Day spas in Illinois that are worh visiting. Meet The Farm Animal That Inspired An Iconic Restaurant Chain In Illinois, Youll Never Forget Your Stay At This Charming Vintage Home In Illinois With Its Very Own Heated Pool, You Could Spend Forever Exploring This Illinois Small Town, But Well Settle For A Weekend, Eat Asian-Fusion And Be Serenaded By Celebrity Impersonators At This Family-Owned Tiki-Themed Illinois Restaurant, Here are 9 Hidden Gems Along the Mississippi River in Illinois, Take These 11 Country Roads In Illinois For A Gorgeous Scenic Drive, Youll Want To Take This Picture Perfect River Trail Through Illinois, If There Are Only 5 Hikes You Ever Do In Illinois, Make Them These, seven places in Illinois boonies that are so worth the drive. Well worth the visit. If you are a Republican fan, a fan of Reagan's or just love history, this is a wonderful tribute to a great man. The Lincoln Highway was the first highway in America to be paved all the way across the state in the early 1900s. We're a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program. Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway. The Teutopolis Monastery Museum is a popular spot, housing religious artifacts, as well as the 198-foot cross in Effingham, and the Cahokia Mounds state historic site in Collinsville. Grandview Drive State Park is located at 3615 N Grandview Dr, Peoria, IL 61614. For this trip, we're going to concentrate on the Illinois portion. There is a piece of the Berlin wall outside the building as well. Along the route are twenty-one stops that are meant to create emotional archeology so that visitors can learn about and connect to the communities, histories, people, and customs of each individual town along the route. Looking where to stay while exploring the Shawnee Hills Wine trail? Rhode Island South Carolina Road Trip Planner Plan, edit, save, and share your custom day trips, weekend getaways, and cross-country adventures. Its also the only state on the entire Lincoln Highway route to achieve the designation as a National Scenic Byway. this is a very nice 50 mile loop along the great river road, its has lots of stops to picnic or watch barges or birds, the east side is more scenic. the byway is in the north-central part of the state, and takes approximately seven hours to drive. Get out and stretch your legs along the great river by exploring the beautiful landscape. Located at the convergence of the Mighty Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois Rivers, the byway winds west and north, withfour regions to explore: the northwest, the northeast, the southwest, and southeast. the Shawnee Hills Wine trail? A scenic drive up and down the Mississippi River always makes for an excellent road trip. 8 Superb Scenic Drives in Illinois To Try This Summer, Always check weather conditions before you set out, especially in winter; visit, Looking for more inspiration beyond Illinois?
You can do the stunning drive outlined here in one day. Read this post in which we share the best things to do in Grafton. Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive Flickr/Kirk Kittell If you have a day or two to just breathe in all the sites, then take on Spoon River Valley's scenic 140-mile drive. A Sunday drive elicits connotations of happier, simpler Rockwell-esque times. Additional stops include Batavia, home to old limestone factory buildings, and Rochelle, a popular railroad town. Everyone in the family will love spotting the bison in Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. Read Enjoy Illinois magazine online or download the PDF and start exploring trip ideas It provides visitors with the opportunity to view farmlands, wildlife, and barges carrying commodities up and down the river. Hop in the car and enjoy the best scenic drives in Illinois, from bluffs along the Mississippi River to winding roads through a national forest and the famous Route 66. It all started back in 1926 when the Bureau of Public Roads created a way for goods to travel from Chicago to Los Angeles, California. Insider tip: Ottawa is considered as being the heart of Starved Rock county. Each event showcases the unique history or culture of the hosting town. If you love the idea of a good old-fashioned Sunday drive then youll love getting into the car and heading down Grand View Drive in Peoria. Its also the only state on the entire Lincoln Highway route to achieve the designation as a National Scenic Byway. There is so much history and pride in the locals here. Lucky for us, it begins right here in Illinois. Beginning in Chicago and ending in St. Louis, you'll find an old, hand-laid brick road, a rabbit ranch, fried chicken, strange statues, and much more on this Illinois byway. Spots like the Navy Pier, Buckingham Fountain, and beautiful beaches are all along the way and definitely deserve a spot on the itinerary! 