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There’s so much to see and do in the Waukegan and Chicago area, and we’re thrilled to bring you another fun local calendar of events for December! You’ll find lots of great holiday gift shopping options and make-and-take workshops for the whole family to craft handmade presents.  From Christmas crafting, to visits with Santa, to New Years celebrations for families, we’ve got lots of festive events to enjoy. more Saturdays and Sundays through December 12th enjoy free showings at 1PM and 4PM of Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. The Eight Crazy Nights of Hanukkah Pop-Up Started on December 1st and runs through January 2nd 2022. Get your tickets to any of these fun performances here. The Kris Kringle Artist market is happening on both December 4th and 5th at the CAP Catering Venue hosted by the City of Waukegan. December 4th and December 11th in Libertyville is the Dickens of a Holiday event from 10AM to 3PM in Downtown Libertyville. December 5th and 12th in Libertyville from 10AM-12PM and 1PM-3PM enjoy photos with Santa!  Other events include Children’s Holiday Shoppe at Petranek’s Pharmacy community room for kids to shop for family members and friends.  And enjoy a Victorian tea from 11AM to 1PM at St Lawrence Episcopal Church. More info on all “Dickens of a Holiday” events here, including purchasing tickets or advance reservations for tea. December 5th from 12PM to 5PM is the Holiday Vendor Fair featuring loads of local artisans and craftspeople, visits with santa, and delicious food! On December 5th at the Vernon Hills Hawthorn Mall, from 9:30AM to 10:30AM parents of children with autism and disabilities who require a sensory friendly experience may come enjoy quiet, relaxing, and fun photos with Santa Wednesday, December 8th at 4PM at the Lake Bluff Public Library in Lake Bluff you can enjoy an “Adult Crafternoon” experience! This session you’ll be making crayon shaving ornaments for the holidays.  Additional craft opportunities at 1/12 and 2/9 as well at 4PM. Thursday December  9th at 6PM at the Lake Bluff Library is a lovely evening out for Teen and Tween Crafts.  Additional workshops held on 1/6 and 2/3 December 11th from 5PM to 6:30PM at Mis Plantitas in Wauconda, you’ll enjoy a paper poinsettia ornament making workshop! Create handmade ornaments for gift giving or decorating your home. December 12th at Lakefront Park in Fox Lake come and join in the fun f or the Children’s Holiday Party from 7PM to 9PM. December 12th at 8AM through 1AM enjoy some pancakes and bring the kiddos for a family fun day with Santa!  BYO Camera and leave with a great holiday photo for the family. December 15th from 10AM to 1PM the free Diaper Pantry will be rolling into Waukegan at the Lake County Health Department’s Belvidere Medical Building.  Offering families in need free disposable wipes and diapers for little ones. Register in advance required online 24hrs prior to 12/15. Drop the kiddos off on December 29th at Ceramics For You in Gurnee for an afternoon of Pizza and Snow Penguin crafts! Happening at 11AM through 12:30PM with pizza included; register in advance. December 31st from 10:30AM to 12:30AM at Lakefront Park come join in the Noon Year’s Eve Family Dance event in Fox Lake!

