Discover Illinois, acclaimed as the Land of Lincoln, where a captivating history meets a diverse landscape that spans from fertile farmlands to thriving urban centers. Nestled in the heart of the Midwest and the Great Lakes region, Illinois shares borders with Wisconsin, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, and Iowa, while the northern maritime border is graced by the serene Lake Michigan. The state’s natural contours embrace the Mississippi, Ohio, and Wabash rivers, alongside picturesque valleys, woodlands, and hills. Immerse yourself in our guide to the amazing Places to Visit in Illinois and unveil the exceptional sites that define this captivating state.
While Chicago is the most well-known destination in Illinois, the rest of the state has plenty to offer as well. Galena is a small city brimming with historical sites, while the state capital of Springfield boasts several memorials and museums dedicated to Abraham Lincoln’s life and legacy. Nature enthusiasts can explore Starved Rock State Park’s breathtaking canyons and waterfalls or wander among Shawnee National Forest’s woodlands and rock formations. The Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is another must-visit spot, featuring an enormous ancient metropolis built by Native Americans over 800 years ago.
Chicago is a world-class city that is home to a vibrant jazz and blues scene, professional sports teams, top-notch dining and nightlife options, and world-class museums. The city’s skyline is a sight to behold, especially when it rises over the sparkling waters of Lake Michigan. Route 66 also passes through many communities and landmarks in Illinois, making it a great road trip destination.
Illinois is a microcosm of the United States, with its rural and urban divisions, diverse cultures, and varying landscapes. Whether you prefer exploring historic towns, taking it easy on the lakeshore, or immersing yourself in the heart of a bustling city, Illinois has something for everyone. This article provides an overview of the state’s top tourist destinations, so start planning your trip today!
10. Anderson Japanese Gardens
A serene view of the Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, Illinois. Image source: Ana S. Chao/Shutterstock.com
Anderson Japanese Gardens may be found in Rockford, the third biggest city in Illinois. This location is home to what many consider to be the finest Japanese garden in the whole country. These seasonal gardens are meticulously cared for and are only open from May to October.
Besides flora, the landscape also includes natural water features, bridges, pagodas, and lanterns, all of which contribute to the stunning final product. Take a photo on the Cypress Bridge that leads to the Garden of Reflection and pick up a map at the Visitor Center.
Amazing Places to Visit in Illinois: Champaign-Urbana
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s main quad. Image source: Leigh Trail/Shutterstock.com
Champaign-Urbana is home to the University of Illinois’s main campus. College towns don’t get much better than this one. Champaign and Urbana were really two cities but have become one large urban area.
Visit the Spurlock Museum, an interesting assortment of antiquities from all around the world, and immerse yourself in the academic atmosphere. The Market at the Square is a vibrant, pleasant spot to hang out, especially on Saturdays, whether you’re looking for some excellent coffee or completing your weekly shopping.
8. Tunnel Hill State Trail
The Tunnel Hill State Trail, a popular biking and hiking trail in southern Illinois. Image source: Sean Patrick Doran/Shutterstock.com
The Tunnel Hill State Trail, located in southeastern Illinois, is a fantastic but less well-known attraction in the state. The whole distance of the path is just less than five miles, and it goes through many lengthy tunnels.
The path passes through some beautiful landscapes, including former strip mines and agricultural areas. The crushed gravel route is perfect for walking, jogging, or biking, as it winds through beautiful ravines and along streams and bluffs. Start off from Vienna to make your way to the trail’s beginning.
Amazing Places to Visit in Illinois: Lincoln’s New Salem
A replica of Abraham Lincoln’s grocery store in New Salem Village, Illinois. Image source: Charles Brutlag/Shutterstock.com
Abraham Lincoln is without a doubt one of the most significant American presidents. If you’re interested in American history or you just really like Lincoln, you should definitely check out Lincoln’s New Salem and pay your respects to this wonderful guy.
Lincoln called New Salem, Illinois, home from 1831 to 1837, and this replica is an exact replica of the original. Twenty-three structures in Lincoln’s New Salem are available for exploration. A lot of them are log cabins, and many of them have guides in historical garb.
Everything from the furnishings to the clothing to the horses is authentic to the historical period, making this a great opportunity to see Lincoln’s influence in Illinois.
