Nature, agriculture Get your kitsch on the Illinois stretch of Route 66. You don't need much time to conquer this route, making it perfect for a day trip. Travelers keen on getting outside won't have to look far for thrilling . Trail Ridge Road Colorado. Along the way, you'll pass many historic places including an old railroad depot, a log cabin from 1832, and a couple one-room schoolhouses. There are also loads of other historical tidbits along the route ranging from Civil War heroes, river pirates, and more. Be sure to check out London Mills and Spoon River Dam along the Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive, one of the most beautiful drives in Illinois. If youre looking for a long meditative drive through Illinois, there has never been a better time to do it. You may enjoy watching the changing leaves in a local forest preserve. In addition to the stunning natural landscape, this scenic drive is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places along with many of the surrounding homes. Your multi-country journey begins in Zimbabwe at Victoria Fallsthe largest waterfall in the worldfollowed by camping in Botswana's Chobe National Park. The 10 Best Scenic Drives in Northern California Redding to Lassen Volcanic National Park Route: Redding -> Shasta Lake -> Castle Crags State Park -> Burney Falls -> Lassen Volcanic National Park Note: The Park Road (which goes from Highway 89 through the park) is closed from late October through mid-June, depending on the snowfall. So vistas abound, taking in rolling country, beautifully maintained farms and rural cottages perched on manicured properties. Here is a list of more places in Illinois where you can spot eagles during winter. This scenic drive through Missouri's Ozark hill country cuts right through the heart of the Mark Twain National Forest, full of hardwoods and pines. It really helps take your mind off all the stressors in life. Curves twisting through walls of rugged rock pinnacles, buttes, and multi-colored spires. This Illinois motorcycle route gives motorcyclists a great ride along the Trail of Tears State Forest with tree-lined roads that cascade down into panoramic views of the rolling countryside. Follow the Mother Road to discover a myriad of quirky roadside attractions, or hit one of the scenic highways crisscrossing the state. While it doesnt boast an intimidating amount of driving miles (only nine miles, to be exact) you will still enjoy driving through about 1,700 lush acres of bountiful gardens and trees. #4 Illinois Ultimate Scenic Rivers Route Illinois Rivers Route is an illustrious 140-mile road that stretches along the Illinois River. Youll experience towering bluffs, rolling hills, river communities, farmlands and sweeping views. Enjoy the beauty, variety and geology of southeast Wisconsin by driving the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive. Things To Do Three hours outside the sprawling metropolis of Chicago, this beautiful region is home to festivals that contain crafters, flea markets, antiques, and even homemade foods. Enjoy observing wildlife in their natural habitat or pull out the trusty snowmobile during the winter and check out 61.5 miles of pristine, snowy trails. If you are looking for interesting cities in northern Illinois, click here. What are some of the most beautiful parks to visit in Illinois? It stretches 15.83 miles from Hollywood Avenue or 5700 North to Marquette Drive and Jefferey Drive at 6600 South and is often described as the "most scenic roadway in the country" as it embraces the lakefront, the city's skyline and most major tourist attractions. Each event showcases the unique history or culture of the hosting town. 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. You can read our complete privacy policy here. This incredible route is the iconic American road trip. Read more Photograph:. Re: Fall Foliage Scenic Drive. The America's Byways Program is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, and was established to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the states. Scenic drives to consider in Illinois are listed below. In addition to wine, the drive is filled with trails, creeks and lakes, small cabins, and sprawling orchards. Photos and Property Details for 1209 SCENIC DRIVE, KNOXVILLE, TN 37919. When you travel through one of the most scenic Illinois byways, you are taking the same route the French explorers once did. If you time it right, you can end your day watching the sun go down over the Big Muddy at Savanna. The Reagan exhibit is housed in the Cerf Bldg and takes about 30 minutes (or a little more if you read everything). You will find many small towns with food marts and fuel stations in this route. 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. Each of these wineries has its own styles, techniques, and grape varieties that create wonderfully delicious and unique flavors. Noah Clayton/Getty Images. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. This byway actually follows the Mississippi River for about 3,000 miles, starting in Minnesota and ending at the Gulf of Mexico. The history and cultural significance that is now preserved along the route makes the Lincoln Byway one of the best scenic drives in Northern Illinois. 