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This year the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show comes to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center on February 10 and 11. It is a great opportunity to get ideas and inspiration for your next adventure and to get information from local tourist bureaus, adventure companies, and lodging groups. I have been attending for several years now, and I always use the show as a springboard for my next trip.

Make plans for your next trip by attending the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show – Ralph Velasco gives photography tips at the Destination Theater

Related: Talking Travel at the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show

Here are some of the adventures I have found myself on that started at the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show. You too can find next trip in February when the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show comes to the Chicago era. You can use the iVenture card to see and visit plenty of other attractions around the country.

Past adventures that started at the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show

Costa Rica

The very first year I attended the show, I attended a Destination Theater presentation on Costa Rica. I heard about friendly people, rainforests, beaches, birds, and animals. It sounded a lot like my favorite country Thailand, yet a lot closer.

Anteater in Corcovado National Park

Since that first year attending the show, I have been to Costa Rica three times. Last year I had my most incredible trip featuring Costa Rica’s two most outstanding national parks. I visited Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast and then flew to Corcovado National Park in the Osa Peninsula. I saw sloths, toucans, macaws, tapirs, trogons, and so much more.

Cute little red-eyed tree frog in the Mawamba Lodge gardens

Links: Corcovado wildlife adventure

Mawamba Lodge in Tortuguero National Park

Mawamba Lodge

Surcos Tours

Wildman Ranch Wisconsin whitewater and snowmobiling

The first year I attended the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show, I stopped by the Wildman Ranch booth. It is hard to miss. They are usually situated right at the entrance and feature a full sized inflatable raft in front of their exhibit. I introduced myself to Ken who informed me about the adventure opportunities in northeast Wisconsin.

Hard to miss Wildman Ranch at the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show

A few months later, I paddled an inflatable kayak through class III-IV rapids on the beautiful Peshtigo River. I could not believe such an incredible adrenaline filled experience waited for me less than five hours away from my home in Chicago. I had a blast camping in their campground and then paddling through Horserace Rapids.

Wildman Ranch snowmoobiles along a trail in northern Wisconsin –

A few years later, I returned in the winter to go snowmobiling through the Wisconsin northwoods. Wild times are truly found at Wildman Ranch. They also have ziplining, rock climbing, paintball, kayaking, and high ropes adventure. Definitely check them out at the show and in person.

Links: Wisconsin snowmobile tours with Wildman Ranch

Spring whitewater rafting on the Peshtigo

Wildman Ranch

Traverse City fishing, biking, and kayaking

A few years ago, I stopped by the Traverse City booth and dropped my card. I got an email a few days later and a trip to this jewel in northern Michigan hatched. I fished for smallmouth bass and lake trout, and I kayaked and biked on a tour of the many craft breweries in town. After two nights in Traverse City, I stopped by beautiful Sleeping Bear Dunes for a night of camping and hiking. I even cooked my lake trout over the fire at the campground.

Double fisting lake trout in Traverse City

Links: An historical stay at Old Mission Inn

Traverse City smallmouth bass fishing

Traverse City lake trout fishing amazes

Kayak bike Traverse City brew pubs

Sports Fish Michigan

Dominican Republic

Several times I have stopped by the Dominican Republic Tourism booth. Last November I finally made it in person to this Caribbean island. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate. I spent two days in Santo Domingo to acclimate to the country and enjoyed walking around the Old City. When I traveled across the island to Puerto Plata, it rained for four solid days. All tours were cancelled. I hoped to do some deep sea fishing and also swim through waterfalls, but the island was experiencing flooding due to the constant rain. I still enjoyed my time there and hope to return.

Exploring the Old City in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Munising and Pictured Rocks

Talking with the booths that represent Munising, Michigan and Pictured Rocks Boat Tours, I was inspired to hike the North Country Scenic Trail through Pictured Rocks National Lake Shore. I spent two nights camping along beautiful Lake Superior and hiked 40 miles in three days during the area’s peak fall colors.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore might be your next trip after attending the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show

Links: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore photo essay

Pictured Rocks fall foliage photo essay

Get inspired and informed for your next trip

This year I look forward to another year at the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show. I am wondering what booth, what speaker, what presentation will spark my desire to plan my next trip. The exhibits represent destinations from the Midwest, all over the U.S., and international locations like Thailand and places in Africa. Some of the speakers on tap this year include Rick Steves, Samantha Brown, and Pauline Frommer. Once again, the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show will get the travel year off to a great start.

Adventure on!

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