scenic drives northern illinois

Wind through this 140-mile backroad, and you'll find more than 20 amazing Illinois attractions that everyone must visit. Ronald Reagan Exhibit at Eureka College, his alma mater. Its no secret that the area around Galena is packed with adventure, but who knew getting from one great activity to another could turn into a fun-packed Illinois getaway? What are some of the most beautiful parks to visit in Illinois? Lovely small communities and towns in farm country with something new around every bend. From Peoria's Grandview Drive-deemed the "world's most beautiful drive" by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1910-to Illinois' seven nationally designated Scenic Byways, there are plenty of routes you can take to appreciate the state's autumn landscapes. With about 300 miles of highway in Illinois alone, you could make a whole day of sight seeing. Whitefish, Montana. For the best things in southern Illinois, click here. While Shenandoah National Park is a bit further west, no list of scenic drives in Virginia would be complete without Skyline Drive. Rewrite your bucket list as you soar through the forest on a zipline, take a gondola ride to the top of the bluffs, experience the flavor of Illinois wines, satisfy your sweet tooth with a banana split inspired by a paddlewheel boat, or take a cruise on an actual paddlewheel boat. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. Read our full coverage on Peorias Grand View Drive to learn more. You'll have your camera out almost all the time for this one. Make sure to check out the event calendar to see what kind of special activities are happening along this beautiful drive in Illinois. Learn more about the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway on the webpage. If you are a Republican fan, a fan of Reagan's or just love history, this is a wonderful tribute to a great man. As one of the most scenic drives in Northern Ireland, Lough Neagh covers an area of 391 square km (151 square miles) in Mid Ulster. This project was funded in whole or in part through a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation, This project was funded in whole or in part through a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation. If you are a Republican fan, a fan of Reagan's or just love history, this is a wonderful tribute to a great man. Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive. There is a piece of the Berlin wall outside the building as well. 65 passes by some of Arkansas' most popular attractions. Click on any scenic byway or backway listed below for complete information. The roadside attractions along Route 66 were designed to attract travelers to local towns and businesses. It was meant to be a peaceful and fun activity for the whole family. But now it connects Galena with the beauty of the whole region. Route 66, otherwise known as Main Street of America or Mother Road is one of the original and most famous highways in the United States and one of the most scenic byways in Illinois. Galena in the north and Cairo to the south. You may even find a new greasy spoon with all the comfort foods you could imagine. Explore Ulysses S. Grants home, the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area, and the home of Popeye. Routes 127, Old Hwy 51, 51DISTANCE: 46 milesTIME: 1 hour. Insider's Guide Along the way youll pass Hanover (site of Whistling Wings, a mallard duck hatchery), Blackhawk and Marcus, not to mention Hanover Bluff Nature Preserve and Palisades State Park. Beginning with America's First Mile in Fort Kent, Maine, U.S. Route 1 stretches the length of the eastern United States for more than 2,400 miles from Maine to Key West. The stretch of the Mississippi River north of Rock Island, Illinois is considered by many to be the most scenic drive along the Mississippi. 1999 Wisconsin Act 9 directed the Wisconsin Department of Transportation . A must-see for everyone. Save. Ron "Don't Say Gay" DeSantis of . In fact, eight of the 126 America's Byways are right here in our state. The scenic park offers heavily wooded areas overlooking the river, and is named for the 55-foot wide cavern situated in the bluffs along the river's edge. Hiking the Robberg Nature Reserve on the Garden Route, The ultimate Seoul itinerary for 3-7 days (2023 edition), EPIC 7 days Korea itinerary for first-timers (2023), 3 Amazing 2 Weeks South Korea Itinerary Suggestions, The Perfect 14-Day Japan Travel Itinerary for First Timers, The River Road National Byway is one of the best scenic fall drives in Illinois but can be enjoyed throughout the year, Self-guided route is available year-round but the county festival is in October. Discover top travel stories and even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois with our free magazine. The Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive Festival is a must-see every October. Trail Ridge Road Colorado. They capture rich history, and unique landscapes, and feature the fascinating but often overlooked communities that cherish and celebrate these scenic routes. The sky was a deep blue, the windows were rolled down, Patricia sailed her hand out the window. Plan Your Visit Hop out of the car and snack at one of the picnic tables, then try a hike. You may enjoy watching the changing leaves in a local forest preserve. 10 Tiny Towns In Illinois That Are Always Worth A Visit. 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. Schaumburg's many lush, tree-dense neighborhoods contain an array of apartments, condos, townhomes, and houses available for rent, in an overall peaceful environment. 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 Bring your fishing rod or your canoe and commune with nature. One day we were driving to Galena Cellars Vineyard along Stagecoach Trail. As summer comes to a close and the leaves morph from a vibrant green to even more vibrant oranges, reds and yellows, there's no better way to appreciate the shifting seasons than by taking a drive through Illinois. Plan on visiting in October if you want to participate in the countys annual drive event and witness the activities and entertainment. You can read our complete privacy policy here. Use our easy Lodging Search to find exactly the type of accommodation you are looking for at the right price. A typical Sunday drive might leave you finding a new general store to stock up on sweets and other treats. 