Discover Illinois

Travel ideas in Illinois range from sandstone canyons and wetlands to old canals and sites that tell stories spanning pre-Columbian history to the civil rights era. A practical question is a good place to start your planning: Would you mainly like to spend time outdoors, explore historic places, or combine both?

Canyons, dunes and wetlands

Starved Rock State Park encompasses 18 canyons carved into St. Peter sandstone. More than 13 miles of trails lead to overlooks and sandstone overhangs; waterfalls appear depending on rainfall. Kayaking and canoeing are possible on the Illinois River in the park. The area near Lone Point Shelter is considered a recommended starting point.

On Lake Michigan, Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park stretches for 6.5 miles. Its landscape includes dunes, dune swales, extensive marshes and oak forests. More than 650 plant species have been recorded in the dune area. Activities available there include swimming, boating, hiking, fishing and camping.

A different landscape characterizes Cache River State Natural Area, where more than 18 miles of designated trails provide access to the area. Except for the Little Black Slough Trail and the Tupelo Trail, the trails are considered easy to hike. The 2.5-mile Lower Cache River Swamp Trail follows Cypress Creek and the Cache River to a swamp of bald cypress and tupelo trees. A 3- to 6-mile canoe route through this swamp is also available.

Hiking and biking on historic trails

The canals offer opportunities to experience the landscape and history on longer routes. The Illinois and Michigan Canal State Trail follows the old towpath between Rockdale and LaSalle. It is 61.5 miles long and offers views of the Des Plaines and Illinois rivers. At 155 miles, the Hennepin Canal State Trail is considerably longer: It follows a towpath from the Illinois River to the Rock River and can be explored on foot or by bike. The two routes differ mainly in their length and the endpoints mentioned.

The Hennepin Canal is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The waterway, locks, aqueducts and adjacent towpath form a historic and recreational resource. If you are considering a canoe trip there, note that the locks are not in operation and must be portaged around; check access information before planning your trip.

The Grand Illinois Trail sets a different scale: The loop, which is more than 500 miles long, runs between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi, past historic canals, over hills that were not glaciated during the Ice Age, and along the Rock and Fox rivers. For shorter hikes, Garden of the Gods offers massive sandstone formations and impressive views along a short trail.

Pre-Columbian history and places of remembrance

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site preserves the largest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico. It is considered an outstanding cultural, religious and economic center of the Mississippian culture, dated from 800 to 1350. The site includes 51 platform, ridge-top and conical burial mounds, as well as residential, public and specialized activity areas and a section of a reconstructed palisade.

Monks Mound is the largest prehistoric earthwork in the New World. Its four terraces rise up to 30 meters above the surrounding terrain. Visitors can explore the mound and trails north of Collinsville Road; the Cahokia AR Tour offers virtual tours of the Grand Plaza and Monks Mound. The site’s different dimensions—from the mounds to the areas of former settlement life—are a reason not to limit your visit to just one viewpoint.

New Philadelphia National Historic Site commemorates the first town in the United States to be platted and registered by an African American. On site, a free self-guided, quarter-mile tour is available with an augmented-reality app. This offers a different way to engage with history than Cahokia’s large earthworks: Here, the focus is on the founding of a town.

In Springfield, the Lincoln Home was the only house Abraham Lincoln owned. The interior is accessible only on a guided tour; tours are free, and tickets are available at the Visitor Center reception desk. Check current tour and ticket information before your visit. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum tells Lincoln’s story through immersive exhibits, theaters with special effects and original artifacts.

Another place of remembrance in Springfield is the 1908 Race Riot National Monument. It commemorates a white mob’s attack on the Black community in August 1908 and the connection between the event and the founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). On-site activities explore the history of the riot and civil rights in Springfield.

The Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area is associated with central Illinois. The heritage area encompasses 43 counties and is the only one named after an American president. Pullman offers another perspective on built history: It was a planned industrial town known for its urban planning and architecture.

Routes, regional food and crafts

For a trip focused on road and scenic routes, Illinois has seven Scenic Byways. Along these routes, you’ll find state parks, limestone bluffs, quiet rivers and small-town landscapes. Historic Route 66 runs for 301 miles through Illinois. Along its Illinois stretches, visitors will find diners, quirky roadside attractions and numerous museums, particularly between Chicago and Collinsville.

In the south of the state, the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail follows a scenic 40-mile route through Shawnee National Forest and the hills of southern Illinois. The trail includes 11 independent wineries; participation by individual wineries can change, so it’s worth checking the current stops before your trip. Illinois food culture also includes deep-dish pizza and Chicago hot dogs.

Handcrafted products are another possible discovery: The Illinois Made program invites visitors to experience products by Illinois makers, creatives and artisans firsthand. Along with the state’s very different landscapes and historical themes, this creates a range of reasons to travel that you can prioritize according to your interests.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Kendall County, Piatt, Effingham, Mchenry, Williamson County, Johnson County, Kankakee County, Winnebago, Lawrence, Jefferson, Coles, Stephenson, Morgan, Shelby County, Rock Island, Madison, Mcdonough, Lee County, Will County, Dupage, Jackson, Gallatin, St. Clair, Adams, Champaign, Logan, Vermilion, Peoria, Lasalle, Cook, Kane, Dekalb, Franklin County, Henry County, Pulaski County, Douglas County, Bond County, Marion County, Bureau County, Perry County, Marshall County, Grundy County, Ford County, De Witt, Clay County, Boone County, Hancock County, Mclean County, Warren County, Iroquois County, Randolph, Clinton County, Washington County, Monroe County, Pope, Cass, Fayette County, Union County, Clark County, Livingston County, Jersey County, Kondoa, Woodford County, White County, Cumberland County, Christian County, Wabash County, Mercer County, Mason County, Carroll County, Lake, Edgar, Macon County, Knox County, Sangamon County, Jo Daviess County, Tazewell County, Massac County, Whiteside County, Wayne County, Montgomery County, Ogle County.

For the main travel overview: USA.