SEASONAL FEATURES
The days are longer, the breezes warmer and outside is definitely the place to be. So grab the calendar and make plans to get reacquainted with summer... one hiking trail, golf course and roller coaster at a time.
Chicago
by Water
Hiking
Illinois
Golf
Getaway
Theme
Parks
Chicago
by Water
Paddle, sail, or cruise your way to stunning skyline views.
Think the skyline views are great from Lakeshore Drive? Try seeing them from Lake Michigan on a ship straight out of a pirate movie. Or during a sunset cruise down the Chicago River. Suddenly, Chicago seems even more stunning.
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  • Chicago's First Lady Cruises

    CITY: Chicago

    Gaze up at some of the world’s tallest buildings as you listen to stories from Chicago’s past.

    Odyssey Lunch/Dinner/Champagne Cruises

    CITY: Chicago

    Dress up, dance a little and take in Chicago’s twinkling skyline while sipping champagne.

    Kayak Chicago

    CITY: Chicago

    Paddle along the Chicago River’s urban canyon and out into Lake Michigan’s ocean-like waters.

  • Navy Pier

    CITY: Chicago

    Take in the festive atmosphere of a half-mile pier before boarding one of the many boat tours here.

    Tall Ship Windy

    CITY: Chicago

    Help hoist the sails on this four-masted schooner during an afternoon sail or romantic evening cruise.

    Seadog Speedboat Rides

    CITY: Chicago

    Want less sightseeing, more adrenaline? Go full throttle on Lake Michigan with slalom runs and 360° spins.

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Hiking Illinois
Discover natural and manmade wonders.
Now is the perfect time to explore the great outdoors on foot. That’s when you uncover magical settings, experience the stillness of nature and rediscover a side of summer you forgot, or perhaps never knew existed.
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  • Starved Rock State Park

    CITY: Utica

    Breathtaking waterfalls, canyons and 13 miles of trails greet you at this popular hiking destination.

    Shawnee National Forest

    CITY: Harrisburg

    Follow winding hilly trails beneath soaring hardwoods and be rewarded with sweeping vistas.

    Garden of the Gods

    CITY: Karbers Ridge

    Dramatic sandstone formations and 100-foot drops are your payoff at this southern Illinois wonder.

  • Morton Arboretum

    CITY: Lisle

    Hike 16 miles of open and leafy trails among 1,700 acres of woodland, wetland and prairie.

    Matthiessen State Park

    CITY: Utica

    Hikers agree: Starved Rock’s lesser-known sibling nearby has beautiful views—and less crowded trails.

    Chicago Greeter Service

    CITY: Chicago

    Explore the manmade wonders of a world-class city during these guided walks.

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Golf Getaway
Play those courses you keep hearing about.
From the PGA to Golf Digest, the experts agree: Illinois is home to some of the best places to golf in the country. With courses dotted along a trail, designed by golf legends, and home to PGA championships, Illinois is the perfect golf getaway destination.
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  • Southern Illinois Golf Trail

    CITY: Carbondale

    Play five courses on this trail, including Hickory Ridge and Kokopelli Golf Club.

    Cog Hill Golf and Country Club

    CITY: Lemont

    Four championship courses await, with Dubsdread ranked in the country’s Top 100 by Golf Magazine.

    Fyre Lake Golf Club

    CITY: Sherrard

    Challenge your game at this newly opened course designed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus.

  • Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa

    CITY: Galena

    Play four championship courses, including The General, ranked in the Top 100 U.S. courses by Golf Digest.

    TPC Deere Run

    CITY: Silvis

    Home to the PGA John Deere Classic and ranked among the Top 5 courses in Illinois by Golfweek Magazine.

    Weaver Ridge Golf Course

    CITY: Peoria

    Set in rolling hills and forested valleys, this championship course is ranked #1 in Illinois by Zagat.

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Theme Parks
Perfect for the young (and young at heart).
Summer brings out the kid in all of us. School’s out, it doesn’t get dark until late, and the little ones are always ready to head to a park and play. And if that park includes a rollercoaster or a corkscrew water slide, then all the better.
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  • Six Flags Great America/Hurricane Harbor

    CITY: Gurnee

    Twist and turn down roller coasters, then splash your way through a sprawling outdoor water park.

    Raging Waves Waterpark

    CITY: Yorkville

    Hold hands on four-person rafts, zip down water slides and float along a lazy river.

    Magic Waters Waterpark

    CITY: Cherry Valley

    Plunge into Illinois’ largest wave pool and defy gravity on the Splash Blaster coaster.

  • Knight's Action Park & Caribbean Water Adventure

    CITY: Springfield

    Bumper boats coax laughs and mini golf encourages friendly competition at this longtime summer favorite.

    Raging Rivers WaterPark

    CITY: Grafton

    Gaze at the Mississippi River as you glide down the Zoomin’ Cascade Body Flumes.

    Azoosment Park at Santa's Village

    CITY: East Dundee

    Discover a petting zoo, live entertainment and plenty of rides at Santa’s summer home.

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Explore More
Discover more travel ideas for summer.
With hundreds of summer attractions, you could fill your calendar from June to August and still not scratch the surface on all the summer fun that awaits here.
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Lincoln Park Zoo

CITY: Chicago

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CITY: Belknap

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