Historic Museum of Torture Devices

Displays of torture devices from around the world, pictures and written explanations are part of this self-guided tour. Hours: Jan. 1 - May 31: Saturday & Sunday, Noon to 5 p.m. June 1 - Aug. 31: Friday - Sunday, Noon to 5 p.m.

CITY: Alton

Mineral Springs Paranormal Research Center

Share evidence and peruse scientific research on the paranormal at one of the most haunted buildings in Alton -- the former Mineral Springs Hotel -- now the home of the Mineral Springs Paranormal Research Center. Overnight paranormal events are held at the site, in addition to meetings with other paranormal experts, investigators and researchers. Ghost hunting equipment is used in every investigation and there are over 140 EVPs obtained over the years at the hotel and at other investigation sites.

CITY: Alton

Chicago Dine-Around

Embark on a culinary adventure to Chicago's finest restaurants. Guests are chauffeured around the city to enjoy hors d'oeuvres served at the first restaurant, the main course at a second restaurant and dessert at a third restaurant.

CITY: Chicago

McPike Mansion

When just about any native of the Alton area thinks of a haunted house, normally one name comes to mind - the infamous McPike Mansion. Thousands of visitors and paranormal investigators have visited the grounds of the notorious McPike Mansion claiming spirits still roam this property. Some claim the haunts date back to the property before the mansion was even built, with native American ghosts and a residue from a possible Underground Railroad stop. Other mysterious stories include servants of the building, a cook in the kitchen and a strange death of a woman in the bathtub. Some even believe that Eleanor and Henry McPike still roam the corridors of their former home. All total, more than 11 different spirits have been experienced in recent years.

CITY: Alton

R Pizza Farm

Take a tour of this two-acre farm in the shape of one of America's favorite foods, pizza! Each slice of the pizza represents a different ingredient, which is organically grown on the farm. Following the tour, indulge in a slice of fresh hot pizza made on the farm.

CITY: Dow

Alton Hauntings Tours

Based on the book Haunted Alton by Troy Taylor, Alton Hauntings Tours offers an entertaining and spine-tingling trip into the unknown, taking visitors to the most authentic haunted places in Alton. Uncover the eerie folklore, ghostly tales and documented haunted spots on a three-hour walking tour of the city’s most haunted sites. Visitors will see sites that have become nationally known, like the old Alton penitentiary, First Unitarian Church, Enos Sanitarium and many others. The tours have been proven to be popular with ghost enthusiasts and history buffs alike, and nowhere else can you learn as much about the real, haunted history of Alton. Walking tours and bus tours are offered during two touring seasons – Spring & Summer and the Haunted Fall Season. Private tours are also available for groups of 20 or more. Reservations must be made in advance for all tours.

CITY: Alton

Carriage Classics, Ltd.

This horse-drawn carriage service is available for scenic tours, weddings and other occasions. Equipped for all seasons. Evening rides in downtown Peoria Fridays and Saturdays during April through mid-October. Thursday through Saturday rides during June through August. Pick-up points at Hotel Pere Marquette and The Landing. $20 for two adults and $5 for each additional person. Children under 10 ride free. Carriage rides available 7 p.m. through midnight. May be hired any time of the year for service in the Peoria and surrounding area. We also have a horse-drawn trolley available for special groups outings. Call for details!!!

CITY: Chillicothe

Stage Coach Trails Livery

For those dreaming of harnessing, hitching and driving the big horses, here is your chance to enjoy an afternoon or a week. Stagecoach Trails offers good Belgian horses and good equipment for the beginner or old-timer wishing to relive days gone by. Come along and learn how it was done in days gone by! Our trails are located on some of the old original stagecoach and wagon trails. One most notably is the Frink-Walker Line, which ran from Chicago to Dubuque. On the trails we may find all kinds of wildlife including small game, deer, or perhaps the magnificent wild turkey. Come along, relax, and enjoy God's country.

CITY: Apple River

North Point Marina - Lake Michigan Charter Fishing

Enjoy the beautiful blue of Lake Michigan aboard one of over one hundred charter fishing boats on the Lake County harbors of Waukegan and North Point. You will find the Coho running in the late spring, Lake Trout biting in mid-summer, and the Chinook come home to spawn in late summer and early fall. Whatever time of the year you go, you'll find expert charter fishing captains ready to make your time on the water a great one. For information on charter fishing opportunities and hotel information, please contact us.