We all love having our furry friends and companions by our side, and we know you do, too.  That’s why we’re spending National Mutt Day celebrating our love for dogs and cats by keeping them safe with great travel gear. Whether travel is essential like a vet visit or drive to the park for exercise, or something more fun like a day at the doggy park or doggy beach, or an outdoor camping adventure, it’s important to think about our pets safety on the road. more Keeping your pet restrained and secured during car rides is essential to their safety, ensuring they will live a long healthy life, even in the unfortunate instance an accident should occur.  A safely secured pet also ensures less distraction for the driver, avoiding serious injuries or death to you, your pet, and anyone else on the road!  Your pets will also feel far less anxious and stressed while on the go in these comfortable, stylish seats and carriers. Pet Car Seat and Safety Travel Options Pet Gear Signature’s Dog & Cat Car SeatCarrier, $39.99 Your pet can travel with great convenience as well as comfort in this carrier!  With a washable fleece pad cover, zipper close mesh, lots of storage, this mobile carrier is great for pets up to 20lbs.  Keeps driver free of distractions and pets will be less anxious! (images from the Chewy website) Pet Gear’s Travel Lite Bi-Fold Dog Car Ramp, $67.00 Let your furry pals hop on in for a road trip without the stress of being picked up.  This convenient ramp folds away for storage and carrying, and unfolds to let your pet easily exit or enter your vehicle safely. (images from the Chewy website) Pet Gear’s Car Booster options, about $100 Made of dense foam for comfort and security, this booster seat is perfect for your pup!  Available in multiple sizes and colorways.  Use the seatbelt built into your own car to attach the seat, and the built-in strap to secure your pets harness.  No more dogs jumping into the front seat or leaping out of the hatchback, you’ll be able to drive stress free with little distractions. (images from the Chewy website) Pet Gear Dog & Cat Bucket Seat Booster, about $100 Perfect for small and extra small toy dogs and similar breeds.  This bucket seat is a safe, secure, and comfortable option for your tiny dog.  They’ll be able to see out the window and satisfy their curiosity, without you being distracted by a lapdog while driving.  Includes plush pillow liner and easy-care fabric for cleaning.  Two different sizes and three color options. (images from the Chewy website) Orvis Hose-Off Folding Travel Crate, $129 If you have a dog who loves the great outdoors, then the Orvis Hose-Off Folding Travel Crate is for you.  It comes in two colorways, and 3 different sizes.  It boasts easy care fabric for quick cleanup, padded sherpa fleece mat liner, multiple zipper mesh panels, and rounded corners.  Secure the crate in your hatchback or car with included clips.  It collapses for easy storage when not in use. Great for hotels, campsites, and road trips! (images from the company’s website) The G1 Kennel from Gunner, $499.00 5 star crash tested, Lifetime Warranty Tie-down straps and steel pins for security. Multiple sizes and colorways. (images from the company’s website) Ruff Land Performance Kennels Double Door Dog Crate, $369.95 Multiple Colorways, Customization options, Add-ons. Easy to Clean, lightweight, portable. Field tested for durability; stackable with other crates for multiple animals. 1 year comprehensive warranty (images from the company’s website)

Classic cares about our customers and our community, and believes in doing whatever we can to support and raise awareness for important issues.  Since today is World AIDS Day, we'll be supporting our community with a list of local HIV/AIDS related organizations and charities, facts on HIV/AIDS and prevention measures, and a special spotlight on a potential cure. more World AIDS Day began in 1988 as an international effort to raise awareness for those living with HIV/AIDS as well as prevention, treatment options, and research for a cure.  World AIDS Day is an opportunity for people to unite across the globe and show support for those living with HIV/AIDS, and pay tribute to those who have passed from AIDS related complications. Since its discovery in 1984, more than 35 million people have died from HIV/AIDS related issues, and more than 38 million people are currently living with the virus. Key Facts about HIV/AIDS and Prevention HIV can be transmitted from an infected individual through contact with human bodily fluids such as sexual interourse or intravenous drug use.  The virus can be found in bodily fluids from an infected person including blood, semon, pre-seminal fluid, rectal fluid, vaginal fluid, and breastmilk. To reduce risk of HIV, always use a condom or barrier method every time you have sex, avoid intravenous drug use and any sharing of needles or medical equipment. You may ask a medical provider about securing PrEP( pre-exposure Prohphylaxis) Avoiding high-risk behaviors such as unprotected sex or drug use you reduce your risk of contracting HIV. Get regular testing and treatment for STDs and request an HIV/AIDS panel from your medical provider. If you believe you may have been exposed to HIV, speak to your doctor about Post-exposure Prophylaxis medicines within 72 hours of exposure and you may greatly reduce your risks of contracting the virus. An Unprecedented New Medical Advancement in Treating HIV/AIDS Here at Classic we sell cars and we’re passionate about cars, and we were very excited to learn about recent medical advancements in HIV/AIDS therapy known as “CAR T-cell therapy.”  