Illinois is a state with an incredible amount to explore. This state has great cities to visit and equally has amazing outdoor locations to see and immerse yourself in. Depending on your interests, Illinois offers something special for everyone who visits. There are sights like the Shawnee National Forest, floating down the Mississippi in a riverboat or even the skyscrapers in Chicago for those who like nice views.
For fans of the historic side of Illinois there is the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and his tomb in Springfield, the Wild Bill Hickok Memorial in Troy Grove and many others. For the cultural side there is the DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago, the Bronzeville Children's Museum in Chicagoland and many more.
With activities and attractions there are two areas to choose from or maybe mix: the city attractions include activities such as ice-skating, theaters, riverfront entertainment and much more; and then there are outdoor activities like skiing, snowboarding, hiking and so on. All this amounts to a lot of choices and a lot of fun to be had for everyone.
Then for those visiting for a break and relaxation there are more choices to make. Do you soak up the ambiance of the Chicago city nightlife and take advantage of the many shopping outlets in all the major cities or do you take a break in the scenic mountain resorts and make good use of the spa resorts where you will pampered to your heart's content?
In short Illinois is a state of many choices but whichever choice you make, you know that it all makes for a special vacation.
Illinois Towns & Cities
Springfield is the capital of Illinois. It is located in the center of the state, and was Lincoln's home and base of operations for twenty four years before he was elected President. Lincoln's Tomb is a popular tourist attraction. The Dana-Thomas House, built in 1902-1903, is an excellent example of Frank Lloyd Wright's work. The corn dog on a stick was invented in the Springfield under the name âCozy Dog.â The city is also known for its chili, or the Illinois spelling, âchilli.â In 1993 the Illinois state legislature adopted a resolution proclaiming Springfield the âChilli Capital of the Civilized World.â Legally Blonde 2 was filmed in Springfield in 2003.
Williamsville is in central Illinois, near Springfield. Here is a macabre piece of trivia: plastic rooftop Christmas ornaments were banned by the city, following an almost fatal incident in which a seven year old boy was severely injured by an improperly fastened reindeer ornament. Bella Trattoria is an Italian restaurant with great homemade pasta. Harleys place is a fun bar with good drinks and a decent grill menu.
Crystal Lake is in northeastern Illinois. The town was named Crystal Lake because of the crystal clear lake waters. The main draws for tourists are the excellent water sports opportunities and the most popular time to visit is in the summer. Enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming. Porter's Oyster Bar is an excellent seafood restaurant, also known for their yellowtail.
Woodstock is northwest of Crystal Lake. Woodstock was a primary filming location for one of Bill Murray's best movies, Groundhog Day. Woodstock celebrates "Groundhog Days" at the beginning of each February, which includes tours of famous filming sites from the 1993 movie. On the weekend of Groundhog Day, the Classic Cinemas Woodstock Theater shows the move for free. The town has become an important destination for live music in the region with venues featuring local, national, and international artists.
Princeton is in north central Illinois. Princeton has year-round festivals, excellent hiking trails, beautiful parks and a historical main street with stores and restaurants. Fitzgerald's Piano Lounge is a nice place to enjoy dinner, drinks, and live music. For a proper cut of steak, Prime Quarter Steakhouse is the best.
Peru is near Princeton. Shoppers will enjoy one of the largest malls in the area, with 50 stores. The Waterstreet Pub has live music and an outdoor patio area which is nice in the spring and summer. Spike's is a fun dance club and DJ Tuna plays a good set. For waterfront dining, you can't go wrong with Jim & Linda's Riverview. The Chicago style deep dish pizza at Lou's La Grotto is excellent.
Along the Illinois River, Peoria sits on Lake Peoria in central Illinois. Peoria has a rich history that predates Chicago, but it is best known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreation. Lakeview Park has a planetarium, community theater, and arts & sciences center. Other popular attractions are five highly rates public golf courses and the Glen Oak Zoo. Peoria is representative of a cross-section of America and used as a test market for new products and media.
Princeville is a small village near Peoria. The Princeville Heritage Center has antique agriculture equipment, steam powered tractors and threshers, area artifacts, automobiles, sporting goods, and quilting on display. Local singers and bands perform in Stevens Square Park. Meatballs Fun Food House is a restaurant and bar that doesn't take itself too seriously. You best bet is to order from the specials board. The drinks are strong and the jalapeño poppers are fantastic.
