All food tastings are included, and the tour covers an easy 1.5 miles (2.4 km) suitable for most fitness levels. For more information on Six Flags Great America, see here. The Skydeck provides panoramic views of not just Chicago, but the surrounding states. Winter is often seen as a less desirable time to travel its cold and everyone wants to stay inside in the warmth. You can also try Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant in nearby Wheeling for walk-in wine tastings in addition to an extensive food menu. For some more options on the different bike trails to try out, check out our post on biking in Illinois. It also houses 5 acres of botanical gardens to explore and the area surrounding the Cloud Gate becomes an ice-skating rink in winter. It can also be a fun activity for adults, making it a great bonding experience. At 1353 ft from the ground, this is the highest observation deck in the US and the glass box allows you to see straight through to the ground below. Visitors can explore the mounds, either with a guide or independently. Each reservation includes breakfast, beverages, and cookies, plus you can customize your stay with pizza, massages, desserts, and appetizers for an additional fee. Bring your lover to Lover's Leap on a wooded trail with views of the river and the Starved Rock Dam. Family Fun, These range from more luxury places like the Villa Olivia Resort to fast-paced adrenaline-rushing spots like Snowstar Winter Park or if youre looking for something more family-friendly. Find the wayside sign about Lincoln's Taylorville on West Market Street near South Main Street. For fun in the water and entertaining the kids, the many water parks of Illinois are ideal for a fun summers day out. It is a beautiful, open, state-of-the-art facility. Many of these wind through forests and along state parks, allowing you to enjoy some of the same scenery. With its plentiful hiking trails, flowing . Attractions: Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum, Becky Thatcher Home, Mark Twain Cave, Mississippi Riverboat, Molly Brown Birthplace, antique stores, craft stores, and much more! A spa treatment is also ideal for feeling refreshed and reinvigorated for approaching life together. Friendly winemakers, innkeepers and shop owners are all eager to elevate your romantic getaway. With over 45 rides and attractions, Six Flags Great America is ideal for entertaining children of all ages. For more information on the Field Museum, click here. One of the best ways to truly connect with your partner is to book a stay in a romantic hotel or cabin where you can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and focus on each other and the relaxing environment youre in. With over 33 in southern Illinois, visitors are spoilt for choice. A National Historic Landmark District, Nauvoo showcases a Mormon heritage with dozens of restored homes and shops available to tour by horse-drawn wagon ride for free. The institute is located in one of the most well-known buildings in Chicago with two impressive bronze lions flanking the entrance. Some of the golf courses found in Illinois also have a long history, such as Chicago Golf Course, ranked as the top golf course in Illinois, and first built in the 1890s. Friendly, leashed dogs are welcome on the lakeshore. For photography enthusiasts, there is also a photography cruise that follows the same route as the normal CAFC tour, but takes place in the early morning and pauses at key points to allow photographers to get perfect shots in the morning light. There are over 200 different species, each living in an environment designed for them. cabins on the southern Illinois wine trail. Visit Millennium Park, the Palmer House Hotel and other city landmarks. And not only is the architecture of the building itself impressive but there is an entire architecture section of the museum, that explores the intersection of architecture and art. These resorts generally have a wide range of facilities and amenities available for guests, ranging from pools and saunas to treatments such as massages and aromatherapy. Visiting Illinois at different times of the year can bring to life different aspects of the states nature, culture and attractions. Less than 10 miles south of Cloran Mansion sits the grand Goldmoor Inn near the Mississippi River. Illinois has a great range of beaches available along both Lake Michigan and various other lakefronts in the state. The cabins are located less than 3 miles from the Garden of the Gods. . To make your choice of which state park, or parks, to visit, see our post on the top state parks in Illinois here. To see the best beaches in Illinois, check out our guide here. 