020 3542 8888
Fast Quote
Click here to visit our weather disruption page to get the latest information on Hurricane Milton

Illinois Travel Guide

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

View Illinois Offers

Experience everything Illinois has to offer

From world-class museums to shopping along the Magnificent Mile to one-of-a-kind outdoor spaces like Millennium Park, which celebrates its 20th Anniversary in 2024 – there is something for everyone in Chicago. 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 along the way. Savour mouthwatering deep-dish pizza and listen to live music – including classic Chicago blues and jazz – at iconic venues. 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.

Exclusive Offer

Fly Drive Route 66 Holiday

from £1599 Per Person
3/5
  • 15 Nights
Fly Drive
More USA

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

VIEW OFFER
FAST QUOTE
Exclusive Offer

Illinois Route 66

from £1649 Per Person
4/5
  • 6 Nights
Multi Centre
More USA
  • Chicago, Springfield, Collinsville, Illinois, Santa Monica, Los Angeles
VIEW OFFER
FAST QUOTE

Illinois Route 66 and The Great River Road

from £995 Per Person
3/5
  • 8 Nights
Fly Drive
More USA

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

VIEW OFFER
FAST QUOTE

Chicago City Break

from £915 Per Person
4/5
  • 4 Nights
Twin Centre
More USA
  • 4 Nights Millennium Hotel Knickerbocker Chicago
VIEW OFFER
FAST QUOTE
View more Illinois offers here

Experience Illinois with our Multi-Centre and Fly-Drive Holidays.
Call 020 3542 8888 to speak to our travelplanners and start planning your next trip.

Get your kicks on Route 66

300-mile stretch of American roadway, steeped in legend and packed full with eccentric lifers, nostalgic eats, quirky museums and more kitsch than you can shake a restored 1940’s gas pump at. This is the Mother Road. There is no better way to relive America’s golden age than along its most legendary highway, Route 66. The historic highway starts in Chicago and continues throughout the state. It is this iconic stretch where classic diners, drive-in theaters and quirky roadside attractions continue to wind their way through history and into the hearts of visitors to this very day. In fact, mile for mile you can discover more of Route 66 in Illinois than anywhere else. 

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.
  • Stop in Springfield for a visit to Motorheads, a restaurant and museum that is home to the world’s largest Route 66 sign and a new 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.
  • Experience Route 66 by EV using the new “Zero Emissions” road trip itinerary featuring 13 charging stations.

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 Midwest. Chicago is home of the jazz and blues, world-championship sports teams, an internationally acclaimed symphony orchestra, reowned architechture, 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-renowned museums, theatre, 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, hotels on the Magnificent Mile range from intimate boutique-style spots to some of the most luxurious in the city.

Grafton Zipline at Aerie's Resort in Grafton, Illinois. Photo by Ryan Donnell CMR:7004173

Outdoors & Adventure

Offering 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 in Illinois.

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

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
  • Sony’s Wonderverse (New) – Oak Brook
  • Chicago Symphony Orchestra
  • Chicago Architecture Center/Boat Tours
  • Broadway in Chicago
  • Allerton Folk School in Monticello
  • International Route 66 Mother Road Festival – September
  • Shawnee Hills Wine Trail 30th Anniversary  – 2025
  • Route 66 Centennial – 2026
  • USA’s 250th Birthday – 2026
  • Barack Obama Presidential Center – 2026
  • Presidents Cup – Medinah Country Club -September 2026
Illinois Architecture Boat Tour

Magnificent Mile

Bordering the Magnificent Mile, the area known as River North is the place to go for trendy bars and fine art galleries. 

The Loop is one of the most iconic parts of Chicago, located at the heart of the downtown area. The Loop is packed with skyscrapers, including Willis Tower, one of the tallest buildings on the planet. Hotels here land you in striking distance of Millennium Park, the Planetarium and the Art Institute and the city’s renowned theatre scene can be found here too. Cloud Gate is a public sculpture by Indian-born British artist Anish Kapoor, that is the centerpiece of AT&T Plaza at Millennium Park in the Loop community area.

Illinois Lincoln Home Springfield

Springfield

Illinois’ capital, Springfield, is located along Route 66 and 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!)

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 link with the infamous 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, H-D rentals and an on-site restaurant, Kegel’s is a must see.

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.

Historical

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. Plus visit one of the most celebrated presidential museums in the world. Lincoln’s legacy marked the beginning of a long history of presidents, including Grant, Reagan and Obama.

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. This remarkable region is also home to Lewis & Clark’s historic point of departure, the Shawnee National Forest, and the appropriately named Garden of the Gods.

But while Illinois’ attractions characterize 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.

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 decor.

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.

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.

Illinois Aerial drone shot of Navy Pier
5/5

Expertise

  • No.1 Independent USA Specialist
  • We Won't Be Beaten On Price
  • Local USA Office & Team
  • Unrivalled USA Knowledge
5/5

Service

  • Over 40 Years Service
  • Great Value Added Extras
  • 24 Hour Emergency Helpline
  • Outstanding Customer Service
5/5

Protection

  • ABTA Bonded
  • ATOL Protected
  • Financial Protection
  • Your Money is Safe With Us
5/5

Reputation

  • Over 40 Years Service
  • Great Value Added Extras
  • 24 Hour Emergency Helpline
  • Outstanding Customer Service
Opening Times
ATOL

Your Money Is Safe With Us
Your money is safe with travelplanners. Benefit from financial protection with ATOL & ABTA when you book with us.

Facebook Instagram X-twitter
Copyright © 2024 travelplanners

Correspondence address:
travelplanners – Lytchett House, 13 Freeland Park, Wareham Road, Poole, Dorset, BH16 6FA

web design by webwax