(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 shoppingContinue reading “Central Illinois Rib Report: Smokin’ Notes BBQ”
Tag Archives: Travel
Sunlight of Sonoma: Meet Sean Minor Wines
(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 withContinue reading “Sunlight of Sonoma: Meet Sean Minor Wines”
Illinois Winery Tour: August Hill Tasting Room & Lounge
(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, atContinue reading “Illinois Winery Tour: August Hill Tasting Room & Lounge”
Sprecher Brewing: Fire-Brewed soda of all flavors!
(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, theContinue reading “Sprecher Brewing: Fire-Brewed soda of all flavors!”
Illinois Wine Tour: Galena Cellars Vineyard & Winery
(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, theContinue reading “Illinois Wine Tour: Galena Cellars Vineyard & Winery”
Illinois Wine Tour: Grafton Winery
(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 countlessContinue reading “Illinois Wine Tour: Grafton Winery”
Illinois Wine Tour: Lynfred Winery (Wheeling)
(Wheeling, Illinois) — During an adventure to Lake County, Illinois, about an hour north of Chicago, I researched the area’s winery scene and found Lynfred Winery! They didn’t have one… two… or three wineries. They had FIVE locations! The most logistical stop for our drive up to the Illinois Beach Hotel was the Wheeling location,Continue reading “Illinois Wine Tour: Lynfred Winery (Wheeling)”
Escape to the only beachfront hotel in Illinois
(Zion, Illinois) — I asked my Facebook followers what the first word they thought of when they hear “Illinois.” Some negative remarks said “high taxes,” “corruption” and “pot holes.” The positive statements said “family,” “home” and “corn.” Well, just like corn, I believe in growing where you’re planted. I’m a Missouri boy, born and raised,Continue reading “Escape to the only beachfront hotel in Illinois”
Illinois Wine Tour: Old Mill Vineyard
(METAMORA, Ill.) — They say you can never get back a first impression, and at wineries, I believe there are two first impressions to be made. 1: The outdoor ambience 2: The indoor vibe Well, at Old Mill Vineyard in Metamora, Illinois, I was greatly impressed by both. A gravel road and a sign orContinue reading “Illinois Wine Tour: Old Mill Vineyard”
From Vineyard to Cave: Illinois Wine Tour meets August Hill Winery
(PERU, Ill.) — Producing roughly 100,000 bottles of wine a year, August Hill Winery opened up shop in 2002. The inspiration of the winery comes from August (Augie) Engelhaupt, a farmer who tended to his land, teaching great life lessons to his grandson Mark Wenzel. Over two decades and a mechanical engineering degree later, MarkContinue reading “From Vineyard to Cave: Illinois Wine Tour meets August Hill Winery”
Matt Sheehan Official 