The Whole Scoop

Imagine a life boat made out of a mint chip fudge brownie, covered in strawberry ice cream and topped with chocolate sauce, whipped cream and a cherry. That's The Whole Scoop's newest version of their signature sundae called the "Life Boat". And it's not just sweet treats at The Whole Scoop. From secret recipe marinated chicken in the Chipotle Chicken Wrap to Mom's Recipe Chili, great homemade eats abound. Located in historic downtown Grafton, The Whole Scoop is a great place to stop during a day of shopping and river watching. Hours: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. daily.

CITY: Grafton

Chocolate Air

Imagine a store filled with chocolate - chocolate turtles, carmels, cupcakes and tiered cakes. Add in a dash of antiques and collectibles and you have Chocolate Air in Godfrey. This homey store makes all its chocolate creations from scratch so they are sure to delight. Don't leave without trying their three signature confections: Turtles, Chocolate Covered Bacon and Chocolate Covered Strawberries. Hours: Tuesday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

CITY: Godfrey

St. Louis Bread Company

Every day, trained bakers craft and bake loaves of bread from scratch, using the best ingredients to ensure the highest quality breads. Panera Bread understands that great bread makes great meals, from made-to-order sandwiches to tossed-to-order salads and soup served in bread bowls.

CITY: Alton

Bliss Bake Shoppe & Cafe

Located in the historic village of Brussels in Calhoun County, Bliss Bake Shoppe & Cafe is sure to satisfy the hunger pangs of any traveler. Breakfast and lunch are served in addition to the large variety of desserts featured in the shop. Homemade cinnamon rolls, cookies and cheesecakes are regulars on the menu but each week unique dessert items are featured. There is a $5 lunch special each week as well. Lunch menus range from pizza to calzones to thick and hearty grilled cheese sandwiches. Enjoy your meal indoors or on the outside patio. Hours: S - Su 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

CITY: Brussels

Ge Gee's

Ge-Gee’s is a place where you can sit back and relax with a good cup of coffee and your favorite sandwich or salad. Enjoy time with good friends and family, read a book, or connect to our free Wi-Fi. At Ge-Gee’s you will find fresh made pecan rolls, huge cinnamon rolls, ooey gooey butter cake, and many other homemade desserts. You will also enjoy our salads, sandwiches, and daily homemade soups. Here at Ge-Gee's we value our customers. We strive for excellence in preparing a delicious meal, and we pride ourselves in treating each customer as a member of our own family.

CITY: Bethalto

Swedish Bakery

The Swedish Bakery is famous for specializing in Swedish coffeecakes, cookies, sweet rolls, toast, petit fours and marzipan cakes. We are known for using unique ingredients such as cardamom, saffron, anise, fennel, orange peel and almond paste. We are proud to offer our customers products that are never frozen or have any added preservatives. Our most popular items are our Andersonville coffeecake, cardamom coffeecake, Swedish and butter cookies as well as our fruit glazed cake. At the Swedish Bakery, the customer comes first. We are proud to serve a community that we love and support.

CITY: Chicago

Clifton Country Inn & Bake Shop

If its biscuits and gravy you crave, then Clifton Country Inn & Bake Shop is the place to go in Godfrey. In addition to traditional bakery goods like donuts, this family-owned diner also features a full breakfast and lunch menu. There are also daily lunch specials. Hours: Monday - Friday, 6 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Saturday - Sunday, 6 a.m. - 3 p.m.

CITY: Godfrey

Black Dog Gelato

Located in the Ukrainian Village, Black Dog Gelato serves artisanal gelatos an sorbets with unique flavor combinations.

CITY: Chicago

Capannari Ice Cream

Ice cream shop

CITY: Mount Prospect

Tastebud Tours

Embark on a three-hour walking tour that's an unforgettable food adventure, offering the traditional tastes of Chicago.

CITY: Chicago

Del's Popcorn Shop -- Decatur

"The Popcorn Shop" was opened in 1934 by John Baldwin. In 1945, Mr. Baldwin leased his business to Del and Emily Barnett. A year later the Barnetts purchased The Popcorn Shop and changed the name to "Del's Popcorn Shop". Lou Ann Jacobs purchased the Decatur business in 1978 and has added her own flare and expertise to the business taking it way beyond what anyone could have imagined. Del's always has a large variety of tempting treats, most of which can be found and ordered right here online. A package from Del's Popcorn Shop is always sure to put a smile on every face.

CITY: Decatur

Brans Nut Company Factory Store

Fresh roasted nuts of all kinds, 30 flavors of Jelly Belly jellybeans, chocolates and chocolate-covered nuts. Stop in for a bag or a gift tin. We roast on site! Open every day 9-5.

CITY: Wauconda

My Just Desserts

Follow the lead of the locals and order dessert first, as fresh-baked favorites like the Tollhouse brownies and Mrs. Ledbetter’s chocolate pie sell out early. For lunch, sample the hefty half-pound chicken salad sandwich or one of the homey casseroles.

CITY: Alton

Hershey's/Heath Candy

Heath candy was invented in the early 1900s in Robinson, and Hershey's produced the Heath bar and all of your favorites here.

CITY: Robinson

Black Jewel Popcorn

Stop by and sample black kernels of corn that pop to the whitest popcorn you've ever seen. Tours are available.

