5 Illinois Tourist Spots I Tried To Hate (But Ended up Loving)

I have a love/hate relationship with tourist attractions. Sometimes they are a complete waste of time, like overpriced Instagram photo-moment-laden museums, while others can enlighten you. Luckily, my home state of Illinois has a lot of both. When I first moved here, there were a handful of things I really didn't want to love (because they're known as tourist traps), but I couldn't resist their charms.

1. Navy Pier - Chicago

While you won't find me meandering Navy Pier on a summer holiday weekend, I do love this iconic tourist spot in Chicago. It's home to amusement park rides, boat tours, shops, eateries, the Chicago Children's Museum, and my beloved Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Sure, the pier might be a little hokey and overcrowded, but I love it all the same. Plus, the views of the city are to die for.

2. Deep Dish Pizza

This isn't a place, yet I frequently find myself defending Chicago deep-dish pizza. Spots like Giordano's, Uno, and Lou Malnati's are often talked about as places only tourists go, so they belong on this list. I've written a few pieces about how much I love deep-dish pizza. Even if it's something tourists clamor for, I'll always defend its cheesy honor.

3. Metropolis

At the southern tip of Illinois, you will find Metropolis. Yes, that Metropolis. This town is the official hometown of the Man of Steel himself, Superman. Fittingly, you'll find homages to the beloved superhero from the Super Museum to the World's Largest Superman Statue throughout the town. Although I'm more of a Batman fan myself, I did find this place quite charming. Even the museum, which houses over 20,000 pieces of Superman memorabilia, was fascinating to this Dark Knight-leaning aficionado.

4. Millennium Park - Chicago

No, I'm not recommending you visit The Bean, which is the most underwhelming part of Millennium Park. Instead, I'm begging you to explore the rest of this enormous piece of nature smackdab in downtown Chicago. The entire park is 24.5 acres and is often cast in the shadow of the statue, officially known as "Cloudgate." It's easy for visitors to forget gorgeous spaces like the Lurie Garden, the quiet nature strewn throughout the park, or even McCormick Tribune Plaza, which hosts the ice rink each winter. If you stop for The Bean, don't forget there's a whole park out there.

5. Starved Rock State Park - Oglesby

As one of the most visited state parks in the country, Starved Rock State Park is hardly starving for attention. Despite its popularity, I think it's well worth a visit. Part of what makes it so popular, aside from its location just under 2 hours from Chicago, is its breathtaking sandstone canyons and seasonal waterfalls. Personally, I think it is much more fun to visit in the off-season (not the summer) to avoid the crowds. Autumn is the best time to fully enjoy the park's incredible fall foliage.

Get started on your own Illinois tourist locale journey with these or your own spots using the Only In Your State AI Travel Planner. The planner can help identify locations based on what kind of trip you're looking for, from family weeks away to romantic weekends with your special someone.