“Land of Lincoln” is the epithet of the US state of Illinois, because from here in the Midwest Abraham Lincoln, who comes from a poor background, worked his way up to the 16th President of the United States. Illinois has a lot to offer: a fascinating mix of cultures from all over the world, lively city life in Chicago and varied landscapes – from wide, flat farm areas, where soy and corn are mainly grown, to picturesque rivers and the highest point in the state, the 376-meter-high Charles Mound. The world-famous Route 66 also has its roots here and provides an opportunity to get to know the heart of the United States, the “Prairie State”, as Illinois is also called, with its cities, including the capital Springfield, state parks and outlet malls.
Attractions
Chicago, the metropolis on Lake Michigan, is considered one of the birthplaces of the skyscrapers. The Willis Tower is the tallest building in the city and the second tallest in the United States. In total there are over a thousand skyscrapers. In addition, visitors can expect numerous museums, especially the Museum of Science and Industry, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum Campus, where there are three significant houses, the Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum of Natural History. But it’s not just the architecture and the cultural attractions that make Chicago so interesting, excellent shopping and the countless blues and jazz clubs speak for this city.
There is also a first-class range of hotels and restaurants, as well as many parks and around 30 kilometers of sandy beach in the middle of the city. Get in the car and embark on a tour of the land of Abraham Lincoln.
In Springfield you can visit his grave at Oak Ridge Cemetery, his former law firm and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library are also in the city – both of which are now National Historic Sites. The town of Rockford is just an hour’s drive from Chicago, in one of the most fertile areas in the United States. Visitors can expect an inviting mix of rural charm and urban flair as well as numerous sights and leisure activities for the whole family. Don’t miss a visit to Dinosaur Jane at the Burpee Museum or a trip to the Midway Village Museum, home of the popular Sock Monkeys!
The western border is the famous Mississippi, and the Mississippi Palisades State Park with its many hiking trails is the ideal place for rest and relaxation. The famous Cahokia Mounds are also not far from the river – burial mounds of the Mississippi culture, created between the 8th and 13th centuries and since 1982 a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Illinois also begins one of the most famous streets in the world: Route 66, the epitome of freedom and independence. There are countless charming towns along the route, authentic dinners and unique sights such as the Gemini Giant.
A festival in honor of Route 66 takes place in Springfield every September – with live music, a large auto show and many other highlights.
In the far north lies the town of Galena with a magical inner city full of flair and with mansions and buildings from the 19th century. Shops and restaurants invite you to stroll and linger.
Travel Tips and Best Travel Times
Illinois has a climate typical of the Midwest: hot and humid summers follow very cold winters. It is best to travel there in spring or autumn. Several airlines fly from Europe to Chicago O’Hare International Airport. The time difference between Central Europe and Central Standard Time in Illinois is minus seven hours.
List of all zip codes for the state of Illinois, IL. Sorted by city. For each zip code listed, names of city and county are provided. For specific information of each postal code, please click the following links for Illinois zip codes.
- COUNTRYAAH: How many airports are there in Illinois? Here, you will find a full list of all airports in alphabetical order as well as airport abbreviations for Illinois.
- ABBREVIATIONFINDER: Find the most commonly used abbreviations about the state of Illinois. We offer a comprehensive list of major cities, state profile, common acronyms and map of Illinois.
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Note: Check COUNTRYAAH for top 10 cities in the state of Illinois.
Highlights
THE WORLD FAMOUS ROUTE 66
The world-famous Route 66 begins in Illinois. Experience museums, classic dinners and historic gas stations on Mother Road.
THE POPULAR SMALL TOWN
In addition to the untouched nature and the historical flair of the small town, the center of Galena invites you to stroll and eat.
THE HOME OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Springfield has been the capital of Illinois since 1837 and is known as the home of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln.
CHICAGO – THE GREEN CITY
Chicago inspires with spectacular architecture, great promenades, beaches and parks. A visit to a blues bar is also a must.
Chicago
Look forward to world-class architecture, excellent shopping, beach life and lots of good music
After New York and Los Angeles, Chicago is the third largest city in the United States and has a lot to offer as a vibrant metropolis in the Midwest. A visit to Chicago is definitely part of a city trip through the USA. And even if you are traveling through the state of Illinois, a visit to the extraordinary city on Lake Michigan should not be missed. We have put together the most beautiful corners of Chicago for you. One of Chicago’s landmarks has been around for a hundred years: the Navy Pier. This approximately one kilometer long pier juts out into Lake Michigan and is now one of the city’s attractions.
There is, among other things, the Children’s Museum, numerous restaurants, a theater and a cinema. The Ferris wheel, also known as the Centennial Wheel, is located there, has heated cabins, is in operation all year round and offers a magnificent view of the skyline and Lake Michigan at a height of up to 60 meters.
ATTRACTIONS IN CHICAGO
Millennium Park and the Cloud Gate
One of Chicago’s highlights is undoubtedly Millennium Park between downtown Chicago Loop and Grant Park. Once used as a marshalling yard and parking lot, it has been a popular recreation area since 2004. The park offers a special mix of exceptional architecture, modern landscape and varied events. The Grant Park Musical Festival takes place in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, a modern concert shell. The famous Cloud Gate is a public sculpture by British artist Anish Kapoor. Made with stainless steel plates and polished to a high gloss, the sculpture, also called “Big Bean”, reflects the skyline and the sky in a fascinating way.
Here you can take your very special holiday pictures!
Shopping on the Magnificent Mile
Between the Chicago River and Lake Shore Drive, shoppers’ hearts beat faster. The Magnificent Mile is a large boulevard with exclusive boutiques and numerous shops of all kinds, as well as restaurants and bars. There are also two huge shopping centers, each with up to 100 shops. Louis Vuitton, Giorgio Armani, Burberry, Gucci, Chanel and many other shops of this kind can be found here.
Beautiful views: Chicago from above
The greatest adventure in this metropolis is the view of the city from a dizzy height. Skydeck Chicago is located on Chicago’s tallest building, the Willis Tower. The 103rd floor offers a fascinating panoramic view of the city, and from the glass balcony “The Ledge” you have a very special view down into the canyons – provided you dare to take the step. It is no less impressive to enjoy breathtaking views from the 360 Chicago Observation Deck. And if you dare, you can experience a unique view down into the depth of 300 meters in the area called “TILT!”.
Chicago’s architecture
Chicago is considered the “cradle of skyscrapers” because after a devastating city fire in 1871, the first high-rise buildings were built here. The special type of architecture is primarily due to the “Chicago School”. Well-known American architects and landscape designers created a unique metropolis with a very special cityscape. Modern architecture can be experienced as clearly in Chicago as hardly anywhere else. The Chicago Architecture Foundation offers guided tours on different topics, so you can explore the different architectural styles.
River Cruises
Explore Chicago’s famous architecture from the water by taking a tour called the Architectural River Cruise – experiencing the breathtaking skyscrapers from a different perspective. The trips start in the evening and offer the most beautiful views of the metropolis.
The Chicago Blues
Chicago is also known as the place of the blues, where its very own musical style emerged in the first half of the 20th century. Nowadays, the world’s largest free blues festival takes place in the metropolis every year. In June, Grant Park becomes the venue for the Chicago Blues Festival and attracts around 500,000 fans. In the House of Blues and elsewhere there are also many exciting concerts to be enjoyed all year round.
