You can’t order a Whopper® at this Burger King. In fact, you won’t find a Whopper within 25 miles of the Mattoon, Illinois, restaurant. You see, the original Burger King is not related to the chain of the same name. So, while you won’t get that fake charcoal flavor the chain is known for, you can enjoy a tasty, diner-type burger with all the toppings.
Illinois
Chicago Travel and Adventure Show 2020

As Midwest winter winds blow and temperatures drop, we dream about warm weather and sunshine. Turn those dreams into reality by starting your planning at the Chicago Travel and Adventure Show. The popular travel show returns to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, on February 8 and 9, 2020. Read more
Warm Up to Winter at Midwest Ice Festivals

Last winter we discovered Midwest ice festivals. The Meltdown Winter Ice Festival in Richmond, Indiana, and the Argenta IceFest in Illinois are unlike any festivals we’d been to before. Sure, we’ve seen ice carving demonstrations in the past and plenty of completed ice sculptures on display during events, but during these two festivals, ice carving is the star. Read more
Haunted DeSoto House Hotel: Reader Experiences

Six years ago we wrote about the haunted DeSoto House Hotel in Galena, Illinois. Guests feel someone sit on the bed at night. Others smell cigar smoke where there is none. And then there’s the story of The Lady in Black, who makes an appearance and then disappears through walls.
We’re amazed at the number of people who continue to comment on the article, relating their own paranormal experiences in the hotel. Here are some of them:
Read moreColonel Davenport House: History on the Mississippi

Colonel George Davenport, founder of Davenport, Iowa, and first white settler in the area, led a family life that today would be fodder for the tabloids. Regardless, as a sutler for the U.S. Army, fur trader, and representative of Indians in negotiations with the U.S. government, he was well respected until his life ended tragically. In this podcast, we chat about the Colonel Davenport house on the Rock Island Arsenal in the Quad Cities and Colonel Davenport’s fascinating life. Read more
Argenta IceFest Embraces Winter
You have three choices when winter arrives in the Midwest: Leave for a warmer climate, become a couch potato, or bundle up and head outdoors for some fresh air and fun. In Argenta, Illinois, located near Decatur, one day is especially popular for winter fun. That’s the day of the Argenta IceFest. Read more