10 - Great River Road Flickr user: Dave Herholz Starting Location: East Dubuque, IL Ending Location: Cairo, IL Length: 543 miles Best Season to Drive: All See this drive on Google Maps Since then, folks have enjoyed the drive and activities during 2 weekends in October. Located at the convergence of the Mighty Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois Rivers, the byway winds west and north, with. And while you may be traveling in a modern vehicle, the trip will take you back into history, from when Native Americans inhabited the land through the time of western settlement and onward through times of industrialization. From red and yellow trees to roads dusted with vibrant leaves, this is an incredibly scenic fall drive in Northern Illinois. Eureka College, Reagan's alma mater, is a very small college with not much to see. Considered the most beautiful state park, Its no secret that the small towns of the Prairie State are charming, to say the least, and provide the perfect escape from daily life. Beginning in the town of Cumberland in Maryland, this road ends in the wonderful Illinois town of Vandalia. Theres nothing quite like driving the scenic roads in Illinois. Here is a list of more small cities in Illinois that are worth a visit. You could spend months following it south to Havana where it meets the Shawnee National Forest and trying to take in the hundreds of natural, historical, and cultural attractions along the way. Here you can find a list of more southern Illinois wineries. Learn more about Illinois Lincoln Highway on the website. We want to see your photos and hear your tales of the road. The whole family will love hiking the oak-hickory forest with its incredible geological formations. In addition to wine, the drive is filled with trails, creeks and lakes, small cabins, and sprawling orchards. The Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway follows both sides of the river, creating a 291-mile loop. Learn more about Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail on the webpage. Along this great byway are key places to go in southern Illinois. Definitely make a visit to the Lewis & Clark National Trail Site in Hartford. , including the Land of Lincoln (also its state slogan) and The Prairie State, but did you also know that popcorn is its official snack food, the eastern tiger salamander the state amphibian, and the monarch butterfly the state insect? Illinois Scenic Drives Byways, Backways, Historic Routes,. The highest point is Charles Mound at 1,235 feet, and the lowest is the Mississippi River at 279 feet. This scenic drive through Illinois begins in historic Ottawa. Though it is an expressway, South Lake Shore Drive runs along the shoreline of Lake Michigan, and leads to a long list of parks, beaches, and small towns. As you may have imagined, there are a ton of river-related activities and attractions in which to partake. If youre looking for a long meditative drive through Illinois, there has never been a better time to do it.
I was there in the morning and had a beautiful blue sky. My wife and I drove through and the beauty is amazing. When you travel through one of the most scenic Illinois byways, you are taking the same route the French explorers once did. Starting in this great city, Route 66 is an easy day trip from Chicago. we live around the great river road near alton illinois, this drive is alot better than ours for sure. Review of: Great River Road in Illinois National Scenic Byway, Public Transportation Systems in Illinois, Things to do near Shawnee National Forest, 4G SIM card Da Nang International Aiport Pickup, Florida Everglades Airboat Adventure and Wildlife Encounter, Night Snorkeling - Observation of octopus and other species, NYC Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Helicopter Tour, Limoncello Making and lunch with lemon base. 2023 - Family Road Trip. While it doesnt boast an intimidating amount of driving miles (only nine miles, to be exact) you will still enjoy driving through about 1,700 lush acres of bountiful gardens and trees. For one of the best scenic drives in northern Illinois, set your navigation for the Lincoln Highway. Youre welcome to visit the Spoon River Valley any time. From there, its only a twenty minute drive to Matthiessen State Park a well-loved, but lesser known cousin of nearby Starved Rock State Park. Make sure to check out the event calendar to see what kind of special activities are happening along this beautiful drive in Illinois. Originally from the quaint beach town of Fenwick Island, Delaware, Stephanie has called Chicago home for nearly a decade. As one of the most scenic drives in Illinois, there's nothing else quite like it. Learn more about the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway on the webpage. As a state of mostly small towns, Illinois has plenty of scenic roads you can take to get away from it all and have space to look around instead of just staring at the bumper in front of you. The Great River Road is one of the best-kept secrets in the US, following the Mississippi River along the western border of Illinois for 885 kilometers. Learn more about the Long Hollow Scenic Overlook on the webpage. Also called The Mother Road, the 1,408 miles of Route 66 travels through four statesArizona, Illinois, New Mexico, and Oklahomawith each section offering something unique to see.