As part of our own observation of World AIDS Day, we’d love to shed some light on this novel advancement in HIV/AIDS management. Dual Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell therapy (CAR therapy) is in development as a potential cure for HIV/AIDS.  Current treatment for HIV/AIDS involves a daily Antiretroviral therapy (ART therapy) which is designed to control the reproduction of HIV virus particles.  CAR T-cell therapy is an immunotherapy currently employed in Cancer treatments which reprograms a patient’s cells to recognize and eliminate mutated or infected cancer cells.  It is able to target and eliminate the diseased components to help patients recover from those life threatening illnesses.  CAR therapy has shown great promise for HIV/AIDS patients if programmed to target HIV particles! You can learn more about the improvements in this therapy via this post by Seattle Children’s Hospital and this post by Penn Medicine. Find out more info about the current clinical trials of this innovative therapy at ClinicalTrials.Gov! Local HIV/AIDS Organizations to Support Catholic Charities HIV/AIDS Program in Waukegan HIV-AIDS Care in Lake County Alexian Brothers The Harbor PFLAG of Lake County/Gurnee PFLAG of Deerfield PFLAG Palatine Lake Cook Health Care Center Angles for Sexual Health Identity and Education INC Vivent Health (Formerly AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin) Walkin’ In My Shoes of Kenosha AIDS Foundation Chicago Access Community Health Network Chicago

Not everyone is home for the holidays. Or even home at all. Join us in helping our local veterans this holiday season. Next time you shop - think of vets in need & pick up some extras. more How to Help: 1. Donate money at coolministries.org/veterans-assistance/ 2. Donate time at coolministries.org/volunteer-opportunities/ 3. Donate essentials at 800 W. Glen Flora Avenue, Waukegan 10am - 2pm M-F

If you’re stumped for gift ideas and short on time, let us help make holiday shopping less stressful!  We’ve got great digital gift giving ideas and subscription options for car enthusiasts. We know they’ll love the items on this list, and you will too when you can skip the search for a parking space, the long times waiting in line, and the stress of finding the perfect gift. more EBooks For Car Lovers The Science of Cars The Science of Cars is perfect for the automotive enthusiast who loves to learn.  They’ll be lost in the pages for hours while reading about the science, mechanics, and engineering behind some of the world’s fastest cars! Buy it here. Autonimousity Technology is advancing every single day.  Cars have more automatic features, more guided safety options for autonomous driving.  And eventually, they’ll be entirely driverless.  That is the goal of the industry at least for some engineers! Buy this in depth ebook right here. Girls Auto Clinic Glove Box Guide Specifically tailored to women and femme drivers, this guide will help you navigate a male-dominated industry.  From advice on how to get respectful and honest service at the mechanic, DIY service tips and tricks, roadside emergency advice, and more, this is an indispensable book for the women in your gift giving circle. Buy a copy here. Try an Automotive Themed Subscription Box Give the gift of PetrolBox!  Just print out the picture and let them know when their first box will be arriving.  No stores, no lines, no hassle!  With two price points, Basic and Premium, your favourite car enthusiast could be receiving 2-7 automotive themed items a month right to their doorstep.  Pay monthly or up front for the year. Click here to learn more. Makes a great holiday gift! Deluxe Car Care gifting box from GloveBox is a surefire bet for holiday gift giving!  Sign your favourite gearhead up for a deluxe gift package of the ultimate in car cleaning supplies.  By the time springtime rolls around, they’ll be all set for their weekly car washes to clean off the muck and gunk of winter travel. Deluxe kit available for just $35.99 by clicking here! Perfect as a one-month option or yearly if you’ve got the budget for that someone special. If you’ve got a truck fan in your life, we recommend the Diesel Crate subscription box!  Each month your gearhead will receive a box stuffed to the brim with the latest gear and goodies.  It’s tailored to diesel drivers, so they’ll get exactly what they love every month. Click here to pick your subscription level. If your gearhead’s preference is racing and tuning, then Tuner Box is the gift subscription you need.  Filled with top tier merch, accessories, stickers, gear and more from relevant industry brands and creators.  Starting at $13.99 per monthly box.  And, if you’ve got an enthusiast that prefers aggressively gendered gift giving (the original box is rather neutral) then Tuner Girl is a women-oriented box option from Tuner Box’s monthly subscriptions. Click here to select your preference: basic, premium, or women’s. Give the gift of game night! Lots of people love to unwind and relax with video games or game nights with friends.  So why not grab a car themed game for your automotive enthusiast?  Check out some of our picks for great car video games with digital gifting options: Burnout Paradise Remastered Forza Horizon 4 with XBOX Anywhere Need for Speed Heat via Amazon