CITY: Winthrop Harbor

Syngenta Seeds

Take one-hour seasonal tours through Syngenta Seeds, a soybean processing plant.

CITY: Tuscola

Shiloh House

The residence of the founder of the City of Zion, Dr. John Alexander Dowie, is a stately 23-room mansion that was built in 1901-02 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

CITY: Zion

Lewis Seed Company

The Lewis Seed Company presents seed processing and sales operations during group tours.

CITY: Ursa

Windsong Acres

Step back in history as you tour one of Illinois' most beautiful and unique show barns, the 1912 Show Barn, or visit the artistic home studio of commercial artist Shelly Rasche. Take a pottery class, kick up your heels at a genuine barn dance, or take in a breathtaking prairie sunset.

CITY: Camp Point

Reeser Embryo Farm

Tour this farm, which is a commercial embryo transfer station that uses donor cows.

CITY: Monticello

St. Genevieve Modoc Ferry

Ride the ferry across the Mighty Mississippi the next time you visit historic St. Genevieve and Randolph County. The ferry travels between St. Genevieve, Missouri and Modoc Illinois, and holds approximately nine vehicles.

CITY: Modoc

Southern Illinois University Animal Science & Nutritional Department

Southern Illinois University Carbondale offers guided field trips of its farms, conducted by student agri-ambassadors.

CITY: Carbondale

Monsanto Learning Center

You're welcome to visit the Monsanto Facility at Monmouth, home to many exciting facets of agricultural research and training.

CITY: Monmouth

General Grant Walking Tour

Whether you are a history buff or someone who is just looking for insight behind the makeup of Galena, join in an one-hour walking tour with Galena's own General Ulysses S. Grant on Main Street in downtown Galena. Periodically, his fellow eight Civil War generals make an appearance. Be on the lookout!

CITY: Galena

Pasta Alley

Come see noodles and sauce made from scratch. Baskets and shipping are also available.

CITY: Robinson

Ridgeland Historic District Tour

This self-guided audio tour takes you through one of the "Prettiest Painted Places in America," the Ridgeland Historic District, to view great architecture and hear stories of famous Oak Lawn natives.

CITY: Oak Lawn

Friends of Community Public Art

Offering scheduled tours of the FCPA murals and mosaic sculpture studios. See art being made by professional and local artists, and learn the details of their work. Art classes available. Visit www.facebook.com/fcpajoliet for more information.

CITY: Joliet

Lincoln Theatre

The historic theatre features first-run movies, organ concerts, puppet shows, and other special events. Tours are available by appointment.

CITY: Belleville

Amelia's Galena Ghost Tours, Inc.

Nightly ghost tours on a luxury air-conditioned shuttle bus with a theatrical flair exploring several locations in historically haunted Galena.

CITY: Galena

Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour

Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour consists of eight zip lines, the longest stretching more than 1,100 feet, which will zig-zag across the property’s bluffs and through the valley. The tour also includes 11 platforms high in the trees, three aerial suspension bridges, the longest stretching 180 feet, and two short ground hikes. A canopy tour is an exciting way to experience the flora, fauna, geology and history of the outdoors by safely traversing an established route of ziplines and aerial bridges between platforms built in the trees, and they are just plain fun!

CITY: Makanda

River Forest Methodist Church

First stop of the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trusts' River Forest Walking Tour.

CITY: River Forest

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge

A wildlife refuge covering approximately 43,500 acres of forest, wetlands, and grasslands. Hunting, fishing & boating available.

CITY: Marion

East End Historic District

The East End Historic District is distinquished by its grand collection of homes of every period and style since 1850. Most have been painstakingly restored with lawns of beautiful planted sugar maples, tulip trees, flowering dogwood and redbud trees. Enjoy Quincy's several historic districts through the Quincy Area Convention & Visitors Bureau's Self Guided Driving Tour, available online at www.seequincy.com.

CITY: Quincy

Cedarville Historical Museum

This museum is located in an 1889 school building and features a permanent exhibit honoring Jane Addams, who was born and raised in Cedarville. Miss Addams was an internationally famous humanitarian and social work pioneer who founded Chicago's Hull House and won the Nobel Peace Prize. Museum exhibits include personal items and memorabilia from her life and the life of her family. There are also changing exhibits on topics of local historical interest and a research center and a research center.