6. Shawnee National Forest
Garden of the Gods, a beautiful rock formation in Shawnee National Forest, Illinois. Image source: Anthony Heflin/Shutterstock.com
Visit Shawnee National Forest when you need to get away from it all. This national forest, located at the state’s farthest southern tip, was previously covered by the Laurentide Ice Sheet. Thankfully, the Shawnee National Forest has been reclaimed from the ice and is now a fantastic location for outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, swimming, and photography.
Shawnee’s crowning glory is the Garden of the Gods, a breathtaking rock formation that appears on the Illinois quarter and is the primary reason people visit the area. The Garden of the Gods is surrounded by a short observation path that allows visitors to take in the scenery from every vantage point.
Amazing Places to Visit in Illinois: Cahokia Mounds
Aerial view of the ancient Native American burial mound Cahokia Mounds in Illinois. Image source: Kent Raney/Shutterstock.com
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Park may be found not far from St. Louis, on the other side of the state line. American Indians built the remarkable Cahokia Mounds about 800 years ago. There is a widespread consensus that the mounds represent the ruins of the greatest pre-Columbian metropolis found north of Mexico.
Grass has grown on the remaining 69 mounds. One of the greatest of these mounds is called Monks Mound, and it stands at over a hundred feet. Woodhenge is another fascinating feature of Cahokia, and it is remarkably similar to Stonehenge in England in that it is a big circle constructed by 48 wooden poles that coincide with the solar calendar.
4. Starved Rock State Park
A scenic view of the canyons at Starved Rock State Park in Illinois. Image source: Nejdet Duzen/Shutterstock.com
Starved Rock State Park is located on the Illinois River’s western bank. The park’s proximity to Chicago means that it attracts day trippers from the city as well as tourists from farther afield. Sandstone canyons, produced by the retreat of glaciers, may be seen in Starved Rock State Park.
Wildcat Canyon and French Canyon are two examples of canyons with waterfalls. Hiking is a fantastic way to explore Starved Rock State Park, and the Lover’s Leap Overlook offers the park’s greatest vista. Hikers should keep an eye out for wildlife, such as deer and migratory birds, while out on the trail.
Amazing Places to Visit in Illinois: Galena
A picturesque autumn view of Galena town in Illinois. Image source: Nejdet Duzen/Shutterstock.com
Galena, Illinois, is among the most fascinating cities in all of Illinois for those interested in the state’s past. Galena, Illinois, is a city on the Mississippi River that has earned the nickname “The City That Time Forgot.” Although Galena served as a significant port in the 19th century, the tourist industry is currently the city’s primary source of revenue.
Galena is best seen on foot, and Main Street is the ideal place to start since it is lined with charming mom-and-pop shops located in historic 19th century structures. The mansion of former President Ulysses S. Grant, who resided there before the Civil War, is also accessible by footbridge.
2. Springfield
A view of the Illinois State Capitol building in Springfield. Image source: Mihai_Andritoiu/Shutterstock.com
Springfield, the state capital, was also Lincoln’s home city. If you’re looking for Lincoln-related attractions in Illinois, you won’t find a better spot to go.
Lincoln’s house, where he spent the better part of 17 years, is now a national historic site. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is a large and interesting site that may be explored in a couple of hours. Visitors often stop at Oak Ridge Cemetery, one of the most visited burial grounds in the world, where Lincoln and many of his family members lie in peace.
Amazing Places to Visit in Illinois: Chicago
A stunning view of the Chicago skyline from Lincoln Park in Illinois. Image source: Iris_Images/Shutterstock.com
Without a doubt, Chicago is the most visited city in Illinois, if not all of the Midwest. There is a lot to see and do in this massive city, but the best of it is concentrated around the Loop. The Bean, a famously reflecting artwork at Millennium Park in Chicago’s Loop neighbourhood, The Chicago Institute of Art, widely considered to be among the finest art museums in the United States, is also located in the heart of the city’s cultural epicentre, the Loop.
The Aon Center, the curving Chase Tower, and Mies van der Rohe’s Federal Center are just a few of the world-renowned buildings that can be seen on a walking tour of Chicago’s iconic architecture and cityscape.
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