Top Things to do in Illinois
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What to do and see in Illinois, United States: The Best Free Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Illinois, United States including Champaign Public Library, Great Rivers Scenic Route, Gail Borden Public Library, Grand View Drive, Warren-Newport Public Library, Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Northwestern University, Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, Une Annee Brewery, Starved Rock State Park.
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1. Champaign Public Library
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 130 reviews
Step into our light-filled, open spaces and see our wonderful Peter Sis murals, colorful TeenSpace, quiet meeting rooms, Library Café and Friendshop Bookstore. The library at 200 W. Green St., is open Mondays - Thursdays 9-9; Fridays 9-6; Saturdays 9-6; and Sundays 12-6. Our Douglass Branch Library is located 504 E. Grove St., at the edge of Douglass Park. Stop in for a great selection of books, DVDs, and CDs, plus friendly service, free Internet access, and public meeting spaces. Open Mondays - Thursdays 10-8; Fridays 10-6 and Saturdays 10-4.
Reviewed By urbanguy - Richmond, United States
We went there, specifically, to check out the Friend's Bookstore. The Bookstore is in the basement, with shelves and shelves of well organized books for sale. Fiction is alphabetized by author. The non-fiction is broken down into tons of meaningful categories. Upstairs, there is an unbelievable number of DVDs to borrow. There is also a coffee shop, with both indoor and outdoor seating. A very impressive Library!
2. Great Rivers Scenic Route
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 231 reviews
Reviewed By apkh0828 - Granite City, United States
AMAZING RIVER VIEW, LEAVES TURNING, QUAINT LITTLE TOWN OF Elijah, Bike Trail, Bird Watching, with many great shops in the town of Grafton. Nice wine tasting places, book shops, antique shops, ice cream parlor, and of course my favorite rock shop just as you enter Grafton on the right hand side of street. Beasley Fish and Find Inn our favorite places to eat. And for the bikers HogPit is the place to go! Head North to Pete Marquette State Park for great hiking and horseback riding. Spend a day or a weekend here, you will love it!
3. Gail Borden Public Library
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 125 reviews
Reviewed By lariv017
Great place for learning, studying, & even renting audio/visual items. One of the nicest libraries I've ever been in as well!
4. Grand View Drive
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 278 reviews
Reviewed By Gsc52 - Peoria, United States
Multi use area you can just take the drive which takes 10 to 15 minutes and it’s beautiful or you can take your bicycle and bike the drive. You can walk the drive You can take your kids to the swing sets at the bottom of the drive you can have a picnic on the picnic tables over looking the river.I live near here I see kids taking wedding pictures families having a picnic and people walking their dogs just enjoying the beautiful view not much you can do for free but you can do it here and you are welcome
5. Warren-Newport Public Library
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
One of the busiest public libraries in Lake County, Illinois, Warren-Newport Public Library welcomes visitors to enjoy a collection of over 310,000 items, free internet access and WiFi, expert reference and reader's advisory, children's services, a bookmobile and wonderful programs.
Reviewed By OhReallyKeely
Great selection and variety of reading materials, audio-visual materials, author visits, reading programs and educational options. Willingness to order materials when requested. Friendly and knowledgable staff. Huge asset to the community.
6. Lincoln Home National Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,751 reviews
The only house Abraham Lincoln ever owned is the centerpiece of this four-block historic neighborhood. Lincoln and his family lived in the two-story house from 1844 until 1861, when their address changed to the White House.
Reviewed By X7472TVtomk
This site, run by the National Park Service is well maintained and restored, with a visitor's center, a free guided tour of Lincoln's home, and several other restored homes. We spent two hours which included a 20 minute tour of the home. The book store in the visitor's center is very comprehensive.
7. Northwestern University
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 382 reviews
Reviewed By ChenEvelyn
A gorgeous and safe campus with amazing beaches and water views to boot! Have some of the best students and top professors in the world.
8. Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 787 reviews
A sophisticated Native American society of about 20,000 people that operated via a sun calendar and disappeared by 1400.
9. Une Annee Brewery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
10. Starved Rock State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,562 reviews
Known for its magnificent rock formations of St. Peter sandstone, this scenic park offers many hiking and horseback riding trails plus fishing and boating along the banks of the Illinois River.
Reviewed By tigrr49 - Chicago, United States
Took about 3 - 3.5 hours to hike from visitor's center down to LaSalle Canyon while hitting Starved Rock, French Canyon, Wildcat Canyon, LaSalle Canyon, Eagle Cliff Overlook, and Lover's Leap Overlook in that order. French Canyon is pretty (sunlight glistened off the water onto the canyon walls) and most accessible but it also crowded for that reason. The waterfall at Wildcat was a small trickle compared to the others but it's also very high which is cool. LaSalle Canyon was definitely worth the hike especially since you can walk behind the waterfall for some cool photos. I would not recommend for young children (mine are 8 and 10) to do the whole distance we did. My kids certainly enjoyed the hike, several photo ops, and lunch / snacks along the way. Lastly, visitor center is nice and clean with pretty decent food options if that's your fancy. Extra Tips: Make it a 2 day trip and hit Matthiesen State Park - Dells Area nearby on your other day. Also, I read St. Louis Canyon and Ottawa Canyon can be nice but we didn't have enough time to hit them.
