Road Trip Worthy Scenic Highways and Byways in Illinois and Wisconsin

Looking for something fun to do in the area this weekend? We’ve got a great roundup of Halloween events and festive seasonal fun for kids, teens, and adults!  Got an event you think our readers would love? Let us know in the comments or leave a link to your event on our social media post for this blog! more Friday, October 28th, swing on by the Tractor Supply in Antioch for Face Painter/Gore Makeup sessions with professional makeup artist Sue Nolan. Book your slot for a 30 minute session online here. Friday, October 28th from 11AM to 2PM in Libertyville, come on down for a town wide Trick or Treat down Main Street! Friday, October 28th at the Shiloh Center in Zion, everyone is welcome to join in the festivities for the Halloween Trail of Treats from 4PM to 6PM! Saturday, October 29th from 1PM to 2:30PM at Bowen Park, join the Waukegan Park District’s Halloween Trick or Treat Trail event for families!  Come out in costume and meet a seasonal cast of characters along the way while gathering prizes and treats! Saturday, October 29th starting at 12PM, families and kids can enjoy a wonderful afternoon of Halloween crafting and art making at Dandelion Gallery and Studio in Waukegan. Saturday, October 29th from 10AM to 3PM, The Highland Park Public Library is hosting the Halloween Railroad event! Saturday, October 29th through Monday October 31st  is T rick or Treat Weekend at the Lake Bluff Public Library from 10AM to 9PM in Lake Bluff where kids, teens, and adults are all encouraged to attend in costume and stop by the front desk for a treat! Saturday, October 29th at the Grayslake Chamber of Commerce & Industry annual trick or treat event from 11AM to 1PM, everyone is encouraged to come out and trick or treat at the local shops and businesses! Saturday, October 29th is Haunted Night at the Lehmann Mansion in Lake Villa from 5PM to 10PM. There will be games, food, drinks, a live DJ, and even an axe thrower! Saturday, October 29th from 1AM to 5PM at Lambs Farm in Libertyville is a special family friendly halloween event where the kiddos can trick-or-treat alongside their favorite farm animals and enjoy other festive fun! Sunday, October 30th at 12PM until 1PM, come and j oin Jarrett Dapier as he reads his picture book aloud at Madame ZuZu’s in Highland Park! Costumes are encouraged as there will be a costume contest along with the storytime. Sunday, October 30th in Wauconda is the Wauconda Chamber of Commerce Trick or Treat on Main Street event from 1PM to 5PM! Come one, come all, and enjoy the costumed event and get into the halloween spirit! Sunday, October 30th at Maggiano’s of Vernon Hills come out and join in the fun for a night of Murder and Mystery at this interactive dinner party starting at 6PM!

We love things that go bump in the night and give us a chill of fright!  That’s why we’re exploring even more fun haunted road trip destinations.  Today, we’re traveling to nearby  Michigan.  Why stop at exploring haunted sites like graveyards and theatres when you can book a stay with a surprise ghost as an extra guest?  We’ve got plenty of haunted hotels, inns, and resorts that are still open to the public today.  Check it out on today’s blog and see for yourself! more Doherty Hotel in Clare This 1924 redbrick hotel once housed the town’s library, a soda shop, and even a barber shop!  It was a notorious hangout for infamous gangsters of the 1920 and 1930s.  And, as is the case with so many unsavory personalities in one place, it became synonymous with illegal gambling and even murder.  Numerous visitors to the location have reported seeing the ghost of Isaiah Leebove, of the former Purple Gang, wandering the halls.  Other ghostly apparitions have been seen locking and unlocking doors, and knocking on doors and walls with no other possible explanation. Henderson Castle in Kalamazoo Often touted as one of the top ten haunted places in Michigan, you’ll find no shortage of spectral shenanigans here!  Step through its doors and you may be greeted by the castle’s original owners Frank and Mary Henderson.  Wander its halls and you may find Calre Burleigh, a Spanish-American War veteran who served alongside Hendersons’s son in battle.  Other apparitions include that of an unidentified little girl, and even a rogue dog!  You may find opening and closing doors, disembodied voices, figures at the top of the stairs, and other ghastly activities.  You’ll just have to come investigate for yourself! The Landmark Inn in Marquette If you’ve ever wanted to book a room in a haunted hotel, we think you’ll really get your jollies from a stay in the Lilac Room, one of the Inn’s most reportedly haunted rooms.  