Youll experience towering bluffs, rolling hills, river communities, farmlands and sweeping views. Below are the Free Visitor Guides for Illinois Area. There are festivals and celebrations happening every month of the year along the Great River Route. Order a copy of Enjoy Illinois and also receive the Illinois State Park Guide and an Official Highway Map. Keyword Destination Bloomington/Normal Chicago Joliet Marion Quad Cities Rockford Springfield Utica Length Under 30 miles 30 to 75 miles Over 75 miles 3. Here is a list of more small cities in Illinois that are worth a visit. Visit the largest state park in Illinois and one untouched by glaciers that once blanketed much of the state. If you love the idea of a good old-fashioned Sunday drive then youll love getting into the car and heading down Grand View Drive in Peoria. This incredible route is the iconic American road trip. While Shenandoah National Park is a bit further west, no list of scenic drives in Virginia would be complete without Skyline Drive. This is an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites without extra cost to you. flanked by a lavish residential area in the west and fantastic panoramic views of the. If you are looking for interesting cities in northern Illinois, click here. Sununu has carefully built a Potemkin Village to convince the national media he is a somewhat safe Republican presidential alternative to Donald Trump or Gov. Each community has its own contribution, but one of the most scenic drives is in Alton, Illinois which is known for its historic homes that are perched on the bluffs overlooking the river. more. Navigate the charming small towns of Knox County on this self-guided car tour. 9 years ago. Highest rated attractions on Tripadvisor, based on traveler reviews. 93 reviews. This gorgeous road spans three states: Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. Enjoy the beauty, variety and geology of southeast Wisconsin by driving the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive. The road has its northern source near Galena before tracking the Mississippi River all the way to Cairo, at the far south end of the state. It has run every year since 1968, attracting tourists from all over to drive through 17 little towns and appreciate the local history and culture while being surrounded by fall colors. 4. They capture rich history, and unique landscapes, and feature the fascinating but often overlooked communities that cherish and celebrate these scenic routes. Return to Main Site. Each issue offers a mix of travel stories, stunning photography and timely trip ideas that make the most of each season. Here is a list of more places in Illinois where you can spot eagles during winter. As you may have imagined, there are a ton of river-related activities and attractions in which to partake. Learn more about Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail on the webpage. Fabulous views and thrilling curves with the rivers right beside you. The national byway preserves the nature along the river, providing amazing views of serene Illinois woodlands and wetland as well as prairies and lakes, which makes it perfect for nature lovers. Lake Shore Drive, or Outer Drive, is a multilevel expressway that runs alongside Lake Michigan through the city of Chicago. According to Theodore Roosevelt its the worlds most beautiful drive. Watch the autumnal leaves sweep over the 180-acre landscape or enjoy a picnic with the family. If you are a Republican fan, a fan of Reagan's or just love history, this is a wonderful tribute to a great man. Plan on visiting in October if you want to participate in the countys annual drive event and witness the activities and entertainment. Youll learn the history of the canal as you enjoy the scenery along the way. Carroll County is very Published in History and Heritage, Scenic Drives Read More Routes 127, Old Hwy 51, 51DISTANCE: 46 milesTIME: 1 hour. ), or the old Rochelle railroad park. -- John Steinbeck in "The Grapes of Wrath".Route 66 means different things to different people, but freedom is a common theme. It has nostalgia, nature, and just a good old road trip feel. This is the Badlands Loop scenic drive through the Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Photo: Shutterstock. Driving on this old road, with some replicas of old signs and vintage billboards, took us back in time we could imagine what it was like to drive Route 66 a hundred years ago. AMAZING RIVER VIEW, LEAVES TURNING, QUAINT LITTLE TOWN OF Elijah. Go at night for the sunset! As the name suggests, the two-lane road was originally a stagecoach route connecting Galena with Chicago. Design and Development by J Rudny, LLC. Scenic America has assembled the only comprehensive, nationwide scenic byways database, and we are pleased to share it with the public. Get complete property information, maps, street view, schools, walk score and more. Guide yourself through Knox County and the 8 rural towns that it comprises. As