5 of the Best Scenic Drives Through Illinois. Find a scenic drive or plan a road trip with myscenicdrives.com Find a Scenic Drive Road Trip Planner Plan, edit, save, and share your custom day trips, weekend getaways, and cross-country adventures. Click on any scenic byway or backway listed below for complete information. Whitefish, Montana. Photo: Shutterstock. 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Start off your scenic drive with a visit to this old-fashioned soda fountain, tucked in Saults Drug Store in Fulton. A Sunday drive elicits connotations of happier, simpler Rockwell-esque times. These are prestigious, towering estates that have looked over Grandview since it was built over 100 years ago. It is also known as "The Old Pike" or "The Road That Built the Nation" and it has existed since 1811, making it one of the oldest backroads in the state. Places To Stay It also sits along the Illinois River and you can hike to an overlook to get sweeping vistas of the water. When we say homes, these arent your typical cozy houses. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. So beautiful in fall. TheGreat River Road, which travels along the Mississippi River, has countless o Fall is when many of the states best qualities truly shine. The Illinois River Road Scenic Byway preserves the natural river country along the banks of the Illinois River, allowing modern visitors to travel the same route as the early French explorers: les Voyageurs. Drive Safe The popular soda fountain has been a fixture in town since 1937, and you'll quickly see . Getting around Chicago and Illinois is easy with our guide to ways to travel around the state. Read Enjoy Illinois magazine online or download the PDF and start exploring trip ideas The national byway preserves the nature along the river, providing amazing views of serene Illinois woodlands and wetland as well as prairies and lakes, which makes it perfect for nature lovers. Home Algarve Itinerary: the best itinerary for 3-10 days, 19 Illinois breweries that are worth a visit, Globetrotters in heart and soul. From there take US 30 west to the Mississippi River. The Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive Festival. Your multi-country journey begins in Zimbabwe at Victoria Fallsthe largest waterfall in the worldfollowed by camping in Botswana's Chobe National Park. Hop out of the car and snack at one of the picnic tables, then try a hike. An amazing way to travel across the state and immerse yourself in the different cultures and communities across Illinois. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. 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. It's a 39-mile loop drive with 16 designated scenic overlooks and eight hiking trails. Here is a list of more small cities in Illinois that are worth a visit. Copyright 2017, 25 Top Easy-Care Plants for Midwest Gardens. Subscribe to our Newsletter Get inspired by top travel stories, gain access to exclusive promotions and contests, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois. The 10 Best Scenic Drives in Northern California Redding to Lassen Volcanic National Park Route: Redding -> Shasta Lake -> Castle Crags State Park -> Burney Falls -> Lassen Volcanic National Park Note: The Park Road (which goes from Highway 89 through the park) is closed from late October through mid-June, depending on the snowfall. This is a winding with a great view. Thats easy; everywhere you go turns into a classic Illinois road trip. 11: Northern California Scenic Drives: Lake Tahoe Loop (US 50, NV 28 and US 89) Distance: 72 miles. Along this route, youll learn the fascinating history of Lewis and Clark and other explorers who stopped along this route, as well as the tragic history of the Native Americans and the Trail of Tears that passed through Golconda. Click on any scenic byway or backway listed below for complete information. Youll find historic destinations, UNESCO World Heritage sites, awe-inspiring views, and quaint towns spread throughout the journey. One reason is that most of this portion of the Great River Road lies within the "Driftless Area" a unique geologic formation from the last glaciers to cover Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Northern Illinois. Of course, you can still use the full version of Go-Illinois on your mobile device just as you can on your desktop. Discover top travel stories and even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois with our free magazine. Sage Scott. Navigate the charming small towns of Knox County on this self-guided car tour. If you're not one to hit the black diamond slopes out in Colorado, Trail Ridge Road is your best way to see the Rocky Mountains. Sprawling through 33 miles of southwestern Illinois, this gorgeous road travels through the Mississippi flood plain and coincides with a portion of the Great River Road. I think best place to see the Chicago skyline. We loved how much we learned at so many of the historical stops. Coastal Highway 1, Maine. The scenic fall drive traverses six Wisconsin counties; from Whitewater Lake in Walworth County to Elkhart Lake in Sheboygan County. These 2,500 miles (4,000 km) were the primary route for those who migrated west in the early-mid 1900s and are filled with history. The Shawnee Hills Wine Trail features 11 family-owned wineries and vineyards surrounded by the lush splendor of the Southern Illinois landscape. Make sure to check out the event calendar to see what kind of special activities are happening along this beautiful drive in Illinois. Ron "Don't Say Gay" DeSantis of . Love Illinois? Plan Your Trip Youll learn the history of the canal as you enjoy the scenery along the way. If youre looking for a long meditative drive through Illinois, there has never been a better time to do it. Even if you just drive right through, youll enjoy the serene Illinois woodlands, forests, and wetlands. On your way, be sure to check out an original brick road (no, its not yellow!) On your drive, youll likely see many of these community members on the land working hard on their harvest. If you love a good, old fashioned drive through beautiful rural Illinois and have a spot thats your favorite we certainly want to hear about it in the comments. International Visitors So vistas abound, taking in rolling country, beautifully maintained farms and rural cottages perched on manicured properties. While Shenandoah National Park is a bit further west, no list of scenic drives in Virginia would be complete without Skyline Drive. Byway Bites Slow down, she says. flanked by a lavish residential area in the west and fantastic panoramic views of the. The Scenic Drive roads are marked with [SD] symbols on this map. By the editors of MidwestLiving.com The Scenic Ridge Route offers 19 miles of smooth road surface and lots of sweeping corners. Galena in the north and Cairo to the south. Hop in the car and enjoy the best scenic drives in Illinois, from bluffs along the Mississippi River to winding roads through a national forest and the famous Route 66. Day spas in Illinois that are worh visiting. Share your experiences and photos with us! Along the route are twenty-one stops that are meant to create emotional archeology so that visitors can learn about and connect to the communities, histories, people, and customs of each individual town along the route. Learn more about Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive on the website. Explore Ulysses S. Grants home, the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area, and the home of Popeye. Use our Sound Off tool. An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. 