CITY: Cedarville

Mendota Hills Wind Farm

The largest commercial wind farm in Illinois features 63 towering windmills that are an awesome sight to see, and generate an alternative source of electric power.

CITY: Paw Paw

Center Children's Farm

Experience life down on the farm during guided family tours, or take a hike on the peaceful nature trail.

CITY: Palos Park

Mennel Milling Of Illinois

This mill produces everything from animal feed ingredients to cake, biscuit and organic pastry flour.

CITY: Mount Olive

Walldog Walking Tour

Walldog sign and mural artists trace their trade back to the signpainters of old who painted advertisements on walls in communities all over the country. They worked like dogs in the hot sun and thus came to be known as "wall dogs". Walldog artists traveled from all over the world to paint our murals. Artists came from as far as New Zealand, with others coming from British Columbia, Hawaii, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Texas, California and many other locations. The walls were painted not only by visiting Walldogs, but also by anyone from the community who wanted to help.

CITY: Danville

O'Leary's Chicago Fire Truck Tours

Board a genuine open-air antique fire truck and take a tour that focuses on the Chicago FIre, and stops at two Chicago fire stations. Reservations required.

CITY: Chicago

Mt. Carroll Walking Tour

Take a self-guided walking tour through Mt. Carroll's historic district, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

CITY: Mount Carroll

The Ragdale Foundation

Art, architecture, and garden tours of Howard Van Doren Shaw's summer retreat. The house and gardens, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places among examples of the Arts and Crafts movement in the country. It house 12 artists at a time.

CITY: Lake Forest

Stade Dairy Farm

A producer of milk, vegetables and grains since 1977, the farm offers tours, and presents the annual Shades of Autumn festival during the month of September.

CITY: McHenry

Silver Creek and Stephenson Railroad and Silvercreek Museum

All aboard, as a 36-ton, 1912 Heisler steam locomotive pulls three cabooses, including an antique red caboose reported to be the oldest in the state, for a four-mile ride through farmlands. Purchase your ticket at the Silver Creek Depot, a turn-of-the-century replica filled with railroad artifacts, and browse the Freight House Gift Shop and Silvercreek Museum that's filled with early Americana.

CITY: Freeport

Graham-Ginestra House

An 1857 Italianate limestone house with ceiling murals, parquet floors, pocket doors, stained glass, curved staircase, carriage house and stables. English garden. Special events. Guided tours for groups on Sundays by appointment.

CITY: Rockford

Centralia Carillon

Centralia's resident carilloneur performs on the town's 65-bell carillon, one of the few in the country. The surrounding park also features a museum and tours of the 165-foot-tall tower.

CITY: Centralia

Long Grove Confectionery Company & Tours

Experience how our handmade, gourmet chocolates are produced and packaged. Reservations are required for live production tours Tuesday-Thursday 10am-12pm. Free Saturday tours leaving on the hour 11:00am-3:00pm. No reservations needed, but accepted. Live production not guaranteed on Saturday. Shopping in our Outlet Store completes the tour and is open Monday-Saturday 9:30am-5:00pm and Sunday 11:00am-4:00pm. Closed on most holidays.

CITY: Buffalo Grove

Fever River Railroad

For model railroad aficionados -- and everyone else who ever enjoyed model trains -- this model railroad is something to see. The Fever River Railroad is a 120X24-foot HO scale model of a hypothetical railroad running from Duluth, Minnesota to St. Louis, Missouri. This fully operational model railroad has detailed scenery, rail yards, factories, and interchanges with many other railroads. The model railroad allows for the operation of multiple trains along railroad right-of-way that portrays typical towns along the Duluth to St. Louis route. The Fever River Railroad is an ongoing project with upgrades to the layout and scenery that provides an exciting model railroad experience. A collection of railroad memorabilia and pictures, many from the surrounding area, are on display throughout the facility. The Stephenson Society of Model Trainmen, who operate the railroad, host an open house twice a year, and visitors are welcome at other times by appointment.

CITY: Freeport

Chicago Pizza Tours

This bus tour allows visitors to sample four types of Chicago pizza: thin crust, deep dish, stuffed and Neopolitan. Learn about and see Chicago one slice at a time.

