Whether you prefer to make it a romantic trip or a trip with the kids, there is something for everyone. Youll be treated to one of the best scenic drives in Illinois, passing beautiful farmlands and natural landscapes. I was wondering if someone can suggest some nice day trips out of town with beautiful scenic views. As you may have imagined, there are a ton of river-related activities and attractions in which to partake. History buffs should definitely check out the Lincoln School Museum in Martinsville and Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in Collinsville to see the remains of the largest prehistoric city in North America. The red, yellow, and orange leaves on the trees are straight from a postcard. No matter which Illinois scenic byway you choose, youll be welcomed by quaint Midwest towns with their charm and hospitality. Make sure to check out the event calendar to see what kind of special activities are happening along this beautiful drive in Illinois. Spots like the Navy Pier, Buckingham Fountain, and beautiful beaches are all along the way and definitely deserve a spot on the itinerary! When we say homes, these arent your typical cozy houses. Matthiessen State Park is quite close to Starved Rock and is perfect for adding into . If you have time and love hiking we would advise you to spend one or more days in this amazing state park. Many campsites, hotels, and inns are available along the way in case visitors desire to extend their stay whenever they may land! If you are a Republican fan, a fan of Reagan's or just love history, this is a wonderful tribute to a great man. We were most recently there and counted 40 bald eagles on our drive. Starting in this great city, Route 66 is an easy day trip from Chicago. With over 13 miles of hiking trails as well as areas for fishing, boating, photography, and more, Starved Rock is full of possibilities for fun and interesting activities. Illinois is well-loved for its vast landscape and endless attractions, making it the ideal spot for a road trip. Enjoy all that Southern Illinois has to offer. But in fact, this beautiful drive is one of the wonderful Illinois scenic roads. A drive through Illinois also gives the opportunity to explore the state's diversity, whether wanting to catch a glimpse of the Rocky Mountains, the Great Lakes, the Great Plains, or all three. Peoria Grandview Drive ("World's Most Beautiful Drive") Must-see pit stops: The "castle" on Grandview Drive Scenic overlooks of the Illinois River Valley Forest Park Nature Center 4. 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. Find out what's on in Illinois and Chicago with your guide to events, festivals, markets, music, theater, sports and more. Dont miss the original seedling mile in Malta. This post may contain affiliate links. Not to mention, these towns feature enchanting scenery untouched by skyscrapers and a plethora of lakes for water recreation and family-friendly activities. Even if you just drive right through, youll enjoy the serene Illinois woodlands, forests, and wetlands. It stretches 15.83 miles from Hollywood Avenue or 5700 North to Marquette Drive and Jefferey Drive at 6600 South and is often described as the "most scenic roadway in the country" as it embraces the lakefront, the city's skyline and most major tourist attractions. The town of Casey is a super interesting place to visit as its home to record-breaking objects including the worlds largest pitchfork, rocking chair, mailbox, and wooden shoes. The Knox County Scenic Drive is one visitors can enjoy all year, but special events offer a little extra fun on the first two full weekends of each October. From red and yellow trees to roads dusted with vibrant leaves, this is an incredibly scenic fall drive in Northern Illinois. There are many riverside attractions in Illinois along the road such as Cahokia Mounds, an ancient Native American settlement that is a must-see for all. 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. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com, Enjoy the 8 Most Beautiful Cities in Illinois, These Towns in Illinois Have the Best Main Streets, 7 Most Scenic Road Trips to Take in Alaska, 9 Most Scenic Road Trips to take in Maine, 8 Ideal Destinations For A 3-Day Weekend In Wisconsin, 9 Ideal Destinations For A 3-Day Weekend In Utah, 11 Most Charming Central California Coast Towns. It's a road trip into the past, with plenty of kitsch and nostalgia to go around. Nature, agriculture Get your kitsch on the Illinois stretch of Route 66. Check out these 10 Tiny Towns In Illinois That Are Always Worth A Visit. 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. I can rent a car and drive out of town so something out of the way would also work. You may already know that Illinois has several. Best Places to Visit in Illinois: Scenic & Beautiful Day Trip Ideas - Thrillist Chicago Travel Road Trips The Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Illinois Buckle up and hit the road for. Here is a list of more places in Illinois where you can spot eagles during winter. Check it out: If you love road trips, check out these seven places in Illinois boonies that are so worth the drive. And all the while, youll never get bored of the view. Idolized in music, movies, and shows, its the grand master when it comes to American road trips, lovingly nicknamed the Mother Road. Learn more about the Long Hollow Scenic Overlook on the webpage. With 164 miles to travel in the Land of Lincoln, the Illinois National Road makes it possible to follow the life and political career of Abraham Lincoln, as well as enjoy amazingly old and rare automobiles at MY Garage Museum, just to name a few. This gorgeous road spans three states: Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. There is so much history and pride in the locals here. Now visitors traversing theIllinois section of the Great River Road can explore history, enjoy festivals, and spend time outdoors thanks to a wide range of recreational opportunities. The Illinois River Road spans 150 miles. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Driving on this old road, with some replicas of old signs and vintage billboards, took us back in time we could imagine what it was like to drive Route 66 a hundred years ago. The views of the Ohio River feature the beautiful backdrop of the Shawnee National Forest. Lake Shore Drive, or Outer Drive, is a multilevel expressway that runs alongside Lake Michigan through the city of Chicago. Whether you are a professed history buff, a lover of nature, or a boatman you will enjoy all that these sweeping 96 miles of the Illinois and Michigan canals have to offer. Insider tip: If you enough time we would advise you to spend a weekend in Grafton. At 188 miles, theIllinois portion 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. All Rights Reserved. Click here for more about Starved Rock State Park. This scenic drive on the Illinois River is the perfect place to park and immerse yourself in the surrounding natural beauty. 1. When to go: Summertime brings events and festivals to the Great River Road including Great Galena Balloon Race, Floatzilla, and Fort Chartres Rendezvous. This zoological park is home to bears, bison, cougars, and wolves, making it a standout for brave travelers. You can have these simpler times back. Be sure to check out London Mills and Spoon River Dam along the Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive, one of the most beautiful drives in Illinois. Scenic overlooks provide plenty of opportunities to see this park in all its fall glory. There was a moment in time where Sundays meant that you piled the kids into the car and took a long relaxing drive. 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. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. The Historic National Road Scenic Byway runs from Cumberland, Maryland to Vandalia, Illinois, stretching 164 miles within Illinois. On your drive, youll likely see many of these community members on the land working hard on their harvest. If being near water calms your soul then you wont want to miss out on spending time near the Illinois River. 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. Navigate the charming small towns of Knox County on this self-guided car tour. Naturally, there are quite a number of historical sites along the Historic National Road. Read More Upcoming Events . You may even find a new greasy spoon with all the comfort foods you could imagine. While there isn't anything else in the immediate vicinity relating to Route 66, it's an easy way to pay homage to this world-famous All-American route. Other must-dos on this beautiful scenic drive in Illinois are visiting the Cave-in-Rock State Park and the historic town of Golconda. At least one scenic byway runs through each of the IDOT regions. Where can I take a scenic boat ride in Illinois? Eureka College, Reagan's alma mater, is a very small college with not much to see. Published in: History and Heritage. 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. Covered bridges are a delightful sight, like the Jackson Truss covered bridge in Greenup. Go at night for the sunset! The Great River Road in Illinois has everything you could want in an awesome Midwest scenic drive. Then conclude your trip by taking Grandview Drive north through the Peoria Bluffs as sunset begins this puts you back on the beaten track, but its worth it to see what Theodore Roosevelt famously called "the worlds most beautiful drive." In the midst of vast Illinois farmland, weekend travelers discover a topographic Kitsch, awe inspiring, quirky, colorful, beautiful and unforgettable. Finally, there is the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, where tourists can hunt, fish, and canoe. 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. nuCamp RV, TAB, TAG, and Cirrus Copyright 2023, Are you ready to rally? Accept Dont miss visiting the De Immigrant Windmill in Fulton or the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Collinsville. The wildlife and foliage on the drive is absolutely beautiful and the wine is a plus! You'll receive your first newsletter soon! In Illinois, the highway begins in Chicago and cuts through the suburbs before heading straight to Fulton. If you love a good, old fashioned drive through beautiful rural Illinois and have a spot thats your favorite we certainly want to hear about it in the comments. Historic Route 66 Like most National Scenic Byways, Route 66 today carries travelers more interested in the going than the getting there. Additional stops include Batavia, home to old limestone factory buildings, and Rochelle, a popular railroad town. There youll find flea markets, tasty meals like homemade chili or pie, handcrafted art, soaps, furniture, and collectibles. #4 Illinois Ultimate Scenic Rivers Route Illinois Rivers Route is an . The National Road Association of Illinois website has. On a nice day you can also park the car, put on your hiking boots, and enjoy 16 miles of glorious trails. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. See our web stories that accompany this post. Ohio River Scenic Byway, Cairo, IL 62914, USA. Scenic drives to consider in Illinois are listed below. In addition to wine, the drive is filled with trails, creeks and lakes, small cabins, and sprawling orchards. Considered the most beautiful state park, Starved Rock State Park is home to a surreal landscape of rock formations, canyons, forests, and waterfalls. It originally ran from Chicago all the way to Los Angeles, California. Note: Before heading to Illinois, check theIllinois Department of Public Health website, theGreat Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureaus updates to the COVID-19 crisis in Illinois, and the statesCoronavirus Response website for the latest coronavirus updates, since there may be travel restrictions in place. Bordered on the east by Indiana, Iowa and Missouri to the west, and Wisconsin to the north, Illinois is crisscrossed with seven ofAmericas Byways, some of which begin and end within the state borders and others that continue on to other states. According to Theodore Roosevelt its the "worlds most beautiful drive." 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