Illinois is a great starting point for tours of the Midwest in the United States. The Land of Lincoln has both rural farms and bustling urban centres. Lake Michigan is a great place to unwind, and there are many historic towns to explore along the way. Abraham Lincoln, the Windy City, and countless other notable figures call Illinois home. Here is a Unique place in Illinois to visit
best places to visit in illinois
Anderson Japanese Gardens
Rockford, the third-largest city in the state, is home to the Anderson Japanese Gardens. These gardens are an amazing spot to spend the day, and according to many, the greatest Japanese garden in America is right here. The seasonal gardens are impeccably kept and only open from May to October.
The landscape is more than simply plants; it’s a meticulously constructed work of art that includes natural water features, bridges, pagodas, and lanterns. The Visitor Center is an excellent place to get a map, and the Cypress Bridge, which leads to the Garden of Reflection, is a great spot for photos.
Galena
If you’re interested in Illinois history, check out the city of Galena. Due to its location on the banks of the Mississippi River, Galena is renowned as the City That Time Forgot. Tourists now drive Galena’s economy, largely dependent on its port in the 1800s.
Main Street is lined with countless mom-and-pop establishments housed in 19th-century buildings, making it the ideal route to stroll through Galena. The Galena River can be crossed by foot on the pedestrian bridge, and the home of Ulysses S. Grant, who lived there before the Civil War, can be explored.
Chicago
Without a doubt, Chicago is the most visited city in Illinois, if not the entire Midwest. There is so much to see and do in this massive metropolis, but the Loop is where you’ll find most of the action. The mirrored sculpture The Bean, located in Millennium Park in the Loop, is easily recognizable. One of the nation’s preeminent art museums, the Chicago Institute of Art, is also located in the Loop.
On a walking tour of Chicago, you may see some of the city’s most recognizable buildings, including the Aon Center, the curving Chase Tower, and the Federal Center, a mid-century masterpiece designed by Mies van der Rohe.
Champaign-Urbana
Champaign-Urbana is home to the University of Illinois main campus, making it the most prominent university in the state. This place exemplifies all that is great about college towns. However, Champaign and Urbana are two separate cities mixed into one large metropolis.
Visit the Spurlock Museum to immerse yourself in the ethos of learning through its diverse and intriguing collection of objects worldwide. On Saturdays, the Market at the Square comes alive with activity, making it the perfect spot to grab coffee or conduct your weekly shopping.
Tunnel Hill State Trail
A lesser-known but fantastic Illinois location, the Tunnel Hill State Trail is in the southernmost part of the state. It is less than five miles long and goes through multiple lengthy tunnels.
Reclaimed strip mines and farmland comprise a large portion of the trail, which passes through beautiful landscapes. Stunning ravines, streams, and bluffs await you on the crushed gravel path, perfect for walking, jogging, or biking. You can start in Vienna and make your way to the trailhead.
Lincoln’s New Salem
Abraham Lincoln was undeniably one of the most consequential presidents in American history. Whether you’re a devotee of American history or his presidency, pay tribute to the great man by Unique places in Illinois to visit Lincoln’s New Salem.
This historic site faithfully recreates Lincoln’s 1831–1837 home in Illinois’s original New Salem. You are welcome to explore 23 open structures at Lincoln’s New Salem. There are a lot of log cabins, and most of them have guides dressed in period attire.
The period-accurate furnishings, clothing, and horses give a sense of Lincoln’s influence in Illinois.
Shawnee National Forest
Shawnee National Forest is the place to go when you need to be in nature. The Laurentide Ice Sheet previously covered this national forest in its entirety, which is located in the state’s southernmost region. Thankfully, the glacier vanished millions of years ago, so today, you may enjoy swimming, hiking, camping, and photography in the Shawnee National Forest.
The Garden of the Gods, a breathtaking rock structure you might recognize from the Unique places in Illinois to visit quarter, is the main attraction at Shawnee. Thanks to a short observation route that encircles it, it is easily accessible from any angle.
Cahokia Mounds
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Park is located across the Missouri border from St. Louis. They mark the most significant pre-Columbian city north of Mexico.
The remaining 69 mounds have been grassed over. Monks Mound is the tallest of these mounds, standing over 100 feet. Cahokia also boasts the fascinating Woodhenge, an enormous circle built from 48 wooden poles that mimics Stonehenge in England in its alignment with the solar calendar.
Starved Rock State Park
The Illinois River runs through Starved Rock State Park, which is less than 100 miles away from Chicago and attracts daytrippers from further afield. The Unique places in Illinois to visit sandstone canyons at Starved Rock State Park were created when glaciers melted.
Several canyons, Wildcat Canyon and French Canyon in particular, have waterfalls. One of the most significant ways to see Starved Rock State Park is on foot, and hiking up the trail to Lover’s Leap Overlook is the perfect way to do so. Remember to watch for deer and migratory birds while you hike.
Springfield
Springfield, another city previously Abraham Lincoln’s residence, is now the state capital. If you are interested in Lincoln, this is an excellent Illinois destination, and there is no lack of choices.
His home, which he occupied for over seventeen years, is now a national historic site. The expansive Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum is another place worth spending a few hours at. In addition, many tourists stop by Oak Ridge Cemetery, which is among the world’s most popular cemeteries and the final resting place of Abraham Lincoln and many of his relatives.
