Best National Parks In Illinois To Visit In 2023!

BY  Sibashree Oct 15, 2024

Lassen Volcanic National Park was in the news recently as the fourth-largest wildfire in California exploded out of proportion. The park's officials evacuated staff from the Mineral community near the park headquarters.  120 people were there in the community, and the evacuation started as the fire started moving east to the park on the evening of 26th July 2024.  However, the park fire reached near containment in August, and on 17th August 2024, the park was partially reopened. You may wonder what to see in Lassen Volcanic National Park after the fire breakout and if there is any significant destruction in the places of interest in the park.  Let me assure you. The park officials stated that the fire had never entered the park. However, there are still risks in the southern part of the park and Mill Creek and Mineral communities.  Nevertheless, the reopened parts of the park are out of danger despite some lingering smoke. So, Subway Cave, located around 15 miles north of Lassen Volcanic National Park, is one of the safest sites to explore after the fire incident. Make a rush, as it remains open from late April to November.  What To See In Lassen Volcanic National Park After The Fire Breakout (Exploring The Underground World Of A Lava Tube) Yes, you got me right! I am talking about the Subway Cave. The self-guided trail inside the cave is ⅓ miles long and 30 feet wide, and complete darkness is inside. So, many call it the journey into darkness. The USDA Forest Service maintains the cave, which remains open from dawn to dusk.  Before I get into more stories and facts about the cave, I want to present the basics you need to know briefly.  Important Facts About Subway Cave, Lassen National Volcanic Park Location in the ParkA 2-minute walk from the parking lot near the junction of “Highway 89” and “Highway 44” in Old StationAmenitiesPicnic TablesDrinking WaterParkingToiletsInterpretive SiteFeesFree (You can make donations)Pet-FriendlyNoParking FacilitiesMany Parking Facilities, Buses and RVsOutdoor ActivitiesInterpretative Sessions, Caving, PicnicTemperature Inside the Cave46 Degree Farrenheit Nearby AttractionShasta County (Mountainous landscape and multiple picnic locations)Nearby Trails*Cinder Crone TrailSpattercone Nature TrailButte Lake to Widow Lake, etc.  *Many hiking trails in the park, such as the Lassen Peak, Bumpass Hell, and Mill Creek Falls, are closed as the park has partially reopened after the recent wildfire explosion. So, check with the park authorities before you plan a hike on the park trails.  This Is How The Subway Cave Was Formed  If you are a keen learner of geology and want to know what to see in Lassen Volcanic National Park, you cannot avoid the lure of Subway Cave. I have already shared an account on the geothermal wonders of the park. This cave is an example of how lava flowed around 20000 years ago and created some magic.  A major lava explosion happened all across the Hat Creek area around 20000 years ago. The top layer of the lava flow became cold and hard in contact with air. Thus, a hard cap was formed. However, there was a continuous flow of molten lava below this cap.  The molten lava drained out Over time, but a hollow tube structure remained there. As you hike this trail, you will find traces of the more recent lava flows.  Route To The Subway Cave Is Bumpass Hell on your list of what to see in Lassen Volcanic National Park? Are you planning a trip to the park soon? Then, you will be disappointed as the Bumpass Hell trek route is closed after the park has reopened following the recent fire breakout.  Further, as Bumpass Hell is closed, you must take the Warner Valley Area route to  Devils Kitchen, which is the cave's opening. Devils Kitchen is a 4.4-mile hike from the Warner Valley Area (camping here is closed for 2024).   Accessing The Subway Cave  You have to climb down metal stairs as you access the Subway Cave. You will get down into a wide opening in the ground. The ground surface has a leveled floor. However, you must be careful as you get off the stair flight.  Further, you must wear sturdy footwear to avoid injuries and difficulties where the floor gets rough.  Fortunately, the ceiling and walls are quite smooth, minimizing the hiking difficulty level while hiking. Also, there is complete darkness inside the cave. So, you will need a flashlight to make it to the end.  The weather inside is a little cold, even in summer. So you will need a light jacket. Moreover, don’t forget to read and follow the interpretative signs through the trail to better understand the place.  The best thing about this park is that it’s 30 feet wide. So, even with complete darkness inside, you never feel suffocated.  What To See In Lassen Volcanic National Park Subway Cave It is not a long walk inside the Subway Cave. However, this short walk is enough to make it feature on the list of what to see in Lassen Volcanic Park.  