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Illinois Travel Guide

Discover the charm and excitement of Illinois, where every corner of the state offers something unique and memorable.

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Experience everything Illinois has to offer

Illinois, offers a rich tapestry of experiences. From the historic communities and presidential landmarks to the vibrant arts scene, Chicago is a city where history and modernity blend seamlessly. Start your journey at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum in Springfield, then dive into the city’s dynamic cultural life with its renowned museums, galleries, and live blues scene. The Magnificent Mile is a shopper’s paradise, while sports enthusiasts can catch thrilling games from the city’s iconic teams like the Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs, and White Sox. No matter the season, Chicago’s festivals, markets, and events ensure there’s always something exciting happening.

One of America’s greatest architects, Frank Lloyd Wright called Illinois home and filled it with some of his best works. Enjoy the Frank Lloyd Wright Trail a self-guided architectural adventure featuring 12 Wright-designed buildings, open to the public for tours and includes two UNESCO World Heritage sites.  Take in a sky-high view from one of Chicago’s thrilling observation decks – Skydeck Chicago or 360 CHICAGO. Snap a selfie at world-renowned artist Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Gate sculpture, commonly referred to as “The Bean.”  Stroll down Chicago’s Riverwalk, stopping for a drink or some food along the way.  The best places to eat in Illinois offer everything from your expected Illinois cuisine to truly unique takes on a million different flavuors and types of food. Soak in the city’s spectacular skyline, art scene and inspiring architecture from an entirely new perspective during Navy Pier’s all-new, nine-minute Flyover in Chicago experience.

But while Illinois’ attractions characterise the best of the authentic American experience, chances are, if you ask someone who has visited what they remember the most, they will say the warm, friendly people. This hospitality is something that is felt throughout the state and in the people who are waiting to welcome you.

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Fly Drive Route 66 Holiday

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Explore the Classic Route 66 stopping off at the following Destinations : Chicago, Oklahoma, Albuquerque, Las Vegas,  & more

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Illinois Route 66

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Illinois Route 66 and The Great River Road

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Visit Some Superb Destinations: Chicago, Springfield, Grafton & Galena

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Chicago

The perfect ‘Hang Out’ City!

Chicago is a city of world-class status and unparalleled beauty. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan in the heart of the Midwest. Chicago is home of the jazz and blues, world-championship sports teams, an internationally acclaimed symphony orchestra, renowned architecture, award-winning theatre and much more.

The biggest city of the Great Lakes region, Chicago sits on more than 26 miles of uninterrupted lakefront, offering 15 miles of sandy beaches and hundreds of beautiful parks, all nestled within a skyline of architectural wonders. You’ll find world-famous museums, theatres, nightlife and music of every style, and some of the best foodie hot spots in the States.

One of America’s most fascinating cities, with a wealth of shops, restaurants and bars, Chicago’s Magnificent Mile is home to some of the city’s tallest buildings, such as the John Hancock Center and Trump International Hotel & Tower. Close to the downtown area, the hotels on the Magnificent Mile range from intimate boutique-style spots to some of the most luxurious in the city.

Soak in the city’s spectacular skyline, vibrant art scene and inspiring architecture from an entirely new perspective during Navy Pier’s all-new, nine-minute Flyover in Chicago experience.

Purchase a Chicago CityPass for entry to five of Chicago’s must-see attractions. With CityPass, you can save an amazing 50% off regular admissions and skip most ticket lines. Explore the Shedd Aquarium VIP, the Field Museum and Underground Adventure, Skydeck Chicago and many more of the city’s famous attractions.

Chicago CityPass

Purchase a Chicago CityPass for entry to five of Chicago’s must-see attractions. With CityPass, you can save an amazing 50% off regular admissions and skip most ticket lines. Explore the Shedd Aquarium VIP, the Field Museum and Underground Adventure, Skydeck Chicago and many more of the city’s famous attractions.

Get your kicks on Route 66

Route 66 begins in Chicago and winds its way south-west through Illinois to The Mississippi River. As you follow this iconic 300-mile stretch of “The Mother Road” through the state you’ll encounter charming towns brimming with vintage diners, quirky roadside photo-ops, museums and a wealth of history waiting to be explored.

Starting in the heart of downtown Chicago at the iconic Route 66 “Begin” sign and visit some legendary stops along the way:

Tour the Old Joliet Prison, best known for being a favourite filming location for movies and TV shows such as The Blues Brothers and Prison Break.

  • Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum, Pontiac. Route 66 is home to many-a museum, but there’s one you should stop by above all others: the Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum in Pontiac (where you got that photo in front of the mural!). There you can take in thousands of artifacts and memorabilia from Route 66’s glory days, learn stories from expert guides, and get a real sense of why Route 66 plays such a huge part in America’s history and identity.
  • Stop in Springfield for a visit to Motorheads Bar, Grill & Museum, home to the world’s largest Route 66 sign and live entertainment venue, the Motordome.
  • Experience the new Legends Neon Sign Park at the Illinois State Fairground in Springfield. The park is an homage to the incredible signs once found along the Mother Road.
  • The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, Collinsville. Once this was the point Route 66 left Illinois, ushering cars across the Mississippi into Missouri. But it retired from that work in 1970, and after many years sitting in uncertainty, it’s now content just to carry pedestrians and cycles, and to serve as a pilgrimage point for Route 66 aficionados. It also stood in as a New York bridge in the 1981 film Escape from New York, even if it is actually nowhere near New York.
  • Experience Route 66 by EV using the new “Zero Emissions” road trip itinerary featuring 13 charging stations.
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Chicago Abraham Lincoln presidential museum exterior

Springfield

Illinois’ capital, Springfield, is home to numerous historic attractions including the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum – voted one of the top experiences in the world by TripAdvisor, Travelers’ Choice Awards.

Visit several of Springfield’s most historic sites for free.

  • Lincoln Home National Historic Site
  • Old State Capitol
  • Lincoln Tomb (Rub Lincoln’s nose for good luck!)

Illinois will always be the Land of Lincoln. With good reason, too. Abraham Lincoln spent the majority of his life in Illinois, fondly referring to it as home. Here, you can discover everything from his log cabin in the historic village of New Salem to his home in Springfield. Lincoln’s legacy marked the beginning of a long history of presidents, including Grant, Reagan and Obama.

Arts, Culture & Events

Illinois is home to world-class museums, architecture and performing arts. Discover one-of-a-kind events and festivals all year long

  • Art Institute of Chicago
  • Chicago Architecture Center/Boat Tours
  • Broadway in Chicago
  • Route 66 Centennial – 2026
  • USA’s 250th Birthday – 2026
  • Barack Obama Presidential Center – 2026
  • Presidents Cup – Medinah Country Club -September 2026
Illinois Garden of the Gods

Outdoors & Adventure

The Mississippi River defines the entire western side of Illinois and if it’s the great wide-open outdoors you’re looking, then you must explore Great Rivers Country. Charming river towns, steamboats, sprawling vineyards, and quaint bed and breakfasts are just of few discoveries that await visitors.

Illinois offers great ways to get the family into the Great Outdoors with adventures including hiking, biking, and interacting with wildlife.

Home to 70 state parks and recreation areas, 2,900 lakes and seven national scenic byways, there is no shortage of outdoor adventure.

Enjoy visiting some of Illinois’s the great parks and gardens listed below:

  • Starved Rock State Park – Oglesby
  • Garden of the Gods – Shawnee National Forest
  • Grafton Sky Tour – Grafton
  • Mississippi Palisades State Park – Savanna
  • Chicago Botanic Garden – Glencoe
  • Morton Arboretum – Lisle
  • Anderson Japanese Gardens – Rockford
  • Cave-In-Rock State Park in Cave-In-Rock

Starved Rock, Utica
Explore bluffs and waterfalls along miles of trails.

The lush forest of Starved Rock State Park, with its serene waterfalls and beautiful lodge, offers a quiet retreat for visitors. Naturalist-led programs draw you farther into this hilly wonderland, located just minutes from the wineries, quaint shops and restaurants in Utica.

Gurnee 
A playground of coasters, water slides and shopping. Just north of Chicago, you’ll find a nirvana of theme parks and endless shopping called Gurnee. Here, you can race down a roller coaster, splash through a water park, and shop the largest outlet mall in Illinois, packed with more than 200 stores.

Illinois Starved Rock Waterfall

Rockford

The Rockford region is set in the rolling, beautiful hills of Northern Illinois and only a 90 minute drive from the world class city of Chicago. Whether you want to explore the rich culture, exquisite Japanese gardens, visit the nature museum featuring Sue the T-Rex, or stroll through the Midway Village Museum which transports visitors 100 years back in time with 26 historical structures typical in a rural Northern Illinois town, including a general store, schoolhouse, town hall and police station. The Museum also celebrates Rockford’s very own cloth based celebrity: the iconic sock monkey.

Kegel Harley-Davidson Motorcycles is the world’s oldest family-owned Harley Davidson dealership. Complete with an expanded Harley-Davidson showroom, fashion & riding gear, collectables, motorcycle rentals and an on-site restaurant, Kegel’s is a must see.

IT’S HANDMADE, HOMEMADE, LOCALLY MADE, IT’S ILLINOIS MADE

A longtime manufacturing hub, local artisans continue the city’s centuries-long tradition of creating, making everything from delicious treats to stylish clothes to chic home décor for visitors to Chicago to enjoy.

Deep in the heart of the state’s prairies, local makers are pouring their passion into artful desserts, small-batch spirits, and classic furniture that are honestly amazing.

In the charming small towns along the great rivers of the region, makers are crafting some of the finest pottery, handmade heirlooms, and delightful trinkets in the Midwest.

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