5 of the Best Scenic Drives Through Illinois. Its no secret that the small towns of the Prairie State are charming, to say the least, and provide the perfect escape from daily life. Illinois Scenic Drives Byways, Backways, Historic Routes,. While this region of southern Illinois definitely can feel off the grid, there is no shortage of restaurants offering tasty meals after a day of driving, hiking, or wine tasting. Mliz 2015 ninja 1000, 1975 gl1000, 1972 ct70, 1991 dr650, 1989 gsxr750 If you live in a highly trafficked area, you might forget how meditative it is to drive on the open road. Route 66 starts its long journey to the West Coast in Chicago. Best enjoyed on a summer evening or when the leaves are changing colors in the fall. Use our easy Lodging Search to find exactly the type of accommodation you are looking for at the right price. Beginning in the town of Cumberland in Maryland, this road ends in the wonderful Illinois town of Vandalia. To satisfy your hunger, you'll need to drive for about 40 minutes to reach Cliff Droppers, a popular family-run burger restaurant in the area. Learn more about Historic National Road Scenic Byway on the website. 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. This gorgeous road spans three states: Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The M-119, aka the Tunnel of Trees, is one of Michigan's most popular scenic drives. flanked by a lavish residential area in the west and fantastic panoramic views of the. If you love the idea of a good old-fashioned Sunday drive then youll love getting into the car and heading down Grand View Drive in Peoria. Have you ever been up and down these roads? around Illinois. 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? Scenic drives follow rivers and creeks through woods and past parks, playgrounds and numerous roadside attractions. But the Galena end of the highway yields to no other area in its River Road attractions. Get ready for a packed three-week adventure to some of the greatest locales in Africa. A couple drive in an open top car along the Great River Road, Illinois. Sage Scott. And thats where Patricia always brings it back to basics, one hand out the window, playing airplane just like a kid. A great stop is at Tapley Woods Conservation Area. There are spots where the trail breaks clear of the woods and opens on views of miles of undulating Illinois landscape, some under cultivation, some nearly pristine and natural. Advocate Aurora Healths combined strength and stability drives us forward. It connects 13 community areas from North to South, from Edgewater to South Shore. On your drive, youll likely see many of these community members on the land working hard on their harvest. You've probably worked up an appetite upon completing your hike. At least one scenic byway runs through each of the IDOT regions. We have been enjoying visiting several of the Presidential libraries, museums, historic homes, etc. Trail, Bird Watching, with many great shops in became a one-way street in 1955, Right here at Adams St. became the new starting point for Route 66 one. Learn More TheGreat River Road, which travels along the Mississippi River, has countless o Fall is when many of the states best qualities truly shine. Drive Safe The Scenic Drive roads are marked with [SD] symbols on this map. Enjoy the scenery and take a long, lovely drive down one of these 10 amazing roads and see the best parts of the state. Learn more about The Morton Arboretum on the website. 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. Spoon River Valley. Encounter these quirky relics, from a giant Muffler Man to a towering bottle of catsup. For an overview of amazing wineries in Grafton, click here. AMAZING RIVER VIEW, LEAVES TURNING, QUAINT LITTLE TOWN OF Elijah. Considered the most beautiful state park, Its no secret that the small towns of the Prairie State are charming, to say the least, and provide the perfect escape from daily life. Insider tip: Ottawa is considered as being the heart of Starved Rock county. We were most recently there and counted 40 bald eagles on our drive. Visit state parks and recreation areas near Galena on our scenic loop drive. Getting around Chicago and Illinois is easy with our guide to ways to travel around the state. Related read: 10 Amazing Small Towns in Wisconsin for a Charming Escape. 1. You will love the scenic river road. Here is a list of more small cities in Illinois that are worth a visit. This drive is stunning with the valley on one side and the river on the other. With 164 miles to travel in the Land of Lincoln, the Illinois National Road makes it possible to follow the life and political career of Abraham Lincoln, as well as enjoy amazingly old and rare automobiles at MY Garage Museum, just to name a few. Lake Shore Drive, or Outer Drive, is a multilevel expressway that runs alongside Lake Michigan through the city of Chicago. The cave's history is full of tales of pirates ambushing travelers along the river in the 18th and 19th centuries. Unlimited stops Plan trips worldwide Divide your trip into days Export to GPS or Print and more handy features! And the long lines of barges being carefully shepherded up and downstream by powerful tugs are a fascinating sight to see. If you love a good, old fashioned drive through beautiful rural Illinois and have a spot thats your favorite we certainly want to hear about it in the comments. Find out how to get to Illinois by plane, train, bus and driving. Be an explorer as you climb the stairs to the top of the largest prehistoric settlement in North America, or rent a canoe and spend an hour or two on the waters of the mighty Mississippi, where Lewis and Clark began their famed expedition. Whitefish, Montana. Continue to Mobile Site Thank you. Heavenly diningOn the way back to Galena, stop for a steak or seafood dinner in Elizabeth at The Holy Mackerel in a renovated white clapboard church. After I came out of