- Plan Your Trip
Plan Your Trip
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Things to Do
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Events
Events
Find out what's on in Illinois and Chicago with your guide to events, festivals, markets, music, theater, sport and more.
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Trip Ideas
Trip Ideas
- Fall Road Trips in Illinois
- Eco-Friendly Hotels and Green Getaways in Illinois
- College Football in Illinois
- Fall Colors on the Great River Road
- Journey Along the Lincoln Highway
- Illinois Shopping
- Route 66
- IL ♥ LGBTQ
- Golf Illinois
- Chicago Neighborhoods
- Family Fun in Illinois
- Everybody Outside!
- Bike Illinois
- Outdoor Adventures in Illinois
- Chicago to Alton
- Chicago to Carbondale
- Illinois Scenic Byways
- Chicago to Quincy
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Places to Go
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Road Trip
Stories & Highlights
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Amazing is...
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Seasonal Adventures
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Places to Stay
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Maps & Visitor Guides
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Getting Here & Getting Around
Getting Here & Getting Around
Find out how to get to Illinois by plane, train, bus and driving. Getting around Chicago and Illinois is easy with our guide to ways to travel around the state.
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My Favorites
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Around Illinois by Amtrak
Around Illinois by Amtrak
Step back in time to the golden age of train travel and settle in for a peaceful ride to discover some of Illinois’ most charming towns and hidden treasures.
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- History
History
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Historic Sites
Historic Sites
Visit the many historic sites in Illinois, from the Land of Lincoln, to the site of an ancient Native American city at Cahokia Mounds.
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Presidential History
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History Museums
History Museums
Visit the History Museums of Illinois. From the vast collection of the Chicago History Museum to small town historical museums, you’ll discover the stories and heritage of our towns and our people.
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Historical Reenactments
Historical Reenactments
History comes alive at Illinois historical reenactments. Meet Abraham Lincoln in the flesh, experience colonial life, or take a canal boat ride with a period costumed storyteller.
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Frank Lloyd Wright Trail
Frank Lloyd Wright Trail
One of America’s greatest architects, Frank Lloyd Wright called Illinois home—and filled it with some of his best works.
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- Taste Illinois
Taste Illinois
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Places to Eat in Illinois
Places to Eat in Illinois
Taste your way through the state with our guide to the best and closest places to eat in Illinois. Experience everything from fine dining to shared plates and takeaway fare.
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Bars and Nightclubs in Illinois
Bars and Nightclubs in Illinois
Put your dancing shoes on or unwind at one of the many bars and night clubs in Illinois. Locate the best cocktails, the perfect beer, local DJs, international artists and more.
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Illinois Wineries & Vineyards
Illinois Wineries & Vineyards
Taste the regional characteristics in our locally produced wines. Browse our guide to the closest and best Illinois wineries and vineyards for your next celebration or trip.
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Illinois Breweries & Distilleries
Illinois Breweries & Distilleries
Fancy a pint? Hunt down major Illinois breweries and distilleries for the best beers, ciders and spirits in the state. Support local production and taste your way through Illinois.
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Food Tours in Illinois
Food Tours in Illinois
Taste your way through the best of the state with food tours in Illinois. Enjoy everything from fine dining and wineries, to craft beer and pizza tours.
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Things to Do
Events
Trip Ideas
Places to Go
Road Trip
Amazing is...
Seasonal Adventures
Places to Stay
Maps & Visitor Guides
Getting Here & Getting Around
My Favorites
Around Illinois by Amtrak
Historic Sites
Presidential History
History Museums
Historical Reenactments
Places to Eat in Illinois
Bars and Nightclubs in Illinois
Illinois Wineries & Vineyards
Illinois Breweries & Distilleries 
Food Tours in IllinoisIn 2018, Illinois turned 200 years old. And it has a lot stories to tell.
Illinois 200
In the 200 years since it became a state, Illinois has been home to a countless number of stories.
Everything that has been built, born, and grown here has a corresponding tale. People, places, sights, tastes, innovations, art, sport, triumphs—everything that has made us the state we are today. Everything that makes Illinois amazing.
Peruse the articles and videos below and find something new to discover. Then plan your visit to Illinois and start that Illinois story of your own.
Illinois 200
13 Amazing Illinois Labor Day Weekend Festivals
Labor Day may be the unofficial end of summer, but in Illinois they save some of...
Read StoryCozy Up to an Illinois Winter Getaway
As Illinois celebrates its bicentennial and looks back on 200 years as a state, ...
Read StoryAmerica's First Auto Race: Chicago to Evanston
NASCAR, IndyCar, motocross—America loves its motorsports. Every year, millions o...
Read StoryGo on an Illinois Adventure With Your Squad
Your squad. Your tribe. Your peeps. Your crew. Your gang. Whatever you call your...
Read Story8 Illinois Winter Adventures
We won’t lie to you: Illinois gets chilly in the winter months. But with 200 win...
Read StoryIllinois Comic Book Conventions
There’s an alternate Illinois that lives in the pages of comic books. It’s an Il...
