Matt Kirouac

Read the latest articles by Matt Kirouac at Thrillist

Contributor

Chicago

Courtesy of Park Hyatt Chicago

Travel

Explore adventure guides and design a custom itinerary for the destination of your choice in and around the city.

Best Travel Guides, Cool Hotels and Interesting Events - Thrillist

From craft breweries and world-class cocktails to sports bars, speakeasies, and neighborhood taverns, Chicago is certainly not lacking in booze.

The Ultimate Guide to Having Fun in Chicago Without Any Booze

Reasons to Drive

Visit these small and growing cities across the country just hours from major local markets. You may be surprised to find the best restaurants, hikes, beaches, and more are found here.

Reasons to Drive: Travel Guides to Local Cities in the U.S.

Morton Pumpkin Festival

As evidenced by the abrupt omnipresence of pumpkin spice on menus and in grocery aisles, it’s clear that fall has—unofficially—arrived.

Attend the Ultimate Fall Festival in the 'Pumpkin Capital of the World'

Fall Foliage

From road trips to local guides, here's everything you need to enjoy the great autumn outdoors and see the most beautiful fall foliage in your part of the country (plus the best times to see it).

Fall Foliage in the US: Autumnal Guide to the Outdoors

Tonya Kay/Shutterstock

It feels like just yesterday summer was nigh, and we were waxing poetic about rooftop bars, Lollapalooza, and disastrous pizza festivals.

The Most Beautiful Fall Foliage Within Driving Distance of Chicago

Photo courtesy of Farm Aid

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Like an altruistic Coachella, the sold-out Farm Aid Festival is a music festival on a mission—and for the first time in more than 20 years, that mission is bringing it back to its roots, in America’s fertile Midwestern epicenter.

Farm Aid Festival Is Back in Central Indiana After More Than 2 Decades 

Steve Cicero/Getty

Find the best spots daily to eat and drink in hipster neighborhoods. Hit the roof, drink a beer and eat delicious at top-tier restaurants. Plan your nightlife adventure with maps and reviews of unknown micro-brews, rooftop parties, and independent drink.

Best Restaurants & Bars - Places to Eat & Drink - Thrillist

Chicagoans have long history of getting fired up about pizza, but thanks to a recent pizza festival debacle, they’re getting “Fyred” up over it too.

The Internet Is Calling This Chicago Festival 'the Fyre Fest of Pizza'

Design by Maitane Romagosa for Thrillist | Photos courtesy of JPM photography

Leave it to the Midwest to turn a corn boil into a full-blown summer spectacle of carnival rides, funnel cakes, beer gardens, and rock ‘n’ roll.

This Illinois Festival Is the Lollapalooza of Corn

Nation

Photo by Matt Kirouac

Over the past few years, #vanlife and #rvlife have become romanticized for epitomizing freedom, escapism, and wanderlust.

Why I Pumped the Brakes on Vanlife

Courtesy of Clue: A Walking Mystery

From Agatha Christie to Knives Out, everyone loves a good whodunnit—except, presumably, the person found clobbered with a candlestick.

You Can Play a Real-Life Game of ‘Clue’ in Chicago Right Now

Alejandro Reyes

Lifestyle

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One might assume that the closest thing to “nature” found in Chicago is the concrete jungle.

Turn On Your Away Status and Seek Out These Peaceful Outdoor Spaces in Chicago

Festival Season

Thrillist is teaming up with Bacardi to bring you all things festivals, from season favorites, music festival roundups and recaps, to trip planning recommendations and more.

Top Festivals to Visit | Guide to Music Festivals and Celebrations 2023

Courtesy of XO Marshmallow

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Music may take top billing at Lollapalooza, but festival food almost steals the show.

Add These Food and Drink Vendors to Your Lollapalooza 2023 Itinerary

Disney Parks

If you’ve ever crammed your way into a crowded monorail or seen your life flash before your eyes as you plummet on the Tower of Terror, you might not describe Walt Disney World as “chill.”

The Absolute Chillest Rides at Disney World

Scott Legato/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Events

In Chicago, there really are five seasons: winter, spring, summer, fall, and festival—and Lollapalooza is basically the Christmas of festival season.

Matt Kirouac

Latest Posts From Matt

The Ultimate Guide to Having Fun in Chicago Without Any Booze

Make the most of the Windy City—no booze required.

Attend the Ultimate Fall Festival in the 'Pumpkin Capital of the World'

Pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin cupcakes, pumpkin donuts, etc.

The Most Beautiful Fall Foliage Within Driving Distance of Chicago

Let the leaf-peeping commence.

Farm Aid Festival Is Back in Central Indiana After More Than 2 Decades

The bucolic benefit concert returns to founder John Mellencamp's hometown in Noblesville, Indiana.

The Internet Is Calling This Chicago Festival 'the Fyre Fest of Pizza'

“I couldn’t deal with the chaos anymore.”

This Illinois Festival Is the Lollapalooza of Corn

You can never have too much corn.

Why I Pumped the Brakes on Vanlife

There might be cracks in the rose-tinted windshield.

You Can Play a Real-Life Game of ‘Clue’ in Chicago Right Now

'Clue: A Walking Mystery' is your chance to solve a murder mystery across Chicago.

Turn On Your Away Status and Seek Out These Peaceful Outdoor Spaces in Chicago

Take a break from at it all.

Add These Food and Drink Vendors to Your Lollapalooza 2023 Itinerary

Lolla has way more than just music.

The Absolute Chillest Rides at Disney World

Take a break from the chaos on these relaxing rides.

Everything You Need to Know to Prepare for Lollapalooza This Year

Must-see acts, festival foods, and everything to know for Lollapalooza this year.