You may catch a glimpse of the Librarian who lost her one true love to a shipwreck at sea who peers out the window waiting for her betrothed’s impossible return.  Or perhaps you’ll find unexpected trinkets nestled in the sheets or blankets that weren’t there at check in, such as one guest who reportedly requested housekeeping remove screws from the sheets.  Even the front desk has experienced unexpected happenings such as phantom phone calls from the Lilac Room even without guests lodging! Spooky…. The Terrace Inn in Petoskey Michigan This historic inn offers 38 rooms to choose from, 1 restaurant on site, and at least 2 resident ghosts.  Book a stay at the Terrace Inn and you may encounter the Lady in White or the Man in Tweed.  Wander downstairs in this Victorian Era hotel and you may even bump into the Boy from the Basement!  Rumor has it, there may even be more aloof apparitions to be found if you keep your eyes open.  Ask the front desk and they will gladly share with you the book of Ghost-Tales from past guests and visitors! Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island, Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island…and more Mackinac Island is such a special place it’s known to be a paranormal activity hotbed, so many, in fact, that some speculate there may be more specters than residents at this point. Check out these videos from MattsRadShow on Youtube to learn more about a few of the haunted happenings on this iconic resort island: Masonic Temple in Detroit The Detroit Masonic Temple is the largest Masonic Temple in the world. This impressive and quite imposing piece of Gothic Architecture has more than 1,000 rooms as well as a cathedral, multiple chapels, 2 ballrooms, lodging facilities, a library, and even a 4,000 seat auditorium.  Visitors report seeing the specter of George Mason himself going up and down the stairs, but that may just be a Halloween Tale of Terror.  You’ll just have to see for yourself! Mary Mayo Hall in Lansing The oldest residence hall on campus is located on the West Circle are aof Michigan State University’s northern end.  It was built in 1931 and named after Mary Anne Mayo, a leading member of several organizations on campus, and a thoughtful leader with progressive views on womens’ education.  Though rumors swirl that her death was caused by murder, ill-will, or even self-inflicted injuries, she actaully passed away of illness in 1903off-campus.  Nevertheless, after years of campaigning for womens’ equal access and housing on campus, students report seeing her ghost wander the halls of the dorm. Other areas of note for ghost hunting in Michigan: South Manitou Island in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, H ell’s Bridge near Grand Rapids Rockford, Calumet Theater in Calumet, Felt Mansion in Saugatuck Holland, David Whitney House in Detroit, Fayette Ghost Town in Fayette, Holly Hotel in Holly, Fort Shelby Hotel in Detroit, Bowers Harbor Inn in Traverse City, Seul Choix Point Lighthouse in Gulliver, White River Light Station in Whitehall

There’s something about that crisp, autumnal air in September and October that really inspires us to get outside and enjoy nature.  Whether you’re taking a trek into the wilderness on foot, or you’re taking a road trip in your new car from Classic Auto Group, there’s no shortage of gorgeous National and State Parks to explore across the country. Today we’re highlighting our picks for great National Sites and Parks in the Northern Midwest and Northeastern US, as well as beautiful state parks of Illinois.  So get your hiking boots and camping gear ready, because you’re not going to want to miss these gorgeous preserved wilderness areas! Let’s learn about National Parks together! more What is a National Park? National Parks are protected lands managed by the United States of America’s federal government agencies.  These are large areas of land with wide open spaces waterfalls, natural vistas, trails, and recreational resources and etcetera, all made available to the national public.   Nearly 80,000 acres of wilderness are protected through the National Parks System so that the American People may experience the great outdoors and our heritage.  Many of them also serve as wildlife preservation areas for reintroduction, rehabilitation, and reintegration of endangered species.  