Explore Illinois
From urban excitement and outdoor adventures to delicious food and fascinating history, Illinois is an iconic destination with something for everyone. Scroll through the regions to explore the diversity of experiences in The Middle of Everything.
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An Iconic City with Nearby Adventures
Chicago & Beyond
Voted the best big city in the US, Chicago sets the scene with its iconic skyline and world-class museums, architecture, food and cultural scene. Discover the city's diverse neighborhoods or explore just beyond the city for picturesque outdoor escapes, family-friendly adventures and great shopping.
Discover Chicago & Beyond
Travel Inspiration
Discover the Middle of Everything
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Show more in category of Family Fun
Spring Break Starts Here
Illinois offers so many ways to have a fun spring break. From city staycations to road trips to outdoor adventures, all you have to do is pick a destination and... Read more about Spring Break Starts Here -
Show more in category of Arts, Culture & History
Lost in the Anderson Japanese Gardens
Escape to Rockford’s Anderson Japanese Gardens, one of the state’s unexpected oases. Read more about Lost in the Anderson Japanese Gardens -
Show more in category of Eat & Drink
How to Celebrate Women’s History Month in Illinois
To celebrate this important month—and throughout the year—you can visit some of our many small businesses in our Illinois Made program that are owned and operated by talented female artisans... Read more about How to Celebrate Women’s History Month in Illinois
Real People. Real Stories. Real Outdoors.
Featured
70 state parks and recreation areas, 2,900 lakes, 7 scenic byways. When it comes to Illinois, there’s no shortage of outdoor adventure.
Plan Your Illinois Adventure
What are you interested in?
Local Stories
Hewn Bakery
Using a species of wheat that hadn’t been sown in the Midwest since the early 20th Century, baker Ellen King crafts artisanal bread with old-fashioned techniques.
Crown Brew Coffee Co
After spending years doing nonprofit work, Josh started his own community-minded business almost by accident.
Rock Island's Handcrafted Canoes
When Bruce and Sue Peterson relaunched one of America's most revered handcrafted canoe companies, they found the perfect spot in Rock Island, Illinois.
Tuscola's Famous Candy Kitchen
In Tuscola, two sisters inherited their grandfather's candy recipes—and carried on a family tradition.
Galena Cellars
When Robert and Joyce Lawlor followed their gut to a winemaking class in the early 1970s, they had no idea that their passion would eventually add something special to the historically charming patchwork of Galena, Illinois.
John Boos & Co.
The world’s most celebrated chefs do their best carving and chopping on hardwood boards handcrafted in Effingham, IL.
Discover Chicago
THE BEST BIG CITY IN THE U.S.
Plan your trip to one of the world's greatest cities, Chicago. Discover incredible food, architecture, attractions and cultural experiences. There's no city quite like it.
Explore Illinois by EV
ECO-FRIENDLY ROAD TRIPS
Illinois has over 1,200 public electric vehicle charging stations throughout the state which allow you to embark on unforgettable eco-friendly road trips, exploring scenic routes and hidden gems across the state.
Lack of Love in the Sunshine State? Come to Illinois!
We're proud to welcome all visitors all year round. Since some states are removing LGBTQIA+ sections from their websites, we've decided to make it even easier to find more information about how Illinois embraces inclusivity.