We’re bringing you a calendar of family friendly holiday events and drive-through holiday lights in the Waukegan, Kenosha, and Greater Chicago Area!  If you’ve got an upcoming event that our readers may be interested in, please post it in the comments section.  We’d love to share family-friendly events for inclusive festivities! more Santa’s Rock N Lights in Waukegan runs from November 21st 2021 through Sunday January 2nd 2022 between 5PM and 9PM. Price ranges from $19.99 to $34.99 per vehicle. Book in advance for the Northbrook “Let it Shine” Drive Through Light Show on weekday evenings.  $29.99 admission per car for a family friendly drive-through festive experience! Click here to book a time and date. The Willow Hills Winter Magic Drive Thru Christmas Experience at Willow Hill Golf Course is running from November 20th 2021 through January 2nd 2022 between the hours of 4:30PM and 10:30PM. Book an admission experience right here. All ages and family friendly! Enjoy a beautiful family friendly holiday light experience at the Magic of Lights in Milwaukee from November 24th 2021 through January 2nd 2022 between 5PM and 10PM. Buy your tickets and book a bundle package now. Friday December 4th from 12PM to 2PM, bring the whole family out for the Jewett Jingle Jam in Deerfield Park!  This is an open house activity including Hanukkah and Christmas activities and crafts, Winter festivities, a visit with Santa, Holiday Storytime and more! Open from ages 1 through 10 with accompanying adult; admission charged per child. On Friday December 10th from 4:30 to 5:30, make a stop off at the Kenosha IUptown Neighbourhood Library for a holiday lights themed craft session and festive activities for families.  Then you can follow it up with a local drive around town to view the festive decorations in the area! Registration for the event is required, and opens on 12/3 at 12PM via the Library. The Chanukkah Film Festival runs from November 28th through December 5th, and celebrates with 8 nights of movies with Menemsha Films with North Suburban Synagogue Beth El in Highland Park. Enjoy a painting session with friends from 6:30PM to 8PM at Bottle & Bottega of Chicago Lakeview with the Hanukkah Happy Hour Dreidel paint class. Book your spot now, space is limited. Head over to Split-Rail for their annual Hanukkah Dinner on Tuesday November 30th starting at 6PM.  Served family style, reservations are required - click here to book! On Wednesday December 15th from 7:30PM to 9PM, enjoy an evening of art and music with holiday favourites at the College of Lake County in Grayslake. More information on booking tickets and attending here. Book a ticket for your friends and family on December 17th or December 18th to the Holiday Ice Show at the RECPLEX Ice Arena in Pleasant Prairie, WI.  The Friday evening show begins at 6:30PM, and the Saturday evening show starts at 5:30PM. Click here to purchase tickets and learn more.

Today is “Buy Nothing Day” and we thought it would be a fantastic opportunity to share some great DIY and Handmade options for gift giving this year!  We can do our part to upcycle, reuse, and repurpose old things into something new and beautiful, and go green for the Holiday season. We’ve got a roundup of brilliant ideas to add a personal touch to holiday gifting using things others might toss, discard, or ignore.  We’ve also got some fun projects you can do with kids to spend some quality family time together to recover from the chaotic Thanksgiving festivities.  Let’s head into the garage for some DIY time! more Repurpose Those Broken Dishes from Holiday Dinner Grab a pair of safety goggles and a trusty set of tile nippers and let’s get crafting! You can turn those cracked and broken dishes from yesterday’s holiday party into something beautiful for the holidays.  Wash them well with soap and water, and put them in a box to be repurposed in a mosaic!  Using the tile nippers, cut off the most interesting pieces of your broken, cracked, or chipped plates and tile them onto something such as containers to hold your tools, a stepping stone for the garden, or even apply them to reclaimed wood for accent pieces for your living room or garage wall. Click here for a great tutorial on how to use the tile nippers on plates. Give Your Garage Tool or Workspace A DIY Overhaul Check out this amazing list of ways to repurpose household items, leftover packing supplies, and the leftover bits and bobs from other house projects.  You can source most of the materials on this list from Freecycle, Craigslist, or your own recycling pile.  If you’ve got an eco-conscious family member in your midst, this would also be a great idea for a personalized gift; outline your plans, gather the materials and box them up, and gift them with a “coupon” for garage reorganization! Gather Up Your Cardboard Recycling & Let’s Build Together This tutorial from Parenting.com shows step by step how to build the kiddos their own car for pretend races.  If you’re looking for something super creative with a little bit of a challenge, you can live out your architectural dreams with this Youtube Tutorial by Mr. Vereshchak for a Cardboard Kids Playhouse.  Craft an entire Rainbow Town for playtime with the kids using this tutorial from Hellowonderful.co! Blog Project Roundup: DIY Your Own Holiday Gifts Great DIY Gifts for 8 Nights of Hanukkah 36 Hanukkah Crafts to Make Traditional Kwanzaa Gifts to Make and Gift DIY Car & Truck Ornaments for Families DIY Vintage Car Ornaments for the Holidays Upcycled Holiday Gift DIY Projects DIY Gifts for the Friends Who Have Everything Did you try any of the projects shared here? Show us with a photo and tag us in a comment on social media! Have an idea for a DIY project that we’ve missed on the list? Let us know in the comments and we may feature it in a future post!