As of August 18th in 1970, the National Park System was defined as “any area of land or water now and hereafter administered by the Secretary of the Interior through the National Park Service for park, monument, historic, parkway, recreational, or other purposes.” How Many National Parks are there in the United States? At the time of publication, there are 423 national park sites across the US with parks located in almost every state and US territories (including Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Guam.) Retro style travel poster design for the United States. Scenic image of mountains and pine trees at sunset. Limited colors, no gradients. Vector illustration. What are some National Parks, National Monuments, and National Sites to visit in the Northeastern/Northern Midwest United States? Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Empire MI is located in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula along the shore of Lake Michigan. The 71,000 acres of pristine protected lands includes North and South Manitou Islands; it’s also known for its incredible, scalable dunes of “The Dune Climb” and “Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail” which winds through the forests. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Bayfield, WI encompasses 21 islands and 12 miles of mainland coastal protected areas.  In addition to the incredible bluffs on the shores of Lake Superior, it’s also home to the largest collection of historic lighthouses in the nation! Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Rhinelander WI spans a jaw dropping 1.5 million acres of unspoiled wilderness across Wisconsin’s Northwoods.  You’ll find no shortage of outdoorsy activities such as canoeing, hiking, cycling, paddling, cross-country skiing, camping, fishing, and more. Shawnee National Forest in Herod IL encompasses 289,000 stunning acres of parkland located in Southern Illinois and nestled between both the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.  Visitors will find breathtaking scenic views from the top of great canyons and sandstone cliffs, and stunning crystal clear waters and rocky streams. The many lakes, ponds, waterfalls, rivers, and streams of the area are perfect for fishing and swimming, and the sprawling prairies and woodland trails are perfect for hiking, cycling, trail running and more. Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge in Thomson IL is the longest, contiguous river refuge in the continental US at 261 miles in length!  The refuge includes protected wetlands, islands, marshes, and floodplain forests, many of which are accessible only by boat. Some portions of the refuge are open to seasonal hunting, trapping, and fishing but they do have very restrictive regulations. Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio sits along the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron.  The parklands contain several waterfalls, including the gorgeous Brandywine Falls!  You can find ample opportunities for hiking, or perhaps catch a ride through the park on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad which runs through it.  It also includes The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail from the Erie Canal’s original path, and explores the history of the 19th century waterway at the official Canal Exploration Center. Indiana Dunes National Park in Porter IN has 15 miles of gorgeous shoreline along the southern banks of Lake Michigan. The park is home to some of the highest dunes towering over the lake at nearly 200 feet high with impressive views and landscapes of the area!  It’s also an incredible destination for birdwatching, wildlife enthusiasts, and nature photography! Other great National Parks to explore on your next road trip: Gateway Arch National Park in St Louis MO Wilson's Creek National Battlefield in Republic MO Effigy Mounds National Monument in Harpers Ferry IA Voyageurs National Park in International Falls MN Gateway National Recreation Area Sandy Hook Unit in Highlands NJ Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in Bushkill PA Minute Man Historical National Park in Lincoln MA Fire Island National Seashore in Ocean Beach NY Saratoga National Historical Park in Stillwater NY Acadia National Park in Maine Amazing State Parks in Northern Illinois Rock Cut State Park in Caledonia Moraine Hills State Park in McHenry Matthiessen State Park in Oglseby Ferne Clyffe State Park in Goreville White Pines Forest State Park in Mt Morris Mississippi Palisades State Park in Savanna Lowden State Park in Oregon IL Apple River Canyon STate Park in Apple River Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park in Lena Kankakee River State Park in Bourbonnais Staved Rock State Park in Oglesby Buffalo Rock State Park in Ottawa IL Cave-In-Rock State Park in Cave-In-Rock Illini State Park in Marseilles Chain O’ Lakes State Park in Spring Grove Glacial Park Conservation Area