11 Hidden Gems You Have To See In Illinois Before You Die

This cave is unlike anything you will see in most of North America. The mouth of the cave is a whopping 55 feet across. If you look out from the cave, you get a stunning view of the Ohio River.

This trail was once a railway. It stretches 45 miles. The greatest feature is the fact that there are 23 trestle bridges on this route, one of which is 450 feet long.

The trees you see in this photo are bald cypress, and some of them are 1,000 years old. They seem to just jut out of the greenish bog water below. They are incredibly large, as well--some of them with a circumference of 40 feet.

Boy, you might never get a better view of the mighty Mississippi than at this park. Multiple scenic overlooks from the large bluffs give you an opportunity to see this river in all of its splendor. Lush green forests enhance the experience even more.

This is the home of Superman, and immediately when you get to the town, you will be totally aware of this. There is a large Superman statue in the center of town--be sure to pose in front of it with the traditional Superman stance. There are also Superman museums and numerous other superhero attractions in town.

One visit here and you will understand why this place was named as such. Walk among the rocks on one of the inner trails and you can get a sense of just how large these boulders are. The boulders were formed 300 million years ago, and they look particularly stunning when the sun is setting.

This state park reminds you just how beautiful Lake Michigan can be. Explore 6.5 miles of shoreline--whether you are right on the shore or on the trails winding through the woods just behind it. The waters are clear and the sand is great for sandcastles.

This 12 acre garden will transport you immediately to Japan. It is one of the largest and most authentic Japanese gardens in all of North America. Stunning ponds and water features, along with perfectly manicured plants, make this jaw-dropping place one you need to see.

This stunning bridge is entirely natural. It was actually carved by a river a long time ago. It is 90 feet long and 8 feet across.

This building is often overlooked for the other great museums in the city and that's a shame. It used to be an old library and it has a stunning ceiling. By the way, it's free and there are cool exhibits all the time.

It's hard to believe, but this was once the home of the most sophisticated pre-Columbian civilization north of Mexico. At the time, its population was larger than London. See how they lived in Collinsville.