5 of the Best Scenic Drives Through Illinois. Here, the Illinois forest crowds in close to the roadside, and low speeds and open windows will treat you to birdsong and the buzz, drone and plaintive croaks of a myriad of insects and hopping residents of the woods vernal pools. And thats where Patricia always brings it back to basics, one hand out the window, playing airplane just like a kid. If youre looking to escape the bustle of the city, pack up the car and set out on one of these scenic drives in Illinois. Read Enjoy Illinois magazine online or download the PDF and start exploring trip ideas 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. Fabulous views and thrilling curves with the rivers right beside you. Capital of Illinois and one-time home of Abraham Lincoln, Springfield is parts political center and historic hub, well-stocked with museums and Lincoln sites. We'd love to have your business listed on our site. It has nostalgia, nature, and just a good old road trip feel. Love Illinois? Along the way you might just discover that there's more to the road than the river. Priceless. This is the Badlands Loop scenic drive through the Badlands National Park in South Dakota. 9 years ago. Check out antique shops, artist studios, and local farmers markets along the way. You don't need much time to conquer this route, making it perfect for a day trip. 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. This byway actually follows the Mississippi River for about 3,000 miles, starting in Minnesota and ending at the Gulf of Mexico. Following the Mississippi River for 3,000 miles and spanning 10 states, this amazing road starts in Minnesota and extends to the Gulf of Mexico. turn left onto Route 30 and stay on the road as it becomes Illinois 83, then . 11: Northern California Scenic Drives: Lake Tahoe Loop (US 50, NV 28 and US 89) Distance: 72 miles. 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. Of course, you can still use the full version of Go-Illinois on your mobile device just as you can on your desktop. On your way, be sure to check out an original brick road (no, its not yellow!) Get ready for a packed three-week adventure to some of the greatest locales in Africa. Many use it to visit antique shops, farmers markets, and other attractions, but you can also drive the whole thing and see the best parts of Southern Illinois. Go-Illinois.net, part of The Go Travel Sites family, is among the largest websites covering travel and vacationing in Illinois. So beautiful in fall. 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. The scenic drive around Lake Tahoe may not be one of the state's longest but is most certainly among the most scenic drives in northern California (and Nevada). Advocate Aurora Healths combined strength and stability drives us forward. Lake Shore Drive, or Outer Drive, is a multilevel expressway that runs alongside Lake Michigan through the city of Chicago. Delaware: Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway Delaware's not exactly a large state, but there's enormous wealth along this 12.3-mile stretch of Route 52 (also known as Kennett Pike) and Route 100 (AKA. The endpoint is in Cairo, an abandoned town that is packed with history. Our section is about 166 miles long. Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway. Even if you just drive right through, youll enjoy the serene Illinois woodlands, forests, and wetlands. Navigate the charming small towns of Knox County on this self-guided car tour. Where can I take a scenic boat ride in Illinois? Pick up a fall driving tour brochure in Freeport, and eat ice cream at Union Dairy, next to the site of a Lincoln-Douglas debate. Read this post in which we share the best things to do in Grafton. I was there in the morning and had a beautiful blue sky. Thank you! Check out antique shops, artist studios, and local farmers' markets along the way. Byway Bites Lake Shore Drive's origins date to 1882 when hotel magnate Potter Palmer built his "castle" at 1350 North Lake Shore Drive and coerced the city to build the street adjacent to his lakefront property to enhance its value. But the Galena end of the highway yields to no other area in its River Road attractions. This is truly one of the most remarkable Illinois byways to drive. 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. Map: Illinois property taxes are the second-highest in the U.S. Want to tell your elected officials what you think of the state of government in Illinois? Take the weekend and even consider camping out under a blanket of stars. Allen V. Peloquin and Y C Cheryl, 9254 Scenic Bluff Drive, Austin, TX 78733 Find homes for sale, market statistics, foreclosures, property taxes, real estate news, agent reviews, condos, neighborhoods on Blockshopper.com Thats easy; everywhere you go turns into a classic Illinois road trip. AMAZING RIVER VIEW, LEAVES TURNING, QUAINT LITTLE TOWN OF Elijah. Enjoy all that Southern Illinois has to offer. Copyright 2017, 25 Top Easy-Care Plants for Midwest Gardens. If you live in the city, take a break from the hustle and bustle and enjoy a leisurely drive through these picturesque country roads in Illinois. From there take US 30 west to the Mississippi River. This is a winding with a great view. Learn more about the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway on the website. Considered the most beautiful state park, Starved Rock State Park is home to a surreal landscape of rock formations, canyons, forests, and waterfalls. In 1912, the idea of roads as fast transportation did not exist in America. It's a 39-mile loop drive with 16 designated scenic overlooks and eight hiking trails. Visit state parks and recreation areas near Galena on our scenic loop drive. Drive Safe Note: The Great River Road uses different specific highways to stay close to the river and access great attractions. There is so much history and pride in the locals here. To celebrate the people and customs of this region, the riverside towns are known for hosting a variety of festivals and events with art, music, and loads of food. The route began/ended in Chicago, and the city pays tribute by having signs indicating the "start" and "end" (depending on which one-way street you are one). These are the 14 most scenic drives in the United States, from sea to shining sea. Find out what's on in Illinois and Chicago with your guide to events, festivals, markets, music, theater, sports and more. Not only is the drive peaceful and beautiful, but there are also fantastic spots to park, set up a blanket, and have a picnic on a bluff overlooking the river, enjoying the tranquility of the surrounding foliage. When we say homes, these arent your typical cozy houses. Illinois Tourist Information Centers Situated about 30 miles northwest of Chicago's Loop, Schaumburg is a scenic suburb with a small-town atmosphere and countless family-friendly amenities. 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