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. It is top of the list for many who enjoy Illinois state parks. Less than 10 miles south of Cloran Mansion sits the grand Goldmoor Inn near the Mississippi River. On the other hand, escaping to a cabin in nature can be an amazing experience, a great way to clear ones head, connect with nature, enjoy the wildlife around you and make the best of your time with your partner. Recommended for Romantic Things to Do because: The lush interior, vibrant artwork and 1950's inspired Copacabana Club show whisks lovers from chilly Chicago to the heat of Latin America. This boardwalk features a number of locally-owned artisanal shops run by members of the community. Set on 17 acres of land, this bed and breakfast is a hikers and bikers dream getaway; trails are available to two nearby state parks and the I&M Canal Trail. amateur photography by michel/Flickr 3. To find out more about the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, click through to see our more detailed post. Other elements play a secondary role, such as pagodas, bridges, and lanterns. A fun schedule of events at the museum includes film series like the Richard Pryor Film Festival and activities like Yoga Under the Stars. Make sure to sample the boutique wines of Starview Winery and experience the cozy cabin-like atmosphere of Honker Hill Winery. It consists of the only home Lincoln ever owned, as well as the surrounding area. Within the many state parks, there are a great many large and impressive canyons. Learn more about this architectural marvel on a guided tour. Eight suites, plus three luxury suites each come with complimentary breakfast - some suites even feature spa Jacuzzi tubs and fireplaces. Not only is the beach a beautiful sandy lake shore, it also has some amazing views of the Chicago skyline. Experience the best of main street shopping and more. For golfing enthusiasts, it can be an interesting experience as there is a range of types of courses available throughout the state. Cahokia is one of only two dozen UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the U.S., recognized for the remains of an ancient, pre-Columbian Native American city. When you're done exploring for the day, retire to the Champaign Garden Inn, a bed-and-breakfast with six guest rooms inside a Victorian Queen Anne-style mansion. Find out what's on in Illinois and Chicago with your guide to events, festivals, markets, music, theater, sports and more. There are many wineries in the area, and going on a winery tour while enjoying the beautiful scenery is a great way to support local businesses while also experiencing the area. 2023 Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, Weekend Plans: 14 Fun Options to Explore Across Illinois, Living History: African American Historical Exhibits and Events, Eco-Friendly Hotels and GreenGetaways in Illinois, Five Champaign Restaurants Perfect for a Romantic Outing, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Trip Ideas Explore Things To Do PLACES TO EAT BREWERIES & DISTILLERIES WINERIES & VINEYARDS HISTORY Places to Stay Inn at Irish Hollow From harvest festivals to German-themed Oktoberfests, theres something for everyone. For more details about the Pullman National Monument, see our previous post here. Spend the day soaking in the sun with a boat tour or beach day on Petite Lake at Cypress, then head into town for a tasting at the Vigneto del Bino vineyard and winery. It features 11 unique wineries, each with a different focus or main product. Summer brings to mind heat, beaches, and fun in the water, but can be so much more. What to Do in Illinois: Museum of Science and Industry Courtesy of Henryk Sadura - Fotolia.com If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. You can also check out the Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery for farm-fresh goat cheese and goat's milk gelato tremendous additions to any picnic. Illinois, area. When you're both ready to tuck in, the Beall Mansion B&B will serve you well, with fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, included continental breakfast and free Wi-Fi. Many of the wineries have a cozy, rustic yet gourmet feel and offer a wide selection of wines. As the biggest city in Illinois and home to a wide variety of art and culture, Chicago is a great starting place for any trip to Illinois. With a virtual ride in a Caterpillar mining truck and the opportunity to design your own Caterpillar machine, this is a great museum for exciting imagination and curiosity. To see some of the best spa resorts in Illinois, check out our post here. You could spend the 14 weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day exploring Ill Fresh Picks From Ridge Cemetery, the cemetery to a ghost town, located at the highest point of a mountain to the Woodstock Opera House, an architecturally beautiful building supposedly haunted by the resident ghost Elvira. Getting around Chicago and Illinois is easy with our guide to ways to travel around the state. For golf enthusiasts, or those simply looking for a different activity to try, exploring some of these golf courses is a great way to see the state at the same time. Garfield Park, often known for its sporting facilities, is also well-renowned for having one of the largest conservatories in the world. Millennium Park is home to the famous Cloud Gate sculpture, more commonly known as The Bean. If youve already decided to visit Illinois, it might now be time to narrow down which areas of the state to visit. Get Inspired If you prefer a day trip to the spa mixed in with other activities, visiting one of Illinois many day spas could be perfect for you. There are also many shops in this area, including a number of flagship stores, international designers, and boutiques. A visit to this wonderful museum is one of the best fun things to do in Bloomington, Illinois, for history enthusiasts. Travelers can always walk off an indulgent meal at one of Champaign-Urbana's many art galleries; the Wandell Sculpture