CITY: Lawrenceville

Eli's Cheesecake World

Eli's Cheesecake bakery cafe has the largest selection of Eli's anywhere! Take the Eli's experience and learn Eli's history, see cake decorators at work, enjoy a slice and more. Reservations required. Open Mon-Fri, 8a.m.-6p.m.; Sat, 9a.m.-5p.m.; Sun, 11a.m.-5p.m.

CITY: Chicago

Black Diamond Vineyards

This winery offers a quiet, relaxing setting and great wine. Be sure to check out the gift shop that features handmade truffles by Heavenly Sweets, lotions, oils and candles. Special events are held throughout the year.

CITY: Nashville

Chicago Chocolate Tours

Take a fun, educational guided walking and tasting tour of select chocolate shops along the Magnificent Mile or in the Loop. Learn about the history of chocolate and sample chocolate delights on this tasty tour

CITY: Chicago

Arndt's Fudge

Arndt's produces mouth-watering fudge in a variety of flavors. Stop by for a sample.

CITY: Newton

Magnolia Bakery

Magnolia Bakery is a classic American bakery cherished for its selection of old-fashioned, freshly baked desserts. We are dedicated to serving fresh, handmade menu items with superior customer service.

CITY: Chicago

Chocolate at the Pen

On Friday and Saturday evenings the Peninsula Chicago hotel presents a decadent chocolate buffet in its lobby. Reservations are recommended.

CITY: Chicago

Hailey’s Winery

Hailey's Winery specializes in handcrafted wines from grape varieties native to Illinois, as well as other varietals, and seasonal fruits. We are a fully functioning winery, with all wines produced and bottled on the premises. Wine tastings are available in our tasting room any time during our business hours, and we also have weekend music events. In addition to wine, we have homemade bread, cheeses, chocolates, and gift items.

CITY: Byron

Blackhawk Chocolate Trail

A delicious mixture of cocoa is found every which way along the Blackhawk Chocolate Trail in the four-county area of Northwest Illinois. Enjoy visiting candy stores, bed and breakfasts with special chocolate-themed packages, gift shops and old-fashioned soda fountains.

CITY: Polo

Del's Popcorn

Multitudes of flavors of popcorn and ice cream as a tasty stop on your visit.

CITY: Springfield

Long Grove Confectionery Chocolate Factory Tour

On the factory tour hear a brief history of Long Grove's candy kitchen, see chocolates being produced and sample gourmet chocolates before visiting the Factory Store.

CITY: Buffalo Grove

Hershey's Chicago

This engaging retail experience features the full line of Hershey's products, as well as one-of-a-kind gifts and souvenirs Be entertained by the singing baker at the bake shoppe, offering cupcakes, cookies and brownies all topped with Hershey's products.

CITY: Chicago

Long Grove Confectionery Co.

Experience how our handmade, gourmet chocolates are produced and packaged. Shopping in our Outlet Store completes the one-hour tour.

CITY: Buffalo Grove

Ferrara Pan Candy Company

Visit the Ferrara Pan Candy Company outlet store and see how many ways you can satisfy your candy cravings!

CITY: Forest Park

Funks Grove Pure Maple Syrup

Guided tours offered during February and March that show syrup making by the "Boiling Down" process. Gift store stocked with syrup as well as Route 66 memorabilia.

CITY: Shirley

Flamm Orchards/Fruits & Cream Stand

Take a drive out to the orchards and buy in-season strawberries, peaches and apples. Flamm's Fruits & Cream Stand offers treats like homemade strawberry shortcake, cobblers, apple dumplings and pies.

CITY: Cobden

Chocolate Buffet at The Peninsula Hotel Chicago

The Lobby at The Peninsula Chicago offers its Chocolate Bar from 8 p.m.-midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, an all-you-can-eat chocolate buffet features between 10 and 15 high-end confections, including cinnamon truffles, chocolate-dipped strawberries and chocolate pot de crème, plus beverages like lavender-scented white chocolate cocoa and more.

CITY: Chicago

The Chocolate Shoppe

The Chocolate Shoppe features handmade confections, including our world famous chocolate covered bacon! We also offer a variety of sea-salted caramels, truffles, fudge, nut clusters, barks toffees, hand-dipped chocolate popcorn, graham crackers, pretzels, chocolate-covered fruits and nuts, and specialty items like chocolate pasta, chocolate balsamic vinegars and more!

CITY: Utica

The 200 Acres

Located in the heart of Illinois' Amish country, The 200 Acres is a working farm that features beautiful gardens, including a spectacular collection of more than 5,000 mums, and offers its heirloom seeds for sale. The 200 Acres is especially known for its more than 300 varieties of rare pumpkins, squash and gourds from around the globe that are grown right on the farm and displayed in its Great Pumpkin Patch from mid-September through October 31 every year. The on-site Homestead Bakery sells made-from-scratch goodies such as pies and angel food cake during spring, summer and fall.

CITY: Arthur

Chicago Food Planet Tours

Take the 3-hour food tasting and cultural walking Chicago tours, which combine delicious food and drink tastings with some serious fun in Chicago’s most delicious, off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods. Suitable for all age groups and fitness levels, you’ll experience delectable foods from one-of-a-kind specialty food stores and ethnic eateries while receiving an insiders view into the culture, history and architecture that defines the Windy City. Walk away with new culinary perspectives, big smiles, satisfied taste buds and the confidence to continue exploring the areas where locals live.

CITY: Chicago