A big state like Illinois is bound to be full of exciting things to do. But with a big city like Chicago in our front yard, it can be hard to weed through information to find attractions outside the city.
These 11 often underrated destinations are a must-see for those who wish to avoid the city. Keep scrolling to check them out.
- Anderson Japanese Garden (Rockford)
Facebook/Anderson Japanese Gardens Spanning 12 sprawling acres, this is possibly the most beautiful place in the entire state. Nothing in Chicago compares to this oasis of exotic nature and tranquility. Click here to learn more.
- John Deere Pavilion (Moline)
Wikimedia Commons/Dirk Learn all about farm equipment old and new at this John Deere museum. This free attraction is full of hands-on activities, documentaries, and original machinery. Click here to learn more.
- Allerton Park and Retreat Center (Monticello)
Facebook/Allerton Park and Retreat Center Featuring sleeping quarters in a grandiose Georgian-style mansion, this immaculate 1,500-acre plot is a wonderland of gardens, mazes, prairies, and woodlands. There is also a 10-acre meadow for hiking. Click here to learn more.
- Illinois Railway Museum (Union)
Facebook/Illinois Railway Museum The largest of its kind in America, this train museum is known for featuring all sorts of transportation modes throughout history. You can even take a ride aboard and enjoy a train in true comfort. Click here to learn more.
- Wild West Town (Union)
Facebook/Wild West Town Kids of all ages will love Illinois’ best amusement park. This western-themed play place is a land of cowboys, vintage towns, games, and rides. Sift for gold, shoot a bow and arrow, or ride a pony during your visit. Click here to learn more.
- Moomaw America’s One & Only Hippie Memorial (Arcola)
Facebook/Moomaw America’s One & Only Hippie Memorial This shrine to the 1960s and 1970s is a timeline that was slowly put together by one man throughout the 1990s. Bob Moomaw loved to make thought-provoking signs, and this was his life’s work. It begins with the Great Depression before moving into a celebration of the Kennedy years and falling back into disarray in the 1980s with Reagan. Click here to learn more.
- Amelia’s Galena Tours (Galena)
Facebook/Amelia’s Galena Tours Specializing in ghost tours, this wonderful company also puts on history and vineyard tours for visitors of one of Illinois’ most lovely towns. Learn all about Galena and its history on one of these trips. Click here to learn more.
- Grizzly Jack’s Grand Bear Resort (Utica)
Facebook/Grizzly Jack’s Grand Bear Resort The best waterpark in Illinois is open year round due to it being indoors. Enjoy water slides, waves, and waterfalls throughout. Guests can even stay the night and do it all again the next day. Click here to learn more.
- Railroad Park (Rochelle)
Facebook/Rochelle Railroad Park Train lovers know this is a must-visit. More trains go by here than almost anywhere else in the state due to two popular crossings. Guests will also find hobo signs and other historic relics. Click here to learn more.
- Shawnee Hills Wine Trail
Facebook/Hedman Vineyards Wine lovers unite for the journey of a lifetime. This trail of extraordinary vineyards sprinkled throughout the Shawnee National Forest will relax you into oblivion. Incredible views, lovely tastings, and a good buzz await. Click here to learn more.
- Metropolis
Flickr/David Wilson This town is one of the best attractions in the whole state. In addition to museums and murals, this river town is also home to this gigantic Superman statue. It’s definitely a must-see.
If you’re getting bored with the same old things to do, check out these 11 Illinois wonders you should be visiting instead.
Facebook/Anderson Japanese Gardens
Spanning 12 sprawling acres, this is possibly the most beautiful place in the entire state. Nothing in Chicago compares to this oasis of exotic nature and tranquility. Click here to learn more.
Wikimedia Commons/Dirk
Learn all about farm equipment old and new at this John Deere museum. This free attraction is full of hands-on activities, documentaries, and original machinery. Click here to learn more.
Facebook/Allerton Park and Retreat Center
Featuring sleeping quarters in a grandiose Georgian-style mansion, this immaculate 1,500-acre plot is a wonderland of gardens, mazes, prairies, and woodlands. There is also a 10-acre meadow for hiking. Click here to learn more.
Facebook/Illinois Railway Museum
The largest of its kind in America, this train museum is known for featuring all sorts of transportation modes throughout history. You can even take a ride aboard and enjoy a train in true comfort. Click here to learn more.
Facebook/Wild West Town
Kids of all ages will love Illinois’ best amusement park. This western-themed play place is a land of cowboys, vintage towns, games, and rides. Sift for gold, shoot a bow and arrow, or ride a pony during your visit. Click here to learn more.
Facebook/Moomaw America’s One & Only Hippie Memorial
This shrine to the 1960s and 1970s is a timeline that was slowly put together by one man throughout the 1990s. Bob Moomaw loved to make thought-provoking signs, and this was his life’s work. It begins with the Great Depression before moving into a celebration of the Kennedy years and falling back into disarray in the 1980s with Reagan. Click here to learn more.
Facebook/Amelia’s Galena Tours
Specializing in ghost tours, this wonderful company also puts on history and vineyard tours for visitors of one of Illinois’ most lovely towns. Learn all about Galena and its history on one of these trips. Click here to learn more.
Facebook/Grizzly Jack’s Grand Bear Resort
The best waterpark in Illinois is open year round due to it being indoors. Enjoy water slides, waves, and waterfalls throughout. Guests can even stay the night and do it all again the next day. Click here to learn more.
Facebook/Rochelle Railroad Park
Train lovers know this is a must-visit. More trains go by here than almost anywhere else in the state due to two popular crossings. Guests will also find hobo signs and other historic relics. Click here to learn more.
Facebook/Hedman Vineyards
Wine lovers unite for the journey of a lifetime. This trail of extraordinary vineyards sprinkled throughout the Shawnee National Forest will relax you into oblivion. Incredible views, lovely tastings, and a good buzz await. Click here to learn more.
Flickr/David Wilson
This town is one of the best attractions in the whole state. In addition to museums and murals, this river town is also home to this gigantic Superman statue. It’s definitely a must-see.
What other attractions outside of Chicago do you love? Share your favorites with us!
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