Office to Outdoors

03/31/2025

Add this Madison garden to your spring bucket list 🌸🌷🪷

🪻 Spring is the best time of year to get outside and explore the blooms at your local garden. Madison is home to an incredible spot filled with numerous garden exhibits, statues, and ponds.

📍Olbrich Botanical Gardens

How to visit 👇👇

🎟️ FREE admission to outdoor gardens

⏰ Open 10am-6pm April through September (10am-4pm otherwise)

🌸 Over the 16 acres of garden displays to explore, including the Rain Garden, Sunken Garden, Perennial Garden, and more!

⛲️ Explore the stunning Thai Pavillion - a gift from the government of Thailand 🇹🇭 & UW Alumni Association

👉🏼 Plan to spend at least two hours exploring the gardens and taking in all the sights and smells. There’s also an indoor tropical garden that has a small entrance fee ($6 per adult).

Are plants blooming near you? What’s your favorite sign of spring?

👉🏼 Share with someone who’s ready for spring and follow for more beautiful outdoor destinations!

03/25/2025

The last one really hits hard 😅🐮

🏠 For my fellow Wisconsinites, did you find any of these accurate?

😲 For everyone else, is this how you view us over here in Wisconsin??

🧀 I personally think our devotion to cheese makes us unique and I love it 😆

🤩 And Wisconsin is definitely not just cornfields and cows, although we do have a lot of cute cows. I’m so grateful for this platform where I can show all of Wisconsin’s beauty!

👉🏼 Share with someone who loves to poke fun at Wisconsin and follow for outdoor adventures and road trip guides!

03/10/2025

I met a lot of incredible new friends this weekend, but swipe to the end to meet my favorite new bestie, Zeke 😉🐮

👯‍♀️ If you’re looking for a way to meet travel writer and content creator friends in the most welcoming and fun environment, I can’t recommend the conference enough!

🌳 I had the best weekend with fellow conference attendees exploring where we were treated to delicious food, explored local parks and enjoyed a boat ride around Lake Jocassee and I even got to meet my favorite new bestie, the miniature highland cow, Zeke 🤩

🗒️ Of course, there were also several amazing speaker sessions that were both educational and relatable - the best of both worlds!

The people and communities are my favorite parts about working in this industry, and and her team do such a great job bringing both together for such a fun weekend 🫶🫶

😴 With that being said, I am absolutely EXHAUSTED and was dying that a busy conference weekend fell over daylight savings, but we all struggled together 🤣

Have you been to a travel writing/content creation conference before? If so, do you have a favorite one?

02/26/2025

Postcards from Scottsdale ☀️🥾💦

I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to spend 3 days in the beautiful and sunny Arizona - one of my favorite places ❤️

☀️ Phoenix and Scottsdale became favorite cities after a spontaneous trip in May 2021, and Sam and I have been back countless times since.

This visit was spent with Sam’s aunt and uncle who have a few weeks every year at the (a rare treat for us 🤩)

We spent the past 3 days:

🥾 Hiking Pinnacle Peak and Brown’s Mountain
🌵 Seeing a Crested Saguaro (reminded me of broccoli)
⚾️ Watching the play a spring training game against the (we lost 😭) at Salt River Fields
👙Taking in the sun at the pool 🤩

Have you been to the Phoenix-area before? What are you favorite activities?

02/18/2025

👉🏼 Which WI State Park are you visiting first? 🤩

📌 Don’t forget to save this post for future state park planning and make sure to follow for more state park adventures and outdoor destinations!

🥾 After visiting all 50 Wisconsin State Parks in 2024, I discovered some of the most underrated parks the state has to offer!

🌳 If you are looking for a park that offers a ton, but doesn’t have the crowds of the popular parks, this list is for you 👇

1. Newport State Park, Door County
- located along the water in Ellison Bay
- beautiful trails
- dark sky park

2. Roche-A-Cri State Park, Friendship
- unique formations and beautiful views
- family-friendly trails
- observation tower (impacted by 2024 fire)

3. Straight Lake State Park, Luck
- quaint park with beautiful lakes
- Ice Age Trail segment runs through the park
- very remote and a great escape from everyday life

4. Big Bay State Park, La Pointe
- located on the apostle islands
- several trails through various ecosystems
- beautiful beach

5. Mill Bluff State Park, Camp Douglas
- beautiful overlook
- unique trail around rock formations

Have you been to or heard of any of these parks before? What park are you visiting first?

