Illinois - 66 Destinations You Must Visit

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About Illinois

Located in the Midwestern area of the United States, Illinois is a vast state filled with charming towns, vibrant metropolitan cities, lush coastal plains, and natural prairies. From Chicago to Springfield and all other points in-between, each part of Illinois offers its own unique vibe that locals and visitors alike can appreciate. The region is steeped in history and culture; among its many landmarks are the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum, Cahokia Mounds State Historic site, and

Types of Attractions in Illinois

Activities Around

List of Destinations in Illinois

Ford County

Ford County

4 attractions

Ford County, Illinois is a wonderful place to call home. Located in central east Illinois, it has a population of around 11,500 people. Many take advantage of the natural beauty found here, from the farming communities to the many lakes and waterways that connect them all. Ford County is also known for its strong economy, which is driven by the many businesses located here that rely on both the local and regional markets. With plenty of recreational activities to enjoy such as camping, fishing,

Gallatin County

Gallatin County

3 attractions

Gallatin County, Illinois is a beautiful part of historied Southern Illinois. Located just north of the Shawnee National Forest, this county has been a wonderful home for generations of families who have grown and prospered there. The area offers a wealth of outdoor recreational and educational opportunities for residents and visitors alike, from local state parks, to canoeing and kayaking along the Ohio and Wabash Rivers, to championship golf courses. Gallatin also contains many small towns wor

Grundy County

Grundy County

5 attractions

Grundy County, Illinois is an amazing corner of Midwestern life. Located along the Illinois River, the area provides visitors and locals alike with stunning scenery and a multitude of recreational opportunities. With rolling farm fields, hills and bluffs blanketed by native wildflowers, and old-fashioned small towns - there is something here for everyone. Many state parks and county reserves offer fishing, hiking, camping, swimming hole exploration and more! Grundy County offers a unique blend o

Hancock County

Hancock County

10 attractions

Hancock County, Illinois, is located in the western part of the state in the northwest region. It borders the Mississippi and Des Moines Rivers, providing a wide variety of recreational activities. Its population is currently just over 15,000 people and has seen steady growth throughout recent years. Although there are some rural areas, the county also contains several smaller cities including La Harpe, Dallas City, and Hamilton all offering local businesses to provide for its residents. Notable

Henry County

Henry County

5 attractions

Henry County, Illinois is located in the Northwestern part of the state, and it is known for its thriving agricultural community. Nearly half of the land in the county is farmland which helps keep Henry County mostly rural. Those living in the area enjoy access to a number of parks and recreational areas, such as Kickapoo State Park. Many of these areas are renowned for their trails and wildlife viewing opportunities. The city of Cambridge serves as the county seat and offers a variety of unique

Iroquois County

Iroquois County

3 attractions

Iroquois County, in east central Illinois, is a great place to call home. With a population of just over 29,000 people, it offers the charm of small-town living without sacrificing any of the amenities and opportunities of big cities nearby. In addition to miles of rolling farmland, Iroquois County offers access to several nearby lakes and rivers for fishing or recreational activities. Residents enjoy festivals and farmers markets throughout the year. There are excellent school programs availabl

Jackson County

Jackson County

11 attractions

Jackson County, Illinois is a rural area in the southeastern part of the state. It was established in 1816, and has since grown to encompass about 600 square miles. The topography of Jackson County includes plains, rolling hills, and forests, making it a great place for outdoor recreation like hiking, biking, hunting, and camping. Agriculture plays a big role in this area as well - it's known for its quality livestock production and seed corn production. The county seat is Murphysboro and there

Jersey County

Jersey County

1 attractions

Jersey County, Illinois is a picturesque area located in the southwestern part of the state. It is known for its rich farmlands and abundance of historic sites. The county seat, Jerseyville, boasts a variety of attractions such as the Jersey County Historical Museum and Mineral Springs Park, everyone's favorite summer destination. Once a heavily industrialized city powered by coal and natural gas, Jerseyville has come to embrace its peaceful agricultural lifestyle as more people move to the area

Jo Daviess County

Jo Daviess County

17 attractions

Jo Daviess County, Illinois is located in the northwest corner of the state. It is bordered by Wisconsin to the north and Iowa to the west. The county seat is Galena, a city steeped in history offering visitors unique sights for exploring, such as old-fashioned brick storefronts, historical homes, galleries, and shopping opportunities. In addition to cultural attractions and activities, there are numerous outdoor recreation areas available including several lakes and rivers perfect for fishing o

Johnson County

Johnson County

7 attractions

Johnson County, Illinois is located in the southern tip of the state and borders Kentucky to the west. With a population of 13,955 as of 2019, Johnson County is home to a variety of industries that contribute to its rich culture and economy. Agriculture remains a major part of the county’s identity: it produces corn, Sorghum, wheat, and other grains. The area also has an abundance of historic sites that attract tourists from all over the world and provide ongoing opportunities for education and

