Looking for a little U.S. travel inspiration this season? Here are seven reasons to put Illinois at the top of your travel list.
Illinois is home to the world’s largest T-Rex. Sue, as the skeleton is known, is one of the largest, best preserved and most complete T-Rex skeletons ever found. You can see her in all her glory at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.
Speaking of museums… You’ll find an impressive amount of museums around Illinois, including presidential libraries, historic forts, science centers and railway museums. Chicago boasts some of the state’s most notable museums, including the Museum of Science and Industry, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Adler Planetarium.
Iconic architecture. Chicago is known as the birthplace of the modern skyscraper – and it shows. The skyline is filled with towering structures, including some of the tallest in the country, and you can tour some of the most pivotal examples of 20th-century architecture in the Windy City.
Land of Lincoln. President Abraham Lincoln hailed from Springfield, and today, his hometown continues to celebrate this iconic president’s achievements. Here, you’ll find the Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum, his childhood home and even the tomb where Lincoln, his wife and his children were laid to rest.
Chicago-style pizza. Illinois is the birthplace of the iconic deep dish pizza, a pie that overflows with fillings and toppings alike. While many have tried to imitate this classic dish, nothing compares to the real deal at a pizzeria in Chicago.
Sports. No matter what your sport of choice is, you’ll find a stadium dedicated to it in Illinois. Illinois is home to the Chicago Bulls NBA team, once the home team of basketball great Michael Jordan. Ice hockey fans can also catch all the thrills of a live game watching the Blackhawks play in their home stadium. And baseball fans know that Chicago has not one, but two MLB teams to root for: the Cubs and the White Sox.
The scenery. Nature’s beauty is bountiful in southern Illinois, where the natural landscape is untouched by city skyscrapers. Filled with scenic byways, lakes and national parks, southern Illinois can be enjoyed with a road trip, a fishing pole or a camping tent.
(Main image: 1’UP)