Feeling frantic with family and friends arriving soon?  Need some last minute pantry-friendly recipes?  Looking for something to entertain the kids?  We’re here to help!  We’ve got a great list of easy recipes made from pantry staples, along with activities to help keep kids entertained while you’re getting ready for guests today. more Print out the coloring pages and activities, and set up a coloring and crafting table for some easy projects that are sure to entertain younger guests as well as adults.  Check it out on today’s blog for easy holiday entertaining! Last Minute Thanksgiving Recipes with Pantry & Fridge Staples Forget to thaw the turkey?  Family members cancel at the last minute and you’re missing their famous sweet potatoes?  Forgot you volunteered to bring a dish?  We’ve got you covered with easy to make recipes that are ready in a pinch.  Yes, even easy enough to make on the day of Thanksgiving before guests arrive.  You can’t miss with this easy list of holiday favorites and staple Turkey Day Dinner classics.  We’ve even tossed in some no-cook appetizers if you’re running to the store this morning. Canned Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows Crustless Pumpkin Pie with Canned Pumpkin No Cook Thanksgiving Appetizers Classic Green Bean Casserole Instant Pot Thanksgiving Recipes NY Times Last-Minute Thanksgiving Recipes Taste of Fall Salad 10 Minute Cous Cous Salad 10 Minute Vegan Chickpea Salad 10 Minute Creamy Cucumber Salad 15 min Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs Instant Baked Mashed Potatoes Instant Pot Stuffing Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce Instant Pot Turkey Gravy Instant Pot Thanksgiving Turkey Breast Coloring Pages and Crafts for Families Crayola’s Printable Thanksgiving Coloring Pages Free Printable Coloring Pages for Kids 45 Free Thanksgiving Coloring Pages for Kids and Adults Autumn and Fall Coloring Pages for Kids and Adults Fall Coloring Pages for Families Glued to My Crafts: Paper Plate Turkey Cars Kid Craft Toilet Paper Roll Car Craft from A Little Pinch of Perfect Blog​​​​​​​​​​​​ ​​ TLC Me Blog: Thanksgiving Handprint Turkeys TLC Me Blog: Turkey Pinecone Crafts

We’ve asked our service techs and mechanics to share some of their advice on easy maintenance tips and tricks to help keep you safer on the road.  Today we’re highlighting the importance of properly inflated tires during winter weather months and cold temperatures.  Check it out! more Winter Tire Pressure Temperature changes overnight or from cold winter days can affect your tire pressure. This can cause the low-pressure indicator to appear. Large swings in temperature between day and night can affect the pressure in your tires by up to 10 PSI. The light may shut off on its own after you drive 20 minutes or so, as the air in your tires warms and expands and proper inflation level stabilizes. Regardless, you should get your air checked right away. The TPMS light means your tires are at least 25 percent below the proper air pressure. This is a safety risk, especially if you’re carrying a load close to your vehicle’s max capacity. There’s a greater chance of tire failure, compromised handling and increased wear and tear on your tires. Your gas mileage could also suffer. When you top off your tires, the TPMS light will go off as the tire regains the proper pressure. Note: If the warning light is flashing, this is a problem with the vehicle’s TPMS system, not your tires, and you should take your car to the shop. Our service technicians are available to help at a moment’s notice! Schedule an appointment today for routine maintenance and upkeep before winter weather arrives. Schedule a Service Appointment Here

