Illinois

While most visitors will come to Illinois for the vibrant city life in Chicago, renowned for its architecture, cultural attractions, and culinary scene. But it’s worth exploring outsided this major city too: history buffs won’t want to miss a visit to Abraham Lincoln’s home in Springfield or the 19th-century architecture in Galena, while nature lovers should head to Illinois’ scenic Shawnee National Forest or the sandstone canyons in Starved Rock State Park.

The Best State Parks in the Midwest—and How to Visit

Photo by Shutterstock/Owen Weber

Overview

Planning your trip

Use these articles, resources, and guides to plan and inspire your next trip to Illinois.

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RESOURCES TO HELP PLAN YOUR TRIP
Victory Cruise Line has launched a series of sailings in partnership with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation’s Taliesin Institute that includes explorations of the works of one of the world’s most famous architects.
United Airlines loyalists who fly from or through the Midwest’s busiest hub are sure to be pleased with this major upgrade.
Slow down and soak up the beauty of the U.S. on these epic train trips.
Tour these U.S. cities by kayak for a fresh perspective.
The epic rail journey will include stops in Washington, D.C., Savannah, Georgia, and Orlando, Florida.
To do: Meet the dinosaurs. Swim in the river. Gorge on ice cream.
If you are flying from, to, or through any of these massive transport hubs, you may want to give yourself a little extra time to get from point A to point B—some of America’s biggest airports are the size of a city.
Public memorials honoring figures from the LGBTQ community say a lot about a city’s culture and serve as a reminder that coming out can be its own heroic milestone.
The recreational cannabis industry is budding across the country—but the issue of where to enjoy marijuana publicly is still a work in progress.
These road-trip itineraries through the heartland offer lakefront beaches, farm-fresh cuisine, and state parks filled with history and wildlife.