CULINARY TRAVEL Lunch at The Market: Road Trip to St. Joseph Posted on March 16, 2024June 18, 2024 This blog post takes you to the charming village of St. Joseph. It’s a beautiful stop between New York and Illinois. The Market isn’t just a food hall; it’s a mix of different food spots, a brewery, wine shop, farmers market, and coffee shops. Here, the thrill of finding new tastes blends with the peace and beauty of the surroundings. Food halls aren’t just making the dining scene better every day; they’re also expanding our choices on the road.
PLACES Blooms and Tradition: 83rd Tulip Festival in Orange City Posted on March 9, 2024June 28, 2024 Next week marks the 83rd Annual Tulip Festival in Orange City, Iowa. Since its humble origins in 1936, this annual event has attracted thousands of attendees from across the Midwest, gathering to honor and celebrate Dutch heritage. Wander the quaint streets, alive with the colors of thousands of tulips and the iconic silhouette of windmills. Experience the joy of parades, the rhythm of Dutch music, and the tantalizing aroma of traditional delicacies.
PLACES Living on Rock Island Arsenal: An Island Experience in the Quad Cities Posted on February 25, 2024July 12, 2024 Have you ever dreamed of living on an island? For me, that dream recently became a reality, albeit in an unexpected way. Our new home isn’t the typical tropical paradise one might envision. Instead, we’ve relocated to the Rock Island Arsenal, nestled in the heart of the Mississippi River between Rock Island, Illinois, and Davenport, Iowa.
PLACES The Waterloo Experience: A Weekend of Fun, Food, and Adventure Posted on February 20, 2024June 18, 2024 Cottonwood Canyon truly stood out as the gem of our entire journey. Nestled in a cozy neighborhood, this cafe welcomed us with open arms, offering a delightful array of specialty roasted coffee, mouthwatering desserts, and authentic Jamaican dishes like jerk chicken and savory meat pies. But what makes this place truly remarkable is Brian.
PLACES Weekend in Peoria: Top Things to Do in the Sky and on the River Posted on January 7, 2024July 1, 2024 In Peoria, the Illinois River isn’t merely a waterway; it serves as the central thread weaving together a tapestry of experiences. Whether you’re soaring high in the parks, gazing into the cosmos from an observatory, exploring the city’s rich history in museums, or leisurely drifting along the river on a cruise.
TRAVEL EXPERIENCES 30-Day Road Trip Across America in Marriott Hotels Posted on December 26, 2023July 4, 2024 Come along on our big trip across the U.S.! We’re hitting the road after living in South Korea for three years. For the next month, we’re crashing at Marriott Hotels everywhere. We’ll be checking out incredible landmarks, catching up with family, and finally settling down in the cornfields of Illinois. Please stick around for 30 days of stories from our journey, where Marriott is our home away from home at every pit stop.
CULINARY TRAVEL Art and Architecture: What to Do in Grand Rapids Posted on December 23, 2023October 7, 2024 Grand Rapids surprises with its mix of Victorian and Art Deco architecture, cozy cafes, and vibrant murals celebrating local women. Perfect for a weekend escape.
CULINARY TRAVEL Exploring the Charms of Old Oaks Winery in the Quad Cities Posted on December 21, 2023June 22, 2024 Old Oak Winery is a beautiful spot on 400 acres of rolling hills. We just moved here, so we don’t know much about the wine region, Self-described as the Napa Valley winery of the Midwest, the winery prides itself on an array of wines blended with grapes from their own vineyard as well as from Napa Valley. Actually, I had no idea they even had a vibrant wine region here in Illinois. With that said, it turned out to be a great place to learn about Midwest wine and grab something good to eat as well.