It’s National Espresso Day today, and we’re going to celebrate with our favourite local coffee shops and great portable gadgets for the office or your next road trip!  Go on and grab your fave cup o’ joe as you peruse our list, and let us know your faves in the comments.  We might just include your suggestion in an upcoming blog post!  And be sure to check out our picks for great portable coffee makers if you’re looking for travel-friendly holiday gifts. more Best Local Spots for Espresso Prairie Espresso + Wine Bar in Lake Bluff, IL Drip and Cultur in Waukegan, IL Hansa Coffee Roasters in Libertyville and Lake Bluff IL It’s All Good Coffee & Espresso in Zion, IL AREA Coffee in Mundelein, IL Tina’s Italian Bake Shop in Gurnee, IL Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea in Vernon Hills, IL Gurnee Donuts in Gurnee, IL Coffee Break and Lunch in Waukegan, IL Milkcow Cafe in Vernon Hills, IL Birdy’s Coffee House in Libertyville, IL Conscious Cup Coffee Roasters in Libertyville, IL Dalton’s Cakes in Grayslake, IL Something’s Brewing in Grayslake, IL Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe in Libertyville, IL He Brews Coffee Shop in Winthrop Harbor, IL The Buzz Cafe in Kenosha, WI Harborside Common Grounds in Kenosha, WI The Daily Dose Coffee in Kenosha, WI Wilson’s Coffee & Tea in Racine, WI The Grind Cafe in Racine, WI O&H Danish Bakery in Racine, WI Shirl’s Drive-In in Kenosha Portable Espresso Makers for A Caffeine Fix On the Go Portable Electric Coffee Machine by YaoTown via Wayfair Despise the office coffee pod machine?  We feel you!  For just $69.99, this budget friendly portable coffee machine makes frothy espressos for professional cafe style drinks in a pinch. ESPRO Travel Press 16oz Bottle via REI From road trips to camping to picnic lunches in the park, this is a great portable french press style espresso maker.  And with the low price of $49.95, it also makes a great gift for the travellers on your holiday shopping list. Simpresso Portable Espresso Maker via Crate and Barrel Perfect for camping, beach days, picnic brunches at scenic overlooks, or just a quick morning brew.  This is a shatterproof, lightweight, travel friendly option for brewing espresso with crema under $100.  With options to use pods (coffee grinds in a fabric teabag style) or your own fresh grounds, it’s a double-walled coffee carafe for every java junkie at just $79.99 The Wacaco Minipresso via Amazon This wallet friendly option offers coffee on the go compatible with Nespresso pods for no-fuss no-muss creamy espresso.  You can even drink it right from the “lid” for a portable cup!  Just add hot water and you're ready to roll.  It’s $59.95, too, making it great for those who are minding their pennies while saving up for their next road trip.  Perfect for camping, van life, and more!

Just because Autumn is winding down doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy an exciting road trip filled with scenic views and breathtaking sites on winding highways and byways!  We’ve gathered a list of 8 different roadways worthy of a visit in both Wisconsin and Illinois that are beautiful year round.  Explore the unique people and places in the historic towns that dot the mapways, or immerse yourself in the beauty of nature along trails and waterways.  If we’ve left your favourite off the list, just let us know in a comment and it may make its way into a future travel guide! more Illinois Grandview Drive Peoria This might be the shortest drive on our list, but it’s certainly not short on gorgeous views.  Winding its way along the Illinois River and through the valley from PRospect Road to Route 29, you’ll find a plethora of historic homes as well as beautiful landscape photo ops.  If you’re looking for outdoor activities, this will also hit the spot as it’s got plenty of options to get out and walk, hike, or bike the trails along the route.  Prime time to visit is during Autumn, but this winding roadway is still picturesque year round.  Learn more about the area here from Heroes of Adventure blog. The Morton Arboretum Lisle IL A versatile stop for those who prefer driving or those who prefer hiking, with 9 miles of paved roadways and 16 miles of hiking trailways.  Families can enjoy a stroll through the Children’s Garden and Maze Garden, or enjoy an active day of exploring in the woods.  From blossoms and blooms in springtime and summer, to bright fiery foliage in the autumn, to picturesque snow-covered statues in winter, the Arboretum is an essential scenic stop all year round.  