While many may think Mid-America is boring, anyone who lives in this neck of woods knows nothing could be further from the truth. These 10 Midwest attractions prove once and for all that Illinois is the place to be for the best time of your life.
Get out there and discover what makes your own backyard the best place in the world. Keep scrolling for more details.
- Beaches
Flickr/Lucy Gray From the Great Lakes up north to the littler ones that sprinkle the rest of the Midwest, beaches abound. Especially this time of year, one of the best things you can do in Illinois is spend a day on or near the water enjoying the calming waves and peaceful views. Check out the 10 most gorgeous beaches in the state here.
- Scenic drives
Facebook/Knox County Scenic Drive It’s no secret that the Midwest is the land of highways and drive-thru states. In Illinois, the views along some of our byways are so great they make the drive worth taking. Click here for 10 lovely drives you must take through the Land of Lincoln.
- Cities
Flickr/Mr. Nixter One of the greatest cities in America is one of the best Midwest attractions, and it’s right here in Illinois. In addition to Chicago and all its wonders, we are also home to wonderful places like Springfield, Rockford, and Peoria, which make this state great head to toe. Learn more about the best vacation city in the Midwest here.
- Small towns
Wikipeida/Cosmo1976 If there’s anything the Midwest is known for, it’s tiny towns where everyone knows your name. Some have charming downtowns while others barely consist of a town at all. For 10 of the best small towns in Illinois, click here.
- Waterfalls
Flickr/Curtis Abert Believe it or not, this part of the county is home to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. Situated in state parks and forest preserves, these fabulous weeping rock formations are truly a sight to see, and Illinois is home to a plethora of them. Check out the 10 best ones here.
- Waterparks
Facebook/Raging Waves Waterpark In addition to natural wonders, man-made Midwest attractions are exciting too. All across the Prairie State, these wild aquatic amusement parks take summer to the next level. If there’s anything a bunch of flat land is ideal for, this is it. Click here for 15 of the most blissful waterparks in Illinois.
- River cruises
Facebook/American Queen Steamboat Company From the Chicago River to the Mississippi, Illinois is awash with lovely rivers. The best way to enjoy the sights on these bodies of water is by taking a cruise. Paddle and steam boats abound on these epic water adventures. Learn about the state’s seven best boat tours here.
- Farms
Facebook/Firefly Grill Before you try and pretend like farms aren’t a viable attraction to the Midwest, consider this: farm-to-table restaurants. In addition to farmers markets, these dining establishments have the freshest foods in the nation. Get to know nine of the best farm restaurants here.
- Rock formations
Flickr/David Wilson Forget the mountains when you can traverse the caves, canyons, and boulders of Illinois. From Cave-in-Rock to Garden of the Gods to Matthiessen State Park, these immaculate places offer sights that are out of this world. See some for yourself with these eight cave trails here.
- State parks
Flickr/Curtis Abert State parks are all around the country, but if you’re looking for Midwest attractions that feel like anywhere but the Midwest, look no further than places like Giant City and Starved Rock. Full of rock formations, waterfalls, caves, wildlife, and so much more, these places will blow you away. Click here for the 10 state parks in the Prairie State you don’t want to miss.
Yet another fabulous draw to the Midwest is the food. Check out the 10 best tenderloin sandwiches you can only get in Illinois.
Flickr/Lucy Gray
From the Great Lakes up north to the littler ones that sprinkle the rest of the Midwest, beaches abound. Especially this time of year, one of the best things you can do in Illinois is spend a day on or near the water enjoying the calming waves and peaceful views. Check out the 10 most gorgeous beaches in the state here.
Facebook/Knox County Scenic Drive
It’s no secret that the Midwest is the land of highways and drive-thru states. In Illinois, the views along some of our byways are so great they make the drive worth taking. Click here for 10 lovely drives you must take through the Land of Lincoln.
Flickr/Mr. Nixter
One of the greatest cities in America is one of the best Midwest attractions, and it’s right here in Illinois. In addition to Chicago and all its wonders, we are also home to wonderful places like Springfield, Rockford, and Peoria, which make this state great head to toe. Learn more about the best vacation city in the Midwest here.
Wikipeida/Cosmo1976
If there’s anything the Midwest is known for, it’s tiny towns where everyone knows your name. Some have charming downtowns while others barely consist of a town at all. For 10 of the best small towns in Illinois, click here.
Flickr/Curtis Abert
Believe it or not, this part of the county is home to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. Situated in state parks and forest preserves, these fabulous weeping rock formations are truly a sight to see, and Illinois is home to a plethora of them. Check out the 10 best ones here.
Facebook/Raging Waves Waterpark
In addition to natural wonders, man-made Midwest attractions are exciting too. All across the Prairie State, these wild aquatic amusement parks take summer to the next level. If there’s anything a bunch of flat land is ideal for, this is it. Click here for 15 of the most blissful waterparks in Illinois.
Facebook/American Queen Steamboat Company
From the Chicago River to the Mississippi, Illinois is awash with lovely rivers. The best way to enjoy the sights on these bodies of water is by taking a cruise. Paddle and steam boats abound on these epic water adventures. Learn about the state’s seven best boat tours here.
Facebook/Firefly Grill
Before you try and pretend like farms aren’t a viable attraction to the Midwest, consider this: farm-to-table restaurants. In addition to farmers markets, these dining establishments have the freshest foods in the nation. Get to know nine of the best farm restaurants here.
Flickr/David Wilson
Forget the mountains when you can traverse the caves, canyons, and boulders of Illinois. From Cave-in-Rock to Garden of the Gods to Matthiessen State Park, these immaculate places offer sights that are out of this world. See some for yourself with these eight cave trails here.
State parks are all around the country, but if you’re looking for Midwest attractions that feel like anywhere but the Midwest, look no further than places like Giant City and Starved Rock. Full of rock formations, waterfalls, caves, wildlife, and so much more, these places will blow you away. Click here for the 10 state parks in the Prairie State you don’t want to miss.
What other Midwest attractions do you absolutely adore? Share your favorite things to do with us below in the comments.
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