Here Are 11 Unique Day Trips In Illinois That Are An Absolute Must-Do
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Laura
Author
Day trips are the best. They’re easy to plan, can be done at the spur of the moment, and are generally quite affordable, too! If you’re looking for some fun day trips in the Land of Lincoln, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve searched high and low, all across the state, for the best day trips in Illinois. Skip the “day trips near me” search, and instead take a look at these amazing day trips in the state that are sure to inspire your future travels and stoke your wanderlust.
Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022, USA
You've never seen this many flowers in just one go. There are 385 acres in this area, including 26 gardens. Some notable gardens include the waterfall garden and bonsai collection. You can read more about this enchanting botanic garden in Illinois in this article!
Aikman Wildlife Adventure, 125 N Co Rd 425E, Arcola, IL 61910, USA
Who knew there were wild animals in central Illinois? It feels more like Africa than central Illinois down here. Drive your vehicle through the park and see zebras, wallaby and more. There is a petting zoo, too. Aikman Wildlife Adventure is easily one of the coolest places to visit in Illinois.
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Mississippi Palisades State Park, 16327A IL-84, Savanna, IL 61074, USA
This 2,500-acre Mississippi state park is located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Apple Rivers. The area is surrounded by large, 500-foot bluffs covered in forest, which you can enjoy atop one of the park's four scenic overlooks. Ozzie's Point, Louis Point, Oak Point, and Lookout Point can be accessed from either the north or south entrance to this beautiful and unique state park in Jo Daviess County.
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Illinois Beach State Park, 1 Lake Front Dr, Zion, IL 60099, USA
There is not a lot of Lake Michigan shoreline left. At Illinois Beach State Park, you can see 6.5 miles of shore. Walk on the beach and go in the water. You can take a boat out there. There are also some trails to go through forested areas.
Nauvoo, IL 62354, USA
The town of Nauvoo was once the home of the Mormons as they tried to escape religious persecution. And while the Mormons moved west for the most part, their mark is left on this town. Make sure to see the amazingly beautiful Mormon temple. There are also tons of historical reenactments you can see. This gives you a glimpse of what life was like in this fascinating Illinois town.
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Arthur, IL, USA
Arthur is a small Amish community in central Illinois. If you've never seen the Amish before, that in itself is a treat. You can learn more about the town's interesting history of the Amish in Illinois at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center, located near the towns of Arthur and Chesterville. Arthur also has numerous antiques stores to explore, and great restaurants, too. Make sure to get a slice of shoo fly pie while you're there!
Metropolis, IL, USA
Everyone has to visit Superman's hometown in Illinois at least once. This town really embraces its Superman heritage. Strike a pose in front of Superman. There are museums and other Superman themed shops. There are loads of great photo ops here.
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, Collinsville, IL, USA
Once upon a time, this area of Illinois was the site of the most sophisticated pre-Columbian societies. They had complex religious and political views. Today, you can visit the Cahokia Mounds, the area where they lived, and walk the grounds.
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Starved Rock State Park, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA
This might be the most popular day trip in Illinois. For spending an afternoon, you can get your fill of nature. Starved Rock State Park truly has it all: canyons, waterfalls, rock formations, and loads of scenic overlooks. Bring your hiking shoes and a picnic.
Galena, IL 61036, USA
Galena, Illinois, is one of the most charming towns in America. It is located right off of the Mississippi River and is a wonderful small town in northwestern Illinois known for having spectacular architecture and tons of charm. The town has loads of cool shops and nice places to have dinner. If you do want to spend the night, there are some fantastic B&Bs here, too!
Brookfield Zoo, 8400 W 31st St, Brookfield, IL 60513, USA
Everyone likes a day at the zoo, and boy, can you get a full day in at Brookfield Zoo. There are over 450 species of animals. They have great displays for giraffes, elephants, and primates. You probably won't see everything in a day, even if you try, but returning to this beloved attraction is part of the fun!
Well – what do you think? How many of these unique day trip destinations in Illinois have you been to before? Which are you looking most forward to visiting? Share your thoughts with us in the comments. Are you still wondering, “What are some of the best day trips near me in Illinois?” We thought you might be; here are a dozen more tremendous day trips in Illinois that will give you a year full of fun and memories!
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More to Explore
Best Day Trips Near Me In Illinois
Are there any more unique day trips I can take in Illinois?
- We absolutely love Illinois Beach State Park -- we mentioned it above, but this park really does deserve more than a few sentences. Besides the magnificent beach, this 4,000-acre state park features trails, camping, and over 650 different species of wildlife. It's easily one of the most naturally beautiful places in Illinois, and you'll definitely want to stay as long as possible.
- For a fun day trip, take Route 66 past some of these unique roadside attractions, including the World's Largest Catsup Bottle, the Gemini Giant, Lincoln's Watermelon Monument, Henry's Rabbit Ranch, and the World's Largest Covered Wagon. All of these Illinois roadside attractions make for fun and unique day trips in and of themselves, too!
What are some must-visit attractions in Illinois?
There is no shortage of attractions in the Land of Lincoln; the real question is, where to start.
- In terms of the list above, the Chicago Botanic Garden, Starved Rock State Park, and Metropolis are total must-visits in the Land of Lincoln; these are attractions that are well-known across the country, in fact!
- Other must-visit attractions in Illinois include Willis Tower Skydeck, Millennium Park & Cloud Gate, the Magnificent Mile in Chicago, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Navy Pier, Lincoln Park, Anderson Japanese Gardens, and the Art Institute of Chicago.
What are a few budget-friendly day trips in Illinois?
Exploring the Land of Lincoln can be done on a dime (or, penny? Since, you know, we're talking about the Land of Lincoln...). There are a lot of really cool and fun day trips in Illinois that are extremely budget-friendly, and we have 11 ideas in this article.
- Affordable day trips on that list include Villa Kathrine, Linmar Gardens, Aikman Wildlife Adventure, Marcoot Jersey Creamery, and Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park.
- Of course, walking Chicago's Magnificent Mile is a really fun thing to do, and the surrounding area boasts tons of attractions that are incredibly budget-friendly, including self-guided walking tours and tons of programs at Navy Pier. Visit Navy Pier's website to view a calendar of upcoming free events!