Midwest · IL
Illinois
The Prairie State
Capital
Springfield
Best Time to Visit
May-June, September-October
01 Must-See Spots
Chicago
world-class architecture, deep-dish pizza, and the Art Institute
Route 66 heritage sites
Illinois is where the Mother Road begins
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield
Millennium Park in Chicago
the Bean, Crown Fountain, and Lurie Garden
02 Hidden Gems
Starved Rock State Park
stunning canyons and waterfalls along the Illinois River
Cahokia Mounds
the largest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico (UNESCO site)
Garden of the Gods in Shawnee National Forest
dramatic sandstone formations
Galena
a perfectly preserved 1800s Main Street and Ulysses S. Grant's home
03 National Parks & Sites
04 Insider Tips
Chicago's neighborhoods each have distinct character — explore beyond the Loop
The Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois feels like a different state entirely
Try Italian beef sandwiches — Chicago's underrated signature food (not just deep-dish)
Starved Rock is best visited after rain when the waterfalls are flowing strong