Kane County

Kane County

19 attractions

Kane County, Illinois is a picturesque suburban community located on the Fox River in northeastern Illinois. The county seat is Geneva, and it is home to two dynamic cities; Aurora and Elgin. The population consists of 390,000 residents from diverse races, religions, and ethnicities who enjoy its many outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, hiking and golfing. Kane County is also home to impressive educational institutions such as Northern Illinois University and Waubonsee Community College

Kankakee County

Kankakee County

4 attractions

Kankakee County, Illinois is an area located along the banks of the Kankakee River in the northernmost part of the state. It is known for its rich Native American history and culture, most specifically with regards to the Potawatomi tribe who called it home. The landscape of Kankakee County consists primarily of flat prairie acres and woodlands that are home to thousands of species of animals and plants. One popular outdoor activity is bird watching, as hundreds of species take up residence in t

Kendall County

Kendall County

4 attractions

Located in the heart of Northern Illinois, Kendall County boasts a rich history and vibrant culture. It has been inhabited since around 11,000 BCE, first by Native American tribes such as the Fox, Potawatomi and Mascouten. Later on, German and English settlers began to inhabit the area and established many of the towns we know today. Residents of Kendall County enjoy a variety of activities from nature trails, to golf courses to entertainment venues like Odyssey Fun World. With access to major c

Knox County

Knox County

2 attractions

Knox County, Illinois is a beautiful part of the midwest. It sits on the rises of the Mississippi River, with its main cities being Galesburg and Monmouth. It is a dynamic county with an interesting history that dates back to 1825 when it was founded. The Knox County Museum showcases some of the historical artifacts associated with its past such as Native American artifacts and items from the Underground Railroad. Residents in the area enjoy peaceful countrysides while also having states like Io

Lake County

Lake County

21 attractions

Lake County, Illinois is a vibrant part of the Midwest region of the United States. The county is comprised of six distinct cities: Waukegan, North Chicago, Zion, Round Lake Beach, Gurnee and Great Lakes. Visitors to this area can enjoy plenty of attractions such as Six Flags Great America and Gurnee Mills Mall. There are also plenty of public beach parks along Lake Michigan like Illinois Beach State Park for lakeside relaxation or kitesurfing adventures. The local economy relies heavily on a fe

LaSalle County

LaSalle County

9 attractions

LaSalle County, Illinois is a vibrant county distinguished by its strong economy and natural beauty. The area is home to a diverse range of industries, including agriculture and manufacturing, as well as educational institutions like Northern Illinois University. Boasting rolling hills, picturesque forests, and plenty of rivers and streams, LaSalle County gives its residents plenty of ways to explore the great outdoors. With abundant cultural attractions such as the communities of Ottawa and Str

Livingston County

Livingston County

5 attractions

Livingston County, Illinois is located in the northern part of the state, bordering Wisconsin. It covers an area of 393 square miles, and is home to a population of close to 38,700 people. The county seat is Pontiac, and other major cities are Dwight and Fairbury. The economy was largely fueled by agriculture until recently when it experienced an upswing due to the development of multiple rural industrial parks. These new jobs took advantage of the strong local workforce and enabled further inve

Logan County

Logan County

4 attractions

Logan County, Illinois, is one of 102 counties in the Prairie State. It was developed in 1839, and despite its comparatively small size compared to other Illinois counties, it boasts a rich agricultural history with plenty of natural beauty. The population of Logan County is low but growing and features diverse cultural activities and attractions such as golf courses, museums and historic sites to keep citizens engaged. There are plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities in the area includi

Macon County

Macon County

10 attractions

Macon County, Illinois is situated in Central Illinois and is part of the Decatur Metropolitan Statistical Area. It has a population of 110,768 people that consists mostly of European Americans, African Americans, and Hispanic or Latino residents. The largest city in Macon County is Decatur, a tranquil city with plenty of outdoor activities like camping, fishing and golfing. In regard to agriculture, Macon County hosts many different farming operations such as dairy farms, corn and soybean produ

Macoupin County

Macoupin County

7 attractions

Macoupin County, Illinois is a beautiful rural area located in the southwestern part of the state just south of the city of Springfield. The county has a population of roughly 48,000 people and an area of 720 square miles. Top industries include agriculture, manufacturing, retail trade, transportation, and warehousing. This quaint county showcases picturesque rolling hills as well as some great architecture. There’s plenty to do here with local attractions such as lakes and museums that attract

Map of destinations in Illinois

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For more information about Illinois, visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois