When is the last time you took a good look at some of the beauty around the Prairie State? We tend to get used to places where we live and can forget how truly magnificent they are. So, let’s rediscover some of the most beautiful places on this scenic road trip in Illinois. It may make you fall in love with the state’s beauty all over again.

Ready to hit the road? Remember to pack some road trip snacks and gas up the car. Clocking in at just under eight hours and 376 miles, you may want to spend the night somewhere along the way. To visit these places, we created a handy interactive Google map for you to use. Feel free to add and delete stops to make it your own. Ready to go?

Google Maps

  1. Morton Arboretum, Lisle

The Morton Arboretum/Facebook Our first stop on this scenic road trip in Illinois is the stunning Morton Arboretum. Known for its large collection of trees from around the world as well as gardens and the occasional large-scale sculpture installation, you’ll be marveling at the beauty here at every turn.

Read our previous coverage to learn more about the Morton Arboretum. 4100 IL-53, Lisle, IL 60532, USA

  1. Bahi’a House of Worship, Wilmette

MichaelDPhotos/Wikimedia Commons The Bahi’a House of Worship is the second Bahi’a temple ever to be created, and the oldest one that is still standing, is right here in Illinois. And it is quite a sight to behold! Found just outside of Chicago, this is one of eight of its kind in North America.

Read our previous coverage to learn more about the Bahi’a House of Worship. 100 Linden Ave, Wilmette, IL 60091, USA

  1. Grosse Point Lighthouse, Evanston

Gregory Rosic/Google Unlike the east and west coasts, Illinois is not really a place you would think of having lighthouses, but it does. And there’s quite a lovely one with a long history in Evanston. Construction on this lighthouse was completed in 1873 and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places over 100 years later. From the top you can take in absolutely stunning Illinois scenery for miles around!

Read our previous coverage to learn more about the Grosse Point Lighthouse. 2601 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL 60201, USA

  1. Illinois Beach State Park, Zion

Michael Eisenberg/Google Not only will you find peace and quiet at this beachside park along Lake Michigan but resplendent beauty as well. Take a hike, lay on the beach, go for a swim….the world is your oyster at this state park.

Read our previous coverage to learn more about Illinois Beach State Park. 1 Lake Front Dr, Zion, IL 60099, USA

  1. Anderson Japanese Gardens, Rockford

Anderson Japanese Gardens/Facebook Another one of the most most scenic places in Illinois is this 12-acre botanical garden in Rockford. At this true slice of heaven you’ll find serene gardens with waterfalls, streams, and koi ponds that you can walk through on winding pathways. It’s absolutely breathtaking!

Read our previous coverage to learn more about the Anderson Japanese Gardens. 318 Spring Creek Rd, Rockford, IL 61107, USA

  1. Galena

Julien.scavini/Wikimedia Commons There’s perhaps no other town in the state of Illinois as picture-perfect as Galena. Not only that, but it offers shops, restaurants, attractions, nature and so much more!

Read our previous coverage to learn more about the town of Galena. Galena, IL 61036, USA

  1. Starved Rock State Park, Oglesby

Josh Fozzard/Google The last spot on our scenic places road trip through Illinois is a park that’s considered the best in the state and recognized as one of Illinois’ natural wonders - Starved Rock State Park. The park is home to several canyons with waterfalls, caves, bluffs, and more scenery than you can imagine.

Read our previous coverage to learn more about Starved Rock State Park. Starved Rock State Park, 2678 E 875th Rd, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA

Are you ready to take a scenic road trip through Illinois? Have you already been to any of these places? If so, which ones? What other locations would you add to this route? We’d love to read about your experiences in the comments section below!

Google Maps

The Morton Arboretum/Facebook

Our first stop on this scenic road trip in Illinois is the stunning Morton Arboretum. Known for its large collection of trees from around the world as well as gardens and the occasional large-scale sculpture installation, you’ll be marveling at the beauty here at every turn.

Read our previous coverage to learn more about the Morton Arboretum.

4100 IL-53, Lisle, IL 60532, USA

MichaelDPhotos/Wikimedia Commons

The Bahi’a House of Worship is the second Bahi’a temple ever to be created, and the oldest one that is still standing, is right here in Illinois. And it is quite a sight to behold! Found just outside of Chicago, this is one of eight of its kind in North America.

Read our previous coverage to learn more about the Bahi’a House of Worship.

100 Linden Ave, Wilmette, IL 60091, USA

Gregory Rosic/Google

Unlike the east and west coasts, Illinois is not really a place you would think of having lighthouses, but it does. And there’s quite a lovely one with a long history in Evanston. Construction on this lighthouse was completed in 1873 and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places over 100 years later. From the top you can take in absolutely stunning Illinois scenery for miles around!

Read our previous coverage to learn more about the Grosse Point Lighthouse.

2601 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL 60201, USA

Michael Eisenberg/Google

Not only will you find peace and quiet at this beachside park along Lake Michigan but resplendent beauty as well. Take a hike, lay on the beach, go for a swim….the world is your oyster at this state park.

Read our previous coverage to learn more about Illinois Beach State Park.

1 Lake Front Dr, Zion, IL 60099, USA

Anderson Japanese Gardens/Facebook

Another one of the most most scenic places in Illinois is this 12-acre botanical garden in Rockford. At this true slice of heaven you’ll find serene gardens with waterfalls, streams, and koi ponds that you can walk through on winding pathways. It’s absolutely breathtaking!

