Finally, complete the loop and return to Ottawa via IL-18 E, depart for wherever home is, or stay the night in Peoria, which has lots of attractions for travelers looking for another day of adventures. was the nations first federally funded interstate highway, opening the nation to the west and becoming a corridor for the movement of goods and people. 2023 Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. Read More. Ive traveled much of the U.S. and Ill rank this drive as one of the more scenic Ive ever taken. These are prestigious, towering estates that have looked over Grandview since it was built over 100 years ago. Continuing down Il-40 S, youll pass through the Osceola and Kickapoo townships, each worth visiting for their culture, dining, and wineries after the pandemic. Each event showcases the unique history or culture of the hosting town. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeths articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals. At least one scenic byway runs through each of the IDOT regions. Here is an overview of more great things to do in Northern Illinois. 10 - Great River Road Flickr user: Dave Herholz Starting Location: East Dubuque, IL Ending Location: Cairo, IL Length: 543 miles Best Season to Drive: All See this drive on Google Maps 1. Organized as a territory in 1809, Illinois entered the Union in 1818 with 102 counties. Instead seedling miles were paved along the way with the hope that local governments would value the coast-to-coast road and fund its completion. hand laid back in the 1930s and Harrys Rabbit Ranch, which contains old Route 66 memorabilia and other kitschy items that made this one of the most renowned Illinois byways. In the midst of vast Illinois farmland, weekend travelers discover a topographic Kitsch, awe inspiring, quirky, colorful, beautiful and unforgettable. 2023 - Family Road Trip. Grandview Drive State Park is located at 3615 N Grandview Dr, Peoria, IL 61614. Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park is located at 16006 E. Street, Sheffield, IL 61361. Lovely houses and magnificent views. It begins at the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, at Pere Marquette State Park, and it ends at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri River at Lewis and Clark State Historic Site. But once your camper is parked and , You parked your camper during the cold winter months, but now as the new season approaches, you cant wait to hit the road . Matthiessen State Park is quite close to Starved Rock and is perfect for adding into . Youre welcome to visit the Spoon River Valley any time. Although there is a trail that runs along the I & M Canal, you can also take a tour of the canal on a riverboat thats pulled by a mule! With more than 24 different attractions, there is something for the whole family. Theres so much to explore on scenic drives in Illinois that everyone in the family will have fun on the road. Along the way, you'll pass many historic places including an old railroad depot, a log cabin from 1832, and a couple one-room schoolhouses. Divided into two sections. A road trip along this scenic route is a chance to revisit the ol' bucket list, checking off everything from a breathtaking ziplines through the Shawnee National Forest or a revitalizing canoe ride along the glistening Mississippi waters. Read our full coverage on Peorias Grand View Drive to learn more. Do you agree with President Roosevelt, or does another spot give Grandview Drive a run for its money? It also offered a path to freedom for African-Americans who escaped via the Underground Railroad. The trip begins in Alton, rich in history and home to the beautiful Pere Marquette State Park, and traverses through Quincy, Nauvoo, Moline, Galena, and a number of other small river towns that are sure to pique interest with their own charm and amenities. The Great River Road in Illinois has everything you could want in an awesome Midwest scenic drive. Only a fraction of Illinoisans are lucky enough to travel sections of these roadways let alone the entire byway as part of their daily commute. Besides the great views youll have throughout the entire trip, youll be entertained nearly every mile of this trip. Road Trip. TheIllinois River Road website lists the unique attractions,activities, andevents (although COVID has impacted scheduled events), as well assample tour routes andvideo tours. Be sure to check out London Mills and Spoon River Dam along the Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive, one of the most beautiful drives in Illinois. For this trip, we're going to concentrate on the Illinois portion. Youll find it at the corner of E. Jackson Blvd. Check it out: 1. There are plenty of hiking trails for every level and the 14 waterfalls in the park are a great reward. One of the major features of LSD is the Outer Drive Bridge, also known as Link Bridge, which carries LSD traffic over the Chicago River. is the shortest section of the entire 943-mile byway, following the southeast border of the state and ending where the Ohio River meets the Mississippi, but even that stretch has plenty to view and enjoy. You cannot print contents of this website. If youre looking for a long meditative drive through Illinois, there has never been a better time to do it. 10 Tiny Towns In Illinois That Are Always Worth A Visit. The coast is punctuated by quaint towns - Lexington and Ports Sanilac, Hope and Austin . From Grandview Drive, rejoin Il-26 N to travel alongside Illinois River and Billsbach Lake as the sunset lights up the water. TheGreat River Road, which travels along the Mississippi River, has countless o Fall is when many of the states best qualities truly shine. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Visit this page for information about the visitors centers serving the Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway and the Illinois River Valley region. To learn more about how to nominate a specific section of roadway in Illinois for a natural destination, please navigate to theCommunity Involvement 'Love the Land of Lincoln' website. It is home to Starved Rock state park, possibly the most popular state park in Illinois. Enjoy the scenery and take a long, lovely drive down one of these 10 amazing roads and see the best parts of the state. This drive is stunning with the valley on one side and the river on the other. Plan Your Visit Fabulous views and thrilling curves with the rivers right beside you. There was a moment in time where Sundays meant that you piled the kids into the car and took a long relaxing drive. Beginning in the town of Cumberland in Maryland, this road ends in the wonderful Illinois town of Vandalia. While there isn't anything else in the immediate vicinity relating to Route 66, it's an easy way to pay homage to this world-famous All-American route. Unlimited stops Plan trips worldwide Divide your trip into days Export to GPS or Print and more handy features! The Lincoln Highway was the first highway in America to be paved all the way across the state in the early 1900s. Even if you're not a history buff, the park is a lovely place to digest breakfast before beginning your drive. Autumn hues paint a tapestry of yellows and orange across state parks, scenic drives, and national forests. Rhode Island South Carolina Road Trip Planner Plan, edit, save, and share your custom day trips, weekend getaways, and cross-country adventures. While no longer an official highway, Illinois still celebrates its 300-mile stretch with restored 1940s gas pumps, quirky museums, and eccentric art and memorabilia on one of the most historic drives in Illinois. From Havana, head north to Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, then backtrack to the river's west side; go north through Peoria and Chillicothe; at Sparland, cross to Lacon, then drive . Route 66 doesn't exist anymore, except in history. Learn More Ready for Every Adventure You'll receive your first newsletter soon! . Although this wonderful farming community is not technically a byway, its still a great place to explore. Glacial Park in northern Illinois is a lesser-known park filled with wetlands formed by a glacier that was once here. If you are looking for interesting cities in northern Illinois, click here. After I came out of the Adler Planetarium the weather changed but even that got a good photo. You could spend months following it south to Havana where it meets the Shawnee National Forest and trying to take in the hundreds of natural, historical, and cultural attractions along the way. The Morton Arboretum, 4100 IL-53, Lisle, IL 60532, USA. Address: Long Hollow Scenic Overlook, 2918 US Hwy 20 W, Elizabeth, IL 61028, USA Casey is another small town worth a visit, featuring a very unique collection of giant items, including a pencil, a chair, and a golf tee. Along the way, you'll see Ronald Reagan's childhood home, a railroad park, and other historic landmarks and attractions that only backroads can offer. Plan on visiting in October if you want to participate in the countys annual drive event and witness the activities and entertainment. The Lincoln Highway has a historic past. My wife and I drove through and the beauty is amazing. Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway. Enjoyed our drive up the east side of the Mississippi. As one of the most scenic drives in Illinois, there's nothing else quite like it. Dont miss the history present in Princeton. It really helps take your mind off all the stressors in life. This is an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites without extra cost to you. The state is also one of the best locations for a road trip, comprising seven scenic byways and many more beautiful highways and roads, boasting gorgeous and exciting stops along the way. Whether you prefer to make it a romantic trip or a trip with the kids, there is something for everyone. Learn more about the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway on the webpage. Last but not least on our list of the best scenic drives in Illinois is the Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail. an old piano factory to a one-of-a-kind shopping experience While visiting the Blackhawk Waterways region of northwest Illinois (Carroll, Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside Counties), a shopping mecca straight out of the 70s must be put on . Illinois Scenic Drives Byways, Backways, Historic Routes,. The Ohio River Scenic Byway is a history-rich byway that hugs the banks of the Ohio River, offers an almost continuous view of the water, and includes three states on its route: Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. Hit the Road Great River Road Head west and drive the Great River Road along the Mississippi, with its bluff-top views, river sights, charming B&Bs and sprawling vineyards. and S. Michigan Ave, steps from the Art Institute of Chicago and Millenium Park. Youll love traveling north from Hartford through quaint towns like Elsah, Wood River, Alton, and Grafton. From Ottawa, pass through the Illinois Waterway Visitors Center that overlooks the Illinois River Basin. Enjoy the slow-moving waters of the Illinois River, the roadside stands selling fruits and vegetables, and the cultural history of the Native Americans, French explorers, and American settlers that built their communities around this river. is the longest of the scenic byways that begin and end within the states borders. Get inspired by top travel stories, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois. Our one-way route hits our favorite spots. Read our full coverage on the Ohio River Scenic Byway to learn more. Share your TAB, TAG or Cirrus experience for a chance to be featured on our website! This national byway travels the length of the Mississippi River from Missouri to Louisiana. Whether travelers want to spend a weekend hitting all the best stops, or take the ride at a slower pace, turning every little town into unexpected and spontaneous adventures. The route offers loads of recreational activities such as biking, hiking, camping, and picnicking as well as activities like fishing, horseback riding, and boating. There youll find flea markets, tasty meals like homemade chili or pie, handcrafted art, soaps, furniture, and collectibles.