In the Land of Lincoln, you can experience each corner of the state in a single weekend. Charming small towns, stunning state parks, bizarre boulders and culture-rich communities are all within three hours of the Windy City. Set off on a plane, train or automobile; these eight weekend jaunts get you out of the city and into new explorations.
Flyaway Getaway
Chicago to Marion
Travel time by plane: Depart O’Hare 9:55 a.m., arrive 11:25 a.m. at Veterans Airport
Take off for Southern Illinois for its ancient rocks and sandstone bluffs.
To make the most of your weekend, rent a car at the airport and drive to the western side of the Shawnee National Forest. The sprawling forest encompasses the southern tip of the state and includes nine wilderness areas. Choose from two lodging options. The eco-friendly Makanda Inn caters to adults with a main lodge and private cottages. Or choose to stay at the historic Giant City Lodge and cabins. The restaurant serves an all-you-can-eat family-style chicken dinner and breakfast, or choose from a regular menu. Fuel up before heading out. Seven of the park’s eight hiking trails are 2 miles or less, including the Giant City Nature Trail, which shows off the park’s main attractions.
Retail Therapy
Chicago to Geneva
Travel time by train: 1 hour and 10 minutes (Metra/Union Pacific West, almost 30 trains per day from Ogilvie Transportation Center)
Charming boutiques line a historic downtown on the Fox River.
Peruse more than 100 specialty shops, including The Little Traveler with 36 rooms of treasures including gourmet foods, houseware items, apparel and seasonal decor. The Victorian home formally opened as a shop in the 1920s and still serves lunch in the Atrium Cafe. Two blocks north, Cocoon has 13 rooms in a three-story home. Shop for home decor and furniture, books, and baby goods. Hungry? Stop for lunch at Craft Urban, a local fave for a cup of soup and sandwich like the Ultimate Grilled Cheese with carmelized onions and bacon and inventive cocktails. Check in at Herrington Inn and Spa, where balconies and patios overlook the Fox River. Dinner at on-site Atwater's Restaurant offers farm-to-table fare before returning to your room for complimentary cookies and milk with turndown service. Before heading out for the day, enjoy a selection of fresh baked pastries, whole fruit and coffee in the lobby.
Outdoor Adventures
Chicago to Galena
Travel time by automobile: 3 hours
Adventures in the great outdoors: golf resorts, ziplines, fly-fishing in the Driftless Area, hiking and biking trails, and more.
Galena may be best known for its historic downtown with 125-plus unique shops and restaurants (like Fried Green Tomatoes and Otto’s Place Cafe), plus President Ulysses S. Grant’s home. But this small town also leans into its outdoor pursuits. Spend the day on the water with Galena Fly Fishing Outfitters, who provides all of the equipment, instruction and transportation (if necessary) for half and full day fly fishing excursions. Soar over trees on a zipline course with Long Hollow Canopy Tours, or for more of a challenge, try their aerial Adventure Park. Choose from two resorts that offer a bevy of lodging options and activities. Golf four premier courses at Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa. At Chestnut Mountain Resort, race down the hill on dual alpine slides or bomb the mountain bike trails at Farside Gravity Bike Park.
Premiere Parks
Chicago to Ottawa
Travel time by automobile: 90 minutes
Four state parks and a nature preserve sit within 20 minutes of a picturesque downtown.
The largest of the four state parks, Starved Rock draws visitors for its impressive bluffs, canyons and seasonal waterfalls seen along 13 miles of hiking trails. Overnight on-site at Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center—the dining room serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus there’s a lounge with live entertainment. Smaller and more compact, Matthiessen State Park has three waterfalls between the Upper and Lower Dells. Buffalo Rock State Park is home to two American bison and has views of the Illinois River. Rent an e-bike from Adventur-E-Bike Rentals and wheel around Buffalo Rock and Illini state parks. Camp Aramoni in Tonica caters to adults with 11 safari-style tents. Breakfast, dinner and nightly s’mores are all part of the package, plus complimentary bikes, use of a handmade canoe, lawn games and firewood. Craft beer and craft food star on the menu at The Lone Buffalo by Tangled Roots Brewing Company in downtown Ottawa.
North Shore
Chicago to Lake Forest
Travel time by train: 1 hour (Metra, Union Pacific North, trains depart about every hour)
Upscale vibes permeate this classic city with modern touches.
From the Lake Forest train station, it’s a 5-minute walk to Deer Path Inn, a 19th-century private home-turned-inn with 57 rooms and suites. Once checked in, borrow a complimentary bike and see some of the city’s best sites. Market Square, the nation’s first planned suburban shopping center, has national brands like Williams Sonoma, as well as local faves like The Lake Forest Shop for women’s fashion. Pedal past city treasures, such as the History Center of Lake Forest-Lake Bluff, or head to Forest Park Beach before returning to the inn for afternoon tea. On-property restaurant options include the English Room, the White Hart Pub, and The Bar. Off property, it’s a two block walk to Le Colonial, a fine-dining French-Vietnamese restaurant.
Garden Variety
Chicago to Rockford
Travel time by automobile: 1 hour 30 minutes
Bloom in the City of Gardens.
The city’s moniker comes from three major attractions: Anderson Japanese Gardens, Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens, and Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden, all steps from the Rock River. Two more worthwhile stops include the Burpee Museum of Natural History, which takes visitors back in time to when Jane, a juvenile T. Rex roamed the Earth, and the Discovery Center Museum next door. The children’s museum focuses on science and encourages hands-on play with interactive exhibits. Eco-friendly Prairie Street Brewing Company took over a former brewery more than a decade ago. Local producers and nearby farmers, such as McKenna Farms, supply the Berkshire pulled pork in the Drunken Cuban Melt that pairs with a Wavey Blonde. Downtown, check into the Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford Riverfront, where there’s a complimentary evening reception and buffet breakfast with made-to-order omelets.
Lincoln Lore
Chicago to Springfield
Travel time by train: 3 hours (Amtrak, 6 trains daily)
Icons intersect in the Capital City.
Many of the towns along Route 66, such as Pontiac and Bloomington, have ties to Abraham Lincoln, as does Springfield, where Lincoln lived prior to moving into the White House. Visitors can delve into his life with a trip to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, and Old State Capitol State Historic Site, where he gave his “House Divided” speech and the Lincoln Tomb, where he and all but one child are buried. Long before Route 66 came to town, Maldaner’s restaurant opened in 1884. Delicacies like beef Wellington and rack of lamb are enhanced with herbs and veggies grown on the restaurant roof. Snag a warm cookie as you tuck in for the night at the President Abraham Lincoln Springfield, a Doubletree by Hilton, or head back downtown to the boutique Inn at 835.
Amish Country
Chicago to Arthur
Travel time by automobile: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Step back to a simpler time.
The state’s largest concentration of Old Order Amish reside in the towns of Arcola, Sullivan, Tuscola and Arthur. Each welcomes visitors with a variety of things to see and do, including downtown shops dating to the 1800s. Begin your discovery at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center, a living-history farm and museum just east of Arthur, the core of Amish Country. Get a taste of homemade food at Yoder’s Kitchen, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Purchase handcrafted Amish furniture from The Wood Loft, or head to downtown Arcola for Yoder’s Homestead Shop and Furniture, and Kauffman Amish Furniture Outlet. Overnight at Arcola’s Green Mill Village Hotel and Suites, part of the Best Western Signature Collection. The relatively new hotel boasts modern conveniences like microwaves and refrigerators in every room, plus an indoor pool.