Fall Guide

There’s lots of anticipation for pumpkin spice, cool autumn days and Oktoberfest, and that’s great, but let’s not rush summer – let’s savor it. It’s perfect beer garden weather, so celebrate with some fine, local craft brews. Here are just a couple of breweries to wet your whistle. Across the street from the Lincoln Home […]

Ongoing Carillon concerts Sundays, 2pm and 4pm. Wednesdays, 12pm. Spend an afternoon in the park and listen to master carillonneur, Carlo van Ulft, and assistant carillonneurs play a variety of music, from original carillon compositions to arrangements of popular classics and pop music. Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 217-306-1838. Rochester Farmers Market Second […]

Fall is a special time of the year for family-friendly activities and enjoying the outdoors. After a busy school and work week, stay close to home and make lasting family memories at any of the following area pumpkin farms or fall attractions. Bomke’s Patch 605 County Lake Road, Springfield Bomke’s is open for the fall […]

What could be more American than apple pie? Loading up family and friends on a crisp fall day and heading to an orchard to pick the apples for that pie, that’s what. Central Illinois offers plenty of places to go for apples and other fall fun. Plus, orchards are good spots for enjoying the outdoors […]

Feeling the need to explore the world around you after working from home since last year? Quench that thirst for adventure with a glass of wine or a cold craft beer at local establishments that have a wide variety of options. Barely 13 miles southwest of Springfield, in the middle of what seems to be […]

Fall is a lovely time of year to be outside, moving our bodies and settling our minds. Immersing ourselves in nature is like a balm to the soul. Time spent in the great outdoors can disconnect us from the hurried and harried pace of life, giving us time to reflect on our status as biological […]

When it comes to family friendly activities, parents sometimes have a hard time coming up with ideas that will please everyone. Oftentimes, we end up with the same activities in heavy rotation and that can leave everyone feeling a little underwhelmed. Recently, when I was given the opportunity to try out two new family activities […]

Springfield’s music scene is as revved up as ever, and there’s no end in sight. From classic country to electric holiday rock music, the offerings are always diverse – which is what we’ve come to expect around here – and this season’s lineup does not disappoint. Billy Bob Thornton and the Boxmasters are kicking off […]

The cicadas are singing their late summer serenade and that means things are just starting to heat up again on the theater scene. This season’s stage offerings range from new and classic tales, personal stories and dance to comedy. The UIS Performing Arts Center gets the season underway on Sept. 24 with actor, comedian and […]

Walk, Hike and Bike History Illinois Department of Natural Resource’s Walk, Hike and Bike History is a series of inspiring outdoor experiences that connect you to must-see museums and monuments in the capital city. Friends of Lincoln Hike Wednesdays at 10am. Saturdays at 3pm. A 90-minute walk through the hills of Oak Ridge Cemetery. Lincoln […]