Here Are 12 Awesome Things You Can Do In Illinois For $10 Or Less

Who says you can only go to the zoo when it's warm and you pack a picnic lunch? Take a walk in the FREE Lincoln Park Zoo. It might be the best time of year to see it with all of the holiday lights. Kids and adults will be enchanted.

Aren't all plants dead in winter? Actually, no. And Chicago Botanic Garden isn't located totally outdoors. There are plenty of things in bloom to see, and you can stroll this beautiful landscape and take in winter. Oh, and it's free.

Are you a train nut? Then this is definitely the place for you. I've been to the National Railroad Museum, and I have to say, this museum in Monticello is just very well run. You will love the artifacts and the trains, of course. This time of year, hop onto the Polar Express and even splurge and let the kids have lunch with Santa on the train.

We can't say enough about how awesome the Cahokia Mounds site truly is. Called by some the Stonehenge of the Midwest, it is a remarkable site. Unless you spring for the $1 map, admission is free.

Okay, you absolutely cannot go to Metropolis and skip the Super Museum. There are THOUSANDS of items here, from when Superman was first "born" through today. At just $5 for people 5 years of age and older, it's a bargain.

If you're a fan of military history, you will have an absolute ball at the Illinois State Military Museum. You can see all sorts of supplies used by Illinois soldiers in various wars, which can show you how warfare has really advanced. Throw in some real gems like Santa Ana's captured leg, and it is well worth a visit.

Hard to believe it, but this view is free. With how far south it is, the weather is a little warmer, but a nip in the air will still give you that brisk, wonderful walk through nature that you desire. There are plenty of absolutely amazing features within Shawnee National Forest, and, indeed, many incredible things in the surrounding area that are totally free.

This isn't a home made out of Lincoln logs; this is actually the cabin where the father and stepmother of Abraham Lincoln lived. It helps to show you rural life during that time in history. This is the perfect time to come out as it is decorated for Christmas. Today (December 5), they are actually serving wassail, making crafts, and singing carols, of course!

This museum is a 20 room home that was built in 1865, and this house has been maintained to really showcase its beauty. Right now, it is decorated for the holidays, making it even more attractive. Admission is just $7, but that includes a 60-90 minute guided tour. Like many historic sites, it is in need of funds, so visits or donations or sharing this post to help these folks out would be much appreciated by them.

For just $5, you can see where President Ronald Reagan grew up. This is a lot more than just a boyhood home. It's a glimpse into the past of what Illinois was like in the 1920s. You will be pleasantly surprised, and even the kids will like it.

This is probably the most underrated museum in Chicago, with all sorts of rotating exhibits. The architecture in the building alone is worth a visit. There are often free musical or other artistic events. Oh, and did I mention that it is totally FREE?