Top Things to do in Illinois
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The 10 Best Hidden Gems Things to do in Illinois, United States
Discover the best top things to do in Illinois, United States including Chicago Botanic Garden, First Division Museum at Cantigny, Anderson Japanese Gardens, Dana-Thomas House, Garden of the Gods, Tivoli Theatre Downers Grove, P.T. Murphy Magic Theatre, Whiskey Acres Distilling Co., Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, Morton Arboretum.
Restaurants in Illinois
1. Chicago Botanic Garden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,199 reviews
Just a short trip from Chicago, the Chicago Botanic Garden is a 385-acre complex of flora, footbridges and waterways.
Reviewed By RobinTraveler123 - Salt Lake City, United States
A world class experience any time of the year. Located north of Chicago about 15 miles, this botanic garden offers a multiple of expressions , water falls and lakes, a spectacular Japanese garden and hundreds of acres of trees from all over the world. Reality...worth 3 or 4 trips a year
2. First Division Museum at Cantigny
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 256 reviews
Museum with interactive exhibits on the trenches of WWI, the beaches of WWII and the rice paddies of Vietnam.
Reviewed By sugarbaby34
The tanks outside were incredible to get up close to. My husband and son are huge military buffs and were impressed to see the tanks on display outside on the grounds. I myself tagged along but was not bored at all looking at the tanks. Inside the museum are wonderful displays depicting all phases of wars that the 1st was involved in. The grounds had wonderful gardens to wander through. We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
3. Anderson Japanese Gardens
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 823 reviews
Anderson Japanese Gardens is proud of its longstanding reputation as one of the highest quality Japanese gardens in North America. Our passion, however, is how the Garden positively impacts individuals and the communities where they live. We are committed to presenting first-class programs, events, and opportunities that bring people together in this uplifting natural setting.
Reviewed By JulieC5202 - Rockford, United States
It is always a pleasure to walk through the gardens and gift shop, You always recognize something different. In addition you always meet some of the nicest people. It’s always been one of my favorite places to relax and renew, it must be the beauty of everything.
4. Dana-Thomas House
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,124 reviews
Reviewed By RetiredTravelerTN - Nashville, United States
The introductory video presented the history of the Dana-Thomas House, and the guide gave an informative tour of the beautiful FLW house which has been wonderfully preserved with original furnishings. We appreciated the attention to details that were highlighted during the tour. Photos are not allowed inside, but we were able to take photos from the street and inside the courtyard. We arrived early for the first tour of the day and had no problem parking in the free lot next door accessed from E Cook St. Railroad tracks run between the parking lot and the carriage house where tours begin. A $10 per adult donation was certainly reasonable.
5. Garden of the Gods
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 397 reviews
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
As a native Chicagoan, I have always found it very hard to believe that a beautiful patch of land known as the Garden of the Gods Wilderness really exists in the state of Illinois, which is famous for growing corn and soybeans and is normally as flat as a football field. But here it is, along I-24, southeast of Carbondale, en route to Paducah, Kentucky, and the long bridge that spans the Ohio River, Garden of the Gods Wilderness, all 3,381 acres of it, located within the Shawnee National Forest in Hardin, Pope, Saline and Gallatin counties. The nearest town of any size is Equality, made famous because that's where legendary basketball coach Dolph Stanley started his career and built a high school powerhouse in the 1930s. How's that for trivia? I'll bet Stanley appreciated the wilderness, even before Shawnee National Forest was created in 1939. Garden of the Gods, a roadless parcel of land within the national forest, was set aside in 1990. It features beautiful rock formations, magnificent scenery, hiking trails, campgrounds and overlooks and observation points such as Buzzards Point, Anvil Rock, Camel Rock and Table Rock. Historically, this plateau south of Harrisburg was never covered by glaciers. In fact, the furthest advance of ice sheets during the Illinoian glaciation stopped just north of Garden of the Gods, leaving a thick bed of gray sandstone in what is now southern Illinois. Today, Garden of the Gods is the most visited wilderness area in Illinois and most visitors view the sunsets and climb the rock formations by negotiating the popular River to River (Ohio to Mississippi) Trail.
