Illinois

Remember when you were a kid?

Did your dad take you to the ballpark and you wondered what it would look like if you could explore the whole thing and see the areas only the players could see? Well, you don’t need to be a kid, you just need to visit Chicago’s Wrigley Field!

The word "Oktoberfest" likely causes images of a raucous bar scene with giant steins of beer and busty waitresses dressed in dirndls. What if I told you that there was a family-friendly restaurant with authentic German food that was a perfect date location too? That's the quick synopsis of our experience at Edelweiss Dining - located in the Chicago suburb of Norridge.

For more than 30 years, this restaurant has served up some of the best authentic German food in all of the Chicagoland area.

Chicago is one of my favorite cities to visit and as someone who lived there for nearly a decade, it’s also a city I’m proud to share with friends when they ask for recommendations of fun places to visit. This is the city of big shoulders, a manly city where they aren’t afraid to grab a big beef sandwich dripping with juice, cheer on their favorite sports teams, and enjoy new and unique ways of looking at the world.

Often times, going to a NASCAR race is about the only thing on your agenda. Frankly, most tracks are so far out in the middle of nowhere that it's difficult to plan anything other than an awesome weekend of racing. Chicagoland Speedway is different though and there's a surprising amount of stuff to do at the race and beyond. With that in mind, we set out to the Camping World 400, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway followed by some time exploring the surrounding area of Joliet, Illinois. 

We've talked in the past about how great of a city Chicago is to visit for a guys weekend getaway, but it is also a fantastic city for a romantic getaway too. From fantastic museums to some of the world's best and most creative food, Chicago is a great city to share with someone special. 

When you are planning your bachelor party, the first question always seems to be "Where should we go?" If you want a fun night out with friends and don't want to break the bank, then this list of 10 cities is for you. From Las Vegas to New York City, these top destinations will make your trip unforgettable!

While the Cubs are the perennial underdogs, having not won a World Series in over 100 years, their home in Chicago is one of the most iconic sports stadiums in the whole world. In previous years, the Cubs have played at Hohokam Stadium, shared with the Oakland A's but this year they opened up the season at their very own stadium "Cubs Park", affectionately referred to as "Wrigley Field South".

As someone who has enjoyed numerous games at Wrigley I can say that even though it is someone that should be on the bucket list for any sorts fan, the park is an absolute dump. From obstructed views to cramped bathrooms and nets installed to keep concrete from falling on people's heads it is one of those places that should probably just be shut down - if it wasn't for the antique charm and sense of history that radiates from every square inch of the facility.

There's a joke that I used to hear from friends when I lived in Chicago, who said, "It's not a hot dog, it's a salad!". That sums up the Chicago-style hot dog pretty well. Unlike the classic American hot dog where many people simply put ketchup and mustard on top - Chicago folks go ALL IN! While there are a nearly infinite number of variations, the core ingredients for a "Chicago-Style" hot dog are pretty easy - an all-beef frank topped with tomatoes, sweet pickle relish, chopped onions, pickle spear, pickled sport peppers, and mustard ---- NEVER --- ketchup!

Traditionally, our wives and girlfriends sit and wait for us to pick a hotel that they want for Valentine's Day - but why can't we turn the tables and do things differently? We scoured the internet looking for epic hotel ideas that will inspire romance this Valentine's Day in a completely different manner than the typical 4-star resort with breakfast in bed!

Each of these motels caters to fantasies or have themed rooms that will make your Valentine's Day that much more fun compared to a leeway gooey, boring romantic night at a typical hotel with red roses and chocolates.

Eagle-spotting is a thrilling and educational experience, but knowing where to go can be a challenge. Did you know that bald eagles are found in every U.S. state except Hawaii? This guide offers an extensive list of the best places across America to see these iconic birds in their natural habitats.

I love to travel, and steam train rides are one of my favorite things to do when I visit a new area. Unfortunately, I find that while there are lots of places to ride an authentic steam train, it's often an afterthought when folks suggest things to do in an area. Let's change that! These steam engines have a special place in my heart - as they do with millions of other guys and even some women too!

These locomotives are giant hulking marvels of engineering that represented the pinnacle of technology in their day but are still amazing to experience. In our age, where we covet silent, clean, smooth, and safe modes of transportation, these great mechanical beasts bring us back to a day when none of that was required - just getting the job done and opening up new opportunities to expand and profit. Additionally, I find that while many of these rail museums offer novelty rides such as "Thomas The Tank Engine" or "Polar Express" tours, simply riding the rails allows you to go places and see things that are otherwise inaccessible by car or foot. 

There are business hotels and then there are hotels with themed rooms designed for a romantic getaway. These are fun and exciting with a little bit of naughty thrown in for good measure. Especially in a time like this where you might desperately need an escape but aren't really wanting to go out and hang around with people, finding a themed hotel room near you might just be the perfect solution. The interesting thing is that while you might think this type of getaway would be only found in California, New York, or Las Vegas... the reality is that there are options all over the country, including states you might normally think of as being more conservative such as Illinois, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Ohio, and even Utah!