a state of mostly small towns, Illinois has plenty of scenic roads you can take to get away from it all and have space to look around instead of just staring at the bumper in front of you. It was meant to be a peaceful and fun activity for the whole family. Here you can find a list of more southern Illinois wineries. Glacial Park in northern Illinois is a lesser-known park filled with wetlands formed by a glacier that was once here. As one of the most scenic drives in Northern Ireland, Lough Neagh covers an area of 391 square km (151 square miles) in Mid Ulster. You pass by famous landmarks such as Navy Pier, Soldier Field, Lincoln Park Zoo and Calumet Park. Routes will begin to appear on map approximately 10 seconds after the map loads at a rate of one route per second. Copyright 1997 - 2023 The Go Travel Sites. As summer comes to a close and the leaves morph from a vibrant green to even more vibrant oranges, reds and yellows, there's no better way to appreciate the shifting seasons than by taking a drive through Illinois. Route 66 starts its long journey to the West Coast in Chicago. Learn more about Illinois Lincoln Highway on the website. If you have a day or two to just breathe in all the sites, then take on Spoon River Valleys scenic 140-mile drive. Scenic Highway 61 from Duluth to Grand Portage State Park. Thats easy; everywhere you go turns into a classic Illinois road trip. Who doesnt love an adventure along one of the best scenic drives in Illinois? Check it out: If you love road trips, check out these seven places in Illinois boonies that are so worth the drive. We've mapped out the drives and included several must-see scenic pit stops along the routes. In The News Getting its start in East Dubuque, a US Highway 20 road trip launches you into Illinois Great River Country, rolling along beside the inlets and estuaries of the Mississippi River before arriving in Galena. This old two-lane highway is now adorned with delicious restaurants, museums, and other cheesy but fun attractions. Rewrite your bucket list as you soar through the forest on a zipline, take a gondola ride to the top of the bluffs, experience the flavor of Illinois wines, satisfy your sweet tooth with a banana split inspired by a paddlewheel boat, or take a cruise on an actual paddlewheel boat. It stretches 15.83 miles from Hollywood Avenue or 5700 North to Marquette Drive and Jefferey Drive at 6600 South and is often described as the "most scenic roadway in the country" as it embraces the lakefront, the city's skyline and most major tourist attractions. Each of these routes is so much more than a simple drive through Illinois. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Go-Illinois.net, part of The Go Travel Sites family, is among the largest websites covering travel and vacationing in Illinois. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeths articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals. Along the way, you'll see Ronald Reagan's childhood home, a railroad park, and other historic landmarks and attractions that only backroads can offer. Thank you! Learn more about The Morton Arboretum on the website. Site Map, Copyright 2023 Great Rivers Country. 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. Insider tip: If you enough time we would advise you to spend a weekend in Grafton. The wildlife and foliage on the drive is absolutely beautiful and the wine is a plus! Check out five more scenic drives in Illinois at Reboot Illinois, including routes that take travelers through Starved Rock State Park and the Cohokia Mounds. This road really holds some of Americas most fascinating history. See our web stories that accompany this post. Download a PDF map of the favorite Fall Color Drives. 1. We have been enjoying visiting several of the Presidential libraries, museums, historic homes, etc. But no road trip in the region would be complete without a journey down the Illinois Great River Road, one of the most scenic drives in Illinois. On your way, be sure to check out an original brick road (no, its not yellow!) With about 300 miles of highway in Illinois alone, you could make a whole day of sight seeing. The red, yellow, and orange leaves on the trees are straight from a postcard. Then enjoy the highlights of beautiful South Africa, including wine tours, scenic road trips, wildlife safaris, mountain biking, caving, hikes up Table . Ron "Don't Say Gay" DeSantis of . If you are looking for a list of more Central Illinois attractions, click here. There is a piece of the Berlin wall outside the building as well. Even the road names bring adventure and fun to mind: Blackjack Road, Stagecoach Trail, Elizabeth Scales Mound Road and of course the main artery itself, the Illinois Great River Road. If youre in the mood for a drive, read on for some of the best scenic drives in Illinois. From Naperville take Ogden Aveue west to US 30. The Shawnee Hills Wine Trail features 11 family-owned wineries and vineyards surrounded by the