Illinois has everything for visitors. Foremost is the city of Chicago with its fantastic museums and cultural scene. Must-sees include the Museum of Science and Industry and the Brookfield Zoo. Go to Peoria and visit the nearby historic town of Galena, here you can take a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi River. The southeast part of the state is home to the city of Champaign, beautiful Lake Shelbyville and the Upper Mississippi National Wildlife and Fish Reserve. In Southwest Illinois don't miss the city of Springfield and the Lincoln Home National Historic Site. 

ATTRACTIONS

Northern   Chicago   Chicagoland   Western   Central   Southwestern   Southern   National Parks

Northern

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum - The stunning twenty-room Swiss cottage that Robert H. Tinker built on a limestone bluff in 1865 features elaborate parquet floors, detailed woodwork, spiral staircase and murals, along with the furniture and artifacts.

Burpee Museum of Natural History - The mission of Burpee Museum of Natural History is to promote the appreciation of the natural heritage of the Rock River Valley region. The Museum features prehistoric exhibits including life-sized Tyrannosaurus Rex and Wooly Mammoth skeleton casts, Native American exhibits, fossils, minerals, animals and plants.

Discovery Center Museum - The amazing Discovery Center Museum is full of over 180 exciting hands-on exhibits spread over a two-floor area. The museum also features a planetarium, working TV studio, robotics lab, outdoor science park

Illinois Railway Museum - The Illinois Railway Museum features the largest railway museum collection in the U.S. Over the past 45 years, the Illinois Railway Museum has acquired over 350 pieces of equipment.

Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden - Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden offers over 150 acres of magnificent trees and plants! Explore this ""living museum"" every season: majestic colors of fall, hundreds of blooming crabapples in spring, butterfly gardens in summer, and snow-covered evergreens in winter.

Magic Waters Waterpark - Magic Waters Waterpark is the Midwest's largest public water park. The park features a water coaster, wave pool, body slides, tube slides, SplashMagic River, Little Lagoon, Caribbean SplashMagic Island, sand volleyball and more.

Chicago

Chicago Shakespeare Theater - In the heart of Chicago’s vibrant downtown and in a beautiful courtyard-style theater just like those he wrote for, Shakespeare’s work comes to life. Powerful! Emotional! Intense! And intimate—with the actors and audience just feet away from one another.

 Museum of Science and Industry - Climb aboard the Pioneer Zephyr, the world's first streamlined train. Go inside The U-505 a German World War II submarine. See the largest collection of Jordan artifacts ever assembled. All this and much more at The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.

Chicago Theatre - Nicknamed the ""Wonder Theatre of the World,"" the 3,605-seat Chicago Theatre remains entrenched in the hearts of the people of Greater Chicago and the Midwest, a vital part of both the history of State Street and the future of the North Loop Theatre District. The theatre hosts a variety of big-name shows year-round.

DuSable Museum of African-American History - The DuSable Museum of African-American History is the only major independent institution in Chicago established to preserve and interpret the historical experiences and achievements of African Americans.

Shedd Aquarium - Shedd Aquarium is the World's Aquarium. Opened in 1929, it is one of the oldest public aquariums in the world. The facility houses nearly 8,000 aquatic animals representing some 650 species of fishes, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, birds, and mammals from waters around the world.

Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum - The purpose of the Museum is to stimulate and preserve the knowledge and appreciation of the Mexican culture as it manifests itself in and outside of Mexico. The Museum defines the Mexican culture as a culture sin fronteras (without borders) including the traditional and contemporary artistic expressions of Mexico and of Mexican communities within the U.S.

Museum of Contemporary Art - The Museum of Contemporary Art features some of the finest contemporary sculptures, painting, photography, video, music, dance and performance.

Navy Pier - As Chicago's lakefront playground, Navy Pier offers visitors a unique mix of family-oriented attractions. From the quiet, serene setting of the Family Pavilion's Crystal Gardens to the breathtaking views atop the 150-foot Ferris wheel, Navy Pier offers attractions for everyone.

Lincoln Park Zoo - A premier Chicago attraction, Lincoln Park Zoo each year welcomes more than three million visitors, providing them with remarkable learning experiences as well as fun and enjoyment. Famous for its historical structures, the zoo has succeeded at combining state-of-the-art animal and visitor facilities with beautiful architectural reflections of past times and sensibilities.

Lyric Opera of Chicago - The world-renowned Lyric Opera of Chicago, performs in one of North America's most beautiful opera houses, the Civic Opera House.

Apollo Theater - The Apollo Theater in Chicago is a lush venue with a prestigious reputation, located in Chicago's fashionable Lincoln Park theatre district. It's repertoire includes fresh blend of comedies , musicals, and special events.

Chicago Center for the Performing Arts - The fully-integrated entertainment facility is not only a renowned performing arts and conference center, but also provides support for the independent film, television and theatrical community in the Chicagoland area.

The Hancock Observatory - Enjoy Skywalk 94 floors and over 1,000 feet above the ground, which offers breathtaking views of the city, Lake Michigan and surrounding states. See Windows on Chicago a great virtual-visit of Chicago's greatest attractions. Learn the history of Chicago at The History Wall.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Rich in tradition. Innovative in vision. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is a musical force in Chicago and around the world. 200 performances and events a year. 110 talented musicians. Three internationally-renowned conductors. An award-winning composer-in-residence.

The Chicago Athenaeum : Museum of Architecture and Design - The Chicago Athenaeum is an International Museum of Architecture and Design, appropriately based in the world's first city of modern architecture and design - Chicago. The Museum is dedicated to the Art of Design in all areas of the discipline: architecture, industrial, and product design, graphics, and urban planning.

The Art Institute of Chicago - The Art Institute of Chicago holds one of the world's great art collections. Enjoy one of the premier French Impressionist painting collections in the world. Art from the ancient Egyptians to modern masters like Matisse, Picasso, Georgia O'Keeffe.

Museum of Broadcast Communications - The Museum of Broadcast Communications (MBC) at the Chicago Cultural Center is one of only two broadcast museums in America. The museum features wonderful television and radio memorabilia that bring the audiovisual world to life.

Chicago Academy of Sciences and Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum - Founded in 1857, the Chicago Academy of Sciences established Chicago's first museum and only museum to specialize in the ecology and natural history of the Midwest from the Great Lakes to the prairies. Today, the Academy is a vital cultural and educational institution dedicated to promoting scientific literacy for all citizens.

Chicago Children's Museum - Chicago Children's Museum offers three floors of unique, hands-on exhibits that are as big as a kid's imagination. Chicago Children's Museum also offers new exhibits and special performances.

Chicagoland

Chicago Botanic Garden - The Chicago Botanic Garden features 23 spectacular gardens on 385 acres, the Garden is a place of ever-changing beauty.

Odyssey Fun World - Odyssey Fun World features outdoor and indoor activities including two 18 hole Adventure Golf courses, a KIDZ Adventure Park, bumper boats, Hydro Racer Speed boats, baseball and softball batting stations, two wild go kart tracks, a four-level children's interactive play land and over 250 ""state-of-the-art"" video games, LaserTrek, VR2002 Roller Coaster, Super Kiddie Rides and lots more.

Dinorex - Dinorex is a themed family amusement park featuring bumper cars, rexo coaster, a primitive train and much more.

Santa's Village - The Three Worlds of Santa's Village has been a favorite family tradition for over 40 years. With thrill and kiddie rides, live shows, and attractions, there's something for everyone.

Fun World - Naperville - Phase II of Odyssey Fun World features a 36 hole Adventure golf course, Go-Kart Track, a Bumper Boat Lagoon, and a Kidz Adventure Park with several exciting rides and attractions primarily for children 10 and under. Indoor activities include four-level children's interactive play land and over 200 ""state-of-the-art"" video games, LaserTrek, VR2002 Roller Coaster, Super Kiddie Rides and more.

Ladd Arboretum - Evanston Park District's 23-acre arboretum includes a prairie park, bird sanctuary, ecology center, nature programs and summer camp

Challenge Park Xtreme - Challenge Park Xtreme is an extreme sports theme park where visitors can enjoy paintball, BMX, mountain biking, skateboarding and more.

Kohl Children's Museum - Children ages 1-8 can touch and explore exhibits in addition to participating in planned daily activities. The exhibits encourage the building of strong social skills by creating situations which require children to help each other and work as a team.

Ernest Hemingway Museum & Birthplace - The Ernest Hemingway Museum & Birthplace focuses on the life and work of Ernest Hemingway with emphasis on his Oak Park origins and his impact on world literature.

Morton Arboretum - Beautiful gardens and landscapes are found throughout the Arboretum's 1,700 acres. More than 41,000 plants, representing 3,300 different types of plants from around the world, provide research scientists, horticulturists, arborists, teachers, students, and homeowners with a wealth of information.

Arlington Park - Arlington Park features thorough-bred racing, festivals, concerts, expos and more.

Brookfield Zoo - Brookfield Zoo is located just 14 miles west of downtown Chicago and is considered one of Illinois' top attractions.

Metropolis Performing Arts Centre - Located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights, the new exciting Metropolis Performing Arts Centre is designed to bring a full spectrum of artistic performances to a beautiful, new and intimate setting. The Centre offers a wide variety of top quality entertainment; drama, musicals, dance, children's theater and symphonic performances.

Public Museum - Offering exhibits and educational programs in natural history and anthropology for families, school groups, scouts, clubs, organizations, home schoolers, and anyone who wants to have fun while learning!

Six Flags Great America - Six Flags Great America has not one, not two, but 11 world class coasters! With over 40 amazing rides, plus spectacular shows and attractions, it is no wonder why Six Flags Great America is the Midwest's premier theme park.

Allstate Arena - The Arena hosts more than 150 events annually, attracting an average of 1.5 million audience members to witness some of the world's top musical performers, exciting sporting events and fun-for-everyone family entertainment.

Argonne National Laboratory - The Argonne Information Center offers an excellent introduction to Argonne. Located at the Illinois site's main gate, it is filled with interactive exhibits about Argonne's research programs and history.

Funway Entertainment Center - The Fox Valley's largest indoor and outdoor family entertainment center. This 5 1/2 acre park offers many options and fun for guests of all ages. Attractions include rollerskating rink, video arcade, bumper cars, gokarts, bumper boats, batting cages, minigolf and more.

Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory - This acclaimed center for high-energy physics research possesses the highest energy particle accelerator in the world. The laboratory grounds offer an ample supply of open country for various recreational activities.

Mitchell Museum of the American Indian - The Mitchell Museum of the American Indian is the only museum in the Chicago-area that focuses exclusively on the history, culture and arts of North American native peoples. The Museum's collections range from the Paleo-Indian period through the present days.

Scitech Hands On Museum - The Scitech Hands On Museum offers over 200 hands-on exhibits demonstrating the principles of electricity, weather, astronomy and nuclear energy.

Volo Auto Museum - The 30-acre theme park is known worldwide for its multi-million dollar collection of nearly 300 antique and famous cars, which it displays year round in five climate-controlled showrooms. The museum is the proud home of one of the largest collections of legendary vehicles from America's favorite films and television shows.

Western

Joseph Smith Historic Center - Tour the family properties of Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The sites include the homestead, mansion house, red brick store and grave sites of Joseph, Emma, and Hyrum Smith.

Glen Oak Zoo - Glen Oak Zoo is home to over 100 species of exotic animals from around the world.

Celebration Belle River Cruises - Celebration Belle in Moline, Illinois, is a deluxe, 800-passenger, four-deck riverboat excursion vessel on the Upper Mississippi River. The scenic cruises on the Mississippi River take you through some of our area's most historically rich locations.

Dickson Mounds State Museum - Dickson Mounds Museum, a branch of the Illinois State Museum and a National Historic Site, is one of the major on-site archaeological museums in the United States. It offers a unique opportunity to explore the world of the American Indian in an awe inspiring journey through 12,000 years of human experience in the Illinois River Valley.

Illinois Mennonite Heritage Center - This museum and heritage center offers tours, a restored barn, grandfather house, and an agricultural museum among prairie grass and native trees. Includes a historical and genealogical library, as well as, Mennonite museum and archives that are very handicapped accessible.  675 State Route 116, Metamora.

Corn Stock Theatre - Corn Stock Theatre features musicals, comedies, dramas and 5 shows throughout the summer.

Carthage Jail - Visit the restored Carthage Jail, where Joseph Smith, the first President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his brother Hyrum were martyred. You can also tour the visitors' center and walk through the beautiful gardens, where a life-size statue of Joseph and Hyrum pays tribute to the brothers.

Peoria Art Guild - As the oldest community arts center in the state of Illinois, Peoria Art Guild exhibits works by local, regional, national, and international artists.

The Peoria Ballet - The Peoria Ballet Company offers a season of spectacular dance performances and the Peoria Ballet Academy provides excellent dance education in ballet, modern, jazz, and tap.

Wheels O'Time Museum - There is something in our collection that will appeal to every interest, age or gender. Exhibits include automobiles, fire engines, railroad, clocks, vintage clothing and dolls.

Museum of Geology - Founded in 1975, the Museum of Geology is an arm of Western Illinois University's Department of Geology. Originally conceived as a learning resource center for students enrolled in the natural sciences, it also serves the general public and is dedicated to cultural enrichment and public understanding of Earth Sciences.

Illinois Ballet - Founded in 1999, Illinois Ballet exists to elevate the art of dance, expand public awareness of dance, provide increased professional opportunities for Illinois dancers, and enrich and strengthen a professional ballet company that resides in Peoria, IL and tours locally and nationally.

Central

Prairie Aviation Museum - Prairie Aviation Museum features permanent and rotating exhibits, a mini-theatre, and static outdoor displays of historical aircraft and vehicles. The Museum's DC-3 Flagship is located in an adjacent hangar and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Athens - Athens, Illinois is a pleasant stop off between Springfield and New Salem State Park. This growing community is located approximately 12 miles north of our Capitol City just off route 29 and offers valuable historical memories from Abraham Lincoln's time.

Henson Robinson Zoo - More than 300 animals from Africa, Asia, Australia, North and South America find refuge at the zoo. Visitors can view the naturalistic exhibits that house more than 90 species of native and exotic animals.

Johnny Gruelle Raggedy Ann & Andy Museum - The mission of the Johnny Gruelle Raggedy Ann and Andy Museum is to preserve the life and times of the man who created the storybook characters, and to promote the inspiration, values, and spirit of imagination that has made them an American institution for so many years.

Heartland Theatre - Come for the experience of intimate theatre where thought-provoking ""edgy"" drama is performed every time with consistent quality.

Monticello Railway Museum - The mission of the museum is to collect, preserve, interpret and exhibit materials and artifacts relating to railroading, with emphasis on Central Illinois, and to operate a demonstration railroad for the education and enjoyment of the public.

Illinois State University Planetarium - A celestial theater-in-the-round displays 2354 stars. Special effects projectors demonstrate the wonders of the known universe.

Rockome Gardens - Rockome Gardens is a one of a kind park and attraction. For a day of fun and relaxation for the whole family Rockome Gardens has been a favorite spot for over 40 years. Visitors can enjoy 15 different craft & speciality shops, train ride, buggy ride, petting farm, outdoor model railroad, Amish family style restaurant & snack shop.

Fox River Trolley Museum - Fall Caboose Days - A visit to the Fox River Trolley Museum is a nostalgic trip back to an era when the electric trolley car was a vital part of American life. Experience the sights and sounds of this unique part of American history aboard a genuine old-time trolley car which takes you on a three mile trip along the banks of the scenic Fox River.

Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum - The Largest Aerospace Museum in Illinois. The museum has over 40 aircraft and missiles on display, including replicas of Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis and Chanute Field's first aircraft, the Curtiss Jenny biplane. The world's only remaining Boeing XB-47 Stratojet prototype is also on exhibit.

Orpheum Children's Science Museum - The museum provides children of all ages the chance to explore and learn science at their own pace in an informal setting. Exhibits are designed to be fun, but also to teach about science.

Illinois State Museum - Visitors to the main museum site in Springfield are treated to world renowned natural history exhibits and a wonderful view of the arts within and beyond Illinois' borders. Educational programs, films, and lectures enhance the changing exhibitions and the vast array of collections.

Knights Action Park - Knights Action Park features Water Slides, Bumper Boats, Go Karts, Mini Golf, Pirate Ships, Giant Sea Creatures, Batting Cages, Laser Tag, a 7-Acre Lake with Peddle Boats, and a 50 tee-slot Driving Range.

Illinois Amish Country - Illinois' largest Old Order Amish settlement, horse and buggy culture. Visitors can visit over 150 Amish country shops, see oak wood working, and take tours.

Lincoln Log Cabin - Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site, eight miles south of Charleston, preserves the last home of Abraham Lincoln's father and stepmother, Thomas and Sarah Bush Lincoln. The 86-acre site includes the reconstructed Lincoln cabin and a surrounding living history farm.

Southwestern

Raging Rivers Water Park - Raging Rivers Water Park features an 18,000 square foot wave pool, two body flumes, runaway raft ride, swirlpool, lazy river, white water rapids, and a special area for children.

Center for American Archeology - Nationally and internationally renowned for its multidisciplinary approach to archeological research for over forty years, the Center for American Archeology has long been a leader in contemporary Midwest Archeology. The surrounding area is often termed 'The Nile of North America', as the Center is located in the heart of one of the world's most archeologically rich regions

Southern

University Museum - Southern Illinois University Museum features art, history and scientific exhibits in the museum's galleries.

Raging Rivers Water Park - Raging Rivers Water Park features an 18,000 square foot wave pool, two body flumes, runaway raft ride, swirlpool, lazy river, white water rapids, and a special area for children.

Touch of Nature Environmental Center - Touch of Nature Environmental Center at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a comprehensive center offering opportunities for education, academic support and services to enhance the lives of individuals and groups in traditional and non-traditional learning environments.

Super Museum - The Super Museum in Metropolis, Illinois features a collection of superman memorabilia, including the original costume worn by George Reeves, the first superman in the '50s. Also included are movie props, rare toys, comic books and a video presentation.

National Parks

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail - This site celebrates the heroic expedition of the Corps of Discovery, led by Captain Meriwether Lewis and Captain William Clark. Thirty three people traveled with them into unknown territory, starting near what is now known as Wood River, Illinois in 1804, reaching the Pacific Ocean in 1805 and returning in 1806. Today's trail follows their route as closely as possible given the changes over the years. It is approximately 3,700 miles long, beginning near Wood River, Illinois, and passes through portions of Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.