The best way to see the fall foliage in Illinois is to take a fall drive through the state and witness it all. In just under two hours, you can go on a scenic and memorable road trip that will take you to four of the state's best outdoor attractions. Check out this fall foliage drive in Illinois:
Hitting up these popular outdoor attractions in northwest Illinois will take you on a 77-mile journey that lasts about two hours, especially if you take your time driving by the Mississippi River and through the hills along the way.
The first stop, if you choose to take one on this fall drive, is Long Hollow Scenic Overlook in the town of Elizabeth. It is situated along a portion of the Great River Road and features excellent views of the rolling countryside as well as picnic tables, shelters, and restrooms.
The Long Hollow Scenic Overlook is a wonderful place to enjoy fall colors in Illinois. As you watch this video from Rob Stanton, imagine what it would look like bathed in bright fall colors:
Drive about 16 miles south to Savanna and you'll find the Mississippi Palisades State Park, which spans 2,500 acres.
It is situated near the confluence of the Mississippi and Apple rivers and is recognized for its unique natural attractions such as its cliffs and other rock formations.
Illinois in the fall is extra special at Mississippi Palisades State Park in Savanna, Illinois. Enjoy this flyover tour of the park from Elliot Mills:
If you're looking for a place to get out and stretch your legs on this two-hour fall drive, this would be an excellent place to do it as there are a plethora of trails all around.
The next stop is about 53 miles away and is located in the town of Oregon. The Black Hawk Statue, also known as the Eternal Indian, sits on a 77-foot-tall bluff top, is 48 feet tall, and was created in the early 1900s.
Surrounding this statue is the Lowden State Park, and even further beyond is the entire Lowden-Miller Forest, which comprises 2,291 acres of gorgeous scenery that is looking lovely this time of year.
Enjoy a tour of Lowden State Park and get a glimpse of the Black Hawk Statue in this video from iJini Vlog:
Tucked away within the Rock River Valley, this popular area is also known for its giant rock bluffs as well as its ancient trees, fun trails, and other natural wonders.
The fun doesn't have to stop here, check out the 10 most scenic drives in Illinois that will take your breath away. And the best way to do that is by renting an RV and going on a road trip!
Is there another fall foliage drive in Illinois you know of that is beautiful? Share your favorite places to cruise with us in the comments.
With so many cities, small towns, and wide open spaces, the Land of Lincoln is a great state for a road trip. Whether you have a few hours, a day, a few days, or longer, check out these Illinois road trip ideas for your next adventure. These are some of the best road trips in Illinois you can take!
Route: Burden Falls > Jackson Falls > Cache River Basin Vineyard & Winery > Ferne Clyffe State Park > Feather Hills Vineyard and Winery
Distance: 64 miles
Trip Time: 1 hour 38 minutes
Go chasing waterfalls throughout Illinois with this epic road trip. Pack your camera and jump in the car to see some of Illinois' finest! And then treat yourself to some wine at a couple of vineyards. This wine and waterfalls day trip in Illinois is a unique adventure!
Route: Gold Pyramid House > Leaning Tower of Niles > Gemini Giant > Hippie Memorial > Two Story Outhouse > World's Largest Wind Chime > World's Largest Catsup Bottle > America's Largest Cross > Piasa Bird > Superman Statue
Distance: 823 miles
Trip Time: 13 hours 43 minutes
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If quirky roadside attractions in Illinois are your thing, this road trip is for you! Take some time on a long weekend and have fun discovering the weird side of Illinois. From the Gold Pyramid House in Wadsworth to some of the world's largest attractions in Casey, this trip will put a smile on your face!
There are certainly plenty of hidden gems to discover, and you can use this Illinois road trip itinerary to find some of the most extraordinary ones! You'll start your adventure at an awe-inspiring natural bridge, head to a winery, dine on some mouthwatering BBQ, shop at a market, and explore some wetlands. This hidden gems road trip through Illinois has a little bit of everything!
Route: RavenStone Castle > Aurora Sunken Gardens > Allerton Park and Retreat Center > Castle Of Palmyra > Villa Kathrine > Boo Castle Park
Distance: 649 miles
Trip Time: 11 hours 42 minutes
Most children and even some adults dream of being in a fairy tale. And we have a wonderful road trip of a lifetime to some of the most fairytale-like places in the state. On this Illinois road trip itinerary, you'll see several castles, a garden, and even a playground the kids will absolutely love.
Route: Ferne Clyffe Waterfall Trail > Kinkaid Lake Spillway > Cedar Falls > Little Pakentuck Waterfall Trail > Jackson Falls > Burden Falls
Distance: 119 miles
Trip Time: 3 hours
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One of our favorite road trips you can take during the spring is to see some of its most beautiful waterfalls. Not only will you view several beautiful cascades, but this waterfall road trip gets you outdoors and breathing in the fresh air. Weekend road trips in Illinois are a ton of fun, so pick out a fun place to stay nearby and start exploring those waterfalls.
