If you are planning a trip to Illinois and looking for the best attractions in Illinois to include in your itinerary, then you have come to the right place!
In this article, I will share some of the best places to visit in Illinois for the ultimate vacation experience.
Popularly known as the Land of Lincoln, Illinois is one of the top places to visit in the Midwest.
The Prairie State is famous for a lot of reasons. Bordering Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River, Illinois is home to gorgeous landscapes and natural sights.
From rolling hills to pristine lakes, the state has the most amazing places that nature lovers are bound to enjoy.
There are plenty of stunning Midwest state parks to explore here. This includes the Starved Rock State Park, the Shawnee National Forest, and more.
Apart from being a haven for nature lovers, Illinois also has a rich history and culture.
Whether you choose to learn the history of the state at the museums or marvel at the gorgeous architecture, there is no shortage of fun things to do in Illinois for everyone.
Are you confused about what to do in Illinois?
Well, then keep reading our list of the 10 best attractions in Illinois for your bucket list to take inspiration!
10 Best Attractions in Illinois for Your Bucket List
Anderson Japanese Gardens, Rockford
One of the best places to visit in Illinois is the Anderson Japanese Gardens which is the top attraction in Rockford that you must visit.
This is one of the best attractions in Illinois for couples as it offers a romantic ambiance with its cascading falls, rock formations, ponds, a tea house, and more.
The best thing about this attraction is that the garden is built in an authentic Japanese style.
When you are exploring one of the best Illinois destinations, Rockford, do take some time to relax in this garden as well.
Visitors can make use of the benches and the beautifully designed areas for sitting and relaxing in this Japanese garden.
Another interesting thing to know about this garden is that it was built by Hoichi Kurisu, a famous Japanese landscape designer. He has designed other Japanese gardens in the USA as well.
It is one of the unique Illinois attractions where you can indulge in the Japanese tea ceremony, learn calligraphy, attend a cultural program, or simply enjoy the beautiful setting.
Recommended Hotel: Baymont by Wyndham Rockford
Check Prices: Booking.com
Millenium Park & Cloud Gate
One of the top tourist attractions in Illinois, Millennium Park & Cloud Gate are the most popular attractions in Chicago that you cannot miss.
The park is one of the most famous Illinois tourist attractions that was built to celebrate the turn of the 21st century.
One of the main attractions in this park is the Cloud Gate, also known as the Bean. This is a 110-ton stainless steel sculpture that sits in the heart of the park.
The curved surface of this structure reflects the Chicago skyline and anyone who walks through the arch.
Visitors can also admire the Crown Fountain next to the Cloud Gate. The two clear towers with video screen displays the projected image of Chicago citizens.
There is also a garden, a skating rink, and a pedestrian bridge that can be found here.
Trust me, if you are looking for the best Illinois attractions to explore, then do visit Millennium Park & Cloud Gate in Chicago.
Recommended Hotel: Hotel Blake, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member
Check Prices: Booking.com
Shawnee National Forest
If you are looking for fun things to do in Illinois, then don’t forget the Shawnee National Forest in Harrisburg.
Spanning over an area of 280,000 acres, this national park is one of the top places in Illinois for adventure lovers.
It started out as an agricultural land but is now a combination of unique geological marvels and forest.
The forest is made up of 10 Research Natural areas that feature springs, waterfalls, and sandstone formations that visitors can climb upon and explore.
One of the most unique attractions in Illinois is the Garden of the Gods at Shawnee National Park.
This is a stunning rock formation that has a trail surrounding it and offers beautiful vantage points to the hikers.
Recommended Hotel: Home2 Suites By Hilton Carbondale
Check Prices: Booking.com
Matthiessen State Park
Are you looking for fun attractions in Illinois for families to explore together? Do you want to enjoy the best hiking trails in Illinois?
Well, then Matthiessen State Park is one of the top places to go in Illinois that you cannot skip. This park is known for its unique rock formations and is an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Visitors can explore the five miles of hiking trails throughout the park that will take you through canyons, streams, waterfalls, and prairie land.
It is one of the best Illinois tourist attractions for nature and wildlife lovers as there is an abundance of plants and wildlife found here.
You can find white-tailed deer, foxes, and more here.
Plus, the park is home to plenty of picnic parks, especially near the Dells area, where you also have a playground for kids to enjoy.
Overall, Matthiessen State Park is one of the best attractions in Illinois that you cannot miss.
Recommended Hotel: Best Western Oglesby Inn
Check Prices: Booking.com
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield
Are you a history buff or a Lincoln fan? If the answer is yes to any of those questions, then you should visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
There are so many more interesting things to do in Springfield IL.
What’s more, the museum is located in his hometown and is a great way to learn about his life.
One of the best Illinois attractions, the Abraham Lincoln Museum features artifacts from notable events in his life. This includes the noteworthy Emancipation Proclamation which ended slavery in the country.
There are several artifacts of Lincoln’s wife displayed here as well. You can also see the exhibits that feature a replica of Lincoln’s childhood home and the box seat at Ford Theatre.
So, if you are curious about Abraham Lincoln’s life, then one of the most interesting things to see in Illinois is the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
Recommended Hotel: Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Springfield, IL
Check Prices: Booking.com
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, Collinsville
One of the top tourist attractions in Illinois, the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is a must-visit place in Collinsville.
This Collinsville attraction is said to be the largest prehistoric American Indian settlement found north of Mexico.
It is one of the best places to go in Illinois to witness the largest concentration of mounds. Out of the 120 mounds, the Monk Mound is the largest at 100 feet in height.
According to the historians, the site is said to have been home to 10 to 20 thousands of people between the peak years of 1050 and 1150.