Meet The Farm Animal That Inspired An Iconic Restaurant Chain In Illinois, Youll Never Forget Your Stay At This Charming Vintage Home In Illinois With Its Very Own Heated Pool, You Could Spend Forever Exploring This Illinois Small Town, But Well Settle For A Weekend, Eat Asian-Fusion And Be Serenaded By Celebrity Impersonators At This Family-Owned Tiki-Themed Illinois Restaurant, This Butterfly Garden In Berwyn, Illinois Is So Little-Known, You Just Might Have It All To Yourself, 15 Waterparks In Illinois That Are Pure Bliss, Here Are The 12 Absolute Best Places To Stay In Illinois, If You Didnt Know About These 10 Swimming Holes In Illinois, Youve Been Missing Out, Friends of Hennipen Canal / Friends-Hennepin-Canal.org. Besides the great views youll have throughout the entire trip, youll be entertained nearly every mile of this trip. The Great River Road is one of the most scenic road trips in the midwest. So, starting from #5 and working our way down to the #1 best motorcycle ride in Illinois. Route 66 Cutting through Illinois is a 300-mile stretch of the mythical Route 66. Whether stopping into one of the small towns for a taste of history, or simply continue to drive along the quiet roads complete with views of prairie fields and rolling green hills, the Historic National Road is sure to be a relaxing ride. Encounter these quirky relics, from a giant Muffler Man to a towering bottle of catsup. Learn more about the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway on the website. list of more small cities in Illinois that are worth a visit. Beautiful views! Also, be sure to check out the famous Cahokia mounds and visit the Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower where you can experience breathtaking 150-foot views of "Ol Man River." You can plan to spend a week or simply take a day trip from Chicago. Read our full coverage on Peorias Grand View Drive to learn more. A passion for cocktail creation, international travel and decadent foodie experiences, enjoy Stephanie's romp through the Land of Lincoln. You may guess that the Ohio River Scenic Byway should be in the state of Ohio. The Reagan exhibit is housed in the Cerf Bldg and takes about 30 minutes (or a little more if you read everything).
Washington Square Park is Located at Washington Square Park, 101 E Lafayette St, Ottawa, IL 61350. Find your nearest vaccination location at vaccines.gov. Traveling along its namesake, this road is partially an old route marked by French explorers and other immigrants who were drawn to Illinois. Share your TAB, TAG or Cirrus experience for a chance to be featured on our website! Follow the Mother Road to discover a myriad of quirky roadside attractions, or hit one of the scenic highways crisscrossing the state. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Here is a list of scenic drives in Central Illinois. Get to know us better on our about us page. It involves the vision of Carl Fisher to create a roadway connecting New York City with San Francisco. Great River Road Must-see pit stops: Long Hollow Scenic Overlook Dutch Windmill "De Immigrant" While no longer an official highway, Illinois still celebrates its 300-mile stretch with restored 1940s gas pumps, quirky museums, and eccentric art and memorabilia on one of the most historic drives in Illinois.
At least one scenic byway runs through each of the IDOT regions.