02/05/2025

Can you relate to any of these? 💭

🌎 In a world that can be anything but open and honest, a little vulnerability here and there is so important!

And let’s face it, these things will probably still be true for me at 40, 50, and 60, and that’s okay! 🫶

I hope my love of travel only grows, and though nature and therapy help my anxiety, it’ll likely never go away 100%.

👉🏼 What’s something that you’re not ashamed to admit?
👉🏼 And follow for outdoor travel destinations, road trip guides, and top hiking trails!

Photo Locations:
1. Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar
2. Kohler Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, WI
3. Gibraltar Rock, Lodi, WI
4. Wadi Shab, Oman
5. Wyalusing State Park, Bagley, WI
6. Wadi Shab, Oman

01/30/2025

🌳10 Things To Do in Peninsula State Park, Door County🌳

👉🏼 Save for your next Door County, Wisconsin adventure 🤩

Peninsula State Park is one of Wisconsin’s most popular and scenic parks. I’ve visited numerous times over the past few years, including 4 times in 2024 alone - and I still have so much to see and do!

🥾 Best Hikes:

1. Eagle Trail (2-mile loop) - difficult
**make sure to stop at Eagle Tower for incredible views of the peninsula!
2. Hemlock Trail (1.8 miles, one-way) - moderate
3. Sentinel Trail (2-mile loop) - easy
4. Skyline Trail (3-mile loop) - moderate

💡 Lighthouse Tour:

5. Eagle Bluff Lighthouse Tour (offered mid-May through mid-October)

💦 Top Water Activities:

6. Swim at Nicolet Beach
7. Kayak along the 8 miles of shoreline (rentals available at Nicolet Beach concession stand)

🚲 Bike Routes:

8. Sunset Bike Route (9.6 miles, relatively flat) - rentals available in Fish Creek and at the Nicolet Beach concession stand

⛳️ Golf

9. Play a round of golf in a state park! 18-hole course or a 6-hole learning course.

❄️ Winter Activities

10. Snowshoe across 6 miles of designated trails

What’s your favorite state park activity?

👉🏼 Follow for more state park guides, outdoor gems, and road trip destinations!

01/19/2025

A WI State Park full of waterfalls and hiking trails? Heck yes! 👇

🥾 Amnicon Falls State Park in South Range, WI has 4 waterfall areas and around 2 miles of hiking trails. The waterfalls are easy to access and peaceful to watch and listen 🥹

🏊‍♂️ While jumping from rocks or diving into the water is not allowed, you can wade and swim in the Amnicon River and the pools that form around the falls (use caution!). It’s a great park to visit on a hot summer day.

⛺️ The park offers 36 mostly rustic campsites (no electric hookups, showers, or dump stations). It’s a very peaceful park with gorgeous views all around.

❄️ Snowshoeing and hiking are allowed during the winter months.

💰 An annual state park vehicle pass or day pass is required to visit.

🚘 Amnicon Falls State Park is about 30 minutes from Duluth, MN if you want to grab dinner or drinks out.

Have you explored this WI state park yet?

👉🏼 Hi 👋 I’m Lily! I share incredible outdoor destinations, top hiking spots, and road trip guides to help you plan your next adventure! Follow along !

12/25/2024

Merry Christmas!! 🎄🎁

Wishing you a Christmas filled with laughter, love, and cozy moments ✨

I’m looking forward to spending the rest of the year at home with my family, and excited for an adventure-filled 2025. Thank you for being here ❤️

12/17/2024

A lil’ San Diego recap of all my favorites ♥️

🎄 Christmas fun at the Holiday Market

🏛️ Exploring

🍨 Yummy desserts and food

🌴 Cute decorations, even in trees 🤩

✨ Lots of walks with gorgeous views

🍜 Date night at one of our faves

✈️ Views from above

Have you been to San Diego? What’s top on your list?

12/05/2024

Wrapped 2024: Wisconsin State Parks Edition

Sound about right? What parks did you explore this year?