Chillicothe is located along the Illinois River, just north of Peoria. The Chillicothe Historical Society Railroad Museum, has interesting exhibits for the whole family to enjoy, and the Historical Society Fourth St. Museum, has eight rooms of historic artifacts. Shore Acres Park is a riverside park with a 19th century clubhouse. Another popular historical attraction is the Town Theater, an art deco movie theater which is still in use showing films.
Bloomington is in central Illinois, southeast of Peoria. Golf Digest ranked Bloomington as one of the top five places to play in the country. Bloomington also hosts the Illinois Shakespeare Festival each year in an open air Elizabethan theater. Beer nuts, which don't contain beer or nuts, are made here in Bloomington. Bring back a few cans to remember your trip.
Illinois State University is located in Normal , northeast of Bloomington. Visitors to Normal can take free tours of the Mitsubishi Motors factory, but reservations are required. The Children's Discovery Museum has three floors of exhibits, and a mesh wall kids can climb up to the third floor. The Planetarium at Illinois State University is fun for the whole family. Bring your clubs because Normal is always ranked highly by Golf Digest.
Champaign is a commercial and industrial center in east-central Illinois, adjoining Urbana. It shares the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Champaign is sometimes referred to as âSilicon Prairieâ because of the presence of several Fortune 500 technology companies; among them: IBM, Wolfram Research, AMD, Intel, Amdocs, Instarecon, Phonak, Power World, Caterpillar Simulation Center, and Volition, Inc.
Urbana is in east central Illinois, adjoining Champaign. There is an appealing variety of historic buildings and interesting sightseeing opportunities and museums. The Early America Museum has a replica of a traditional blacksmith's shop and an original John Deere Buggy. The Spurlock Museum has a 46,000-item collection of artifacts, which range from a casting of a frieze at the Parthenon to Merovingian bronzes. The Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum has a prototype Boeing XB-47 Stratojet, a replica of the Spirit of St. Louis, and several flight simulators.
Danville is on the center of Illinois's eastern boarder. This former mining town pioneered the open-pit coal mining method. The reason this is worth mentioning is because the pits have been turned into lakes and Danville now offers some excellent fishing and recreational opportunities. Gene Hackman and Dick Van Dyke are both from Danville.
Atlanta is in the center of Illinois. The most popular tourist attraction is a 19-foot tall statue of Paul Bunyon holding a giant hot dog. It is great for a funny photo opportunity. Atlanta is in the process of renovating the Palm Grill, founded in 1934. The J.H. Hawes Grain Elevator Museum is about as interesting as it sounds.
Lincoln is in central Illinois, northeast of Springfield. Abraham Lincoln helped to form the city, while he was still an unknown country lawyer and it was named for him, well before he became president. He practiced law in Lincoln for twelve years. In August, Lincoln holds an art and hot air balloon festival. There is also a Railsplitting Festival, where people compete to split a log into eight even rails in the shortest time, while spectators get drunk and cheer them on.
Charleston is in central Illinois. Charleston's most popular attractions are a giant statue of Lincoln and nearby Lincoln Log Cabin State Park and Fox Ridge State Park. Charleston's downtown square features late 19th century architecture, unique shops and restaurants, and has large-scale murals depicting the city's past. The Amish Country in Arcola, winery in Greenup, and Lake Shelbyville are each within a 30 minute drive from Charleston.
Effingham is in central Illinois. It is well know for the 198-foot steel cross symbolizing the city as the crossroads of opportunity, and for the city's Christian heritage. You can't miss it; it's Effing huge. According to radio personalities Bob and Tom, Effingham has great Effing steaks, great Effing burgers, and you can have a great Effing time here.
Hammond is in central Illinois, near Decatur. Bullseye Bar and Grill is a good spot of steaks, burgers, and beers. Cougars Corner is another bar, where presumably the cougars frequent. Stoney's has good food and great service.
Decatur is in central Illinois. The most famous resident was Abraham Lincoln, who practiced law here, in this small classic Midwestern city. The city's symbol is the Transfer House, an early 20th century Victorian structure originally located in the center of town where the mass transit lines met. Decatur considers itself the âSoybean capital of the world,â so you may see some soybean dishes on menus and related items around town.