In Illinois, the Lincoln Highway crosses the entire state, starting in Lynwood in the east and traveling all the way to the great Mississippi River in the town of Fulton. Everyone in the family will love a visit to the John Deere Pavilion in Milione. This old two-lane highway is now adorned with delicious restaurants, museums, and other cheesy but fun attractions. The history and cultural significance that is now preserved along the route makes the Lincoln Byway one of the best scenic drives in Northern Illinois. Starting in Galena to the north, and traveling all the way to Cairo in the south, youll come across historical sites, quaint towns, state parks, and wineries where you can easily fill your itinerary. 1. Wind through this 140-mile backroad, and you'll find more than 20 amazing Illinois attractions that everyone must visit. Long Hollow Scenic Overlook, 2918 US Hwy 20 W, Elizabeth, IL 61028, USA. Share your favorite places to cruise with us below in the comments. Also, know what the health guidelines are in the various locales and bring along plenty of PPE (personal protective equipment), including masks. Love Illinois? Dont miss the history present in Princeton. This gorgeous road spans three states: Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. Lincoln Highway, Lincoln Hwy, Joliet, IL, USA. Divided into two sections. is the shortest section of the entire 943-mile byway, following the southeast border of the state and ending where the Ohio River meets the Mississippi, but even that stretch has plenty to view and enjoy. What are some of the most beautiful parks to visit in Illinois? We have been enjoying visiting several of the Presidential libraries, museums, historic homes, etc. Robyne Stevenson. hand laid back in the 1930s and Harrys Rabbit Ranch, which contains old Route 66 memorabilia and other kitschy items that made this one of the most renowned Illinois byways. Also referred to as the "Road that built the Nation," this byway started in Cumberland, Maryland and ended in Vandalia, Illinois. Plan on visiting in October if you want to participate in the countys annual drive event and witness the activities and entertainment. Youll see where Lincolns political career began, take pictures with giant bottles of catsup, and experience historical wonders such as the Cahokia Mounds, the largest prehistoric site north of Mexico where Mississippi natives were living 1,000 years ago. One of the less threatening wild specimens is pictured here. The Knox County communities have been proudly showcasing their farming communities and their rich history since 1976. I think best place to see the Chicago skyline. TheLincoln Highway, dedicated in 1913, has the distinction of being the first transcontinental road for automobiles in the United States. Find out how to get to Illinois by plane, train, bus and driving. Ive traveled much of the U.S. and Ill rank this drive as one of the more scenic Ive ever taken. Check out these, If you want to take a unique boat tour along the Illinois River and Lake Michigan, check out, Meet The Farm Animal That Inspired An Iconic Restaurant Chain In Illinois, Youll Never Forget Your Stay At This Charming Vintage Home In Illinois With Its Very Own Heated Pool, You Could Spend Forever Exploring This Illinois Small Town, But Well Settle For A Weekend, Eat Asian-Fusion And Be Serenaded By Celebrity Impersonators At This Family-Owned Tiki-Themed Illinois Restaurant, The 10 Best Backroads In Illinois For A Long Scenic Drive, 7 Paved Trails In Illinois That Make Hiking The Great Outdoors Easier, Theres A Mule-Pulled Canal Ride In Illinois That Is The Most Unique Thing Youll Ever Do, Take This Road To Nowhere In Illinois To Get Away From It All.
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Last but not least on our list of the best scenic drives in Illinois is the Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail. Each of these wineries has its own styles, techniques, and grape varieties that create wonderfully delicious and unique flavors. Read More. Dont be fooled by the fact that its only 2.52 miles. We had the best afternoon exploring and even came home with some beautiful handicrafts.
There are places to stop along the way depending on where you are and what you're looking to do, but the best parts are the natural sights and preserves along the way. Illinois' Great River Road: Scenic Stops along the Mississippi River Route distance: 570 km Suggested Time: 3 days Cruise through riverside communities and historic attractions on a road trip along Illinois' Great River Road. I'm sure the fall, with leaves turning color, would be a wonderful time to visit as well. can explore history, enjoy festivals, and spend time outdoors thanks to a wide range of recreational opportunities. The Great River Road in Illinois has everything you could want in an awesome Midwest scenic drive. In Peoria, youll have fun at the Wildlife Prairie State Park and the Peoria Zoo. Take aim at these camera-ready sights along Illinois seven scenic byways. What you wont get from just the name is that this is one of the best Illinois scenic byways. The Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway is a 33-mile section of the much longer 550-mile Great River Road in west-central Illinois. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park is located at 16006 E. Street, Sheffield, IL 61361. Great Rivers & Routes/Facebook With more than 24 different attractions, there is something for the whole family. You'll have your camera out almost all the time for this one.
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