lush splendor of the Southern Illinois landscape. Re: Fall Foliage Scenic Drive. From Peoria's Grandview Drive-deemed the "world's most beautiful drive" by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1910-to Illinois' seven nationally designated Scenic Byways, there are plenty of. Lake Shore Drive's origins date to 1882 when hotel magnate Potter Palmer built his "castle" at 1350 North Lake Shore Drive and coerced the city to build the street adjacent to his lakefront property to enhance its value. A Lancaster County woman has been charged with multiple crimes for her involvement in a fraudulent business scheme, according to the Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Department. About Advocate Aurora Health. I think best place to see the Chicago skyline. Popular stops along the road include the Paramount Theatre built in 1931, Rochelle Railroad Park with locomotives from the 1920s, and the unique communities that span the rolling prairies and riverfront towns on this scenic route in Illinois. Youll find the little town of Elizabeth along US Highway 20, where this road branches north and connects about 12 miles away with Stagecoach Trail. If youre unfamiliar with this period in history, we suggest you do a little digging to have the full immersive experience. Searching for 55+ Communities on Retirenet.com is simple and easy. Here you can find more info about planning a trip to Starved Rock. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Beginning in the town of Cumberland in Maryland, this road ends in the wonderful Illinois town of Vandalia. list of more small cities in Illinois that are worth a visit. While it doesnt boast an intimidating amount of driving miles (only nine miles, to be exact) you will still enjoy driving through about 1,700 lush acres of bountiful gardens and trees. These are prestigious, towering estates that have looked over Grandview since it was built over 100 years ago. Here is an overview of more great things to do in Northern Illinois. To request a listing, please fill out the form below and press "Submit.". Illinois Tourist Information Centers Not only is the drive peaceful and beautiful, but there are also fantastic spots to park, set up a blanket, and have a picnic on a bluff overlooking the river, enjoying the tranquility of the surrounding foliage. Check out these cozy cabins. Initially, the land was an over 22,000 acre working cattle ranch, split in the 1990s into 172 parcels of 40 to . Bird watchers add to their Life Lists at every casual stop along this natural migratory flyway, and the sharp-eyed will spot the telltale white heads of bald eagles soaring above the tree line. Enjoy the slow-moving waters of the Illinois River, the roadside stands selling fruits and vegetables, and the cultural history of the Native Americans, French explorers, and American settlers that built their communities around this river. I was there in the morning and had a beautiful blue sky. Lovely small communities and towns in farm country with something new around every bend. 2023 Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, Eco-Friendly Hotels and GreenGetaways in Illinois, Five Champaign Restaurants Perfect for a Romantic Outing, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Another perk to hiking Sheep Lake Trail is that dogs are allowed off-leash in certain areas along the path. Delaware: Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway Delaware's not exactly a large state, but there's enormous wealth along this 12.3-mile stretch of Route 52 (also known as Kennett Pike) and Route 100 (AKA. With 105 miles of gorgeous scenery and natural beauty, Skyline Dive makes a fantastic day trip from Washington DC. Check out these cozy cabins. A flowing stream to drop a line for trout or crappie is never far with the Noblett Lake Recreation Area, where two streams and a lake reside, being a prime location for fishing and other water fun. THINGS TO DO 550 miles packed with adventure! Belly-fluttering elevation changes and a bushel basket of curves make Elizabeth Scales Mound Road an exciting drive east of Galena. As the paved two lane scrolls into view, and our guidebooks clue us in to some new highlight just around a few more curves, sometimes we hurry to get it all in. Find out what's on in Illinois and Chicago with your guide to events, festivals, markets, music, theater, sports and more. Read our full coverage on the Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway to learn more. Midwest Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. We had the best afternoon exploring and even came home with some beautiful handicrafts. To satisfy your hunger, you'll need to drive for about 40 minutes to reach Cliff Droppers, a popular family-run burger restaurant in the area. Doing the road one way is just half the funits a new and different experience retracing your drive the other direction, and one youll enjoy just as much. 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