Shawnee National Forest

The Shawnee National Forest is famed for its awesome Garden of the Gods, and is home to the Rim Rock Recreational Trail (the forest has a system of 403 miles of equestrian/hiking trails). Hikers are greeted by magnificent jutting walls of rock covered with emerald-green moss, and paths that meander through canyons under the forest canopy. Nestled between the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, the stunning Shawnee National Forest landscape features rolling hills, lakes, creeks and rugged bluffs.

CITY: Harrisburg

Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway

The experiences you’ll find here are as unique, fun and memorable as the road is long. Route 66 defined a remarkable era in our nation’s history - and it lives on today in Illinois Route 66’s many roadside attractions, museums, restaurants - and the shining ribbon of blacktop we call The Mother Road. Illinois’ stretch of this mythic road boasts the highest density of kitschy, interesting things to do you’ll find from here to California. So, join us for the far out journey that never ends on Illinois Route 66.

CITY: Springfield

Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway

Cruise along the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway, where the Mighty Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois Rivers converge. The 33-mile byway begins in Hartford, leading you through Alton and bends along the forested river bluffs to its end point in Grafton, at Pere Marquette State Park.

CITY: Alton

Peoria's Grandview Drive "World's Most Beautiful Drive"

This quote from President Teddy Roosevelt describes his 1910 visit to Grandview Drive in Peoria Heights. The vistas gazed upon by the former president still sit upon bluffs unchanged from when the Indians first settled in the area centuries ago. Drive along the two-and-on-half mile drive to see the expansive panoramic view of Woodford, Tazewell and Marshall counties, where on a clear day, visitors can see more than thirty miles of the scenic Illinois River valley.

CITY: Peoria Heights

Doc’s Soda Fountain

Located on historic Route 66, this was originally a pharmacy built in the 1880’s. The soda fountain was added to the business in the 1950’s. Stop in for an old-fashioned treat or ice-cream. Doc’s is also open for lunch and dinner.

CITY: Girard

Great River Road

This scenic drive follows the flow of the mighty Mississippi River as it curves along the western edge of Illinois and meanders for more than 550 miles, traveling through charming small towns and offering beautiful river and woodland views along the way.

CITY: Fulton

Original Brick Road

This beautiful 1.4 mile long piece of restored hand-laid brick road is a segment of 66 done in 1931 and placed over a concrete roadbed. Route 66 at its best.

CITY: Auburn

Shawnee Hills Wine Trail

The Shawnee Hills Wine Trail features 12 award-winning wineries located along a 25-mile scenic drive along highway 127 and highway 51 in the Shawnee National Forest. Along the way have a picnic, go on a hike, visit a shop, and stay in a cozy B&B or cabin. Many of the wineries host special events throughout the summer and fall.

CITY: Carbondale

The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge

Built in 1927, Old Chain of Rocks was the fifth bridge to cross the Mississippi River, which shortened the distance between St. Louis, Missouri, and Edwardsville, Illinois by 15 miles.

CITY: Edwardsville

Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive

The Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive Associates invite you to come to Fulton County, Illinois and enjoy the natural wonders of the Spoon River Valley. Spoon River has carved a wide scenic valley through Fulton County as it flows from London Mills to the south and east where it joins the Illinois River near the southeastern corner of the county. The Spoon River became nationally known from the work of Edgar Lee Masters, author of the noted Spoon River Anthology. Come on out the first two full weekends in October. There are over one hundred miles of scenic routes on the Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive to be enjoyed on this driving tour with beautiful fall colors. There will be food, arts, crafts, entertainment and flea market. Visit 17 villages and historic sites!

CITY: Canton

Gemini Giant

Located in Wilmington, this converted Muffler Man beckons travelers on historic Route 66 to stop for a burger at the Launching Pad Drive-In. The Launching Pad Drive-in first opened in 1960 as a Dari Delite, and sold only hot dogs and ice cream. Since then, the menu has expanded. In 2000, the Launching Pad Drive-In was inducted into the Route 66 Hall of Fame.

CITY: Wilmington

Henry's Ra66it Ranch

This quirky must-see Route 66 attraction, information center and souvenir gift shop is home to rabbits of all kinds, bunny and VW, as well as Mother Road memorabilia.

CITY: Staunton

Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge

Near the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers lies a veritable bird-watching utopia. Visitors to Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge can expect to see a variety of migratory birds, from waterfowl and warblers to Acadian Flycatchers and American Bald Eagles. In fact, Two Rivers is the winter home to one the largest Bald Eagle populations in the continental United States.

CITY: Brussels

Captain Swift Covered Bridge

Located one mile west of Princeton in Bureau County, Illinois is the Captain Swift Covered Bridge. Built in 2006, the bridge derives its strength from its burr arch design, an idea patented by Theodore Burr of New York in 1804. Made entirely of wood using 1800s concepts (it has an outer skin of Douglas Fir), the Captain Swift Covered Bridge is the only two-lane covered bridge in Illinois. It has a 16’-3” vertical clearance, a 28 foot minimum roadway width and a 128’ span over the Big Bureau Creek. GPS co-ordinates - N41 22.745 W89 29.871

CITY: Princeton

The Nest at Palisades Cabins

The Nest at Palisades Cabins offer secluded luxury cabins designed to provide charm, quiet luxury and romance. We’re located on a wooded acreage high above the Mississippi River minutes from Savanna, the Palisades State Park and an easy 20 minute drive to Galena.

CITY: Savanna

The Palms Grill Café

The Palms Grill Cafe was a well-known restaurant during the heyday of Route 66. Recently the cafe was revitalized and reopened, and is serving up delicious nostalgia from the fabled Route 66 era. Conveniently located right across the street is the towering Bunyon’s Statue, another one of Route 66’s famous Muffler Man Statues.

CITY: Atlanta

Forest Park Nature Center

500-acre Illinois nature preserve offering 7 miles of hiking trails ranging from rigorous uphill courses to flatter, less strenuous paths. The center also features a natural history museum, spacious bird watching room, nature hikes, guided walks and a nature store.

CITY: Peoria

Black Hawk Statue at Lowden State Park

At Eagle's Nest Bluff in Lowden State Park, proudly stands a 48-foot statue of a Native American quietly revering the beauty of the River Rock Valley below. Commonly called Black Hawk, after the legendary Chieftain, the statue was created as a tribute to all the Native Americans who once called the area their home.

CITY: Oregon

Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway

The Byway unites more than 100 nature-based destinations throughout the Illinois River Valley, beginning in Ottawa and ending 140 miles south in Havana. Find the best spots for hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, canoeing, wetlands, gardens, birding and watching wildlife.

CITY: Peoria

Ohio River Scenic Byway

The 188-mile scenic route begins at the Wabash Memorial Bridge in Gallatin County and ends at Fort Defiance Park in historic Cairo. Sights along the way include the Garden of the Gods, Cave-in-Rock, Elizabethtown, the quaint river town of Golconda, and Metropolis, the home of Superman.

CITY: Metropolis

Polk-a-Dot Drive In

Drive-In founded over 50 years ago has become one of the most memorable attractions along Illinois Route 66. Stop in and see the collection of memorabilia and enjoy a great meal.

CITY: Braidwood

Wabash Valley Wine Trail

The Wabash Valley Wine Trail is made up of five wineries located in the southeastern part of the state. Visitors to this area can enjoy the scenic Wabash River Valley, historic towns, and quaint bed and breakfasts.

CITY: Lawrenceville

Lincoln Highway Interpretive Mural - Batavia

Dotted along the 179-mile byway, you’ll find an unprecedented series of interpretive murals. Each artistically embodies the cultural heritage of the community where it is located and the legacy of the historic highway. Needless to say, taking a road trip to all or a couple makes for a nostalgic adventure.

CITY: Batavia

Downtown Jacksonville Walldog Murals

Completed in the Summer of 2006, these 10 murals depicting historic Jacksonville scenes and events were handpainted by more than 50 sign painters and graphic artists from as far away as Scotland and New Zealand.

CITY: Jacksonville

World on Wheels Segway Tours

Peoria area’s only Segway tour and Quadracycle bike rental experience. Offering 30-minute, 1-hour, and 2-hour Segway tours as well as 30-minute Quadracycle bike rides. Gliding with World On Wheels is as fun as it gets. Use them for individual riding or corporate events. Open March thru November, weather permitting. Feel free to call for an appointment. Easy riding for all age levels.

CITY: Peoria

River Trail of Illinois

This 10-foot wide asphalt trail winds 4.8 miles along the former Illinois Terminal Railroad Co. path. Build in 1991, the River Trail provides a safe scenic route for outdoor recreation year round, winter weather permitting. The trail affords patrons the opportunity to experience the natural preservation of wildflowers, grasses, trees and wildlife. With direct access at the Park Administration Center, Bunnell field, and Taylor Street ball diamonds, and in close proximity to Veterans Park, Central Jr. High, West Park, and local restaurants, the River Trail offers something for everyone!

CITY: East Peoria

Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail at LaSalle

Explore the fabled canal route that connects Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River by way of the Illinois River. Once used by Native Americans and early explorers, today the trail meanders through four state parks with landscapes ranging from towering bluffs to rolling hills. Modern-day explorers can enjoy hiking, boating and even snowmobiling.

CITY: LaSalle

Long Hollow Scenic Overlook

This scenic overlook, located along the Great River Road on U.S. Hwy. 20, includes picnic tables, shelters and restrooms. Perfect place for photos to be taken as you can see a spectacular view of Jo Daviess County's rolling countryside.

CITY: Elizabeth

American Discovery Trail

What a way to travel - about 75 miles, from one major river to another (the Illinois and the Mississippi), all on one newly built trail. The Hennepin Parkway State Trail (a linear state park) offers surcease from the flat, treeless Illinois prairie with a lock-strewn straight course of water and a green tunnel over the old tow path of a canal that was obsolete before it was completed. Quaint towns lie nearby, camping spaces (usually primitive) abound, and history is there for the dipping of your fingers in the water. At Sheffield, a comprehensive trail museum more than fills the gaps in your experience of a very unique way to travel through the heart of America. The trail ends in Rock Island, just a bike/pedestrian bridge over the Mississippi River to Iowa.

CITY: Bureau Junction

Fort Defiance Park

Fort Defiance, known as Camp Defiance during the American Civil War, is a former military fortification, located at the awesome confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. The site offers visitors the chance to view the confluence from the old observation tower.

CITY: Cairo

EagleRider Motorcycle Rentals and Tours

EagleRider is the largest motorcycle rental and tour company in the world. Rent a Harley Davidson for a day or a week and experience the open road!

CITY: Countryside

Grand Illinois Trail

The Grand Illinois Trail (GIT) is a 535-mile loop trail in northern Illinois. It goes from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi along the northern border of Illinois and then loops back across the state along the Illinois River and the Hennepin Canal. 200 miles of the route is on paved township and county roads while the rest is on limestone trails or paths. Hennepin Canal Communities - Annawan, Atkinson, Geneseo and Colona

CITY: Atkinson

Gateway Geyser Fountain

As the world's tallest fountain, the Gateway Geyser Fountain reaches 627 feet in height, and is centered in a pond that holds five million gallons of water.

CITY: East St. Louis

The Nature Conservancy Emiquon Preserve

The Emiquon Preserve, also known as the “Jewel of the Illinois River,” is aptly named for its abundance of wetlands and wildlife. The sheer biological diversity made it the natural place for Native Americans to settle long ago. In recent years, the land has undergone a restoration returning its natural beauty for all to enjoy once again.

CITY: Lewistown

Kegel's Harley-Davidson/Buell

World's oldest family owned Harley-Davidson dealership. Large, showy shop with leather-wear, Harley-Davidson apparel and accessories. Close to Bypass U.S. 20 and CherryVale Mall in Cherry Valley. Motorcycle rentals and full service department.

CITY: Rockford

Vandalia State House

Step inside the Illinois’ oldest surviving State Capitol building. Vandalia was the fourth statehouse in Illinois, and is best known for the era when Abraham Lincoln served in the Illinois House of Representatives. Visitors can enjoy guided tours of this restored landmark.

CITY: Vandalia

Illinois Lincoln Highway

Take a journey on the Illinois Lincoln Highway, a 179 mile National Scenic Byway. From the Indiana border, west toward the mighty MIssissippi, you will find an adventure filled with variety, rich in history and heritage. As you travel the Lincoln Highway route across northern Illinois, take time to discover each communities' unique culture and special offerings and find a past era woven together with the present.

CITY: Belvidere

Historic National Road Scenic Byway

The National Road is called the "road that built the nation" because it was the first highway in American history. Today the National Road in Illinois covers 164 miles, from Marshall and the Wabash Valley, to East St. Louis and the Mississippi River.

CITY: Greenville

Illinois Lincoln Highway Interpretive Gazebo - DeKalb

The Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition presents 16 Interpretive Gazebos along the Lincoln Highway, a 179-mile National Scenic Byway in Northern Illinois. The DeKalb gazebo offers a unique and interactive way for visitors to learn the significance of the highway in DeKalb while enjoying stories of the early Lincoln Highway and its other Illinois communities.

CITY: DeKalb

The Marshall Log Cabin Visitors Center

Step back in time while you gather information about Marshall and the surrounding area. This quaint log cabin was originally located nine miles south of Marshall. Be sure to travel Highway 40 and the Historic National Road Scenic Byway.

CITY: Marshall

Lincoln Highway Seedling Mile and Interpretive Gazebo

Malta is home to the "first seedling mile" on the Lincoln Highway. As one of the 16 Interpretive Gazebos located along the Lincoln Highway, the Malta gazebo offers a unique way for visitors to enjoy stories of the early Lincoln Highway and its Illinois communities.

CITY: Malta