An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeth’s articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals.
Taking up nearly 58,000 square miles, Illinois is such a large state that it’s nearly impossible to know about every little thing happening here. These eight amazing secrets are some of the most amazing spots to visit in the entire state, yet few people know about them.
From restaurants to family-friendly attractions, this list has something for everyone. Scroll on for more information.
Located east of St. Louis, this is the largest man-made lake in the state. It features Keyesport Beach and is a great place to boat, swim, fish, sunbathe, and take amazing photos. There are also trails nearby as well as a playground. Learn more about this lake here.
Though it has been in business since 1969, this little-known, historical drive-in restaurant is one of the most amazing secrets in Illinois. It sells delicious American fare like burgers and hot dogs, as well as desserts like ice cream. Find it at 5409, 1713 S 2nd St., Pekin, IL 61554, and get more information here.
Also known as the Kaskaskia Bell, this historic artifact is a church bell from the 1700s that was made famous when it was used after a battle during the Revolutionary War. Today, guests can check out this 140-pound attraction free of cost at the Kaskaskia Bell State Memorial, which is located at 302 1st St., Chester, IL 62233. Learn more about this unique piece of history here.
Built by a retired watchmaker, this historical home is an impressive feat of architecture that was constructed with a combination of budget-friendly and high-quality materials. It was the first home ever to have central air and heat. It is located at N 900th, Kewanee, IL 61443, and you can learn more about the house and the interesting man who built it here.
Spanning 40 acres, this marvelous area in the northwest corner of the state includes a special half-mile loop trail that leads to this spectacular Stonehenge-esque structure. Known as Council Ring, it aligns with the sun to mark the summer and winter solstices. Find this mysterious site at 679 N Blackjack Rd., Galena, IL 61036, and learn more here.
This small-town restaurant has been in business since 1938, but it was originally built to be a tavern in the 1800s. Today, it is known for burgers and other sandwiches as well as homemade pies. Find it at 2274 US-52, Serena, IL 60549, and learn more here.
Home to cypress trees that are more than 1,000 years old, this beautiful swamp is a unique hidden wonder in the state that few know about. Walk the boardwalk or take a boat through the shallow pools to see the amazing trees, wildlife, and other sights. Find this place at 930 Sunflower Ln., Belknap, IL 62908, and get more information here.
Nestled in the Shawnee National Forest, this one-of-a-kind bridge is part of a .3-mile hiking trail. The bridge is 30 feet high, 90 feet long, and eight feet across, making it very safe to cross. It is located on Natural Bridge Rd., Pomona, IL 62975, and you can learn more about it here.
