Illinois

Illinois keeps surprising with its mix of buzzing cities, deep history, and open natural spaces that fit any traveler's plans—whether that's Chicago's fast pace, fields of prairie gold, or spots tied to the country's big moments. You name the vibe, and the state serves it up without forcing a thing.

Chicago stands tall as the heart, known far and wide for buildings that scrape the sky, art that stops you cold, and food worth the hype. Hit the Willis Tower—Sears in another life—or John Hancock Center for sights that go on forever, then ease into Millennium Park where Cloud Gate, or The Bean to most, mirrors the crowd. Navy Pier catches Lake Michigan light just right, and no trip skips deep-dish pizza or a proper Chicago dog after all that walking.

Get out a bit, and nature spreads invitingly. Starved Rock State Park follows the Illinois River past falls hidden in canyons—short hikes lead right to them. Southern Shawnee National Forest gets wilder with rocky trails, caves to poke around, animals crossing paths. Lake Michigan handles the rest: rent a boat, drop a line, claim beach space—or pedal Chicago's waterfront paths till worries fade.

Springfield holds the real history weight at Lincoln Home National Historic Site, his family place before the presidency pulled him away. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum fills in every angle of his time, while Cahokia Mounds by Collinsville—bigger once than any city north of Mexico—earns its UNESCO nod from old Native days.

Sports fire up quick: root for Chicago Cubs swings, Bulls drives, Bears runs, Blackhawks checks, or tackle the Chicago Marathon streets yourself. NASCAR roars at Chicagoland Speedway. Culture runs richer at Art Institute of Chicago Impressionist walls, Field Museum from dinosaurs to space tech, blues dives that rumble deep, jazz corners swinging loose, stages hosting shows that land just so.

Towns like Galena slow it down with 19th-century brick walks that charm easy, Illinois Wine Trail strings vineyard stops for tastes grown local. Great River Road hugs the Mississippi bend for views that unfold steady, villages popping up with their own quiet stories.

Illinois shapes Chicago thrills, old tales, raw lands, arts thick in the air into trips that click for anyone. Start simple with Great American Tours—Illinois from top to bottom, your way through it all.