MAIN Travel USA Illinois

Welcome to the Midwest and the Land of Lincoln!

Today, popular Illinois tourist attractions associated with Honest Abe are located in and around Lincoln's old homestead in the state capital at Springfield including a tour of "the real America" along legendary Route 66.

Then, of course ....there's Chicago. The most obvious and most popular Chicago tourist attractions includes Millennium Park, as well as the Art Institute, Adler Planetarium, and the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower).

Beyond the obvious bright-lights-big-city attractions of Chicago (left) lies the "Land o' Lincoln" in and
around Springfield (middle), and the charm of small town America along legendary Route 66 (right).

But your exploration of Illinois doesn't stop there. Two hours from the Windy City lies an outdoor adventure land at Starved Rock State Park offering up zip-line cruising along a canopy of primeval forest, or watching American bald eagles swoop and soar above towering sandstone cliffs.

Hoping to see more of America's Heartland in all its natural glory? Head west to Illinois' Mississippi River Country and a tour of the Illinois portion of the Great River Road. The state's most famous scenic byway is also renowned for Illinois fall foliage tours, and a step back in time with a stroll down Civil War-era Main Street in Galena,

Grant Park is the place to in Chicago when Taste of Chicago offers up a food and music fest of epic proportions,

2024 Illinois events and festivals

Just up ahead, check out our 2024 Illinois travel calender featuring memorable events and major festivals happening throughout the state with dates, locations and official links for more information. Happy travels!

May 1 - May 19, 2024 -- Lilac Time Festival, Lombard - Stop and smell the lilacs (and tulips!) at this annual celebration in Lilac Park including historic tours, a country craft store and more.

May 24 - May 26, 2024 -- Herrin Festa Italiana Herrin - Kick off the summer with great Italian food, carnival rides, the grand parade, live music, bocce and golf tournaments, and a fine arts and crafts exhibit.

June 8, 2024 -- Route 66 Festival Edwardsville -- There's food and fun downtown celebrating the history of "The Mother Road", Route 66, with live music, local food vendors, and a classic car show.

June 21 - June 23, 2024 -- Long Grove Strawberry Festival Long Grove - It's three days of honoring The Almighty Strawberry with strawberry-infused foods and drinks, carnival rides, family activities, and live music on three stages.-

September 6 - September 8, 2024 -- Taste of Chicago Grant Park and citywide Chicago - Come sample dishes from the city's top restaurants and food vendors, stay for the live music that plays throughout the weekend at Chicago's end-of-summer celebration.

also see -> 2024 Illinois Fall Foliage   |  Illinois Wineries & Vineyards

This Christmas in Illinois

DID YOU KNOW? Illinois Travel Fun Facts

Want fries with that?

• Illinois is home to the world's largest bottle of catsup.

• There is a fire-breathing dragon in Vandalia, IL known as the Kaskaskia Dragon.

• Springfield, Illinois is "Abe Lincoln Central" and home to more Abraham Lincoln sites than any other place in the United States. They include the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library, the Old State Capitol Building, the Lincoln Home, and the Lincoln Tomb.

• Chicagoans love their sports. The Windy City is home to Chicago Bears football, Chicago Blackhawks hockey, Chicago Bulls basketball, Chicago Cubs and Chicago Whitesox baseball, and Chicago Fire soccer.

More about Illinois travel around the Web:

Enjoy Illinois - Like it says, with plenty to do and see around the state with hotel & restaurant guides, major attractions, pictures, maps, trivia and fast facts, feature articles and event calendar, weekend getaway packages and outdoor fun.

Illinois Amtrak Routes - Check out a handy map with Chicago and St. Louis as the major hubs, and featuring all stops in between.