Driving into Fayetteville, West Virginia, I noticed a sign proclaiming it the “Coolest Small Town.” Of course, I had to wonder: did they just decide that themselves? Did someone else bestow that honor? What did it mean, and why was it on their road sign? It turns out Fayetteville was…
One of the questions we get asked the most after spending more than three months traveling Route 66 is, “What was your favorite part?” Josh never hesitates with his answer: the diners. Sure, the roadside attractions, quirky museums, and historic landmarks are what draw most people to the Mother Road,…
We spent more than three months exploring every corner of Route 66 for its 100th anniversary, and we’d do it all over again. As full-time RVers, though, we couldn’t simply take a three-month vacation. We left our home base in the Chicago suburbs in late February, balancing work, everyday life,…
Every year on the road brings a new batch of memorable Harvest Hosts stays, and 2025 was no exception. If you’re new to Harvest Hosts, it’s one of our favorite ways to break up long travel days and discover small businesses we’d never find otherwise- wineries, museums, farms, roadside gems,…
If you’re looking for something festive that doesn’t require bundling up and walking through the cold, the Santa’s Village Magical Christmas Drive-Thru might be your kind of holiday event. Set at the beloved Santa’s Village Amusement Park in East Dundee, this experience combines synchronized lights, music, and plenty of over-the-top…
If you’re searching for Chicago Christmas lights or holiday activities in Illinois that feel peaceful, outdoorsy, and a little more magical than commercial, Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum is one of the best seasonal events to consider. This walk-through holiday light experience winds through a forest of colorfully…
If you’re looking at holiday light events around Chicago this season, you’ve probably seen Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo pop up. It’s the zoo’s annual winter lights festival, where the walkways and plazas are covered in glowing displays, themed light tunnels, and seasonal decorations. It’s one of the longest-running holiday…
Southern Illinois is full of hidden gems when it comes to camping, from quiet lakeside retreats to family-friendly RV parks. While the exact boundaries of “southern Illinois” can be a little fuzzy, this list rounds up 82 campgrounds across the region, covering counties like Alexander, Jackson, Williamson, Randolph, Pope, and…
Even though we travel full-time and have explored nearly every corner of the country, Illinois will always be home, and let us tell you, our home state is weird in the best way. Over the years, we’ve found ourselves drawn to the quirky, forgotten, and just plain unexpected corners of…
We spent a few days camping at Giant City State Park in March, right at the tail end of the off-season, and honestly, it was kind of perfect. We’d visited the park before in 2024 just for hiking, but this time we were excited to finally camp here and get…