Salem is in south central Illinois. It is the birthplace of William Jennings Bryan, the G. I. Bill of Rights and Miracle Whip salad dressing. Each fall, Salem hosts a three-day celebration at Bryan Park for the Southern Illinois Bluegrass & BBQ Festival, where world renowned musicians appear and teams compete in a BBQ challenge. Salem's Marion County Fairgrounds are home to the county fair, featuring tractor pulls, demolition derbies, and monster truck competitions.
El Paso is located in central Illinois. Golfers will enjoy the El Paso Golf Club, an 18-hole par 71 championship course. Front Street Gourmet is a great local lunch spot, and Olive Branch offers an excellent selection of American and Italian dinner options. The El Paso Antique Mall is a good place to find gifts or something for your own collection.
Ottawa is in central Illinois, where the Fox and Illinois Rivers converge. The Boy Scouts of America was incorporated in Ottawa by William Dickson Boyce. The Ottawa Scouting Museum has exhibits on the history of Boy Scouting and Girl Scouting. This is a must-see if you have a child in the scouts. If you are feeling adventurous, Ottawa is a good place to jump out of a perfectly decent airplane. Skydive Chicago is one of the largest skydiving operations in America.
Forsyth is a village in the center of Illinois. Hickory Point Golf Course is a top quality club that features LPGA events. USA Toyota Trucks features an annual crappie fishing tournament. Curly's Sports Bar is a great place to watch the game and enjoy top quality steaks, ribs, and catfish.
Vandalia , Illinois's first capital, is located in south central Illinois. Vandalia was the proposed name for the fourteenth British colony. For the past fifty year, the Vandalia Lion's Club has held an annual Halloween Parade In June, Vandalia hosts the Vandalia National Road Blue Grass Festival. You can go fishing or do other water activities at Vandalia Lake or the Kaskaskia River.
Carbondale is in southern Illinois, and the site of the first Memorial Day observation, held at the Woodlawn Cemetery. This college town is the home of Southern Illinois University. Carbondale hosts several annual festivals including: the Lights Fantastic parade in December; the Main Street Pig Out, a September barbecue-and-music festival; the Big Muddy Film Festival, in February or March; the Southern Illinois Irish Festival in April; and the Great Cardboard Boat Regatta and free Sunset Concert series in the summer.
Benton is in south Illinois. George Harrison vacationed here in 1963 and stayed at his sister Louise's house at 113 McCann Street. The house is now the Hard Day's Nite Bed and Breakfast. He thought the people were wonderful and considered this is first ârealâ visit to America. Benton is also the hometown of actor John Malkovich.
Marion is in south Illinois, on the edge of the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge and only a few miles from the Shawnee National Forest. Southwest of the city is the United States Penitentiary, which is the federal government's replacement for Alcatraz Island prison. Marion is known across the region as one of the premier fishing destinations, with lakes including: Crab Orchard Lake, Devil's Kitchen Lake, Little Grassy Lake in the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, and the Lake of Egypt just south of Marion.
Harrisburg is in south Illinois. Shawnee Hills Country Club is a great course with some challenging holes and great natural scenery. Formula 1 Sports Bar & Banquet and Centerfield Bar & Grill are two popular sports bars. Mackie's Pizza is known for their classic Chicago style deep dish.
Metropolis is on Illinois's south boarder, and is officially recognized by the state legislature as âThe Hometown of Superman.â To commemorate this, there is a giant Superman statue outside the courthouse and a Superman museum. This town is more like Superman's Smallville than the comic book Metropolis. If you like to gamble, there is a Harrah's riverboat casino here.
Jacksonville is towards the west of central Illinois. Jacksonville's historic downtown area is known as "Central Park Plaza." There is a range of shops with unique gifts, crafts, and artwork, as well as a good selection of restaurants and bars to enjoy. There are three fine golf courses in Jacksonville: Jacksonville Country Club is one of the top private clubs in the state; Links Golf Course is an excellent public course; Northridge Hills Golf Course is a par 9 and driving range that is great for practice or to bring the kids.