6. Tivoli Theatre Downers Grove
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 212 reviews
Reviewed By 82mickiem - Downers Grove, United States
This place is so cool. A vintage theater that has been modernized with sound and other modern amenities, but retains the beautiful charm of the old world theater including amazing light up ceiling. Live Oregon on the weekends. They also sell alcohol which is a nice plus. Prices are reasonable and it’s truly an experience
7. P.T. Murphy Magic Theatre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 657 reviews
"One of America's Best Magic Shows!" Enjoy the mysteries of an ancient art as presented by Galena's master magician, P.T. Murphy. The setting is Murphy's private theatre located in the heart of historic downtown Galena, IL. Murphy is known for his personable style, mischievous sense of humor and sophisticated sleight of hand that the Chicago Reader called "An evening that shows magic to its best advantage, up close and personal." Advanced purchase is suggested. Run Time: 65 minutes. No intermission. Theatre rentals are available for your tour group, or private parties. Schedule is subject to change. Please call for current schedule of performances. *Masks are required.*
Reviewed By toastedcaramel - Galena, United States
My cheeks literally hurt from smiling so much! It was my husbands birthday and he made a point to make it a special show. I forgot how great magic is, especially when it is paired with a great magician! The show left me with so many questions on how he did his tricks! It was also great to have conversation with such an open minded individual. Thank you for the memories, hope to visit again! We really appreciated your time that you gave us! -Cougar & Toasted Caramel
8. Whiskey Acres Distilling Co.
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 230 reviews
We are excited to announce that we are reopening to the public. We've been working hard to retrain our existing staff, bring on new team members, learn a new ordering system and create the safest space possible for you. Our reopening will include limited indoor seating in our new Visitors Center (50 people), limited indoor seating in our original Tasting Room (8 people, beginning May 14th) and seating for over 100 in our outdoor Whiskey Garden. Here's some of the other changes and requirements you can expect: All cocktails will be served table side. Please find a seat and someone will take your order. When indoors, please wear a mask when traveling to/from your table. We have a new cocktail menu featuring some great new drinks (including a Manhattan!) Don't worry, most of our classics are still on the menu as well. Our updated hours and tour schedule: Friday: 4:30 - 8:30 with a 6PM tour. Saturday: 1:30 - 8:30 with tours at 2, 4 and 6 PM. Sunday: 1:30 - 5:30 with a 2 PM tour.
Reviewed By Im_Roll_n - Winfield, United States
Jon was a amazing tour guide as part of the family running the business. Very polite staff and great cocktails. The tour includes a shot glass to take home and trying all 3 (bourbon, rye whiskey, and vodka) spirits. It is a farm to spirit distiller and showed in the quality of their product. I have tried a wide variety of whiskey and many tours but this place and their product is probably the highest combination of both. They also have artisan small batch type spirits that come out occasionally as well. Bought all 3 bottles and their artisan. Let's not forget the tasting room is in the middle of fields and got to see a beautiful sunset while on the tour... other than the windmills in the view.. Love it and hope to be back soon.
9. Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,305 reviews
To ensure the health and safety of our guests, tours at the Home and Studio return on June 11 and are limited to nine guests per time slot. (Updated 6/2/20) The Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in Oak Park, Illinois served as Wright's private residence and workplace from 1889 to 1909--the first 20 years of his career. Today, Oak Park is home to the world’s largest collection of Wright-designed buildings. Wright used his first home to experiment with design concepts that contain the seeds of his architectural philosophy. In his adjacent studio, Wright and his associates developed a new American architecture - the Prairie style. Enjoy guided tours of the museum complex and neighboring historic district seven days a week. Trained interpreters offer insights into Wright's family life and architectural legacy. Tour details are available on the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust website
Reviewed By 1blah1
Traveling through the house, each room showed FLW’s developing style in Prairie Architecture. This tour was so fascinating, I had seen Falling Water several years ago and to see how he developed to that home was amazing. Don’t miss the homes he designed through Oak Park and also LaGrange, Illinois.
10. Morton Arboretum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 958 reviews
Only 25 miles west of Chicago, there's something for everyone in all four seasons at The Morton Arboretum. Whether you seek a quiet hike in the woods or an active family day out, The Morton Arboretum offers a wide variety of fun activities, events, tours, and classes for all ages and interests. Here you'll find an oasis of 16 miles of hiking trails and nine miles of paved roads, perfect for hiking, running, biking or just exploring. From a guided tour on an open-air tram to the award-winning Children's Garden and Maze Garden, to seasonal exhibits and lunch in The Ginkgo Restaurant overlooking Meadow Lake, the Arboretum is a unique place to explore, discover, escape, and connect with trees and nature.
Reviewed By ejohnchat - Chicago, United States
We love going here anytime of the year; the light show in the winter, the flowers in the spring, the cool forests in the summer and the colorful leaves in the fall.
