Our Family's Galena, IL Discoveries

Galena is a delightful location for a little family getaway. The town is historic and picturesque. There is plenty to do and explore yet the pace is relaxing.

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West Street Sculpture Park in Galena, IL

We did have a chuckle when we discovered this Bill and Hillary sculpture from 1994.

The outdoors and art. An enjoyable combination! Mixed in a lovely wooded setting, we savored an amble through the West Street Sculpture Park during our Galena visit.

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Dubuque Incline Delivers Historical Experience with Grand Views

Prior to our Galena trip, my daughter had never visited Iowa before. Since we were so close, we made a stop in Dubuque to ride its historic incline.

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Wednesday Weekend Windup {Street Fest, Shakespeare, Pokemon and more}

Don't forget to visit Bristol during its last two weekends!

Weekend full steam ahead! Definitely be sure to get out and explore this weekend as summer is winding down! Here are my picks for this weekend:

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Glenview Haus Oktoberfest September 17, 2016

We are inching our way to fall! If the impending change of season has you down, don't forget we have Oktoberfests to think about! One to put on your calendar--Glenview Haus' Oktoberfest on September 17 11AM-11PM. There will be a bouncy house from 11AM-5:30PM and face painting throughout the day. Admission is free. More info on the entertainment, food and beer below:

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Hiking during our Galena Weekend

A trip to Galena provides a refreshing change of scenery for us Chicago suburbanites. On the drive from our home to Galena, we enjoyed marvelous views of rolling farmland. Some turns revealed spectacular views of valleys. During our weekend adventure, we took advantage of beautiful weather and explored on three hikes.

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U.S. Grant Home in Galena, IL

Galena was home to nine Civil War generals including Commanding General of the Union Army Ulysses S. Grant. Being a Civil War buff, I jumped at the chance to visit the Ulysses S. Grant Home while on a recent weekend trip to Galena.

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Fresh and Vibrant Cuisine Rock Date Night at Mesa Urbana in Northbrook

Upon our arrival to Mesa Urbana, we immediately sensed the jovial vibe of other diners. This place really has something going on! The menu features many of our favorite Mexican items with a new flare. Already intrigued by what we saw on the menu, the restaurant's vibe increased our anticipation. Let date night begin!

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Inspiration to Declutter: The Joy of Less by Chicken Soup for the Soul

Inevitably at some point in the day, I scurry about the house in a frenzy looking for some item or another. Of course, I swear that nothing is ever where it is supposed to be--which we know is not true. In the moment, the sea of books, shoes, clothing, toys and more can be overwhelming. Once said misplaced item is located, the urgency of reorganizing often can be forgotten. Good thing for The Joy of Less showing up in my mailbox!

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7 Ideas for Entertaining the Family at the Hotel

When I was younger, I loved road trips--and still do. However, I hated being in the hotel room too long with nothing to do. We would often end up watching TV which was pretty boring considering limited options. Sometimes, pools fill the gap. But, they aren't always an option. Here are some more ideas to help entertain the kids during hotel stays:

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Family Fun with Fresh Fare Rule at Punch Bowl Social {Schaumburg}

**Disclosure: My family enjoyed a complimentary visit in order to experience Punch Bowl and bring this review to you. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Four. Person. PacMan. Oh, my! We had so much fun playing! While we were totally enamored with our newly found arcade addiction, we had a blast exploring Punch Bowl Social's dining and full range of entertainment options as well. While fun for a night out, the entertainment-restaurant hybrid is a exciting destination for families during the day and early evening. Truly a welcome adventure when then weather outside is less than ideal!

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Hiking at Spring Valley Nature Center

Spring Valley Nature Center provides us with a natural respite tucked away in suburban Schaumburg. The variety of ecosystems present means that the preserve is quite dynamic and always changing. We love to visit throughout the year to observe these changes!

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Beaching it in New Buffalo, Michigan!

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View from one of the dunes.

Every summer we make a day trip to New Buffalo, Michigan for a little escape. The drive is about 2 hours from our home in the Chicago suburbs. So, we pick a Sunday to get up early for our special day on Lake Michigan. We have been doing this for years, so New Buffalo feels almost like home.

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Wednesday Weekend Windup {Fairies, Destination, Old Time Baseball and More!}

Totally busy summer weekend ahead! So many events to choose from! Here are my picks!

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A Short Stop in Victoria, British Columbia

On the last day of our cruise, we stopped to spend the evening in Victoria, British Columbia. Since we knew our travel day the next day would be a long one, we opted just to spend some time walking around the city with no major agenda. Arranging for transportation from the cruise port was pretty easy. You could also walk but we decided to save our legs considering the next day ahead. We did see lovely Beacon Hill Park on our way downtown. A gorgeous park definitely worth a visit on a return trip!

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National Night Out August 2

Tomorrow is National Night Out, a night of free family-friendly fun that allows children to learn about the men and women that protect us including police officers, fire fighters, EMTs, soldiers and more. The event provides a way to learn about crime prevention and drug prevention programs. Activities vary but may include big truck experiences, local business fairs, games, live music and more. National Night Out has a website where you can click on a map and see towns participating. I suggest verifying times and activities with your township or park district for more clarification. There are many more in our area, but here are a few ideas:

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