Collinsville is in southwest Illinois, 12 miles from St. Louis Missouri. It is famous for being the horseradish capital of the world and home to the world's largest ketchup bottle, a 170 ft water tower. The Cahokia Mounds, mysterious Native American earthworks, are in Collinsville and the Monk's Mound is the largest prehistoric earthwork in the Americas. The area is larger than the base of the Great Pyramid and is a UNESCO Historical Site.
Fairview Heights is located in southwest Illinois, near St. Louis Missouri. Fairview Heights is a fun city with a lot to offer tourists. Edward Jones Dome, home of the NFL's St. Louis Rams is here. You can take a tour of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. There are three casinos here and a Six Flags amusement park. St. Louis Union Station and The Hill are two of the top restaurant.
Staunton is located towards the southwest part of central Illinois. The Macoupin County Genealogical Society of Staunton can help track down the ancestry of people with family history in Illinois. Mister T's is a laid back bar and Ernie the bartender can make you any drink you want. Scotty's Route 66 Bar & Grill is a local dive bar, and the food is about average. Cavataios' Restaurant has the best local pizza. R & B's Family Restaurant is never disappointing and very easy for take-out.
New Philadelphia is a frontier town in west Illinois. There is a major archaeological project underway to discover some artifacts from New Philadelphia's past. At the Interactive Frontier Museum, visitors can help historical re-enactors create some of the crafts of the past.
Troy is in west Illinois. The Tri Township Park has a lot of fun activities. There is a skate park, petting zoo, trails, sports fields, and a lake. You can drink in the park if you buy a permit for $25 for your group, or play dumb and buy one after you get caught. Just tell the park ranger that the website said you didn't need one. If you prefer drinking indoors (like someone who has a job), Brew Haus Pub & Grill is good. If you are sick of Chicago deep dish pizza, Imo's Pizza is delicious and has very thin crust.
Galesburg is in northwest Illinois. There are several annual festivals held here: Rubber Duck Race, Railroad Days, Black Earth Film Festival, and the Kite Festival. There are live performances throughout the year at the Orpheum Theatre. There are military artifacts from the War of 1812 through Desert Storm at the Stockdale Soldier Citizen Museum & VFW. There is an M-60 tank parked outside.
Along the Pecatonica River in northwestern Illinois is the city of Freeport . Freeport was the site of the second Lincoln-Douglas debate. A monument to the debate was dedicated in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt and stands at this site. Freeport is home to the oldest Carnegie Library in the state. Freeport is known as âPretzel City,â and while the Pretzels do not compare to Philadelphia, they are still very good.
Thomson is a very small community on the Illinois's northwest boarder, along the Mississippi River. The Mississippi is great for fishing for Huge Catfish, Walleye, Bass, Northern Pike, and Bluegills. Thomson grows some of the finest watermelons and produce in the country. Hunters from all over come to Thomson to shoot ducks, deer, and turkeys. Rastrelli's is the best choice for fine dinning in Thomson.
Morris is in northwestern Illinois. Visitors are drawn to Morris' small town atmosphere and intact historical downtown. Bellacino's Pizza & Grinders is a good place for lunch. Chapin's is excellent for dinner, with a menu of fresh fish and meats and an extensive wine list. Clayton's Tap and Ebbey George's Bar & Grill are local favorite watering holes.
Quincy is on the western boarder of Illinois on a bluff above the Mississippi River. Some of the popular attractions in the city are: The Quincy Museum, The John Wood Mansion, The Gardner Museum of Architecture and Design, The Quincy Art Center, and the Villa Katherine Castle. The Villa Katherine Castle is a small Moroccan styled castle. Each year Quincy hosts The Pepsi Little People's Golf Championships, which is a tournament for children, not dwarves. Tiger Woods competed in the tournament.
Alton is in southwest Illinois on the Mississippi River, north of St. Louis, Missouri. Alton's history and location make it a popular tourist destination. There is a bird sanctuary on the Mississippi, so birdwatchers come to see the bald eagles. Gamblers will enjoy the food, entertainment, and games on the Argosy Casino riverboat. Antique hunters might find a treasure at one of Alton's antique stores. Alto also has a popular marina and there are nine golf courses nearby, including Greater St. Louis' and Illinois' only Arnold Palmer designed and managed course.