Garden; or the contemporary Spurlock Museum, which focuses on world cultures. For those interested in politics, history, and architecture or who are just interested to learn more, Springfield is an ideal place to visit. Offering a little bit of everything, Peoria is an Illinois city you might have heard of even if you're not sure why. To see our full list of the best waterfalls in Illinois and how to plan your visit to see them, check out our post here. The Most Romantic Weekend Getaways in the U.S. Back in the 21st century, couples can stroll downtown Bloomington to browse the storefronts with a possible detour back in time at the Arcadia arcade, which charges just a quarter for more than half of its vintage games. One popular example is Millennium park, located in downtown Chicago. Whether it is through interactive exhibits or finding museums relevant to their interests, museums can be an ideal way to spend a day as a family. Another more picturesque bridge is the Camelback Bridge in Normal, while another feat of engineering is the Clark Bridge in Alton. Fall is a great time to visit Illinois. They were designed by Hoichi Kurisu, a designer of various Japanese gardens throughout America and Landscape Director of the Garden Society of Japan for a number of years. You won't taste quite the same bread there today, but your stay includes a full breakfast made with seasonal ingredients, which can be enjoyed on the patio or in the dining room. While shopping may seem like something you can do anywhere, there are often unique and interesting aspects to shopping in a new place and Illinois is no different. Tandem bike along the Chicago lakefront trail. The Cahokia Mounds is a really unique and interesting historical site. These include nature reserves, forests, natural areas, and more. From the 'Galena Brick' in historic downtown to the Farmer's Guest House Bed and Breakfast. Public art installations and gardens are strewn throughout, making exploring the park an exciting and enjoyable adventure. Chocolate lovers are in luck more than 20 varieties are available to nibble at all times of day for Beall Mansion guests at the complimentary chocolate buffet. This 45-mile trail follows a former rail line and passes through beautiful forests, and abandoned towns, and crosses stunning ravines. If you are interested in small towns in southern Illinois, see our list here, or if you are interested in seeing the best small towns across all of Illinois, see here. Of course, these places can be visited year-round, but are especially atmospheric around fall. Book your next cruise vacation on one of these floating megaresorts. If youre looking for something a bit more adventurous than basic swimming and sunbathing, kayaking might be for you. The latter contains presidential artifacts found nowhere else and a theater that shows educational films and living history performances to immerse you in the time of Lincoln. One park that stands above the rest is the 2,630-acre Starved Rock State Park. But Springfield is not just for history fanatics: Spend a retro date night at the Route 66 Twin Drive-In theater, open from April through September. One example is the Hegeler Carus mansion, first designed in 1974 by renowned architect Boyington. Foodies seeking an Illinois escape can head to Champaign, a great Midwestern food town that's home to a lively community from the University of Illinois campus. Address: 200 North Main Street, Bloomington, Illinois. This Asian-fusion restaurant brings a modern twist to fusion cuisine with craft cocktails, nigiri, four different types of mac 'n' cheese, Thai doughnuts and burgers. Look beyond the large chains to find boutique hotels, mom-and-pop shops and locally owned restaurants for a truly romantic getaway to small-town America. While it may not be medieval Europe, Illinois still has its fair share of castles. Reserve a two-top for an intimate meal at Epiphany Farms, a farm-to-table restaurant on East Front Street. From the Shawnee Wine trail mentioned above to smaller clusters of wineries found in other parts of the state, there are many places to enjoy locally-produced wines. Chicago is also a great place to explore a range of different museums. An obvious choice for date night or date week is one of the most famous cities on the planet: Chicago. Starved Rock State Park is known for its sandstone canyons several of which have waterfalls. If you don't want to camp out where the wolves roam, maybe you'll opt for the Mark Twain Hotel for a boutique stay or the fully restored Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette downtown. Airbnb in Busan: How To Choose the Perfect One for You. You can visit the Illinois State Capitol building, Lincoln's Tomb, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Chicago is also a festival-goers paradise, with an array of festivals ranging from big-name music festivals to indie art festivals and more. Nestled in the Chain O'Lakes region of Illinois is Cypress Resort & Marine, a great escape for couples looking for a lakeside retreat. To see our list of the best places for snow tubing in Illinois, check our previous post here. Many of the wineries along the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail include on-site lodging so you don't have to wander far from your new favorite red. 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