Visitors can take a guided tour of the 800 acres of land that is open to the public.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site also features an Interpretive Center where you can learn the site’s history through audiovisual presentations, artifacts, and more.
There are also several hiking trails at the site that you can explore.
If you are looking for fun attractions in Illinois for families, then the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is a good choice.
Recommended Hotel: Drury Inn and Suites St Louis Collinsville
Check Prices: Booking.com
Galena
For history lovers, one of the best places to visit in Illinois is the charming town of Galena.
There are many attractions in Galena that visitors can explore including the famous Ulysses S. Grant Home State Historic Site.
This home was presented to the United States’ 18th President, Ulysses S. Grant, upon his return from the Civil War. Visitors can take a tour of this house to learn about this hero.
If you are an architecture fan, then one of the best places in Illinois, especially Galena, is Main Street. Here, you can marvel at the French Colonial and Greek Revival buildings sitting close together.
Apart from this, there are other popular attractions here such as Old Market House, Vinegar Hill Lead Mine, and so on. All of these attractions make Galena one of the top Illinois destinations for history lovers.
So, if you are looking for the best attractions in Illinois for couples, then do check out Galena.
Recommended Hotel: Goldmoor Inn & Resort
Check Prices: Booking.com
One Of The Historic Attractions In Illinois Is Dana-Thomas House
If you are an architecture lover, then one of the top things to see in Illinois is the Dana-Thomas House in Springfield.
Built by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1902, this is one of the best attractions in Springfield for Lloyd fans.
This is an early Prairie-styled house by Frank Lloyd that remains well preserved to this date. The house was used by socialite-activist Susan Lawrence Dana for hosting educational gatherings.
The house features 35 rooms on different levels, 100 pieces of original Wright furniture, plenty of art-glass doors and windows, and more.
Visitors can take a guided tour of Dana-Thomas House, one of the unique attractions in Illinois, to learn more about this place.
If you are an architecture lover or history buff, then this is one of the top Illinois tourist attractions to visit.
Recommended Hotel: Ramada by Wyndham Springfield North
Check Prices: Booking.com
Illinois Beach State Park Is One Of The Fin Attractions In Illinois k
Are you a beach lover? If yes, then one of the most fun things to do in Illinois is to spend a day at the Illinois Beach State Park.
This state park, located on the banks of Lake Michigan, is one of the top attractions in Zion.
Plus, this is the only beach ridge shoreline in Illinois where you can find marshes, dunes, oak forests, and more.
The 4,160-acre park is one of the top attractions in Illinois for families as visitors can hike, bike, boat, fish, swim, and so on.
Biking enthusiasts can use the Zion Bike Trail to cover the North and South Units of this state park.
This is also one of the best places in Illinois for nature lovers as over 650 species of plants can be found here.
Trust me, if you are looking for a fun beach day, then Illinois Beach State Park is one of the top places to visit.
Recommended Hotel: Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Gurnee, IL
Check Prices: Booking.com
Starved Rock State Par Is One Of The Best Attractions In Illinois
One of the best places to visit in Illinois for nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts, Starved Rock State Park is a must-visit in Illinois.
Located southwest of Chicago, this state park is famous for its beautiful canyons and waterfalls and is one of the top attractions in Oglesby.
The park is listed on the Register of National Historic Landmarks and is one of the best attractions in Illinois for families.
There are 13 miles of trails to explore in the park that lead to some scenic views. Plus, visitors can enjoy guided hikes for a safe hiking experience here.
Apart from that, visitors have lots of recreational activities to experience in the 18 canyons found here.
Plus, a few canyons like Fresh Canyon and Wildcat Canyon are also home to the most beautiful waterfalls in Illinois.
In this park, you can enjoy many activities such as fishing, horseback riding, picnicking, boating, camping, and more.
So, if you are looking for unique attractions in Illinois to enjoy with your family, then do plan a visit to the Starved Rock State Park.
Recommended Hotel: Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Ottawa Starved Rock Area
Check Prices: Booking.com
Packing List When Visiting Attractions In Illinois
If you will be traveling, either by plane or by car to Illinois, here are some tips on how to pack lightly.
A concealed travel pouch may be one of the most important items you bring along when looking for Illinois attractions.
It is always important to protect your personal information. Identity thieves are everywhere.
This unisex RFID-blocking concealed travel pouch is lightweight and comes in several colors. It has lots of organization to give you peace of mind.
You can place it under your clothes next to your body to carry your ID safely.
If you have a pouch already that does not come with RFID protection, as I do, these RFID sleeves are the perfect solution.
This configuration comes with enough credit card sleeves that the entire family would be protected. They are slim too, so they will easily fit into your pouch or wallet.
If you are planning on taking a lot of pictures with your phone you will definitely want to consider an external charging battery.
This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry with me on all of my trips.
It can be used on a variety of phones, not just an iPhone as I have. And wow is it fast!
My daughter gifted me with this FugeTek selfie stick and tripod setup for my birthday. I absolutely love it! It is made of lightweight aluminum and so easy to use.
It has Bluetooth connectivity and is a breeze to use for taking photos during your London activities.
You will want to bring your own refillable water bottle with you.
I never leave home on a trip without my Bobble filtration bottle. The 18.5-ounce size is perfect for hiking and it fits nicely in the pocket of a backpack.
The replaceable carbon filter ensures clean drinking water when you want it.
Then this collapsible silicone foldable water bottle would work well for you. Would not take up much space at all.
You will want a backpack or daypack with you to store snacks, your water bottle, phone, extra clothes, etc…. No matter the time of day or evening.
This foldable water-resistant backpack would be great.
It is very affordable and is available in many color options for you to choose from. The fact that it folds down into a zippered pouch will make it easy to pack.
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