Along the Mississippi River in northwest Illinois lies the town of Moline . The John Deere Pavilion is an agricultural museum. While this sounds completely boring, it is actually mildly interesting place to bring your kids to see the tractors and other machines. After looking at plows and tillers, you deserve a stop at the Bent River Brewery Restaurant to enjoy a few microbrews. Another fun activity is to take a river cruise with Celebration River Cruises Inc.
Dixon is in northern Illinois. Every summer, Dixon holds a Petunia Festival and Carnival which culminates with a 4th of July fireworks extravaganza. The Dixon War Memorial Arc with its neon glasswork stretching across Galena Avenue, is a popular structure to photography. Another popular attraction is the statue of a young Captain Abraham Lincoln, commemorating his time in the Illinois Militia and service in the Black Hawk War. Dixon was the boyhood home of President Ronald Regan, where he worked as a lifeguard on the Rock River.
North of the Kishwaukee River is the city of Sycamore , in northern Illinois. Each year Sycamore holds the Pumpkin Festival, with activities, a carnival, and a parade. The lawn of the DeKalb County Courthouse is the central location of the event and has a large display of decorated and carved pumpkins. The Midwest Museum of Natural History has an interesting and creepy taxidermy collection.
Byron is in Northern Illinois. Each July, the city holds the Byronfest party, a three-day family celebration of music, food, and fun. Proceeds benefit local charities. Former Philadelphia Eagle, Sean Considine, who now plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars, spent most of his life in Byron. Swedish Pancakes is a great place to get breakfast to start your day. Fifth Alarm Firehouse Pub is a good place to wrap up your day with food and drinks.
Richmond is a small village on Illinois's north boarder. Richmond has two buildings on the National Register of Historic Places: Lucien Boneparte Covell House and Memorial Hall. Half Time Pizza & Ribs is the place for Bulls and Bears fans during the games. Doyle's Pub and Eatery is a family friendly pub serving Irish and American food and drinks.
On the northeast edge of Illinois is the village of Gurnee . Gurnee is halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee. A fun place to bring the family for ice-skating and other entertainment is Rink Side Sports. Several Chicago Bears players live in Gurnee, including: Devin Hester, Robbie Gould, Tommie Harris, and Jason McKie. You might see one of them at local favorite, Backyard Steak Pit Restaurant.
Lisle is in northeastern Illinois, and made Money Magazine's 2007 list as the #20 best place to live. On some Saturdays, Lisle has an open-air French Market downtown with food and other vendors setup in a bazaar layout. The Morton Arboretum is a 1,700-acre forest recognized as an outdoor museum. Part of Gwen Stefani's music video âLive it up,â was filmed in the arboretum.
Batavia is part of a Tri-Cities area, along with St. Charles and Geneva. The Fox Valley Ice Arena has three surfaces for skating, hosts minor league hockey games, and has an on site pro-shop and sports grill. The Full Moon Bar & Grill is a fun place with good drinks and food.
Saint Charles is located along the Fox River, one hour west of Chicago. The City Hall is on the river, with a scenic bridge and statue of foxes. Downtown St. Charles's Lincoln Park is the central location for the Pride of the Fox RiverFest in June, and the Scarecrow Festival in October. You can take a cruise on the river like Mark Train, on a paddlewheel riverboat. Enjoy lunch or dinner along the Fox River at Salernos on the Fox or Sage Bistro On Sunday, enjoy brunch at Pheasant Run Resort's Atrium, with over 100 delicious selections and live jazz music.
Outside of Chicago is the suburb of Geneva . Worth a photo is the Fabyan Windmill, an old Dutch windmill dating back to the 1850s. Every June, Geneva hosts the Midsommar Festival - Swedish Days. This features authentic Swedish music, food, games, and entertainment. In September, Geneva holds a food and wine celebration, the Festival of the Vine.
Chicago is the third largest city in the United States. Whatever your interests are this is your kind of town. Be sure to see the view from the top of the Sears Tower, and try to catch a baseball game at Wrigley Field. Navy Pier and Millennium Park are also popular attractions. While you're here it is mandatory that you try Chicago's famous hot dogs and deep dish pizza. The city's 29 miles of lakefront paths are just one reason Chicago is one of the world's most walkable and beautiful cities. On St. Patrick's Day, the city dyes the river green.
