric’s grandparents, aunt and uncle.
Galena Cellars produces over 40,000 gallons of wine a year, or 15,000 cases.
In the winter, the Vineyard is only open on the weekends, but they have special offerings to keep you warm and show you an amazing time. You can rent a heated igloo in the colder months, which consists of a bottle of wine, charcuterie board, and 2 hours with your closest buds.
Galena was named the top place to visit in the Midwest by Travel Awaits. I have to agree with this assertion, as I absolutely loved it. The green, hilly countryside reminded me of one of my favorite places on Earth: Ireland. The historic downtown was a beautiful place to visit each morning, and we really enjoyed stopping by Chestnut Mountain Resort one night for the Alpine Slide and dinner.
Galena Cellars vineyard location was voted the #3 winery on TripAdvisor in all of Illinois. This high-esteemed honor is well-deserved and showcases the hard work, dedication and fantastic end products produced by Galena Cellars.
I want to thank Eric and Britt White, the super brother-sister duo of Galena Cellars for the incredible time. We were celebrating my father’s 70th birthday in Galena, and you all blew him away with your knowledge of wine. He made sure to tell Eric he could tell his wine was high-quality and “professional grade.” He can be a tough critic on wine, so this meant a lot!
(GRAFTON, Ill.) — Southwestern Illinois is a beautiful place to visit in the fall.
The clear blue skies, crisp air and a healthy mix of indoor & outdoor activities are easy to find.
Less than one hour outside of St. Louis, Missouri lays Grafton, Illinois. A town with a population of 650 that welcomes countless visitors every year.
Here, you’ll find the Grafton Winery. Its downtown location Grafton Winery & Brewhaus opened in December 2008, expanded in 2011 and added the Confluence Patio in 2013. The owners, Mike and Lori, began this journey in 2006 in Edwardsville, Illinois with a smaller boutique winery. Mike and Lori were great hosts and we were very happy to have met them!
My wife Rachel and I visited the more traditional winery 3 miles out of town called Grafton Winery “The Vineyards.” This location opened up in 2015.
The Vineyards location offers beautiful views, plenty of space, and delicious wines. In my photo above, you can see the staff are setting up for a wedding. The General Manager, Jameson, was kind enough to give us a behind-the-scenes tour of the production facility located inside the winery.
Grafton Winery boasts many production tanks and equipment, which provides an efficient way to press the grapes and bottle the wine. If you have a group of 10 or more, you all can get a full tour and learn how the product is made. Just email wineclub@thegraftonwinery.com if you are interested! You can learn more here on the Grafton Winery website.
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Not only was the production equipment impressive, but so was the wine! Let’s dive into which wines we tried in our tasting.
I will note, the wine tastings here are 6 for $10. This is one of the best deals I’ve seen at any winery. Plus, each tasting is roughly 2 ounces I would say, so by the end you’ve enjoyed 2-3 glasses of wine for just $10. Plus, you get a nice souvenir glass to take home! This perk alone makes the tasting a wonderful deal.
Matt’s tasting:
1: Chardonel (dry white). Fermented with oak, this white wine is grown at the Vineyards location. This was a wonderful dry wine that can easily be enjoyed by someone who normally leans toward the sweeter wines.
2: Vignoles (Semi-sweet white). Also grown at the Vineyards location, the Vignoles to me is a classic Illinois semi-sweet. Its unique flavor, mixed with a balance of acidity and sweetness, offers a refreshing sipper for anyone.
3: Riverbend Red (semi-sweet red). This American red table wine was one of my favorites. So much so, that I got a bottle of it! The name honors the Riverbender area of Grafton, next to the Confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. These scenic views bring people far and wide to the region.
4: Apple Crisp (fruit wine). This is the most award-winning wine at Grafton Winery. It’s unique, packed with plenty of flavor, and perfect for the summer and/or fall.
5: Raspberry Bubble (seasonal wine). This sparkling raspberry wine was probably the best sparkling wine I’ve ever had. I usually stray away from the bubbly wines, but I’m glad I tried this out because I really enjoyed it.
6: Sangria (seasonal). The Grafton Winery website says “This refreshing and fruity Sangria will take you to distant Spanish shores of tropical waters, cool ocean breeze, and relaxing shady palms.” It’s true!
My wife Rachel tried a few of the same wines I did in her tasting, but she also got a couple other flavors I have to mention!
7: Raspberry Kiss (dessert wine). To quote Rachel, “I need this in my life. We need this in our pantry.” So yes, you guessed it! I bought a bottle of this as well. With notes of raspberry and hints of chocolate, it was recommended we try this over ice cream or while eating chocolates. I am very excited to try this out!
8: Captain’s Blush (semi-sweet blush wine). With a bold fruit flavor, the Catawba grape makes this wine smooth and enjoyable. Grafton Winery says the Captain’s Blush is “ideal for the White Zinfandel enthusiasts.” So if that’s you, try this one out! This was the third bottle of wine I purchased.
9: Blackberry (fruit wine). A mix of juicy blackberries and currents make this a wonderful, sweet red wine. You can’t ever go wrong with blackberry wine!
10: Peach (fruit wine). A summer seasonal wine, the flavor of is clearly tasted and smelled for a refreshing glass.
If any of these wines tickle your fancy, you can find the link to shop here!
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Now, let’s move on to the food!
For a starter, we got the Burrata. Served with heirloom tomatoes, balsamic and basil, the burrata (Italian cow milk cheese made from mozzarella and cream) was a nice start and way to cleanse our palates in between tastings.
But, the flatbreads stole the show. I got the Chicken Spinach Artichoke, which is as good as it sounds. Packed with chicken sausage, spinach artichoke dip, and topped with parmesan, this was one of the greatest flatbreads I’ve ever had.
Above you can see Rachel’s flatbread, called the Farm and Orchard. This has whipped goat cheese, chicken spinach sausage, house red onion jam, mozzarella, arugula, and crisp sliced apple atop it. She ate the whole thing, so it must have been good.
The Vineyards location is a perfect location for families, couples on a date, or a group of friends. Right across the street is the Eckert’s Grafton Farm location. Here you can explore the farm store, pick blackberries, peaches, apples and pumpkins and pet farm animals! Open Tuesday-Sunday, you can find more information here.
You can easily make a weekend getaway to Grafton, Illinois a memorable experience. Visit the Vineyards in the late morning or early afternoon, head downtown for some wonderful seafood, burgers and more, rent a boat if you’d like, and listen to live music! You can also head to Pere Marquette Lodge located in Pere Marquette State Park for gorgeous views, beautiful hikes and overlooks, a spectacular lodge, and great dining in the restaurant.
I want to thank Grafton Winery for being wonderful hosts to my wife Rachel and I. We were extremely impressed by the atmosphere, service, and quality of wine. We will absolutely be back!
AD: Looking to book your next trip? Head to Booking.com for flights, car rentals and travel packages! I am a travel affiliate through Travelpayouts, and you can use my link here! Note: I will receive commission from any purchase made through my Booking.com link.
Matt Sheehan Official 