CITY: Chicago

Peoria Journal Star Tours

Peoria's largest newspaper offers hour-long group tours of their printing facility. The tour includes mechanical, business and editorial aspects of the newspaper, and gives a basic overview of publishing a newspaper from news gathering to finished product.

CITY: Peoria

Voices of Jacksonville Audio Tour

Tune to radio frequencies at each of the seven locations throughout Jacksonville to see the actual places and hear the real stories of Abraham Lincoln as his friends and associates knew him.

CITY: Jacksonville

St. Charles Paddlewheel River Boats

Cruise the scenic Fox River from Pottawatomie Park in St. Charles on the Fox River Queen or the St. Charles Belle paddlewheel riverboats.

CITY: St. Charles

Carl Sandburg State Historic Site

Author-poet Carl Sandburg was born in the the three-room cottage at 331 E. Third Street in Galesburg on January 6, 1878. The modest house relfects the typcial living conditions of a late-nineteenth-century working-class family and features many furnishings that once belonged to the Sandburg family. Behind the home stands a small wooded park which features the Quotation Walk, a celebration of the Prairie Poet's work and words. It is in this tranquil setting that the ashes of Carl Sandburg and his wife Lilian were liad to rest beneath Remberance Rock.

CITY: Galesburg

Woodlawn Farm - Underground Railroad Site

This farm was established in 1824 by Michael Huffaker, who built four cabins for free black families and later hid fleeing slaves there. Tours by appointment.

CITY: Jacksonville

Fermilab

Fermi is the site of the world's most powerful particle accelerator, where particles circle the four-mile ring 57,000 times each second. Restored prairie grass areas, historic barns and a buffalo herd are also on display.

CITY: Batavia

Shelby County Historical and Genealogical Society

Historical items are displayed throughout this former jail and previous sheriff's residence. Tour the basement where the old jails cells are located, or trace your family tree.

CITY: Shelbyville

Tastebud Tours

Embark on a three-hour walking tour that's an unforgettable food adventure, offering the traditional tastes of Chicago.

CITY: Chicago

Cedarhurst Center for the Arts & Mitchell Museum

Exhibitions, a children's gallery, a permanent collection and special events. Grounds include 85 acres sculpture park, nature trails and bird sanctuary. Hosts annual Cedarhurst Craft Fair.

CITY: Mount Vernon

Ryan Mansion Tours

Explore one of the finest and largest historic mansions in Galena. The servants of the mansion invite you to join in the fun and time travel to 1882. Entertaining tours of Victorian life.

CITY: Galena

Argonne National Laboratory

Argonne is one of the country's premier facilities for energy-related research and development. Visitors must be at least 16 years old.

CITY: Argonne

Champaign County Farm Bureau

The Farm Bureau acts as an intermediary to set up specific tours of area farms for visitors to Champaign County.

CITY: Champaign

Aurora Downtown Walking Tour

Take a self-guided tour of Aurora's historic downtown. Tour brochures are available at the Aurora Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau.

CITY: Aurora

Ecology Action Center

This walk-in information and environmental education center offers workshops on recycling, composting and energy saving.

CITY: Normal

Lincoln Courthouse Square Historic Distric

The Lincoln courtroom in Beardstown was the site of the famous Duff Armstrong case, and now features a museum with daily tours.

CITY: Beardstown

Tate & Lyle Players Championship

This is one of Decatur/Forsyth's premier community events. The competition is an official event and the longest stop on the LPGA's Duramed Futures Tour. The tournament will boast the largest purse on the tour and feature a four day, all caddied, 72-hole stroke play professional tournament.

CITY: Forsyth

Chicago Chocolate Tours

Take a fun, educational guided walking and tasting tour of select chocolate shops along the Magnificent Mile or in the Loop. Learn about the history of chocolate and sample chocolate delights on this tasty tour

CITY: Chicago

Eli's Cheesecake World

Eli's Cheesecake bakery cafe has the largest selection of Eli's anywhere! Take the Eli's experience and learn Eli's history, see cake decorators at work, enjoy a slice and more. Reservations required. Open Mon-Fri, 8a.m.-6p.m.; Sat, 9a.m.-5p.m.; Sun, 11a.m.-5p.m.