Wheeling is in northeast Illinois and is a suburb of Chicago. Wheeling is within a few minutes drive of Golf Mill, Randhurst, Hawthorne Center, and Northbrook Court regional shopping malls. The Wheeling Historical Society Museum has some boring exhibits on the history of the village. The Ram Restaurant & Brewery has been a Wheeling institution since 1971. This family owned restaurant has delicious grilled meat dishes and top-quality microbrew.
Northbrook is a largely residential suburb of Chicago. Northbrook is director John Hughes's hometown and he filmed scenes from some of his movies here: Ferris Bueller's Day Off, The Breakfast Club, Uncle Buck, Weird Science, and Risky Business. Marcellos is an excellent family owned restaurant. For top-quality sushi and sashimi, Kamehachi of Tokyo has fresh fish flown in from around the world daily (or nightly, depending on how you look at it).
The village of Schaumburg is a suburb of Chicago. Schaumburg is a shoppers dream. It has the largest retail development of any city in Illinois, besides Chicago. The Woodfield Mall is one of the largest malls in America. Schaumburg has an always entertaining Medieval Times dinner theater. The Olde Towne Center has 19th century style architecture, shops, restaurants, and an outdoor amphitheater for concerts and other live performances.
Waukegan is a city of northeast Illinois on Lake Michigan north of Chicago. Waukegan's Amstutz Expressway, nicknames the "Expressway to Nowhere," was used as a shooting location for several great movies, including: Groundhog Day, The Ice Harvest, The Blues Brothers, and Batman Begins. The Genesee Theater is an excellent venue for live musica and arts performances. Most of the activities focus around Lake Michigan. There are some renowned charter fishing companies that operate out of Waukegan.
Tinley Par is a Chicago suburb. In 2004 and 2005, Tinley Park was the site of the Tinley Park Lights, an anomalous multiple mass UFO sighting events. Have a Chicago style hot dog at JR's Hot Dogs, then head to the 18-hole mini-golf course and batting cages at Tinley Park's McCarthy Facility. For drinks, Old Tinley Pub & Eatery is a good choice.
Oak Brook is an affluent suburb of Chicago. The Oak Brook Sports Core has polo fields, a golf course, swimming pools, and tennis courts. Oak Brook has a variety of fine dining options. Some local favorites are Mon Ami Gabi, Antico Posto, and The Clubhouse. For outdoor dining on a nice day, Patio Restaurant of Darien is a good choice. DJ's Sports Bar and York Tavern are both nice for a drink or several.
Oakbrook Terrace is also near Oak Brook and Chicago. The Drury Lane Theater holds concerts and live theater performances throughout the year. Anyway's Restaurant & Pub has happy hour specials and BBQ pizza. India House Restaurant has good Indian food and a large buffet.
The Chicago suburb of Skokie is in northeast Illinois. Its barbershop quartet is talented, so if you get a chance to hear them perform, go for it. The North Shore Center for Performing Arts in Skokie has theater and symphony orchestra performances. Tub Tim Thai serves authentic Thai cuisine and has a funny name. Dengeos reportedly makes the best gyros in the Chicago area.
Des Plaines is a Chicago suburb in northeastern Illinois, along the Des Plaines River. It makes the bold call of calling itself the âCity of destiny.â There is a McDonalds Museum here, which is a replica of the first McDonald's restaurant. A local restaurant, Paradise Pup, was featured on the Food Network. A fun restaurant to take the kids is the Choo-Choo Restaurant where a model train delivers your burgers and fries.
Naperville is a commercial suburb of Chicago. Tellabs, Alcatel-Lucent and BP have their North American headquarters here. The most distinctive tourist attraction is the Moser Tower and Millennium Carillon. It is a modern bell tower with 72 bells that can span all six octaves. It is playable manually or by computer control. Quigley's Irish Pub gets crowded but the service is excellent. If the pub atmosphere isn't for you little Frankie's Blue Room is a swanky martini bar.