the Adler Planetarium the weather changed but even that got a good photo. BYWAY BITES While there isn't anything else in the immediate vicinity relating to Route 66, it's an easy way to pay homage to this world-famous All-American route. Needles Highway (Highway 87), is found in the Black Hills of South Dakota, on a stretch of road through Custer State Park. Get inspired by top travel stories, gain access to exclusive promotions and contests, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois. If being near water calms your soul then you wont want to miss out on spending time near the Illinois River. Read this post in which we share the best things to do in Grafton. Whether you are a professed history buff, a lover of nature, or a boatman you will enjoy all that these sweeping 96 miles of the Illinois and Michigan canals have to offer. As a state of mostly small towns, Illinois has plenty of scenic roads you can take to get away from it all and have space to look around instead of just staring at the bumper in front of you. Whether you prefer to make it a romantic trip or a trip with the kids, there is something for everyone. Request additional information, schedule a showing, save to your property organizer. Learn more about Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive on the website. The River Road National Scenic Byway showcases Illinois natural wonders and theyre truly breathtaking. Originally from the quaint beach town of Fenwick Island, Delaware, Stephanie has called Chicago home for nearly a decade. If your fall plans include a shopping weekend in Galena, make time for a fresh-air escape to the state parks and recreation areas outside town: Mississippi Palisades for river views, White Pines Forest for thick groves, Lowden Memorial for The Eternal Indian (aka Black Hawk) statue and Lake Le-Aqua-Na for trail rides. The sky was a deep blue, the windows were rolled down, Patricia sailed her hand out the window. A circus performer, stuntwoman, professed travel buff and lover of Tom Waits, Stephanie is looking forward to sharing her favorite Chicago haunts with both adventurous locals and curious travelers. IMN Heaven Ranch is located within Majors Ranch, comprised of numerous large acreage parcels with varied terrain. Saults Drug Store - Fulton. Visit These 12 Incredible Charming Small Towns In Illinois, One For Each Month Of The Year, This Walkable Stretch Of Shops And Restaurants In Small-Town Illinois Is The Perfect Day Trip Destination, Few People Know One Of The Nicest Restaurants In America Is Hiding In Small-Town Illinois, The Illinois Resort Where You Can Go Ice Skating, Make Homemade Smores, And More This Winter, Here are 9 Hidden Gems Along the Mississippi River in Illinois, Take These 11 Country Roads In Illinois For A Gorgeous Scenic Drive, Youll Want To Take This Picture Perfect River Trail Through Illinois, If There Are Only 5 Hikes You Ever Do In Illinois, Make Them These, seven places in Illinois boonies that are so worth the drive. ), or the old Rochelle railroad park. Also, be sure to check out the famous Cahokia mounds and visit the Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower where you can experience breathtaking 150-foot views of Ol Man River. As one of the most scenic drives in Illinois, there's nothing else quite like it. Whether you're cruising the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River or winding through charming towns in the countryside, there are over 57,000 square miles of Illinois roads to explore. What are some of the best small towns in Illinois? 4. The endpoint is in Cairo, an abandoned town that is packed with history. Save. Northwest Illinois Loop scenic drive Visit state parks and recreation areas near Galena on our scenic loop drive. Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway, The Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Route. This is truly one of the most remarkable Illinois byways to drive. Visit the largest state park in Illinois and one untouched by glaciers that once blanketed much of the state. Sununu has carefully built a Potemkin Village to convince the national media he is a somewhat safe Republican presidential alternative to Donald Trump or Gov. The river looked very beautiful, and the leaves were changing colors. Read our full coverage on the Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway to learn more. You'll also pass by some of the state's most beautiful rivers, including the Spoon River and the Illinois River, and the river starts . 9 years ago. These are the 14 most scenic drives in the United States, from sea to shining sea. One of the major features of LSD is the Outer Drive Bridge, also known as Link Bridge, which carries LSD traffic over the Chicago River. Galena in the north and Cairo to the south. Color Key: top-5 ranked routes in the state #1#2#3#4#5 Routes ranked below the top-5 are drawn in gray Newest Motorcycle Roads & Rides in Illinois You'll receive your first newsletter soon! In fact, eight of the 126 America's Byways are right here in our state. If youre in the mood for a drive, read on for some of the best scenic drives in Illinois. Copyright 2017, 25 Top Easy-Care Plants for Midwest Gardens. The route spanned the entire width of the state because it was part of the larger highway system that ran from New York to California. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 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. Scenic Drives in Illinois. Route 66 plays a pretty major part in Americas history. How did we decide to drive? 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