CITY: Chicago

Abe Lincoln's Talking House Driving Tour

Tune your vehicle's radio to 1650 AM or 1620 AM and listen to the history behind 14 homes in Pittsfield that have a connection to Abe Lincoln. Front yard signs also explain each home's historical significance.

CITY: Pittsfield

Chaplin Creek Historic Village

Chaplin Creek is an evolving, full-scale historical restoration project depicting a prairie settlement typical of the mid-19th century. Several historically significant buildings and artifacts have been relocated here from the surrounding area. Photo courtesy of Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition

CITY: Franklin Grove

Tri-State Trolley

Galena's only ADA-compliant and climate-controlled trolley service! Daily narrated tours, May-October. Unique group tours, wedding transportation offered year-round.

CITY: Galena

Urban Adventure Cruise

Entertaining river and lake sightseeing boat cruise with informative tour guides lead this family-friendly 90-minute boat ride aboard Mercury, Chicago's Skyline Cruiseline showcasing Chicago’s world-famous skyline and landmarks. Bring a snack and beverage aboard, too.

CITY: Chicago

Old Main at Knox College

This historical tour of Old Main and the Knox College campus includes stories about the Lincoln-Douglas debate held at Old Main, the sole remaining original site of the famed political debates.

CITY: Galesburg

Mies van der Rohe Society Tours

The Illinois Institute of Technology's Mies van der Rhoe Society offers dynamic tours of its architecturallly significant campus. Architects Mies, Koolhaas and Jahn are all represented here.

CITY: Chicago

Chicago Theater Stories Walking Tour

Stroll around the downtown theater district and hear stories from the golden age of Chicago theater, a century defined by a pioneering spirit and cataclysmic events.

CITY: Chicago

Beall Mansion - An Elegant Bed & Breakfast Inn

Welcome to the mansion built as a wedding gift. Designed by Lucas Pfeiffenberger and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this elegant mansion features 18 ionic columns, eleven and a half foot ceilings, crystal chandeliers and marble and bronze statuary throughout. Let us pamper you with sumptuous feather beds, whirlpools for two, 24 hour "all you can eat" chocolate buffet, and optional gourmet breakfast in bed. Free wi-fi. In room massage, spa, golf and corporate packages available.

CITY: Alton

Chicago Private Tours

Provides tours in nine languages. Each tour comes with a chauffeur, expert guide, and luxury vehicle. Group tours available.

CITY: Chicago

Chicago Photo Safaris

A professional photographer takes visitors to a landmark Chicago destination while giving tips on composition, lighting and exposure. These sessions are for photographers of any skill level with any kind of camera, digital or film.

CITY: Chicago

Ottawa Visitors Center

Open 7 days a week to service the traveling public. The Ottawa Visitors Center is your one stop shop for information on Ottawa's special events, free tour guides and unique Ottawa souvenirs at our Souvenir Shoppe.

CITY: Ottawa

Andersonville & Edgewater: Chicago Neighborhood Tours

Discover the gay-friendly shops and restaurants of Andersonville, then head to Edgewater to see Art Deco and Tudor Revival architecture in the Bryn Mawr Historic District. Tours depart from the Chicago Cultural Center.

CITY: Chicago

Midwestern Helicopter

Have you ever wanted to see the beautiful city of Chicago from above? Join us for an amazing helicopter skyline tour where you will see the city from a birds eye view! This is one of the most incredible adventures you can ever imagine. During our flight you will see all that this city has to offer - Wrigley Field, Navy Pier, Soldier Field, Willis Tower, John Hancock Observatory, Cellular One Field and the United Center.

CITY: Wheeling

Kanan Cruises

Chicago's newest and largest cruise ship located at Navy Pier. Cruises are available for group and private charters along Chicago's lakefront for groups of 50 to 400 passengers.

CITY: Chicago

Galena/Jo Daviess County Historical Society

A qualified museum guide will board your group's motorcoach and take you through Galena, with stops that can include the Galena/Jo Daviess History Museum, Ulysses S. Grant Home and Old Market House.

CITY: Galena

Tour Black Chicago

This city tour travels in luxury coaches and highlights African-American social, cultural and historical events.

CITY: Chicago

Forest City Queen Riverboat

Many cruise options on the Rock River are available, including hourly narrated tours, family-style picnics and elegant dining.

CITY: Rockford