Oswego is a Chicago suburb. The historic downtown area has beautiful buildings, homes, brick walkways, shops, and restaurants. Oswego hosts several annual festivals: Drag Strip Days, Prairie Fest, Wine on the Fox, the Christmas Walk, and the Memorial Day Parade. Culver's Frozen Custard & Butterburgers is an easy place to enjoy a meal. A Butterburger is a burger with a lightly buttered bun.
Schiller Park is a residential suburb of Chicago. O'Hare International Airport is to the west and the county forest preserve is to the east. The Hostess company invented the Twinkie in Schiller Park. Schiller Park has the âAnna Montanaâ water park; named after the mayor, not the extremely talented pop singer Miley Cyrus. Have a drink at the same bar that Al Capone drank at, in the Great Escape restaurant.
On Lake Michigan, north of Chicago, is the residential city of Evanston . Evanston is east of Skokie, and south of Wilmette. Northwestern University is located here. Dennis the Menace and Home Alone 3 were both filmed in Evanston, and Evanston was home to several famous actors including: Marlon Brando, Joan and John Cusak, and Jeremy Piven. Like any proper college town, there is no shortage of bars here. Bill's Blues is a good place for Blues music, and Gephart Long Quartet features live Jazz.
Bolingbrook is a residential suburb of Chicago in northeast Illinois. The White Fence Farm is a popular local restaurant. Even though it's part of a chain the Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant is also a good choice. Drew Petterson, infamous for being the prime suspect in the disappearance of his fourth wife, was a police sergeant in Bolingbrook.
The Chicago suburb of Lombard is known as, "The Lilac Village." Lombard holds an annual 16-day festival and parade each May. The festival has a wine and beer tasting event. Weber Grill Restaurant is regarded as one of the top dinning establishments in town. Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery is also a local favorite, with their own beers on tap.
Aurora is 35 miles west of Chicago. There is a very nice downtown area along the river, with great restaurants, bars, cultural attractions, and a casino riverboat. There over twenty theaters and playhouses. Aurora is famous as the hometown of Wayne and Garth, from Saturday Night Live's Wayne's World. Some of the scenes from the move were filmed here, including one at the White Castle.
Near the Indiana boarder, is the Chicago suburb of Lansing . The Cook County Forest Preserves on the south and southwest sides of Lansing have more than 125 acres of park lands and plenty of space for outdoor recreational activities. Bakers Square Restaurant & Pie has a good American menu, and subscribes to the philosophy that if you put a type of pastry in the name of your restaurant then people will feel obligated to order dessert. Nevertheless, their pies are award-winning for good reason.
Rockford is an industrial city, along the Rock River, northwest of Chicago. The city has a large park and recreational system, a symphony orchestra, and several museums. The Time Museum has an extensive collection of antique clocks and watches. Golf Magazine ranked Rockford's Aldeen Golf Club as one of 50 excellent national golf courses to play for under $50. Anderson Japanese Gardens is one of the top Japanese gardens in North America. Burpee Museum of Natural History has a T-Rex skeleton named Jane.
Along the Des Plaines River, is the Chicago suburb of Romeoville . Romeoville is the native habitat of the Hine's Emerald Dragonfly. Don't swat one if you see it flying around, because it is an endangered species. Visitors can ice skate or place hockey at the International Ice Centre. The most popular event of the year is by far Romeoville's renowned Romeofest. The five-day festival offers a variety of games, music, food and fun, and consists of a main stage, family stage, carnival, a tantalizing array of vendors, sporting competitions and an unmistakable air of celebration.
Harvey is a suburb, south of Chicago. The famous car chase scene from the move The Blues Brothers, was filmed in Harvey. Each year, Harvey throws a 4th of July party and a Halloween festival. There's a lot of fish and chicken options in Harvey: Shandy's Fish and Chicken, Shark's Fish and Chicken, and Keish'a Chicken Shack, Fish Gils Barbeque Chicken, Da Catch Fich and Chicken.
Homewood is a residential suburb of Chicago. Each September Homewood hosts Fall Fest to celebrate the end of the summer. There is live entertainment, horse-drawn hayrides, tractor races, movies, a bonfire, and a variety of foods, including an amateur chili cook-off competition benefiting a local charity. Other popular events are the Drivin' the Dixie vintage car drive, and Chocolate Fest celebrating anything and everything chocolate.