Check out the special events and park highlights here. Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive Canton With over 140 scenic miles of roadway in the valley, you’ll find plenty of stops for photo ops, scenic views, markets to shop, and special events.  The highlight of the region is its yearly fall festival in October, featuring open air markets, vendor tables, artisan goods and crafts, and plenty of family fun.  Take a self guided tour of the valley through several Illinois towns and along the Illinois river and make some family road trip memories.  You’ll make your way through 17 historic villages and sites along the way. Learn more about it and download a map of the route here. Illinois River Road Scenic National Byway Peoria This iconic 140 mile stretch of roadway cuts through 10 counties and connects 100 different nature sites, trails, and parks in the Illinois River Valley; a portion of it includes the Great River Road which follows the Mississippi. Prime time to visit is autumn for the fall foliage and leaf peeping season, but it’s gorgeous year round to be sure.  Including gorgeous waterfront views, cliff bluffs, and forest landscapes, you’ll have plenty of choices for family photo op backdrops.  If you’re looking to experience the great outdoors, you’ll find lots of spots for hiking, swimming, fishing, kayaking, and other fun activities.  If you enjoy shopping and strolling, you can visit any of the region’s picturesque towns and main streets for shopping, cultural events, art, and then some.  Create a family travel itinerary via the official website here. Wisconsin Highway 35 and The Wisconsin Great River Road Bordering the Northern end of Mississippi River up and down the western coast of Wisconsin, this 250 mile road connects a whopping 33 historic river towns.  This is a great trip to explore historic architecture, historic downtowns and main streets with local shops and businesses, and take a short step back in time.  It’s a fantastic route to explore the glacial path that shapes so much of Wiscons’s geological landscape.  Click here to view the northern half of the roadmap, and click here to view the southern half of the roadmap.  Looking for some amazing ideas for stopping points? Look no further than the State Trunk Tour blog. Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive Spanning 115 miles through six different Wisconsin counties, it connects the two halves of the Kettle Moraine State Forest.  It’s perfect for those who love the great outdoors, with lots of options for fishing, swimming, visiting state parks, hiking, camping, and scenic views for picnicking.  Travel through many of Wisconsin’s impressive state parks and explore all of the lakes, wetlands, mountain trails, and natural vistas.  Click here to download driving directions by region. Highway 33 Scenic Drive This spans coast to coast stretching between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River along the southern end of Wisconsin.  From beautiful port cities with picturesque  harbors, fishing and boating activities, to beautiful marshes and wildlife refuges, to historic downtowns with vintage architecture and postcard worthy scenic stop-offs, it’s the total package when it comes to road trip options.  You’ll find a great list of recommended places to explore on State Trunk Tour’s blog! Cranberry Highway One of the shorter routes on our list, this 50 mile section of roadway crosses Highway 54, Highway 173, Highway 13, and roads in 3 different counties.  You’ll want to bring your camera for this one, because you’ll be traveling through centuries old cranberry beds, with visuals of beautiful swathes of scarlet red!  The prime time to hit the cranberry marshes for these stunning views is September and October, but other notable events such as bloom season occur in June and July.  The route is still worthy of a trip year round with such site stops as Sandhill Wildlife Area, Necedah National Wildlife Area, Meadow Valley Wildlife Area, and then some!  You can take cranberry marsh tours, visit Rubi Reds cranberry market, and more. Plan your trip with some helpful hints here.

