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What is Illinois known as?
- Illinois is known as the "Prairie State".
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What are some iconic symbols of Illinois?
- Illinois brings to mind Abraham Lincoln, the towering skyscrapers of Chicago, and drive-in movie theaters along Route 66.
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What attractions are available for history buffs and museum-goers?
- Illinois offers a variety of historical sites, world-class museums, and other attractions scattered throughout the state.
Millennium Park
Millennium Park is a beautiful 25-acre gathering spot in the center of Chicago that serves as a sort of a town square for the city. The landscaped grounds host hundreds of free cultural events throughout the year, including concerts, exhibitions, and family activities.
Families can cool off in the summer by splashing around in Crown Fountain, and winter brings the opportunity to skate on the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink. The park is also home to various pieces of impressive art and architecture, including Cloud Gate, a massive stainless steel structure that's become Chicago's signature landmark.
201 E Randolph St, Chicago, Illinois 60602, Phone: 312-742-1168, Map
Leaning Tower of Niles
Erected in 1934, The Leaning Tower of Niles is a miniature version of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Because of the tower, the village of Niles and the city of Pisa, Italy established a sister city pact in 1991.
The tower was created as part of a 22-acre amusement park, and it was originally intended to conceal the water tower that supplied two large pools with water. Admission to the site is free of charge, and visitors are welcome to take photos, enjoy a picnic on the landscaped grounds, or attend one of the open-air music concerts put on by the city.
Leaning Tower of Niles, 6300 W Touhy Ave, Niles, Illinois 60714, Phone: 763-923-4779
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library/Museum
Since opening in 2005, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library/Museum has become one of the most visited presidential libraries in the United States . Highlights of the museum include two special effects theater shows and life-size dioramas of the key settings for important events in Lincoln's life.
The museum also rotates through temporary exhibits, which cover topics like the Civil War and past Illinois politicians. Walking tours of the museum are available throughout the summer. A research library is attached to the museum and open to the public, but rare books and manuscripts can only be read on-site.
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library/Museum, 112 N 6th St, Springfield, Illinois 62701, Phone: 217-558-8844
Chicago Botanic Garden
Situated on 9 islands in the Cook County Forest Preserves, the Chicago Botanic Garden is a 385-acre museum of living plants that boasts 27 display gardens. The gardens are spread out over four natural habitats, and visitors can access them either by foot or by taking a narrated tram tour.
Admission to the garden is free, but non-members must pay for parking. Visitors will find a cafe and a gift shop on site. The garden is open every day of the year, and has a lively events calendar featuring activities like cooking classes, live music, and flower shows.
1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, Illinois 6002, Phone: 847-835-5440, Map
U.S. Grant Home State Historic Site
Designed by William Dennison, the U.S. Grant Home State Historic Site was built in 1860 and is the former home of Civil War general Ulysses S. Grant. Residents of the city of Galena gave the home to Grant in 1865 as thanks for his war service, but he moved out in 1969 when he became the 18th President of the United States.
The home has been maintained as a memorial to Grant since 1904, and today it's a historic museum with rooms furnished in typical 1860s fashion. The home is open to visitors five days a week, and guided tours are available for a small fee.
908 3rd St, Galena, Illinois 61036, Phone: 815-777-3310, Map
Discovery Center Museum
Located on the Riverfront Museum Park campus, the Discovery Center Museum is one of the top family attractions in Illinois. With more than 300 hands-on science and arts exhibits, the center has something for children of all ages.
Highlights include a two-story maze, a play area aimed at babies and toddlers, and an exciting planetarium. The museum is open seven days a week, but is closed on select holidays. Admission is free for children under the age of two, and affordable memberships are available that provide members with a variety of perks including unlimited access to the museum.
Discovery Center Museum, 711 N Main St, Rockford, Illinois 61103, Phone: 815-963-6769
Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens
Open daily, Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens is an easily accessible non-profit park committed to engaging the public with nature. With 85 acres of land, the park spans a number of diverse areas including woodlands, wetlands, prairies, and a 10-acre lake.
The park provides visitors with beautiful gardens, kayaks and canoe to rent in the warmer months, and a number of walking, jogging, and cycling trails. A menagerie of reptiles and animals can be found in the nature center, and the park also offers plenty of opportunities to see wild animals in their natural habitat.
Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens, 7402 Lake Katherine Dr., Palos Heights, Illinois 60463, Phone: 708-361-1873
Art Institute of Chicago
Founded in 1879, the Art Institute of Chicago is one of the oldest and largest art museums in America. The museum features a permanent collection of nearly 300,000 pieces of art, which are complemented by over 30 special exhibitions each year. The museum is open seven days a week, excluding some holidays, and regular tours are offered.
Group tours and self-guided tours are also available. The museum's busy events calendar includes a wide variety of performances, lectures, and social events, most of which are open to the public. A gift shop is located on the premises, as are several dining establishments.
Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60603, Phone: 312-443-3600
Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry was established in 1933, and is home to more than 2,0000 exhibits as well as an Omnimax theater. Permanent exhibits include a full-size replica of a coal mine, an 'idea factory' aimed at children, and the Apollo 8 spacecraft which brought the first humans into orbit around the moon.
Some exhibits require guests to pay an additional admission fee, and tickets can be purchased online, over the phone, or in person at the ticket counter. The museum is open every day of the year except for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, Illinois 60637, Phone: 773-684-1414
Buffalo Rock State Park
Located on top of a bluff which used to be an island in the Illinois River, Buffalo Rock State Park offers visitors a magnificent view of the beautiful Illinois River. Consisting of 298 acres, the park was formerly used by the Illinois Indians as a "blind canyon" to capture buffalo.
Today, the park features a herd of American Bison, a children's playground, a baseball diamond, and five animal sculptures built out of earth as a tribute to Native American culture. Two picnic shelters can also be found in the park, one of which includes a stone fireplace.
Buffalo Rock State Park, 1300 N 27th Rd, Ottawa, Illinois 61350, Phone: 815-433-2224
Best Time to Visit
Places to Stay
Tips for Visiting
Spring (March-May) – Ideal for exploring Chicago’s parks and enjoying mild weather.
The Langham, Chicago – A luxury hotel with riverfront views.
Visit Millennium Park – Take a photo at Cloud Gate (The Bean) and enjoy the gardens.
Summer (June-August) – Great for outdoor festivals and exploring Lake Michigan.
Palmer House Hilton – A historic hotel with rich Chicago history.
Attend Lollapalooza – Enjoy one of the country’s biggest music festivals.
Fall (September-November) – Beautiful foliage, perfect for scenic drives and harvest festivals.
Chestnut Mountain Resort – A scenic retreat near Galena.
Explore Starved Rock State Park – Hike to stunning waterfalls and colorful fall landscapes.
Plan Your Trip
Table of Contents:
- 1. Millennium Park
- 2. Leaning Tower of Niles
- 3. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library/Museum
- 4. Chicago Botanic Garden
- 5. U.S. Grant Home State Historic Site
- 6. Discovery Center Museum
- 7. Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens
- 8. Art Institute of Chicago
- 9. Museum of Science and Industry
- 10. Buffalo Rock State Park