Top Tourist Attractions in Illinois USA
Are you looking for the best things to do in Illinois? It is a state of extremes, where the world’s first skyscraper looms over the birthplace of one of America’s most significant literary voices.
It’s also a state with a bounty of offbeat oddities: You can find the world’s giant bottle of catsup, the nation’s tallest man, and a pickle-shaped water tower.
When it comes to not-so-strange attractions, you’ll find plenty of those too. The state has architectural treasures like Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and studio and many other buildings he designed. You’ll also find baseball games at Wrigley Field, blues clubs, and museums dedicated to Abraham Lincoln – Illinois’ favorite son.
These are the must-see sights when you’re in Illinois.
10 best places to visit in Illinois for your next vacation
- Cosley Zoo
- Starved Rock State Park
- Oak Brook Mall
- The Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium
- Adler Planetarium
- Morton Arboretum
- Lincoln Home National Historic Site
- Midway Village Museum
- Illinois Railway Museum
- Peoria Riverfront Museum
Chicago Vacation
With its exciting and varied collection of museums, theater, music venues, historical attractions and architecture, art galleries, sports teams, parks, outdoor activities, and shopping opportunities, Chicago has something to do for everyone!
Whether you’re looking for a romantic escape or an adventure with the family, there are many things to do in Chicago.
Shedd Aquarium
Shedd Aquarium is located near Lake Michigan in Chicago. It houses more than 32,000 animals from all over the world. The aquarium has more than 4 million gallons (15 million liters) of water to house aquatic animals such as fish, reptiles, birds, amphibians, and mammals. The aquarium also has an extensive collection of plants used to create habitats for its animals.
Illinois Attractions
Illinois is a state seeped in history, excitement, and adventure. It was also the state that Abraham Lincoln chose to call home, making it pretty unique if you ask me. There are many things to see and do in Illinois, and if you plan on visiting, be prepared for endless options!
I’ve narrowed down the list of things to do in Illinois to my top 10 favorites, but don’t take my word for it – head to Illinois yourself and experience the adventure.
Illinois is home to Chicago, one of the world’s great cities. But beyond its big-city glamour, Illinois has a lot to offer visitors. From hiking and biking trails to historical sites and amusement parks, you’ll find many things to do in Illinois.
Illinois: midwestern gem
Illinois is a midwestern state bordering Indiana in the east and the Mississippi River in the west. Along with Wisconsin, it’s one of only two states whose eastern and western borders are formed entirely by water. The land within those borders is as diverse as its topography. Visit Rockford for excellent beer-brewing, hiking trails galore in Shawnee National Forest, and acres of vineyards in Galena.
Illinois has plenty of dreamy stretches of sand for sunbathing and cooling off in summer (hello, Lake Michigan!). Still, fall is arguably the most beautiful time to visit, thanks to the foliage that lights up the landscape with red, orange, and yellow hues.
Head inland from Chicago for a weekend of leaf peeping at Starved Rock State Park, or hit up one of these other spectacular fall foliage destinations throughout Illinois.
With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal, timber, and petroleum in the south, Illinois has a diverse economic base and is the central transportation hub.
Illinois has long been a bellwether in social and cultural terms and politics. O’Hare International Airport has been ranked as one of the world’s busiest airports for decades.
The Port of Chicago connects the state to other global ports, from the Great Lakes, via the Saint Lawrence Seaway, to the Atlantic Ocean, the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River, and the Illinois Waterway on the Illinois River.
Summary
Illinois is often referred to as the Prairie State. The American prairie has long been a part of America’s cultural heritage, and Illinois is fortunate to be home to some of the best-preserved prairie land in the country.
Illinois also has a long and rich tradition of outdoor recreation with hundreds of parks, forests, museums, and other sites that allow visitors to enjoy the state’s unique beauty and history. With so many incredible places to visit in Illinois, deciding which ones are worth visiting can be challenging.
Illinois is one of the most popular states in the Midwest. It has vibrant city life, where you can see unique places like the Sears Tower and Navy Pier.
You can also visit various museums, such as the Museum of Science and Industry, and see some of the state’s famous landmarks like the Art Institute of Chicago and Millennium Park. Many exciting activities for kids in Illinois include visiting Lincoln’s Home National Historic Site, Brookfield Zoo, and Shedd Aquarium.