Route: Sunrise Park > Three Oaks Recreation Area > Anderson Japanese Gardens > Fox Hollow Tubing Adventure > I & M Canal Boat > Starved Rock State Park > Grand View Drive
Distance: 250 miles
Trip Time: 5 hours 25 minutes
Looking for an epic summer adventure? How about a road trip to some of the best summer spots in Illinois? Start your day at one of Lake Michigan's finest beaches. Stroll through Anderson Japanese Gardens then go tubing on the Fox River. These are just a few of the highlights!
Route: Long Hollow Scenic Overlook > Mississippi Palisades State Park > Black Hawk Statue > Lowden - Miller Forest >
Distance: 77 miles
Trip Time: 1 hour 43 minutes
Nothing is more beautiful than the changing colors of the leaves in the fall. Take it all in during this autumn road trip, one of the best road trips in Illinois. And it just goes to show that quick road trips in Illinois can be just as stunning as long ones.
Route: Chicago Botanic Garden > Lincoln Park Zoo > Starved Rock Lodge > Folepi's Winter Wonderland > McIntosh Christmas Road > Shelbyville Festival of Lights
Distance: 331 miles
Trip Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
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Turn up the Christmas music and cruise through Illinois to see the most beautiful lights. It's sure to get you in the holiday spirit! You'll have to wait until the holiday season for this one, but it's worth it.
Route: Junction Diner > Lincoln Park Zoo > Leaning Tower of Niles > Great Wolf Lodge > Jurassic Gardens > Illinois Railway Museum > Pilot Pete's
Distance: 137 miles
Trip Time: 3 hours 27 minutes
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Need an Illinois road trip itinerary the whole family can enjoy? With roadside attractions, train-themed stops, and even a waterpark hotel along the way, kids and adults alike will have a blast!
Route: Illinois Beach State Park > Mississippi Palisades State Park > Starved Rock State Park > Matthiessen State Park > Pomona Natural Bridge > Giant City State Park > Ferne Clyffe State Park > Cache River Natural Area > Garden of the Gods > Cave-in-Rock State Park
Distance: 733 miles
Trip Time: 3 hours 23 minutes
So much beauty in Illinois, so little time. That's why we created one big road trip to let you see some of the most gorgeous places in the state! From the shores of Lake Michigan to views of the Mississippi River, and exploring some of the state's most magnificent parks as well as a cave, this is one of the best road trips to take in Illinois if you love state parks and natural wonders.
Route: Clarendon Hills > Harvard > Woodstock > Cherry Valley > Galena > Mount Carroll > Fulton > Morrison > Franklin Grove > Sycamore
Distance: 365 miles
Trip Time: 8 hours
We've got a lot of charm going on here in Illinois. Take this road trip to enjoy the small towns that make our state great. This Illinois small-town road trip focuses on the northern part of the state and really showcases small-town charm.
Which of these Illinois road trip ideas do you like the best? There's so much to see in this state that it's a good idea to go with an itinerary. Tell us, what are some of the best road trips in Illinois you have taken?
Make sure you check out some of the best places to stay in Illinois so you can break up your road trip with a nice relaxing vacation rental. Before you go, stock up on some of our favorite road trip snacks too! Well, you have to get your own, of course.
Springtime in Illinois is such a wonderful sight. Our hiking trails, fields, and meadows burst forth with vivid colors and gardens come alive with beautiful blooms. If you’re looking for places to see flowers in Illinois this spring, take this road trip to six of the best places to experience them. The road trip runs for 10 hours and 27 minutes of driving time, so you’ll want to make a whole weekend of it.
Starting off in Harrisburg, Peony Hill Farm is the first destination, and all through April and May you’ll be able to see a swath of these gorgeous flowers. See them before they’re sent to flower shops all over the Midwest.
Next, we head to the Makanda area and hike the Rocky Bluff Trail which has wildflowers blooming all over the place and in so many varieties. This short and easy trail will show you trilliums, bloodroot, poppies, lilies, and many more. It’s a wonderful springtime trail.
This beautiful botanical garden in Springfield is a must-visit whether you’re on this road trip or just visiting the city. Wherever you wander in the Washington Park Botanical Garden you’ll see flowers lovingly arranged in garden beds, along walls, under trees, and pretty much everywhere you look. It’s a lovely spring stroll that shouldn’t be missed.
On the western outskirts of Springfield is the beautiful Lewis Memorial Acres Outer Loop Trail. Springfield locals love this trail, especially in the spring when the wildflowers open up and display their natural grandeur. This easy trail is less than two miles long and is great for bringing the kids along.
If you like Virginia bluebells, then this short hike is just for you. During the spring, Hidden Acres Park becomes a sea of bluebells. It’s a lush carpet from which the verdant trees grow creating a soothing landscape of purple and green. Either of the two trails on this 28-acre preserve will be a stunning sight.
The final stop on our flower road trip is at one of the best flower fields in Illinois. The Casper Bluff Land and Water Reserve has fields upon fields of them. The hiking trails here will show you every color of wildflower as well as ancient Native American mounds. This place is simply mesmerizing.
Have you been to any of these places to see flowers in Illinois? Do you have any other favorite places during springtime in Illinois? Let us know in the comments. If you’re looking for more natural beauty in Illinois, head back out on the road and check out these lovely places:
