April 11, 2024 - Big 7 Travel Team
Vietnamese-style slow drips, community non-profits, specialty single origin brews and Turkish lattes -when it comes to coffee shops in Illinois, you’re spoiled for choice. This is one state that will live up to the expectations of any java nut. [...]
June 10, 2023 - Big 7 Travel Team
Chicago is a good time city with every kind of bar, pub, lounge, and club that you could think of. Due to the sheer variety of places open after dark, a great night out is guaranteed, no matter your style. Chi-Town is particularly popular in the month of March, around [...]
April 29, 2023 - Big 7 Travel Team
The Windy City is well-known for its soaring skyscrapers and world-class museums, but it’s a haven for outdoorsy types too. Home to nearly 614 parks, Chicago is much greener than most people give it credit. Add to this dozens of sprawling nature reserves in the surrounding region and it isn’t [...]
April 18, 2023 - Big 7 Travel Team
Hungry for the best steak in Illinois? [...]
April 18, 2023 - Big 7 Travel Team
Chi-town has a reputation as one of the great gourmet cities in America. It’s also famous for its stunning, soaring skyline and meandering river. Making the most of all these things are some incredible high-up restaurants serving elevated food surrounded by skyscrapers with epic views of the skyline and river [...]
April 18, 2023 - Big 7 Travel Team
We recently revealed the 25 best burgers in Illinois and after some brilliant feedback and rigorous debate we’re happy to report that many of you have been out there eating and enjoying them. [...]
April 18, 2023 - Big 7 Travel Team
The humble-but-heroic hamburger is one of the world’s great dishes, so after picking the 50 best burgers in America, we wanted to go that little bit further and help our readers find the best Illinois Burgers. [...]
December 7, 2022 - Big 7 Travel Team
The Windy City is known for a lot of things: deep-dish pizza, jazz music, Al Capone, and the ever-famous Chicago Bean just to name a few. However, if you’re headed to Chicago you’re definitely going to want to brush up on your Chicago slang first. [...]
October 25, 2022 - Big 7 Travel Team
The Big Apple and Hollywood might get most of the fame when it comes to the film industry, but Chicago is a star in its own right. Chicago has featured on the big screen for more than 100 years, with iconic Chicago films such as Home Alone, The Blues Brothers, [...]
April 24, 2022 - Big 7 Travel Team
Best-known to outsiders for Chicago’s sophisticated museums, restaurants and skyscrapers, Illinois is also famous as the home state of Abraham Lincoln, the kitsch Americana of Route 66 and Ernest Hemingway’s hometown Oak Park. It’s also home to Peoria (birthplace of the late, great comedian Richard Prior), and state capital Springfield, [...]
March 31, 2022 - Melanie May
There are five fabulous National Park Services in the state of Illinois, though the state has no National Parks. The national park services are comprised of three National Historic Trails, one National Monument and one National Historic site. Ready to explore all that The Prairie State has to offer? Here [...]
August 12, 2020 - Big 7 Travel Team
With so much stunning scenery and slick cities like Chicago, it’s never a bad time for an Illinois staycation. The state has lots to do and see. If you want to really get away from it all for a remote getaway, these cosy cabins in Illinois are ideal. [...]
July 9, 2020 - Big 7 Travel Team
road trips will take you on routes around the state that offer so much variety and spectacular scenery. As you meander your way through rolling hills and wetlands, or around the shores of Lake Michigan, you’ll forget that the buzzing city of Chicago is anywhere near. [...]
June 30, 2020 - Sarah Clayton-Lea
Did you know Illinois is one of the Midwest’s top golf destinations? With 450-plus public golf courses and plenty of unique local features across the state, a tour of golf courses in Illinois tests your game in dozens of ways. [...]
June 22, 2020 - Big 7 Travel Team
You could travel further afield, but these Illinois staycation options prove that some of the best places are on your own doorstep. Sometimes you don’t even need to leave your own state to have the most magical vacation experience. [...]
March 5, 2020 - Elizabeth Thorn
Chicago is often hailed as the Sausage Capital of America, so it comes as no surprise that the subject of the best hot dogs in Chicago leads to some pretty heated debates amongst passionate locals. [...]
March 2, 2020 - Melanie Hamilton
It’s no secret that Chicago is a mecca for foodies. World-class restaurants, down-home eateries and a serious food truck game are the cities claim to fame. If you are a looking for a food truck to enjoy some delicious Chicago street food, start with these. Here are the seven best [...]
March 2, 2020 - Melanie Hamilton
Chicago is home to some of the nation’s best museums. Plenty of options for burning some time in the afternoon or spending the entire day exploring. Whether you are looking for massive t-rex fossils, the history of Chicago blues or 6,000-year-old Mesopotamian artefacts, ‘Paris on a Prairie’ has it all. [...]
February 27, 2020 - Big 7 Travel Team
From Chicago to beyond, there’s so much amazing food in this state. Burgers, hot dogs, and Michelin star meals, Illinois is a foodie’s delight. As for where to find the best chicken wings in Illinois? We’ve got you covered. [...]
February 17, 2020 - Melanie Hamilton
Are you on the hunt for an authentic Filipino restaurant in Chicago? Thanks to its diverse and dense Filipino population, there are loads to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a cosy hole in the wall or cocktail bar slash Filipino fusion eatery, Chi-tow has it all. Head to either [...]
November 14, 2019 - Big 7 Travel Team
This is a city that is packed full of amazing foodie options, but we’re gonna focus on the best Chicago ribs. The racks that are so big they fill the plate, and so tasty that you’ll be licking your fingers and savouring every single mouthful. [...]
October 29, 2019 - Big 7 Travel Team
Nothing beats meeting up at the weekend with friends for some food and drinks, so we wanted to pick out the best Chicago brunch spots. The foodie scene in this beautiful city has been exploding in recent years and brunch is a prime example of that. [...]
October 25, 2019 - Sarah Clayton-Lea
Korean cuisine is having a serious moment right now, and Chicago is one of the top cities to in America to try it. The Korean restaurants in Chicago range from fine dining, hearty bowls of bibimbap and fried chicken to mouthwatering barbecue joints. [...]
June 11, 2019 - Sarah Clayton-Lea
Chicago has endless incredible restaurants, bars and downright droolworthy things to eat, but if there’s one thing this city really does well, it’s steak. Some of Chicago’s best steakhouses have been in business for decades, while the newcomers are nipping at their heels. [...]
February 18, 2019 - Big 7 Travel Team
Illinois is probably best known for Chicago, a world-class city with renowned museums, stunning architecture and Michelin-starred restaurants. But did you know that there’s 40+km of ocean-like beachfront just steps from downtown? You can also drive along the iconic Route 66, explore Mississippi river towns and soak up the culture. [...]