Today is National Camp Day and we’ll be sharing some of our picks for great camping gear for life on the go and all your road trip needs.  In addition, we’ll also be highlighting some great spots to visit in both Illinois and Wisconsin.  So pile your pals and your family in your new car from Classic and let’s experience the Great Outdoors together.  You’ll find everything you need in our handy guide! more Great Campsite and RV Park Destinations Illinois Beach State Park at 1 Lake Front Drive in Zion IL MWR Navy Gateways RV Campgrounds at 7150799 Ziegemeier Street in North Chicago IL Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort at 32223 N US Highway 12 in Volo IL Grass Lake Marina and RV Park at 26250 W Heart O Lakes Boulevard in Antioch IL Island On the Chain Inc at 38600 N Lakeside Place in Antioch IL Fox Den Campground at 8068 State Park Road in Spring Grove IL Happy Acres Kampground at 22230 45th Street in Bristol WI Red Maple Campsite in Salem WI Sanders Park in Mt Pleasant WI Cliffside Park Campgrounds in Racine WI Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Caledonia WI Tips For Camping in the Car, SUV, or Van Most modern day cars are roomy and spacious and make the perfect alternative to camping in tents or RVs.  Check out these great tips for using your Van, SUV, or roomy sedan as cozy camping quarters! Make sure you’ve packed these ten camping essentials from REI experts in your car and have fully filled your car’s gas tank. Check which spaces are designated for parking your vehicle overnight, and if a ticket or permit is required to do so. Some places may require you to pay in advance to secure the site. Select a flat, shaded area to set up your “campsite” so you don’t overheat or have to worry about your car rolling. Place your food in a safe place inside the vehicle in a cooler or carrier to prevent spoilage or animal intruders. Keep any overhangs, tables, chairs, and other belongings close to your vehicle to avoid crowding out other campers.  If your campsite permits fires, be sure to set up any campfires about 150 feet or so away from your car to prevent accidents. Make sure all the interior lights are turned off so you don't run your battery down.  Hang battery operated lights from the handles or clip headlamps to the headliner of the car so you can see at night when needed, or bring a reading light for a little relaxation. Roll out a compact pillow and bedroll, foam mattress, or thick sleeping bag to keep comfortable. Keep the windows or moon roof/sun roof cracked open for ventilation and air circulation.  You can apply a thin mesh or piece of screen to prevent little critters and bugs from sneaking in the gaps.  Don’t place any valuables under the windows to prevent any potential moisture or rain from getting in. Here’s a list of Campfire Friendly Recipes to try: Campfire Foil Packs Fish packets with Caper and Snap Peas Marinated Steaks with Flatbreads Chilaquiles with Tomatillos and Black Beans Flax and Chia pancakes with Bacon and Eggs S’mores Dip Foil Packs Cast Iron Frittata Red Lentil Sloppy Joes Suggested Camping Gear for Your Next Road Trip iKamper Skycamp 2.0 This is a convenient camper accessory for your SUV or other vehicles (different models are available for your car!)  Enjoy a socially distanced vacation flying solo or with a partner or your kid.  Sets up in 60 seconds, sleeps up to 4 people, and fits most vehicles!  The closing straps have locks for your security and safety.  Also includes tension poles, a ladder with angled steps, a UV cover to protect it, too.  Comes in multiple sizes (mini or regular) and works with a wide array of accessories on the iKamper site! Campfire Solo Stove Don’t want to travel with tanks of butane or gasoline? We get it!  Moving through the world in a waste-free, safe manner is important to us, too.  Reducing your carbon footprint is great for the environment!  Why not grab one of these wood-fueld Campfire Solo Stoves.  Fire it up lickety split with just foraged twigs, ruffage, and sticks from your campsite.  (Make sure you have a fire extinguisher handy, though, just in case!)  Packs away safely and can travel in all weather! Ultimate Cast Iron Camping Cook Set Keep it simple with these easy to use, easy to clean, travel friendly campsite cooking utensils. This 8 piece set has everything you need for perfect campsite meals.  From grilling the fresh catch of the day to stewed veggies and herbs you’ve foraged safely (grab some wilderness and foraging books and take a class to learn how to safely ID non-toxic edible plants!) you can cook it all. These are the perfect thing for every travelling roadtripper! Thermarest’s MondoKing 3D Sleeping Pad This sleeping mat comes in two sizes: Large and XXL.  It’s four inches thick and has stable sidewalls and comfortable stretch knit fabric so you can sleep soundly.  It’s easy to compress and store, but convenient to inflate for use. The Trekker Chair Kit Turn your mattress roll into a chair for no-fuss seating without the bulk or hassle of carrying folding chairs in your gear.  Multiple sizes to fit your bed roll. Compressible Pillows from Thermarest This convenient portable pillow is easily stowed for travel, but expands quickly for comfortable sleep.  Has multiple styles and sizes to choose from! MEGAWHEELS Trunk Tent Waterproof Fabric Included in this kit is a carry bag, car lock rings, and a tent with waterproof fabric.  Attach this to your car/truck body to keep yourself safe and dry and warm while camping in your car.  It also stops bugs and critters from invading your space late at night or in muggy weather.