Huge shoutout to my friend (Pennsylvania hiking!) for the fun idea and for sharing her template - she’s very creative 🤍

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving! 🍁🦃

Thank you for being here with me and sharing in all the outdoor and travel joy ♥️ I’m so grateful for this online community.

And a huge shoutout to all of those who are working today and aren’t able to spend the day with their families - Sam included!

🤍🤍🤍

11/27/2024

I visited Shipshewana for the first time last summer and fell in love with this charming Amish community. There's SO MUCH good shopping. Not to mention delicious food and awesome parks and trails.

And right now is a magical time to visit for A Shipshewana Christmas. Enjoy the mile-long Walkway of Lights, the drive-through Lights of Joy (featuring over 2 million Christmas lights!!), and selfie stations to enjoy with your loved ones.

This is one holiday destination on my bucket list!

Shipshewana Visit Shipshewana Midwest Travel Network

11/26/2024

Are you ready for the St. Paul European Christmas Market? 🎄🎁

It’s back starting this weekend!

Here’s all the details for this festive market 👇

🗓️ the 4 weekends after Thanksgiving (Nov. 29 - Dec. 22)

⏰ Fridays and Saturdays from 11am-9pm, Sundays from 11am-6pm

📍 Union Depot, St. Paul

🎁 over 70 vendors (gifts, crafts, European-style food), entertainment, holiday carousel and train, mulled wine

This market is the perfect spot to enjoy a day with friends shopping for gifts while trying delicious food 😀

✨don’t forget to save this post for your 2024 holiday planning!

11/25/2024

This summer I visited Rock Island State Park for the first time - one of 50 state parks I visited on my quest to visit all Wisconsin State Parks in 2024.

It's an incredible park and if you haven't had the chance to explore it yet, I highly recommend you add it to your state park bucket list!

Getting to the park is an adventure in itself - you have to take the Washington Island Ferry from Ellison Bay (Door County) to Washington Island, and then the Karfi Ferry from Washington Island to Rock Island.

The island is quite rustic and you won't find any restaurants or shops, but you will find beautiful hiking trails, wonderful beaches, a grand boathouse, and the Pottawatomie Lighthouse.

The ferry runs from Memorial Day through the second weekend in October, so start planning your 2025 day trip or camping adventure today :)

And if you're looking for more Wisconsin fun, join the Wisconsin Outdoor Adventures!

11/25/2024

Last April I visited Visit Hilton Head for the first time and completely fell in love! There is so much to do on the island from spending your days at the beach and riding the over 100 miles of bike trails to tasting delicious sea food and exploring area museums.

I already have trip #2 fully booked for April 2025 and I can't wait! If you haven't been, I highly recommend a visit - it's great for all ages (and is especially kid-friendly).

To help you plan, I prepared a complete guide along with a 4-day itinerary. Take a look and let me know if you have any questions :)

FacebookTweetPinEmailLinkedIn If you’re looking for a beach destination that will be perfect for everyone in your group, look no further than Hilton Head Island, South Carolina – and this guide to Hilton Head Island has you covered. It’s a family destination, and after visiting once, I can see...

11/07/2024

One of my favorite places during leaf-peeping season 🍂🍁

📍Door County, Wisconsin - a TOP destination on every Midwest bucket list!

Here are a few of my favorite spots for fall colors 👇

- Peninsula State Park

- Door Bluff Headlands County Park

- The Ridges Sanctuary

- Cave Point County Park

- Sister Bay Marina

And did you see the glimpse of the northern lights from my cozy cabin at the Edgewater Resort? 🤩

Have you visited this Midwest gem yet?

11/04/2024

The Best Fall Weekend Hiking 🍂🍁

✨ Save this post for your future WI State Park adventures!

➡️ Mill Bluff State Park (Camp Douglas)
- beautiful rock formations, 2 miles of hiking trails, a gorgeous overlook (overlook requires strenuous stair climbing)

➡️ Wildcat Mountain State Park (Ontario)
- miles of hiking trails (I love the Old Settler’s Trail!), horse trails, Kickapoo River access

Both of these parks are stunning during the fall months and have overlooks where you can see for miles! The parks are about 40 minutes from one another.

Have you been to either of these Wisconsin State Parks?