Take An Exciting Road Trip Across Illinois

Illinois often doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Everyone recognizes Chicago as a terrific travel destination, but there’s so much more to Illinois. From the Rockford Are to Chicago why not take an exciting road trip across Illinois?

Let’s start our journey in the Rockford Area. Here you’ll find the Rockford Art Museum that has an amazing collection of 19th and 20th Century American Art. The Discovery Center Museum has an outdoor science park and a Planetarium. It’s also a great place to take the kids because it’s got a hands on children’s museum.

While in the area be sure to stop by the Studios of both the Rockford Dance Company and the Rockford Symphony Company. The Burpee Museum of Natural History is housed in 2 Victorian mansion which line the Rock River. It’s home to a full collection of birds, mammals, dinosaur fossils and rocks and minerals from the area.

Sinnissippi Gardens is a Rockford landmark. You’ve just got to see the rose gardens home to 73 varieties of roses. There’s a recreational path that’s just over 3 miles and along it you’ll find the giant floral clock, the bird aviaries, and be sure to stop to watch the swans and ducks in the lagoon.

Now it’s off to the Lee, Carroll and Ogle Counties often referred to as the Blackhawk Waterways. Now you’ve just got to stop at the Blackhawk Chocolate Trails where you can sample a wide selection of specialized chocolate creations and there’s some terrific sightseeing along here plus all kinds of antique shops to explore.

Byron Forest Preserve is 450 acres of restored prairies with 400 different prairie grasses, plants, and flowers all native to Illinois. There are even some endangered species that live here. The trails are marked very well and there are two areas to picnic so bring your lunch. A very educational experience!

Castle Rock State Park has some very deep ravines and strange rock formations. It encompasses 2200 acres which includes a nature preserve that’s 710 acres as well as 5 islands. There are 6 miles of trails to hike and some picnic areas so pack a lunch and make a date with the local wildlife which includes turkeys, herons, white tailed deer, and kingfishers to name just a few.

Watch for the Black Hawk Statue sculpted by Lorado well known around the world. Then be sure to take in some railroad history at either Amboy Depot Museum or Fulton’s Heritage Canyon.

Then it’s off to the St. Charles and Geneva areas where you can visit some of the most unique specialty shops around and oh yes don’t miss out on the wonderful mix of antique shops that cover more than 8 blocks downtown. Geneva also offers some fabulous specialty shops in fact there are over 100 stores to choose from and over 200 landmark buildings. This quaint little town offers gas lit streets with activities and events through out the year. Don’t miss it!

Now it’s off to Boone County, Belvidere, Caledonia, and Poplar Grove. First on our list of stops is the Frank Lloyd Wright Pettit Memorial Chapel constructed in 1907 it’s a fine example of early architecture. Then be sure to visit Boone Country Historical Museum with exhibits from the Civil war ear, a history room and all kinds of transportation exhibits including the 1906 Eldredge Ruanbout.

Then it’s off to Chicago which has endless things to see and do. Visit the Lincoln Park Zoo or spend a day at Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum. It’s an amazing place! Feel like some art then be sure to visit the Art Institute of Chicago or the Museum of Contemporary Art. There’s hundreds of museums to visit. Certainly something for every interest.

Near Chicago you can also find the Argonne National Laboratory which is one of the leading research labs. Or how about a trip to the McDonalds Museum where you’ll see a reconstruction of the very first McDonalds ever built. Be sure to check out Grosse Point Lighthouse and Lakefront and visit the maritime museum there. And then there’s Lotton Art Glass where you’ll find some of the most beautiful art glass ever.

Wow! Now that’s an exciting road trip and we’ve just touched on a few of the neat things along the way. So are you ready for a road trip across Illinois?

Deon Melchior is the Editor and Publisher of Article Click. For more FREE articles for your ezine and websites visit ArticleClick.com. Article Click is a free content article directory. This means that as a publisher you may reprint the articles that are included in our site, as long as the article is unedited and the author box is included with it's live hyperlinks.