Lucifer’s Cul-de-sac (An Attraction Very Few Knows About) Have you listened to Satan’s Cul-de-sac from Gangland Buries Its Own? The first thing that may amaze you inside the cave is Lucifer’s Cul-de-sac. There is a split as you enter the cave, and you are to turn to the right if you want to continue the trail. However, you will notice a big room if you are adventurous enough to turn left, when I tell you about Lucifer’s Cul-de-sac, The ceiling height starts from 6 feet and gets higher up to 15 feet. The most amazing thing about this room inside the cave is the rock formation on the ceiling and walls. It’s gothic and justified its name.  https://open.spotify.com/track/6cq37W4OXjEdQRLh2IVQOF As The Hike Advances  The ceiling height will vary as you continue the trek, and there are small boulder-like rock formations in many places. So, be careful with your steps and do not stumble upon them. Also, because of these rock formations, you must not wear an open-toe shoe while walking through the cave.  Nevertheless, the ceiling formation is fascinating, and in one section, it looks like stoned rainfall or water ripples. The section is called the Lavacicle Lane. Molten lava dripped off through the cracks in the ceiling cave, and there were formations of “drip pendants” or “lavacicles.”  Further, as you plan to take the exit, you notice all the colors in the lava rock formation, including green, blue, white, and brown lines.  Getting Out Of The Subway Cave As you approach the end of the cave, you will find a metal stair flight similar to the one at the entrance. From the top of the exit staircase, you can hike through an on-ground trail to the west or north to find the parking lot.  However, I prefer to take another walk through the cave and get back to the entrance. It will be so much fun to explore this unique geological formation again.  Things To Remember Before Getting Into The Darkness Of The Subway Cave  Subway Cave is a hidden gem if you consider what to see in Lassen Volcanic National Park. However, once you take the hike and read the interpretative signs, you will learn why it is geologically unique.  Nevertheless, you must be careful about certain things to ensure complete safety throughout the hike.  You will find rattlesnakes in the trail, and you have to be respectful to these reptiles. You must not make any move to catch or hurt them. Moreover, you cannot go off trails or litter inside the cave.  No food, water, or firelighting is allowed inside the cave. There are picnic areas nearby for you to catch refreshments. Wish you a safe, easy, and fun-filled experience inside the Subway Cave!  Also read Why Include Whale Watching In Your LA Itinerary. Traveling On A Budget: Tips For Affordable Adventures. From Cocktails To Kickflips: Must-Try Activities In San Diego.

BY  sagnika Jul 21, 2023

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Alternatives For Skyscanner You can use certain alternatives if you need access to Skyscanner, which provides services quite similar to Skyscanner. Different options exist for booking your flights, hotels, and car rentals. It is effortless to use these sites, and you can benefit from them. Momondo is one such skyscanner alternative as a travel fare aggregator which you can use to find deals and offers related to travel. Initially, it is another option to search for flights and hotels. However, it is more efficient than other sites. You can also use it as a comparison site. Google Flights is another alternative that can be used in place of Sky-scanner, one of the best services. When comparing Skyscanner vs Google Flights, the service Google Flights is one of the simplest websites where you do not need to make any payment or sign-up. Kayak is another search engine where you can use the internet to find all personalized destinations and travel plans. 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BY  Barsha Nov 24, 2022

So you have arrived at our ultimate list of all the top group friendly restaurants in Las Vegas that you must check out before 2022 disappears from our lives forever! Of course, when you plan on visiting the dazzling Sin City, we know what’s on your mind - the casinos, right?  But what about checking out the lesser-known attractions or trying out new places for lunch, breakfast, or even dinner before you hit the clubs with your group? Don’t worry because we have got you completely sorted! So keep reading and definitely stick around for an inside scoop on all the best restaurants to visit with friends.  Best Group Friendly Restaurants In Las Vegas In 2022: You don’t have to type ‘restaurants for large groups near me’ on Google and waste time - instead, you can just scroll down and check out all the best group friendly restaurants in Las Vegas! We know that a hangover is difficult to deal with, so chill out with your friends and trust us to get all your meals sorted! You just have to stick around till the very end - that’s the deal we have for you! Juan's Flaming Fajitas & Cantina: Price Range₹891 - ₹3,240Address9640 W Tropicana Ave Ste 101, Las Vegas, NV 89147-2604Contact+1 702-823-1400WebsitejuansflamingfajitasCuisineMexican and Latin Juan’s Flaming Fajitas & Cantina is one of those ideal restaurants for groups - you get the best Mexican food here. And that’s not all. If you are vegetarian or vegan, even then, you won’t be disappointed. Plus, they serve gluten-free options as well!  Reviews: “The staff was amazing, and the drinks and food were some of the best we have had anywhere. We went here because we heard the queso was good, and it is, however, the fajitas and the fajita presentation are AMAZING!!” “This place has the most delicious pozole I ever had, great Mexican food. The service of my waiter Cristian was beyond good, always with a great attitude. I definitely highly recommend this restaurant.” “It's a must-go when we make our annual vegas trip. We discovered Juan's several years ago, and it hasn't changed. Excellent food and margaritas. Happy, friendly staff. Reasonable prices and lots of food for your money.” Texas de Brazil: Price Range₹2,511 - ₹4,050Address6533 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89119-3214Contact+1 702-614-0080WebsitetexasdebrazilCuisineBrazilian If you are looking for a group friendly restaurant that also excels as a steakhouse then there’s no way you can miss out on Texas de Brazil. You just don’t find mouthwatering steaks made in the Brazilian style, you will also find gluten-free options - you never know which member in the group is only eating gluten-free food.  Reviews: “Once again, a wonderful meal at Texas de Brazil! The food is always fresh, prime, and cooked just perfectly when it comes off that sword! We are lucky to have two great Brazilian-style steak places in town!” “We just "happened" upon this place because everywhere else was packed for lunch. It was expensive but worth every penny. The food was great & the experience even better.” I was seated after a 10-minute wait. Our waitress (Tatum) was awesome. She kept the meats coming at a good rate. I love the Picanha, and beef ribs were the best for me. A little crowded but not noisy. Will be back” Weera Thai Restaurant: Price Range₹486 - ₹1,944Address3839 W Sahara Ave Suite 7-9, Las Vegas, NV 89102-0540Contact+1 702-873-8749WebsiteweerathaiCuisineAsian and Thai Hailing from Chiangmai, Thailand, the Weera Thai Restaurant is a famous name in their home for serving delicious and authentic Thai food for over three decades. Perfect for group friendly dining, you can visit Weera to explore the best of Thailand, and they also have plenty of vegans, vegetarian, and gluten-free options! Reviews: “Worth walking to from Palace Station casino, this restaurant appears to be a local favorite. The lunch specials included the soup, and it definitely stole the show, in my opinion. I wish I had some right now.” “Excellent authentic Thai food with a wide variety of options. Everything that we ordered was very tasty, we ordered from the lunch menu, and the sizes of the portions were perfect. The service was also very good, and the ambiance was quiet and unique.” “We went as guests of a friend who is a local and were really happy with the place, the food, and the service. Weera is a find, so wherever you are on the strip, get a taxi and go there. You will be happy!” McMullan's Irish Pub: Price Range₹324 - ₹1,458Address4650 W Tropicana Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89103-5249Contact+1 702-247-7000WebsitemcmullansirishpubCuisineIrish A group friendly restaurant that stays open for 24 hours, McMullan's Irish Pub is a local pub, right out of a novel. And if you are a sucker for Irish food, then there’s no way you can miss out on this beautiful pub that gives out the right kind of feel.  Reviews: “Somewhere good to watch premiership football, we watched the Arsenal game, very friendly atmosphere. food good, Mary who looked after us, was excellent.” “We stopped here after looking at TA, and we loved it. The shepherd's pie was amazing, as was the chicken salad with potatoes. Also, there was an amazing selection of beers. Love this place!” “All the Irish food is great, especially the Irish Nachos. I love being able to have Cider with my meal, my companions like the various beers. suggest you make reservations for dinner.” Ferraro's Ristorante: Price Range₹3,240 - ₹4,860Address4480 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89169Contact+1 702-364-5300WebsiteferraroslasvegasCuisineTuscan, Cental Italian, and Italian If you are looking for restaurants for big groups then you can’t miss out on Ferraro's Ristorante! A little on the expensive side, this place serves delectable Tuscan, Central-Italian, and classic Italian dishes. And, of course, you will find vegetarian, vegan, as well as gluten-free options! Review: “From the tasty bread and oil, through magnificent carpaccio and mouth-watering vale. Wine and food were served by the service-minded waiters and sommeliers. Best dinner in Las Vegas!” “Delicious little gem. We had some Spaghetti Aglio, Olio, e Peperoncino “Ridiculously Good. Two plates of Gnocchi Al Pistachio Siciliano. A split plate of Rigatoni Alla Spilinga. Ended our six-course meal with Bucatini Amatriciana. Thank you to Oscar and the rest of the team” “Great atmosphere, Great people, Great manager, Attention to service. Do not miss the chance to visit if you are in Vegas” Casa Di Amore: Price Range₹1,620 - ₹2,592Address2850 E Tropicana Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89121-7354Contact+1 702-433-4967WebsitecasadiamoreCuisineItalian, Southern Italian, and Sicilian Another Italian group friendly restaurant, Casa Di Amore also specializes in Southern Italian dishes, more importantly, Sicilian food. The food’s definitely the star of this Italian restaurant, but if you are looking for an X-factor, the place’s got more than one. Our favorite? The live Jazz music is accompanied by fantastic service!  Review: “Absolute gem! The food is the star of the show, but the live jazz music and fantastic service added to a wonderful experience. Highly recommended!” “Great time!! The food and service were exceptional. Oh, and the bread, wow!! Waiter Tony was the best!! Will definitely come back when we're in Vegas again, live music to end it all!” “Large group for dinner - got picked up and dropped off after with wonderful driver wild music down the strip. Had a great meal with cool blues music inn the background. Huge meals - wonderful service, and, being a Monday, the wine was half-price.” Omelet House: Price RangeNot SpecifiedAddress2160 W Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89102-2243Contact+1 702-384-6868WebsiteomelethouseCuisineBrunch, Lunch, Breakfast One of those restaurants for large groups where you can have breakfast or even a nice brunch, Omelet House is popular for their generous portions and delicious omelets! If you love a nice, heavy breakfast as much as we do, then don’t miss out on this local favorite! Review: “Just great food and service was outstanding. Highly recommend. A great variety of food and choices to fit anyone’s appetite.” “The food here is excellent with the emphasis on the old school flavors. Everything here is delicious, but I love their omelets the best.” “We stopped here on our way out of Vegas as part of our tour to the Grand Canyon. Orders were called in a few minutes before our arrival. Food was fast, hot, and good.” Mercato Della Pescheria: Price Range₹1,620 - ₹8,100Address3377 Las Vegas Blvd S Ste 2410 Suite 2410, Las Vegas, NV 89109Contact+1 702-837-0309WebsitemercatodellapescheriaCuisineItalian, Central Italian, and Tuscan Yet another Italian group friendly restaurant, Mercato Della Pescheria is well known among the local for serving authentic Italian dishes, and even varieties of seafood. And that’s not the best part! The best part is how the food is served fresh, market-style. Review: “The setting is very nice and romantic … if you like this kind of fake Italy. The service is very nice. The wine list was nice, although only the third attempt found a bottle available. The food was good but not outstanding.” “We love, love this restaurant! During this visit we celebrated a family birthday and had a great time. Everything from pizza to chicken parm was excellent! Our server was was Julia and she was excellent!! She made our celebration special!” “Great atmosphere. Delicious pastas. A special callout for our waitress Grace, who was personable and very knowledgeable even though she was new! Highly recommend!” Fresco Italiano: Price RangeNot SpecifiedAddress3000 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109Contact+1 702-732-5276WebsiteNot SpecifiedCuisineItalian, Central Italian, and Tuscan One of the best restaurants for parties, albeit small ones, there’s no way you can miss out on Fresco Italiano while visiting Las Vegas. It might be a little small if you are seeking large party restaurants - but again, it depends on how many people are going to be there. Also, you can try to reserve the entire place.  Review: “Great food…worth the price tag. Excellent end to a fun weekend! Will definitely be back next time!!!” “Meal was fantastic and our server DANTE was the best, he even sang to us!!! I give him a15 on a scale of 1-10!!! Definitely would go back!!!” “What an incredible experience from start to finish. The food was delicious and Michael’s service (and singing) took it to the next level. If you visit Vegas or you love Italian food then a visit to Fresco and service by the wonderful Michael Blake is a must. Would definitely return.” Yard House: Price RangeNot SpecifiedAddress3545 Las Vegas Blvd S The Linq, Las Vegas, NV 89109-8978Contact+1 702-597-0434WebsiteyardhouseCuisineAmerican A top group friendly restaurant in Las Vegas, Yard House makes you always want to come back. The food was great, the beer kept flowing, and the service was excellent. We have absolutely no complaints. So there’s no way you can forget about this beauty on your trip to Sin City! Review: “The food was excellent menu price was good and the Korean garlic chicken wings are the best we had. Pretzel was huge. Good time. Great food.” “Perfect cooked steak with shrimp and tasty mashed potatoes with about a hundred different beers server was great.” “Absolutely fantastic. Reasonably priced beer (compared with the Strip) and their Ribeye steaks were to die for. So good we went back the next day, just before leaving Las Vegas for our return to the UK. Good atmosphere and great service.” And It’s A Wrap! So now you have a fair idea of all the crazy group friendly restaurants that you must check out on your visit to Las Vegas. There’s only a little time left this year - so check these out before we move on to the next batch of trending restaurants to visit in different luxury locations across the globe. Bon Appétit! Don’t forget to share your thoughts and experiences on these places in the comments below!