Illinois

Travelers flock to the shores of Lake Michigan to explore all that Chicago has to offer, whether it’s a baseball pilgrimage to Wrigley Field, a shopping trip on the Magnificent Mile or the chance to see some of world’s most famous paintings at Art Institute of Chicago. But there is much more to Illinois, whether you want to spend time in Springfield, where Abraham Lincoln spent most of his adult life and is remembered at a world-class museum bearing his name, or explore outdoor recreation destinations across the state.

Giant mailbox in Casey, Illinois (photo courtesy of Casey Chamber of Commerce)

From a towering mailbox to a giant golf tee, the intricate details and bright colors of these larger-than-life works capture visitors’ imaginations in Casey, Illinois.

Bald eagle mid-flight in southwest Illinois (photo by Scott Evers)

This entire region of Illinois is one of the prime winter nesting sites in the Midwest for American bald eagles. Plan your visit around one of these events. 

Bike riders in Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in Wilmington, Illinois (photo courtesy of Illinois Office of Tourism)

Bison graze and grasses blow on a gentle breeze in Wilmington, Illinois, at this sprawling prairie steeped in history. 

The Chicago Air and Water Show in Chicago, Illinois (photo by NAB Aerial)

Watch in wonder as planes take to the skies over Lake Michigan at this annual event in Chicago.

Baseball Fans at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois (photo courtesy of choosechicago.com)

Visit the home of the Cubs in Chicago to take in the sights and sounds of one of the most famous sports venues in history. 

Absolutely Chicago Segway Tours in Chicago Illinois (photo courtesy of Absolutely Chicago Segway Tours)

The Ghosts and Gangsters tour offers a fun way to explore Chicago while connecting with its history.

1957 Chevy mural in Pontiac, Illinois (photo courtesy of Pontiac-Oakland Automobile Museum & Resource Center)

These two museums in Pontiac, Illinois, celebrate America’s obsession with the open road and historic cars from throughout history. 

Inside the 21c Museum Hotel in Chicago Illinois (photo by Julie Soeffer)

This hotel in Chicago, Illinois, features more than 10,000 square feet of gallery space, including a 400-person capacity main gallery, that is free and open to the public. 

Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Tour in Chicago, Illinois (photo by Barry Butler)

See and learn about some of the most famous buildings in Chicago, Illinois, from the water during this Chicago River cruise. 

The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois (photo by Michael Hudson)

Joy Morton of Morton Salt fame turned his country estate in Lisle, Illinois, into an outdoor museum of evergreen and deciduous trees.