Illinois holidays

During your Illinois holiday, you’ll likely want to get out and explore the state’s fantastic cities. The capital, Springfield, is particularly great for history lovers, thanks to the many tributes and museums centres around Abraham Lincoln. Lesser-known gems such as Galena, Naperville and Rockford are also worth visiting. And let’s not forget about Chicago, which is packed with things to do and a total must-see for anyone visiting Illinois.  

Alternatively, you can choose to explore more of Illinois’ great outdoors. Go swimming, fishing and boating around Lake Michigan, hike past tumbling waterfalls at Starved Rock State Park, or see the magnificent oak trees at Shawnee National Forest, exploring the landscape either by foot or on horseback.

When planning a Chicago holiday, it’s up to you how action-packed you want your schedule to be. Although, if you like being kept on your toes, you’re in the right place. Kick things off at the Art Institute of Chicago – one of the largest museums in the world. Then, you can hit up Millennium Park, admiring the mirrored sculptures, before ending your day with a wander around the Garfield Park Conservatory. 

And, when it comes to the nightlife of Chicago, you’re in for even more of a treat. First off, the food scene is top tier, offering everything from deep-dish pizzas to high-end restaurants serving nouvelle cuisine. Combined with the array of theatres, bars, music venues and clubs, you’re guaranteed a great night. 

Route 66 is perhaps America’s greatest road trip. Stretching from Chicago down to Los Angeles, it covers a whopping 2,400 miles of road. Of course, many people choose to tackle the whole thing. But if you’re pushed for time, you can stick to the 300-mile Illinois stretch. 

Start your journey at the legendary Route 66 start sign and get a taste of life on the road as you cruise through Illinois’ scenic landscape. Pass quirky towns and big cities before ending your Collinsville trip. 

From here, you can keep following the road down to Missouri or carry on your road trip around Illinois. You can even fly to another USA destination if you fancy.

While there’s no bad time to travel to Illinois, when you choose to go on holiday will depend on what type of trip you’re after. If warm weather is what you’re looking for, planning to go in either June, July, or August is your best bet. 

Spring is a beautiful time to visit Boston, as flowers emerge from the frosts, but it’s still pretty chilly. Temperatures can still be as low as freezing in March, although they rise to the mid-teens by May. It’s a much more affordable time to visit so you’ll score a great deal, if you don’t mind popping on layers. Winter is the quietest time, as the city gets very cold and snowy, but you’ll have the streets virtually to yourself.