Read our previous coverage to learn more about the Anderson Japanese Gardens.

318 Spring Creek Rd, Rockford, IL 61107, USA

Julien.scavini/Wikimedia Commons

There’s perhaps no other town in the state of Illinois as picture-perfect as Galena. Not only that, but it offers shops, restaurants, attractions, nature and so much more!

Read our previous coverage to learn more about the town of Galena.

Galena, IL 61036, USA

Josh Fozzard/Google

The last spot on our scenic places road trip through Illinois is a park that’s considered the best in the state and recognized as one of Illinois’ natural wonders - Starved Rock State Park. The park is home to several canyons with waterfalls, caves, bluffs, and more scenery than you can imagine.

Read our previous coverage to learn more about Starved Rock State Park.

Starved Rock State Park, 2678 E 875th Rd, Oglesby, IL 61348, USA

For more outdoor adventure ideas in Illinois, check out this video:

 

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Adventures in Illinois February 04, 2023 Lysa Allman-Baldwin Where can we find scenic drives in Illinois?

Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive – This day trip scenic drive option starts about 3 hours outside of Chicago, stretches 140 miles, and is highlighted by over 24 different attractions. Garden of the Gods – Located in the Shawnee National Forest, the rock formations here are thought to be about 300 million years old. Cave-In-Rock State Park – Located in southern Illinois, the highlight of the park is 55-foot wide cave that you have to see to believe.

Read on to learn more about the many amazing scenic drives in Illinois.   Where can we find more state parks in Illinois?

Matthiessen State Park – Located in North Utica, the park features stunning dells, canyons, waterfalls, and more. Mississippi Palisades State Park – Located in Savanna, the park encompasses 2,500 acres and is known for having some of the best rock climbing in the state, Giant City State Park – Located in Makanda, the park is very geologically diverse with huge sandstone bluffs, stunning trails, and lots of verdant tree and plant life.

Read on to learn more about the many state parks in Illinois.   Where can we go camping in Illinois?

Kayak Morris Campground – Located in Morris, you’ll find both sandy beach and wooded campsites adjacent to William G. Stratton State Park. Camp McCormick – Located in the Stillman Valley, this spot features 400 acres of wilderness. Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach – Located in Zion, this beach campground is perfect for Class A Rvers that need access to electricity, and there are showers.

Read on to learn more about more places to go camping in Illinois.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Adventures in Illinois

February 04, 2023

Lysa Allman-Baldwin

Where can we find scenic drives in Illinois?

Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive – This day trip scenic drive option starts about 3 hours outside of Chicago, stretches 140 miles, and is highlighted by over 24 different attractions. Garden of the Gods – Located in the Shawnee National Forest, the rock formations here are thought to be about 300 million years old. Cave-In-Rock State Park – Located in southern Illinois, the highlight of the park is 55-foot wide cave that you have to see to believe.

Read on to learn more about the many amazing scenic drives in Illinois.   Where can we find more state parks in Illinois?

Matthiessen State Park – Located in North Utica, the park features stunning dells, canyons, waterfalls, and more. Mississippi Palisades State Park – Located in Savanna, the park encompasses 2,500 acres and is known for having some of the best rock climbing in the state, Giant City State Park – Located in Makanda, the park is very geologically diverse with huge sandstone bluffs, stunning trails, and lots of verdant tree and plant life.

Read on to learn more about the many state parks in Illinois.   Where can we go camping in Illinois?

Kayak Morris Campground – Located in Morris, you’ll find both sandy beach and wooded campsites adjacent to William G. Stratton State Park. Camp McCormick – Located in the Stillman Valley, this spot features 400 acres of wilderness. Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach – Located in Zion, this beach campground is perfect for Class A Rvers that need access to electricity, and there are showers.

Read on to learn more about more places to go camping in Illinois.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

  • Spoon River Valley Scenic Drive – This day trip scenic drive option starts about 3 hours outside of Chicago, stretches 140 miles, and is highlighted by over 24 different attractions.
  • Garden of the Gods – Located in the Shawnee National Forest, the rock formations here are thought to be about 300 million years old.
  • Cave-In-Rock State Park – Located in southern Illinois, the highlight of the park is 55-foot wide cave that you have to see to believe.

Read on to learn more about the many amazing scenic drives in Illinois.

Where can we find more state parks in Illinois?

  • Matthiessen State Park – Located in North Utica, the park features stunning dells, canyons, waterfalls, and more.
  • Mississippi Palisades State Park – Located in Savanna, the park encompasses 2,500 acres and is known for having some of the best rock climbing in the state,
  • Giant City State Park – Located in Makanda, the park is very geologically diverse with huge sandstone bluffs, stunning trails, and lots of verdant tree and plant life.

Read on to learn more about the many state parks in Illinois.

Where can we go camping in Illinois?

  • Kayak Morris Campground – Located in Morris, you’ll find both sandy beach and wooded campsites adjacent to William G. Stratton State Park.
  • Camp McCormick – Located in the Stillman Valley, this spot features 400 acres of wilderness.
  • Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach – Located in Zion, this beach campground is perfect for Class A Rvers that need access to electricity, and there are showers.

Read on to learn more about more places to go camping in Illinois.