It’s housekeeping week, so we thought we’d do a little tidying and minding of our vehicles! From important paperwork to cleaning and maintenance tips, on today’s blog we’re handing you a primer for easy vehicle housekeeping. We’ll start with making sure essential documents are up to date and in the right place, followed by a list of vital emergency items you should have on hand at all times, and some general cleanliness for maintenance between professional detailings.
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It’s National Tailgating Day! Whether you’re at the stadium or arena for a big pro ball game, or you’re hanging out with fellow parents at your kiddos’ local tournament, there’s never a bad time for a tailgate party. Get ready for the upcoming sports season with these fun car gadgets and travel worthy barbecue gear. We’re bringing you even more fun ways to step up your tailgate events! Gather your friends in your driveway, the cul-de-sac, or the stadium parking lot for some good ol’ fashioned tailgating with all the amenities of modern living.
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Today is national wildlife day, and we’ll be highlighting some beautiful wildlife refuge areas, preserves, and ecosystems that you can visit. At each unique place you’ll have the opportunity to observe wildlife in its own habitat or learn about the preservation of endangered and threatened species. Here at Classic Auto Group, we love any chance to engage with our local community, and that even includes our natural wildlife and environments! We live, work, and play here just the same as local wildlife, and it’s important to us that we support and promote connection to our planet and green initiatives that preserve it.
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We’re back with a full calendar of community events for Lake County and the Chicagoland area! From cultural festivals to oktoberfests to car shows and movie nights, you’ll find a whole jampacked month of excitement and fun. Just because summer vacation is over doesn’t mean the party has to stop! So, hop in your new car from Classic and let’s hit the road and explore these great local events.
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Known as one of the “Seven Wonders of Illinois”, the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway is where the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois Rivers all converge. This 33-mile scenic drive starts its journey in Hartford and ends in Grafton at Pere Marquette State Park. Today, we’re going to take a look at some of the wonderful stops and towns dotted along the map, as well as highlighting the fantastic scenic views you’ll experience as you drive. It’s a memorable local experience, and we hope you enjoy this wonderful mini road trip right in our own home state.
Along your drive you’ll find abundant wildlife, charming rolling hills, quaint countryside towns and villages, and stunning stone bluffs as you make your way through several counties. This byway is full of scenic and historic stops and we can’t wait to tell you all about it. So, pack up your pals and head on out for a day of memories in your new car from Classic of Waukegan as we hit the road on a picturesque early autumn 2-day road trip!
Day One: Visiting Alton, Hartford, and Madison County
Our trip starts in Madison County at the intersection of Route 3 along The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, a pedestrian river walk that once connected Illinois and Missouri over the Mississippi River.
You’ll pick up the scenic Byway in nearby Hartford, where we recommend stopping by the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site.
Travel onwards to Alton and explore the National Great Rivers Museum, Melvin Price Locks & Dam, and views of the Mississippi River. Alton is a great stop for the “spooky season” as it’s known as one of the most haunted small towns in America, offering tours of Mysterious Mineral Springs Mall, McPike Mansion, and more.
Day Two: Elsah, Down and Grafton
The village of Elsah is on the National Register of Historic Places, and it’s easy to see why its historic charm has been preserved. It’s a quaint little town with narrow streets, old-timey shops including The Elsah General Store, and the Village of Elsah Museum. Just outside of Elsah in the woods you’ll find the TreeHouse Wildlife Center, a facility that helps rehabilitate and release wild animals, including American Bald Eagles, foxes, bobcats, and other critters.
The riverfront community of Grafton offers beautiful views of the river with riverfront dining options and lodging. The Grafton SkyTour takes you from Main Street up 300 feet high to the river bluffs in either an open-air chair lift or gondola ride. The SkyTour ends at Aerie’s Resort and the Aerie Riverview Winery! While you’re at the resort, stop by Grafton Zipline Adventures to take a tour of the area from the treetops.
At the end of your trek you’ll find Pere Marquette State Park, one of the largest state parks in Illinois! Covering nearly 8,000 acres, it’s a picturesque nature destination along the banks of the Illinois River. It’s perfect for trail running, hiking, horseback riding, archery, fishing, off-road- cycling, and more. There’s even harbor access for boating and fishing off both the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers.
Visit the Mighty Five: National Parks of Utah
Did you know that Utah has a whopping 5 National Parks? That’s right! Each of these incredible parks is iconic in its own right, but together they’re known as “The Mighty Five”. At each park, you’ll find unique plants and animals and remote wilderness offering peaceful landscapes that are downright awe inspiring. Along your journey to exploring each of these magnificent parks, you’ll also find charming small towns and several national monuments. It’s one of our personal favorite states to visit for exploring our country’s incredible park lands. So, what are you waiting for? Hop in your new car from Classic of Waukegan and let’s hit the road.
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We’ve focused quite a bit on our nation’s gorgeous National Parks this summer, and today we’re paying homage to some of our favorites in the midwest. If you were looking for a primer to Midwest National Parks, this is the perfect blog for you!We’ll start this post off with a crash course history lesson on the National Parks Service and its founding, followed by our recommendations on great parks.
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Looking for a fun way to exercise your brain while being fully entertained? Look no further than these creative and fun science museums! Today’s blog is all about interesting destinations to visit for both kids and the kid at heart, and learn a little more about our world at the same time. Whether you want to learn more about the earth sciences through fossil exploration or historic artifacts, or you want to try your hand at a science experiment, or maybe you’d like to wonder what it’s like to wander amongst the stars, you’ll find a little something to satisfy every curious mind. Check out our picks for four incredible science museums in the midwest and plan your next family fun outing.
Read the rest of this entry »5 Incredible Spots to Explore in Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado Road Trip Itinerary)
Rocky Mountain National Park is located in Northern Colorado and spans the Continental Divide right through the center of the park. Within the park’s massive 265,461 acres of federally preserved land, you’ll be treated to tremendous mountainscapes, lush evergreen forests, pristine alpine lakes, and mountain tundra. You’ll have a spectacular view of the Rocky Mountains as you climb and hike through more than 300 miles of hiking trails, leading you right up close and personal with the local flora and fauna. Rocky Mountain National Park is home to an impressive 140+ species of butterflies, 270+ species of birds, 10 different species of fish, more than 60 species of mammals, and so much more. We love each and every one of our National Parks, of course, but this one is truly a can’t-miss destination for your next adventure. So, what are you waiting for? Hop in your new car from Classic of Waukegan and let’s take it for a spin down some of the most awe-inspiring and aesthetically pleasing scenic roads in Colorado!
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Today’s road trip guide takes us to the magnificent Black Hills of South Dakota. The historic Mount Rushmore National Monument sees around 3-million visitors annually, and is one of the biggest attractions in the area, but that’s not all there is to see and do. With scenic drives such as the Needles Highway, historic towns such as Deadwood, and numerous outdoor recreation options, we think you’ll find it an exhilarating road trip destination. Explore real archaeological and paleontological sites, take a tour through a massive underground cave, check out the beautiful geology and topography of the nature reserves and parklands, and enjoy some real memorable moments. It’s a great way to explore the intersection of United States history and Native American history in one location. We bet you’ll leave feeling inspired! So, what are you waiting for? Hope into your new car from Classic Toyota of Waukegan, and let’s hit the road to explore.
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