8. Beginning in Chicago and ending in St. Louis, you'll find an old, hand-laid brick road, a rabbit ranch, fried chicken, strange statues, and much more on this Illinois byway. 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. It originally ran from Chicago all the way to Los Angeles, California. Our section is about 166 miles long. Saults Drug Store - Fulton. Enjoy the beauty, variety and geology of southeast Wisconsin by driving the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive. . There are also loads of other historical tidbits along the route ranging from Civil War heroes, river pirates, and more. Get ready for a packed three-week adventure to some of the greatest locales in Africa. All 26 of Colorado's scenic and historic byways (11 of which are also designated America's Byways), and countless other scenic drives that crisscross the highest and lowest altitudes of Colorado, welcome motorcycle riders, leisure drivers and all others hungry for a taste of Colorado's history and scenic beauty. Theodore Roosevelt named it the "world's most beautiful drive," so have that camera ready and drive both ways up and down the road for all the best sights. Perfect for a short, fun trip, this scenic backroad is only 2.5 miles long. Check out this list of historic places in Illinois. While this region of southern Illinois definitely can feel off the grid, there is no shortage of restaurants offering tasty meals after a day of driving, hiking, or wine tasting. Guide yourself through Knox County and the 8 rural towns that it comprises. Whether you prefer to make it a romantic trip or a trip with the kids, there is something for everyone. "and they come into 66 from the tributary side roads, from the wagon tracks and the rutted country roads, 66 is the mother road, the road of flight." It was the widest and longest bascule bridge in the world when it was constructed in 1937, a year after LSD was completed by architect Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe. 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. Learn more about Illinois Lincoln Highway on the website. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. This road really holds some of Americas most fascinating history. My wife Patricia and I have made a hobby of exploring the highways and byways around Galena Country, and boy have we made a great find. Gary Ennis/Getty Images/iStockphoto. Illinois River Road: Route of the Voyageurs, Click here to add your listing to Go-Illinois.net, Complete the form below to email this page to a friend or family member's email. If you are interested in participating in or advertising with the Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive Fall Festival, please contact the Area Representative for that community, call 309-647-8980, email - spoonriverdrive@mail.com, write Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive Fall Festival, PO Box 525, Canton, IL 61520, or go to our Contact Us page. In the midst of vast Illinois farmland, weekend travelers discover a topographic Kitsch, awe inspiring, quirky, colorful, beautiful and unforgettable. Downtown Chicago on E. Jackson Boulevard and end at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in Granite City. Its no secret that the small towns of the Prairie State are charming, to say the least, and provide the perfect escape from daily life. This expansive route spans the entire length of the state, hugging the Mississippi River to the West as it winds past limestone bluffs and rushing waters. With 105 miles of gorgeous scenery and natural beauty, Skyline Dive makes a fantastic day trip from Washington DC. Our supportive staff and leadership are committed to an autonomous practice . The Lincoln Highway was the first highway in America to be paved all the way across the state in the early 1900s. Below are the Free Visitor Guides for Illinois Area. Dirt roads spread out from settlements at random, some not leading anywhere, and travelers found it easier to take the train to the next town over. Scenic drives in Illinois: 12 amazing scenic routes you must explore. One of the most scenic stretches of highway in the entire USA. Youll see where Lincolns political career began, take pictures with giant bottles of catsup, and experience historical wonders such as the Cahokia Mounds, the largest prehistoric site north of Mexico where Mississippi natives were living 1,000 years ago. Three hours outside the sprawling metropolis of Chicago, this beautiful region is home to festivals that contain crafters, flea markets, antiques, and even homemade foods. Things To Do Find out how to get to Illinois by plane, train, bus and driving. Popular stops along the road include the Paramount Theatre built in 1931, Rochelle Railroad Park with locomotives from the 1920s, and the unique communities that span the rolling prairies and riverfront towns on this scenic route in Illinois. See our full, 7 hours to drive the entire Byway, 2 days per loop for each of 7 nature activity loops. 9 years ago. Holly Ann . Each community has its own contribution, but one of the most scenic drives is in Alton, Illinois which is known for its historic homes that are perched on the bluffs overlooking the river. THINGS TO DO 550 miles packed with adventure! Each of these wineries has its own styles, techniques, and grape varieties that create wonderfully delicious and unique flavors. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Another perk to hiking Sheep Lake Trail is that dogs are allowed off-leash in certain areas along the path. Doing the road one way is just half the funits a new and different experience retracing your drive the other direction, and one youll enjoy just as much. You don't need much time to conquer this route, making it perfect for a day trip. Getting around Chicago and Illinois is easy with our guide to ways to travel around the state. Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive. Get inspired by top travel stories, gain access to exclusive promotions and contests, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois. It has nostalgia, nature, and just a good old road trip feel. There is so much history and pride in the locals here. It stretches 15.83 miles from Hollywood Avenue or 5700 North to Marquette Drive and Jefferey Drive at 6600 South and is often described as the "most scenic roadway in the country" as it embraces the lakefront, the city's skyline and most major tourist attractions. For the stout of heart, theres a narrow rope suspension bridge to cross and zip line adventures. Route 66 starts its long journey to the West Coast in Chicago. The America's Byways Program is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, and was established to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the states. Area, and quaint towns spread throughout the journey 12 amazing scenic routes must... 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