During our April trip to Carbondale for the solar eclipse festivities, we checked off a must-see spot from my Atlas Obscura bucket list: Boo Castle Park. Officially known as Jeremy Rochman Memorial Park, this privately owned gem stands out as one of the coolest parks we’ve ever visited. The park,…
We visited Metropolis, Illinois- the official hometown of Superman. The town of Metropolis was founded in 1839 and was home to a 1700s fort before that. But it wasn’t until many years later that residents noticed that the town happened to share the name with Superman’s hometown. In 1972, the…
We took a tour of the Bucky Dome Home in Carbdonale. This is the only dome home that Buckminster Fuller and his wife ever lived in. The couple lived here in the 1960s when Fuller was a professor at SIU. Today, the dome home is owned by the RBF Dome…
We visited Giant City State Park, one of the more popular and famous parks in southern Illinois. Giant City is full of things to do- there are so many activity options, lots of hiking to interesting areas, a visitor center, a lodge with restaurant, and even campgrounds and cabins for…
Ferne Clyffe State Park is in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest area of Southern Illinois. This state park is great for hiking, while also putting you near other amazing parks and wilderness areas. It features RV, tent, and equestrian camping. Our guide will tell you all you need…
Nestled in the heart of southern Illinois, Ferne Clyffe State Park is full of awaiting adventures. The 18 trails in the park will take you through peaceful woods, over tall bluffs, and to cascading waterfalls. Ferne Clyffe is split into two sections, each with its own unique trails. Trails range…
Welcome to Chester, Illinois- home of Popeye the Sailor. Join us as explore this historic town nestled along the Mississippi River. Our guide to Things to Do in Chester, Illinois will give you a blueprint for your journey. You’ll encounter not only iconic Popeye sights, but also the history and…
We camped at one lesser known Illinois DNR campgrounds- the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta, IL. Although it’s well-known in the shooting sports world, we’ve found that most people don’t know that it has a huge campground open to the public. There are over 1,000 campsites at the…
We spent a few hours exploring Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site and its satellite historic sites- the Pierre Menard Home and Kaskaskia Bell. We’ll share all about how to visit these three sites, as well as a guide to the Fort Kaskaskia campground. Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site Historic Areas…
An hour from St. Louis, near the Mississippi River, is the small town of Prairie du Rocher (French for prairie on the rock). We visited as part of our trip out to see Fort de Chartres and found small town charm, prehistoric shelters, French colonial history, and one amazing hike.…