Along the Des Plaines River southwest of Chicago lies the city of Joliet . Riverboat casino gambling is the biggest business in town, so brush up on you blackjack chart and texas hold âem hand percentages before your trip. There is fun for the whole family at the Haunted Trails Amusement Park & Entertainment Center, which has: two miniature golf courses, go-karts, indoor and outdoor rides, 150 games, and batting cages. There are two racetracks in town, Chicagoland Speedway, which hosts NASCAR and Indy races, and Route 66 raceway, for drag racing, outlaw, and demolition events. Bicentennial park has an outdoor bandshell for live music and theater performances.
In northeast Illinois is the Chicago suburb of Glenview . Nearby is Peacock Prairie, an important botanical research center. Downtown Glenview is a shopper's paradise with department stores, boutiques, antique shops, specialty stores, and restaurants. Kohl Children's Museum has entertaining and educational interactive exhibits for children up to age eight. The Glen Club, 18-hole championship course, is home to the PGA Nationwide Tour's LaSalle Bank Open.
Arlington Heights is a small suburban village, 25 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. It is the second largest village in the USA, after nearby Schaumburg. Arlington Heights is known on the race circuit for the Arlington Park Race Track, which hosts the Arlington Million Breeders' Cup qualifying event. Hall of Fame Chicago Bears running back, Walter Payton lived here during his first few years with the team, and Ted Nugent went to high school in Arlington Heights.
Elmhurst is a residential suburb of Chicago. Elmhurst has museums with interesting content and reasonable admission prices: Elmhurst Historical Museum, Elmhurst Art Museum, and Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art. Francesca's Amici is an Italian restaurant which is part of a series of Francesca family restaurants across Illinois. They know what they are doing and have their food down to an art.
Brookfield is thirteen miles west of Chicago, and home to the world famous Brookfield Zoo. The zoo has around 450 species of animals, an indoor dolphin exhibit, and an indoor rain-forest. For dinner, Moldau Restaurant serves delicious eastern European cuisine. Brixie's Saloon is a fun local dive bar.
Burbank boarders on Chicago's southwest city limits, two miles south of Chicago Midway International Airport. Burbank's Japanese Culture Center has become a model for similar institutions across the country and offers classes in traditional Japanese arts such as tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and calligraphy, Japanese language and a variety of martial arts. Nick's Barbeque is famous for their ribs.
Elk Grove Village is near Chicago. True to its name, Elk Grove Village is home to a small herd of elk that live in a grove at the eastern edge of the Busse Woods forest preserve. Charlie's Char House doesn't have any Elf on the menu, but if you'd like something unique, try the Baby Calves Liver. Lou Malnati's Pizzeria is the place to try authentic Chicago style pizza. Lou's has been family owned an operated since 1971.
Downers Grove , in northeastern Illinois, is a manufacturing suburb of Chicago. Bring your clubs for a memorable golf experience. The public Downers Grove Golf Course is the oldest golf course west of the Allegheny Mountains, founded in 1892. The Tivoli Theater was built in 1928 and was the second theater in the world designed for movies with sound. It has an ornate interior and an original Wurlitzer organ with performances on most Friday and Saturday nights. Bret Easton Ellis, author of American Psycho, is writing the movie adaptation of Michael Hornburg's novel, Downers Grove.
Willowbrook is southeast of Downers Grove. The most famous restaurant is Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket, which use to have an ice skating rink on the roof. They were featured on the Food Network and have live music performances. Phillies Pizza Bar & Grill has great pizza and is a fun place to watch sports. Kerry Piper has classic pub food and a full selection of Irish beers on tap.
Illinois is a wonderful vacation destination, whether you are looking for big city Chicago excitement, a relaxing break in a small historical Midwest town, or a chance to get back to nature with some unparalleled fishing and outdoor activities. Illinois's lakes, rivers, and forests provide exciting recreational opportunities such as riverboat casinos, boating, hiking and biking trails, and hunting. If you are driving, be sure to take cruise down the legendary Route 66. You will be sure to get your kicks on one of the most road trip friendly highways in the world. Illinois experiences all four seasons, with summer being the most popular time to visit. The spring and fall are good times to come and avoid the crowds and summer heat. Many great events and festivals take place throughout the year, so there is never a bad time to come to Illinois.
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