The Fairytale Road Trip That'll Lead You To Some Of Illinois' Most Magical Places
By Elizabeth Crozier|Updated on December 06, 2022(Originally published December 01, 2022)
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Elizabeth Crozier
Author
An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeth’s articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals.
Take a magical road trip that leads you to fairytale places in Illinois that are whimsical and royal. Discover castles and English gardens that will make you feel like a prince or princess. Everyone deserves to be pampered every now and again. Each location is enchanting in its own way, making the drive well worth your time. To make trip preparations easier, be sure to use our ultimate road trip packing list. Getting ready for a trip has never been easier!
With a travel time of nearly 12 hours, this road trip is best done in two days, which is great as it includes hotels along the way. You'll feel like royalty at each stop.
Whether you begin or end your journey at this majestic place, you can enjoy an overnight stay at this castle that was built in 2001 to replicate a Medieval fortress. Each guestroom has a whimsical theme that will take you back to a long-forgotten era in history. The castle hosts events all throughout the year, from weddings to birthdays and other parties. There are seasonal events such as Christmas at the Castle. You can read more about RavenStone Castle in this article.
2. Aurora Sunken Gardens
Phillips Park Sunken Garden, 1000 Ray Moses Dr, Aurora, IL 60505, USA
Styled after popular gardens in England, this beautiful space serves as the part of the entrance to Phillips Park Zoo. It features a three-tiered fountain, benches, stairs, shrubs, and a variety of flowers. Read more about Aurora Sunken Gardens in Phillips Park and why it deserves a visit on our fairytale road trip.
3. Allerton Park and Retreat Center
Retreat Center - Masion, 515 Old Timber Rd, Monticello, IL 61856, USA
Guests may visit the grounds of this estate for free daily. It consists of 1,500 acres of woodlands and prairies as well as 14 formal gardens. There is a maze, a 10-acre meadow, and more than 100 ornaments to marvel at throughout the grounds. You can read more about Allerton Park and Retreat Center in this article.
Situated on 40 acres, this is another castle that you can stay the night in. It contains five bedrooms and was built in 2004. Massage chairs, whirlpool tubs, and mahogany beds are the most incredible amenities you'll find here. You will have a magical visit when you stay at the Castle of Palmyra.
Overlooking the Mississippi River, this unique castle sits high atop a bluff in southern Illinois and was built in 1900. It serves as a tourist center and is available to all. You'll be excited to plan your visit to Villa Katherine when you learn more about the breathtaking structure.
Established in 1993, this park was built as a memorial for a man's son who died in a car accident. The son was a fan of "Dungeons and Dragons" so the park was themed after ideas from the game. Before your visit, take the time to read more about Boo Castle Park.
What would you add to this magical road trip? Have you been to any of these fairytale places in Illinois? Share your favorite places that are like getting lost in a fairytale with us below in the comments.
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More to Explore
Places To Visit In Illinois
Katie Feldkamp|December 06, 2022
What are some of the best road trips in Illinois?
With so many places to explore, it’s hard to narrow down the best road trip in Illinois. Instead, it just means there is lots of exploring to be done. A few recommendations for your next road trip include:
What are you waiting for? Time to hop in your car and start exploring!
What are the most magical places in Illinois?
Since Christmas is undeniably the most magical time of year, it’s fun to check out the places that seem to bring to life that Christmas spirit. Here are some of the most magical towns and cities in Illinois at Christmas:
Tuscola
Chicago
Galena
Naperville
Rockford
Check out this article for more information on what makes these some of the most magical towns in Illinois at Christmas.