Read StoryMinor League Sports Teams of Illinois
They’re minor league in name, but these Illinois sports teams are major in excit...
Read Story8 Illinois Fall Adventures
Fall is when many of the state’s best qualities truly shine. Nature, agriculture...
Read StoryScuba Diving in Illinois
When you think “Illinois,” you might not immediately think “scuba diving.” After...
Read StoryFind a Romantic Illinois Getaway
Illinois is home to millions of love stories. All over the state, you can escape...
Read StoryDon't Leave Illinois Without Trying These Meals
There are so many amazing food experiences waiting for you in Illinois. Wherever...
Read StoryThe Time They Lifted Chicago Fourteen Feet
Walking down the magnificent streets of downtown Chicago, towering skyscrapers o...
Read StoryBig Adventure and Big Views in Giant City State Park
Southern Illinois is home to some of the state’s best scenery and outdoor advent...
Read StoryFamily Style: The Story of White Fence Farm's Famous Fried Chicken
White Fence Farm has never been interested in following trends. The meals served...
Read StoryIllinois Innovations & Designs: There Has To Be A Better Way
These Illinois innovations changed our lives for the better.
Play VideoHistoric Oak Park: A Tale of Urban History
Oak Park is a historic community with cosmopolitan sensibility.
Play VideoWhere to Eat on Route 66 in Illinois
A great road trip isn’t just about the drive, or the sights. It’s also about the...
Read Story11 Amazing Festivals You'll Find Only in Illinois
Illinois loves a good festival. Just about any weekend of the year, you’ll find ...
Read StoryIllinois Hidden Gems
From hidden trails to Viking ships, discover the best finds off the beaten track...
Read StoryWhat to Do on a Day in Chicago
Chicago is one of the world’s great cities. That means finding things there for ...
Read StoryTake Your Place in the Garden of the Gods, Illinois
These views are more than 300 million years in the making. Now, they’re just wai...
Read StoryClassic American Food Joints: True American Classics
Illinois is a haven for iconic food and passionate foodies.
Play VideoIllinois President Series: Barack Obama
Chicago played a critical role in Barack Obama's story.
Play VideoWrigley Field: The Friendly Confines
The Cubs had their first game at Wrigley Field in 1916.
Play VideoFrank Lloyd Wright: The Wright Stuff
Frank Lloyd Wright is considered one of America's most original architects.
Play VideoThe Piasa Bird: Bird of Prey
Alton, Illinois is home to the Piasa Bird, 'the devourer of men.'
Play VideoFamous Lincoln Quotes: Part II
From great speeches to timely remarks, Abraham Lincoln had a way with words.
Play VideoExploring Illinois' 7 Scenic Byways
Here in Illinois, it’s not always about where you go… it’s about how you get the...
Read StoryThe Palmer House Brownie
The brownie was invented during the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893.
Play VideoThe Palmer House Brownie
Lewis & Clark: We're Going On An Adventure
One of the greatest American adventure stories.
Play VideoIllinois President Series: Abraham Lincoln
One of the greatest public speakers of his time.
Play VideoChicago Architecture: Rise From the Ashes
The skyscraper in Illinois was a huge architectural innovation.
Play Video17th Street BBQ: A Family Tradition
For over 100 years, there's been a burger or BBQ sandwich served at this spot.
Play VideoStarved Rock: A Historic Adventure
Experience the storied history of Illinois' most visited state park.
Play VideoHistoric Champaign-Urbana: A Tale of Two Cities
In the sister cities of Champaign-Urbana, urban flair meets historic charm.
Play VideoRural Adventures: Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice
Lush foliage and nearly 27 million acres of farmland deliver fall fun.
Play VideoLincoln-Douglas Debates: The First Debate of 1858
Ottawa, IL is home to a very significant debate.
Play VideoNavy Pier: A Chicago Landmark
A truly wonderful venue for the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois.
Play VideoWorld's Columbian Exposition of 1893: I Can Show You the World
Witness the majestic expression of beauty, order and design.
Play VideoFamous Lincoln Quotes: Part I
From great debates to selected writings, Abraham Lincoln had a way with words.
Play VideoIllinois State Parks: Beautiful Places, Magical Spaces
Create your own story in one of Illinois' beautiful state parks.
Play VideoHistoric Galena: A Walking Museum
Once Illinois' greatest city, Galena beckons travelers from around the world.
Play VideoBuckingham Fountain: Chicago's Front Door
Discover one of the largest fountains in the world.
Play VideoGlacial Park: The Gem of McHenry County Conservation District
Though “glacial” is in this park’s name, if you’re looking for a glacier, you’re...
Read Story10 Things To Do in the Fox River Valley
On the western outskirts of the Chicago metropolitan area sits an idyllic valley...
Read StoryA Visit to Matthiessen State Park
Think of Illinois just as the prairie state in all its flatland glory? Think aga...
Read StoryLoad More
Keep visiting this page until the Bicentennial on December 3, 2018, for whole new stories
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You only turn 200 once, so we're celebrating in style
Bicentennial Events
You only turn 200 once, so we're making sure to celebrate it in style right across the state.
Find out when and where the celebrations are happening
