Best Places to Visit in Illinois

The Small-Town State Park in Illinois Locals Want to Keep to Themselves

Discover a peaceful small-town state park in Illinois that locals love for its quiet trails, scenic views, and hidden gem appeal.

by Stephanie Frias

on May 9

A child wearing black sweatpants, walking along the scenic Kankakee River, part of the small-town state park, Kankakee River State Park near Wilmington, Illinois.

May 12

3 Epic Airbnbs in Illinois With Pools, Cold Plunges, and Unreal Water Views

Stays

Vacation Rentals

Luxury indoor pool sanctuary with wood finishes and ceiling windows in northern Illinois.

May 19

One of Illinois’s Quirkiest Towns Is Still Flying Under the Radar

Trips & Routes

Visiting the Gemini Giant, a 20-foot green alien sculpture. It's a Route 66 attraction in the Illinois quirky small town of Wilmington. Shown here with travel writer, Stephanie Frias, and her husband, Carlos Frias.

May 21

This Campground Near the Mississippi River Is Perfect for an Illinois Escape

Stays

Camping

Aerial view of the Mississippi River banks in Savanna, Illinois with a bridge crossing the river, lush, green foilage, and a train crossing on the tracks near the secluded campground at Seven Eagles Campground & Resort.

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More to Explore

Nature

3 Picture-Perfect Nature Trails in Illinois for a Spring Hike

Nature

Don’t Attempt This One Hike in Illinois Unless You’re Up for a Challenge

Nature

Find 4 Bucket-List-Level Views in Illinois Without Needing to Be an Expert Hiker

Trips & Routes

This Little-Known Waterfront Town Is One of the Most Charming in Illinois

Trips & Routes

The Charming Illinois Town Locals Hope Stays Off Tourists’ Radar

Trips & Routes

This Burger Joint in Illinois Is One of the Best Road Trip Stops You’ve Never Considered

Food

You Haven’t Tried True Illinois Comfort Food Until You’ve Been Here

Food

Slurp, Savor, Repeat: Illinois’ Best Noodle Restaurant for National Noodle Month

Food

This Is the Best Buffet in Illinois, Known for Its Polish Cuisine

Pan-fried pierogi with golden crispy edges, served on a white plate and garnished with fresh parsley.

Experiences

One Unforgettable Airbnb Experience in Illinois You’ll Want to Book ASAP

Berries on a wild edible plant forage in Aurora, Illinois.

Experiences

These 3 Hidden Spots in Gramercy Park Feel Like a Secret

Experiences

7 Truly One-of-a-Kind Buildings You’ll Only Find in Illinois

Stays

The Unique Illinois Treehouse You’ll Remember Forever

Stays

This Secluded Illinois Airbnb Sits Steps From a Roaring Waterfall

Four lawn chairs surround a fire pit outside an Airbnb lodge

Stays

I Stayed at the Last Remaining Motor Lodge in Chicago on Route 66

Bucket List

Nature

National & State Parks

Your Ultimate Guide to State Parks in Illinois

Explore the best state parks in Illinois for outdoor fun. Discover hiking trails, lakes, camping spots, and more. Plan your next nature escape.

by Jasmine Vieau

on Jul 6

Nature

Take a Unique Adventure On Illinois’s Best Kayaking Trail

by Jessica Mlinaric

on May 23

A kayaker in a red shirt paddles through a swamp lined with tall trees

Nature

The Dune Hike in Illinois That Everyone Should Take at Least Once

by Stephanie Frias

on May 26

A woman wearing black, walking down a gravel path between tall, golden prairie plants. She's on a dune hike in Illinois at Braidwood Dunes in Braidwood, Illinois.

Stays

What Happened to McDonald’s Former Illinois Headquarters? It’s Now a Sustainable Hotel

by Stephanie Frias

on May 27

The facade of Hyatt Lodge Oak Brooks, a reinvented Mid Century hotel overlooking a lake. It's on the former MdDonald's camppus and has been turned into a sustainable hotel in Illinois.

Trips & Routes

You Won’t Need a Car To Explore This Walkable Coastal City in Illinois

by Amanda Finn

on Jun 3

A pier and lighthouse along Lake Michigan in Waukegan, Illinois

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State Pride

3 Reasons Why Illinois Is the Best Place To Retire

Illinois is home to hundreds of museums, music venues, arts organizations, and so much nature for retirees to enjoy. There are several cities with high affordability and quality of life as well.

by Amanda Finn

on Apr 13

Chicago, Illinois, USA downtown skyline from Lincoln Park at twilight.

Trips & Routes

We Found the Most Colorful Places in Illinois

From neon lights to natural beauty, the most colorful places in Illinois showcase the state’s energetic cities and peaceful landscapes.

This Illinois Airbnb Looks Like It Belongs in Ontario

The Octagonal Treehouse cabin in Galena, Illinois, features massive windows that let in natural light and offer views of the surrounding woods.

by Amanda Finn

on Feb 25

A sitting room in an octagonal cabin house in Galena, Illinois that looks like a dupe of cabins in Ontario.

State Pride

The 3 Reasons Why You Should Be Putting Down Roots in Illinois

With its beaches, cultural institutions, and varied weather, Illinois is a wonderful place to put down roots.

by Amanda Finn

on Feb 19